Suzuran shook her head, trying to push out all the thoughts she wasn’t supposed to be having.
She turned slightly to the side, but couldn’t resist sneaking another glance—43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubw9WloXhH
at the boy sitting beside her,43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHSgLHroZD
focused intently on editing her report.
Kimijima Kouichi.
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If I weren’t “the young lady” today… I probably would’ve confessed already.
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She thought quietly.
But she also knew—even if she mustered up the courage to say it out loud,43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3yg5gQnCc
he would probably just turn her down gently.
Say something like “Serving the young lady is my duty,” or “I owe too much to your father.”
He was always so upright, so restrained—43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kkALRYw3O
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s52Gr2V12
Like a wall—so perfect, you didn’t even know where to knock.
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So… will he ever see how I feel?
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“My lady.”
His voice suddenly cut in—low and firm, impossible to ignore.
Suzuran jumped, her spine snapping straight.
“While I’m editing your report… shouldn’t you also be studying?”
“Huh? I am!!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24EPVU69SF
Like a thief caught red-handed, she scrambled to open her anatomy textbook, fumbling awkwardly.
Kouichi tilted his head toward her, one brow raised, calm but clearly unimpressed.
“…Your book is upside down.”
“Oh, I-I was just… trying to see the diagrams from a different angle!”
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She clung to the excuse,43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TtgCrapfw
but her face was already red—like someone had poured hot water over her.
“You know how anatomy specimens aren’t always laid out the same way in exams… I-I’m training my adaptability!”
Kouichi said nothing.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs321MqKYep
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpGzCA8cgW
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUhspMRhBc
But at an angle she couldn’t see—43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNlZ408Db1
a small, helpless smile began to tug at the corner of his lips.
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“Oh—right, Kouichi!”
Suzuran suddenly perked up, as if she’d just remembered something,43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwwIS1iwGF
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAxzdqjMnj
Can I borrow you for practice?”
Kouichi paused mid-stroke, looked up at her, and replied flatly:
“You mean… as a human model?”
“Uh-huh!” Suzuran nodded, utterly matter-of-fact.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBUlSyeCuE
“Your proportions are perfect, your muscles are clearly defined—way better than the textbook.”
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He stared at her, his brows knitting slightly.
Trying to figure out just how much of that was academic honesty…43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ873Ivh3lRP
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvKXfwpYh8
Her face flushed crimson in an instant as she slammed her hands on the desk.
“I just wanted to feel where the clavicle is! And the rib direction and stuff! It’s just clinical practice—not a big deal!”
But Kouichi’s expression suddenly turned serious.
“My lady.”
His voice dropped a pitch—43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNEUIYV91w
calmer than usual, but with a firm pressure that cut through the room.
“We’re not kids anymore.”
“Let’s keep things appropriate.”
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“Huh?!”
Suzuran froze, eyes wide, ears practically steaming.
“You’re so… not cute at all!”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveCwwNRmVb
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnpUCckxaH
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr57es3fBoV
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANhxImJo0f
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ8pyp1HN9
like he was holding something back.
“My lady… You’re already old enough to date. To marry.”
He turned his head away, no longer looking at her.
“Things like that… should be saved for someone you truly love.”
The room fell quiet for a few seconds.
Outside the window, the wind stirred the chimes—43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTno010QJ8
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1U1FpNDnW
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPK3Ir45O4
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkqj0Eha5s
if he would ever be willing43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN00qnea2Uj
to become that someone.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSQxbNB19v
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You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz3IAQJ9lI
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFmQlIKMi6
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭
and then Add to home screen.