The morning was calm. The school courtyard buzzed with students, and Keita walked slowly, flanked by Riko and Ako — as usual. But something was different today. The usual playful air was gone. They were quiet, sneaking glances at Keita as if searching for answers in his every move.
At the same time, in the teacher's lounge, Yuzuki-sensei was arranging her folders. She looked the same as always — calm, professional, with that warm smile. But when she saw Keita enter the classroom… her heart skipped a beat.
Their eyes met. Just for a moment. But it was enough.
A brief exchange of energy. He gave a subtle smirk, and she blinked, quickly turning her head and pretending to read something.
But... Riko saw it.
— "Did you see that?" Ako whispered as they took their seats. — "Between Keita and Yuzuki-sensei?"
— "Yeah. Too much… silence. And their eyes… it was like a thousand things were said without words."
— "Hmm… and that scent. It was exactly the same one I smelled on him."
— "And the mark on her neck," Riko added.
After classes, in the schoolyard, Ako, Riko, and Miyu sat on a bench. Miyu had come with a casual excuse, but she looked like a little detective.
— "Girls, I'm starting to think my sister is with that boy," Miyu said, chewing gum. — "And not just like that. I swear, I saw one of his ties at our house. Yuzuki was hiding it under her pillow!"
— "Oh, wow," Riko replied. — "And Keita… he blushed like crazy this morning when I asked about that perfume."
Ako nodded, frowning.
— "So… Keita and Yuzuki-sensei? Seriously? And we...?" She sighed. — "He didn't even tell us…"
Miyu laughed. — "That's for sure. They're definitely sneaking around. But… how long until it all comes out?"
From the classroom above, Keita looked out the window, straight at the bench where the girls were sitting. And he smiled softly.
He knew they were catching on. He knew he couldn't hide it forever.
But then his gaze turned toward the blackboard, where Yuzuki was writing with chalk. And without turning around, she tilted her head slightly… smiling.
She felt his eyes on her.
And she liked it.