I, Yui Yukimura, the perfect honor student, have faced many terrifying things in my seventeen years of life.

Midterms.

Group projects with incompetent rich kids.

And now, apparently—marriage.

To Yuki Sanada.

The smirking, spoiled heir to Sanada International.

Also known as: my personal nightmare in a designer school uniform.

"Smile a little, Yukimura," he whispers, voice dipped in silk and sarcasm as camera shutters click around us. “Wouldn’t want the press thinking the bride hates her groom.”

I do.

I absolutely do.

But I smile anyway—tight-lipped, fake, and furious—as the photographer snaps the last photo for the society column announcing our perfect union.

So how did this all began anyways? My perfect life fell in to ruins?

Flashback, 48 hours ago:

“Yui darling,” my father had said, as if discussing the weather, “you’ll be marrying the Arisawa heir this weekend. Political alliance. Very strategic. Congratulations.”

I nearly choked on my tea.

"Excuse me!? Congratulations? I am getting married!? Where is this little thing called consent missing!? What are we- living in ancient era or something!? For heaven's sake it's 21st century!" 

But still...all of that rantering didn't work either. My rights? Justice? What's that? Huh? One signature later, I find myself married—yes, legally married—to the boy I can’t stand!!. 

The only reply and explanation I received for this injustice was that it would “benefit both families immensely.”

What they didn’t say?

That I’d have to live with him, study with him, and pretend we’re some kind of young power couple straight out of a drama.

----

“No publications,” I had said, voice steady despite the way my hands shook. “No press releases. No announcements. Nothing.”

The room had gone quiet.

My father studied me, calculating.

“And if we refuse?” he asked.

I met his gaze. “Then I won’t cooperate at all. Not at home. Not at school. Not publicly. You’ll gain an alliance and lose a daughter who plays her role.”

Silence stretched.

Then—slow applause.

Yuki Sanada.

“Impressive,” he had said lightly. “She negotiates better than half the board members I know.”

My father exhaled sharply. “Fine. The marriage will remain undisclosed until graduation.”

My mother added, “Not a single leak. Not even a rumor.”

Yuki smiled at me then—slow, dangerous.

“So,” he murmured, “we’re a secret.”

I just wanted to punch his face.

—

Now, forty-eight hours later, camera shutters still echo in my head as the black town car pulls towards the academy gates.

Those photos are locked away in private archives, guarded by contracts thicker than textbooks.

One leak would destroy everything.

My reputation.

My academic future.

My control.

Inside the car, Yuki loosens his tie like he’s just left a boring meeting instead of a secret wedding.

“You handled that well,” he says casually.

I don’t look at him. “You didn’t object.”

“I’m not stupid,” he replies. “A scandal before graduation benefits no one.”

“Good,” I snap. “Because if a single person at Tenjou finds out—”

“You’ll kill me?” he offers.

“Yes.”

He chuckles. “Duly noted.”

At school, no one knows.

They can’t.

I walk through the gates alone, heart hammering at every familiar face.No whispers. No stares.

No one saying congratulations. Just lockers slamming and friends complaining about pop quizzes.

Normal. Painfully normal.

But everything feels different now—like I’m carrying a bomb in my bag instead of textbooks.

Yuki arrives minutes later, surrounded by his usual crowd.

Our eyes meet across the courtyard.

Just for a second.

Too long.

I look away first.

Good.

—

The rule is simple. Until graduation, no one finds out.Not classmates. Not teachers. Not friends.

We agreed on it in writing. 

The first test comes sooner than expected.

During lunch, my best friend leans close, eyes sparkling. 

“Did you hear?” she whispers. “Sanada was absent last Friday. Rumor says he had some big family event.”

My stomach drops.

I force a laugh. “Rich people do that.”

She nods. “True. Still—he’s been acting weird lately.”

Across the cafeteria, Yuki glances up. For one terrifying second, I imagine everything unraveling.

The photos leaking. The whispers exploding. My name dragged through speculation. But he looks away.

Professional. Controlled. Good.

After school, my phone buzzes.

Yuki: Car’s waiting. Use the side gate.

I type back furiously.

Yui: Stop texting me like this.

Yuki: Relax. It’s encrypted. 

I hate that he thought of that.

—

Yui entered the car looking here and there like a thief of a secret agent on a mission. She sat inside and quickly pulled and shut the door.

"Phew...that took away a few years of my life.." 

"I hope you are ready." He smirked.

"What now?" She stared at him with blank expressions.

"See you tonight! After all we have to live together from tomorrow onwards. Our parents paid a lot of money so might as well give them the full show! Isn't it only fair that way?.." 

Urgh!! I'm going to strangle him before this semester ends!