x
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—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao7MpwpBIQ
at the boy sitting beside her,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY71ZvQ1NCK
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,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5QBI55Jgm
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—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF26lUPZ8kz
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q95trr9Qr
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!!”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstUoWOgmSO
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,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy8aM0Nti1
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.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQmjUo7SCJ
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0KxsMly4f
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOhYyakXDX
But at an angle she couldn’t see—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZVIotsr4L
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,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwl7VlrUpA
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnCVhJjJoM
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.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlokUJ8w2I
“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…8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSuCAR8xEu
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyId9Z8Kqqk
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—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qkqjqTsm2
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!”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWsjB0FIRs
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdDZ9kqBkj
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW5BaDKMl8
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vhhUFgXqY
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC41kwih8T
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—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZBvaGZK9b
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMEPXYOoY0
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqmfw3vp9O
Because the truth was—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC0Qmz6lEH
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIxGVVeHNS
if he would ever be willing8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ACkErKM8Q
to become that someone.
