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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—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhipzQZRhF
at the boy sitting beside her,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBqCxivPOj
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,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5M7Sh72o4
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—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQARHtKAV8W
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNTlegKeha
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!!”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeLlq9NvcU
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,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv2m3EXuxj
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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5gue3feic
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh43TMM5ta
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5dSRu4KOu
But at an angle she couldn’t see—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4JKczjQMn
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,12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHXWE5jXjZ
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrabo19rjI
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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4Dgho3OOW
“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…12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxTYoB66rN
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk08wddGbA3
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—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmga0JPL7E
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!”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4buMW2Osge
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqzkivazN3
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIJxnC70gn
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgfY5P9OPX
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrtL3TDhAf
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—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf15W0jRYV
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQyYomGz3X
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQOeEXKp4y
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH6w11r6Q0
if he would ever be willing12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkLIcdiHOR
to become that someone.
