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—386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJao8hue1K
at the boy sitting beside her,386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAIdtWDCAk
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,386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70beJkwSeG
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—386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizl03HJ1nb
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ590UQLUk25
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!!”386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGveItCMcX
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,386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1ghdBUBVc
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTukhzScr0T
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNxyeQMPVI
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDYGayW3BU
But at an angle she couldn’t see—386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MxRvEzn9Y
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,386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbOiYJ0JE7
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvJnvcMlNx
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.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9osiPSvyo5
“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…386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5nP1Aa11J
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh6a7d6QXa
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—386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPogdifQXDb
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!”386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKe9jY1xpi
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPr5Q8ualz
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUbCG4X9DL
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxk47xhteg
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabIRZ1yp7a
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—386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVPXtMi3js
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwNtA5rAmh
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRLAikPYSz
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygPzE9Ia5n
if he would ever be willing386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC92DjGHLm5
to become that someone.386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSiZs5RGFy
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You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcrpnSF1iY
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~386Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WVTEMfQSn
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭
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