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—385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNlX37CFqF
at the boy sitting beside her,385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnWYmLnKpy
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,385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHOH9byVSn
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—385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90WQv7aLVo
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw5SfGNTeN
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!!”385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6acZIQbqc
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,385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH10ItJic22
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycjM68Bilp
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcZBMAXfW6
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcvm0u0col
But at an angle she couldn’t see—385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqPrbVvgm2
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,385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2aawrgv2A
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDRkTiMxzn
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpp1uuvagi
“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…385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BmJNoYNke
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD86lyrYBC
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—385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnz1KUhxnA
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!”385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskQT0r9Op6
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDmvaVNrU0
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA6LUwGqiI
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEeznkJSy5
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5CZ1LPdyq
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—385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTei3A0Ove
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr8nrLhZHI
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfWr4BpvIm
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG1VVJdIAw
if he would ever be willing385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcyVyOWrly
to become that someone.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm1w5qdG0W
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You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfvJx8asXS
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmqjyiNunQ
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭
and then Add to home screen.