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—76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZhUSSjZ3W
at the boy sitting beside her,76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByTYVr7R9f
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,76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC00hdycThu
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—76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJRsPlCI7H
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r6CyMyheA
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!!”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE33VqyhkB
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,76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gr69iINLm
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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPKwwAB2gC
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AEkfwP9Vk
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTXzaqI2cP
But at an angle she couldn’t see—76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzR21a3XFP
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,76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5KY8HZ3Pz
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LKnSfQIwr
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.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6QuOFpqRS
“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…76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1DYQzOu4u
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoro8Gd5ts
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—76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqSE1FClta
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!”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhdMiVIGwz
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCfymuyLxk
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPDWHPu3aT
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w5qyJK7Hq
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k57govWiy
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—76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCyj1JDvKr
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP3Oe5V5in
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41WrUGOTHt
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFVPRVtjog
if he would ever be willing76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3f4ZUlOEV
to become that someone.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGIydiTAkA
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You made it this far—you're seriously the sweetest! 🥹💗76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tJqJVys82
If you liked it, don’t forget to like 👍, bookmark ⭐, and drop a little comment 📝~76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVRFmPpyP9
Your support keeps me going—and keeps the characters falling deeper in love 💞💭
