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—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPYbfI1Yym
at the boy sitting beside her,63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJd21uMTAE
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,63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcayLlL8wa
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—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVjZyIvy4x
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdibHDpOsJV
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!!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDnFyowzdt
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,63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGXk4yP3av
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrIlaV0UvJ
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApSUzbbI7Y
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmI0SVfeH2
But at an angle she couldn’t see—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxhr1srIVM
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,63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FCmG2Yt5L
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo3DrRQJjw
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.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnhfuBtyk8
“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…63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJLKtXQile
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggF8tYzrvY
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—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnx3wzHzGP
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!”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA09r2ZZYs
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo5wxsaGN9
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9eiH7iUZp
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jEIpqEINw
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK9ARin57P
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—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlHAMkhEgI
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6lFcVj7np
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaretOoJKDp
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVFhPptqrq
if he would ever be willing63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡredxYna6GT
to become that someone.63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qxZnWGDke
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You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J1lWkcYz7
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~63Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGpLTYgZBG
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭
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