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—35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZFFP6TZVr
at the boy sitting beside her,35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY3Cqfy8AX
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,35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMkB1UZ8YY
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—35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gqFCXtWvw
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFHiR0ReQd
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!!”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gttY0yf4E
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,35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl7181cleU
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzB609BEEu
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPwzuJqfE6
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDfHoC9sOm
But at an angle she couldn’t see—35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3nIon35a0
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,35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4IPe3zJsp
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMOcEnCoNk
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.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcbjEnVjO9
“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…35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVNzrxU8cO
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6yazpJCX9
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—35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdAvmnIG9t
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!”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYLLfrB6ie
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNluCg7ERf
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nW3HP3gkw
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtc9Ru3hRT
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDUQdGh0CZ
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—35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOll3wiGNm
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr6dmUohB4
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp79W986ABU
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTq4uOUmmJ
if he would ever be willing35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxQ09TpFZ0
to become that someone.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbsDVlnEfB
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You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEy9Twi8F4
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWGm86TVjk
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭
and then Add to home screen.