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—89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVS8cQhoLY
at the boy sitting beside her,89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9UyU2ymE2
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,89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOmyHMv2Uu
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—89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0dFjARss8
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WQtgbTgOd
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!!”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzpanBJSyw
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,89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExem9IWngX
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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Typ5MjDSP
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgfbYltOio
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZtcfChSk9
But at an angle she couldn’t see—89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPbsISCs6n
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,89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwjSeMLC5I
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZnbjVchyS
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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil1ezhRvfc
“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…89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx6eoyhlGT
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3lqXwQZTN
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—89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts3T8Uqovg
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!”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRpeVD2rCO
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtthDIL4gco
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTLMISo8Jz
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBc14sWqzF
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgLTJz8RGJ
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—89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0pzl9dGzD
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtHcRjLNCS
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKrhgJSeGS
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXmtkgc3lE
if he would ever be willing89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND629CIRUK
to become that someone.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlTmLZnMN1
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You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkvOgArrTk
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyQOSjgn06
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭
and then Add to home screen.