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—37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1Lr4Kxoz7
at the boy sitting beside her,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIMJECanEF
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,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEAEjHGYju
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—37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiteoO9eSSA
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCePTGECyn
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!!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY5H7WuseY
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,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKorfuYsboa
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5TTMzaMcd
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E2bMF9KuE
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMaKuC3jSc
But at an angle she couldn’t see—37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNtKvKxAP8
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,37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qyREPTpMn
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J3c2YJEB4
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.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkUMIan6kU
“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…37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxcJHA0XZ7
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UP6Wp95N8
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—37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOuNdg8CgX
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!”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKPBijnGfH
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kzacjc3ye
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiti3FCOh1w
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKSSfTdQwJ
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F0XFNzNoc
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—37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE0TlA9iY9
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9FQ8uX3IP
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhA9Kv9rG1
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodhAw0uGvH
if he would ever be willing37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkVWlEKYU7
to become that someone.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDC27DnXNn
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You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4opALjkk0
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPWEH8C7cK
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭
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