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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—13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiitsnG8CaX
at the boy sitting beside her,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrIJmEt7wb
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,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE0sQlCrk1
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—13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaBQ2Q4jGW
even his emotions seemed to be organized and filed away like his immaculate ties and polished shoes.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM34jwOhxrP
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!!”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxBrqNCbnr
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,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc734vFcw9s
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.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLlj9cvkbg
His gaze lingered for a beat on her upside-down notes—then on her burning ears—13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPm42vLvt5
and then drifted back down.
“Hmm. Well then… keep training.”
His tone stayed neutral, cool as always.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhxXM1IIRA
But at an angle she couldn’t see—13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD4HoPfYcS
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,13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DOfJ5xUHo
her eyes lighting up.
“We have our surface anatomy exam coming up soon.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi82gvsaIc
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.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUcUZYSEl6
“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…13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yPewadN57
and how much was teasing.
“…I’m not taking my shirt off.”
“Wha—! I-I never said you had to!!”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfmJd7Zhba
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—13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZlzVYGETy
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!”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLIpNEeGfo
She huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.
“You weren’t like this when we were little…”13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmM0hhmHG3
Her voice turned quieter, almost sulking.
“When was the last time… we even slept together?”
She mumbled it like a passing thought—13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90mA3CRCXc
but loud enough for him to hear.
Kouichi was quiet for a moment.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZhyotRTM1
His gaze deepened.
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When he finally spoke, his voice was lower than before—13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgv1AVlu3Q
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—13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RlJTZ3PrW
filling the silence with soft, crystalline notes.
Suzuran’s heartbeat pounded in her ears, far too loud.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWnnB3DmfE
She didn’t respond.
Just bit her lip, unsure of where to land her eyes.
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Because the truth was—13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9P6U62TKm
she already knew who she loved.
She just didn’t know13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb06hSdj8Xr
if he would ever be willing13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotIwQ1we5f
to become that someone.
