Not an alarm.

Not a door knock.

But the sound of someone yelling, "WHERE ARE MY SOCKS?"

She threw open her bedroom door.

“Sanada, what the hell! It’s already 7:20” Yui screamed.

Yuki who was hoping around with one sock and messy hair paused for a moment.

“You’re yelling like it’s my fault time exists.”

“You were playing video games at 2 a.m., weren’t you?!”

“And you were holed up studying like a monk in exam exile. Don’t act superior.”

“I am superior! At least I don’t sabotage our morning routine!”

“Routine? We’ve been fake-married for like, exactly a week. There’s no routine.” 

Yui growled, storming into the bathroom to wash up in record time, while Yuki casually combed his hair with the air of a man who believed time would wait for him.

In a few minutes, Yui emerged from her combing her hair. 

“Where’s the driver?!”

“Oh. Right.” Said Yuki currently in the middle of packing his backpack.

She narrowed her eyes. “Oh. Right??”

“My dad texted. No more chauffeur service.”

Yui blinked.

“What?!”

“Something about ‘encouraging independence’ and ‘natural bonding opportunities.’ I stopped reading after that.”

“YOU—” She threw her arms up. “School is ten kilometers from here!”

“More like nine. If we sprint.”

“Do I look like an Olympic sprinter to you?!”

They left the house at 7:30 am.They sprinted. Argued. Almost missed the train.

Yui tripped. Yuki caught her by the hand. She slapped his arm.

The train was crowded not a single space for movement. Yui and Yuki stood close to each other in silence only inches away. She could hear his heart beat. The same guy who once was at eye level now suddenly was so tall that she had to look up to meet his eyes. Her head that reached almost his shoulders, she kept looking down to avoid his gaze. The ride was long and even in the crowd it felt as if only the two of them existed in this world- at that moment.

By the time they stumbled into school, Yui’s hair and uniform were a mess.

Yuki, meanwhile, after all that still looked handsome. Those silky black hair and deep sapphire blue eyes- No-one could compare to him.

“Urgh! I hate you, my life has been a disaster ever since I met you and in ruins ever since I married you!” she panted.

“Understandable,” he replied smoothly.

--------

-Classroom, Year 3-1- 

They slid into their seats just as the teacher walked in with someone new.

“Class,” she announced, “we have a transfer student joining us today.”

The door opened—and in walked a boy straight out of a European fantasy.

Blonde, soft waves. Emerald green eyes. An accent that made half the class sigh.

“Bonjour. I am Louis Kisaragi. Half Japanese- Half French!. I hope we will all get along well.” He smiled gently looking just like an angel.

The girls squealed - his warm smile enough to make them melt on the spot.

Yui, still trying to catch her breath, whispered, “Great. Another prince.”

Yuki leaned in. “Think he’s here to marry someone too?”

“If he is, I volunteer you.” Replied Yui coldly rolling her eyes.

Yui caught Loius gazing at her. The two locked eyes for a moment - dislike clearly visible on Yuki's face at this sight of them.