The school bell finally rang. Bags zipped, chairs scraped against the floor and students slowly began to trickle out. Furayu sloth-like with his movements, pulled out his phone with a tired sigh.

“Hey!” An angered voice said next to him.

He looked up.

It came from Inoue, her cheeks tinted with pink and her eyes still avoiding his gaze. She smacked his back but hesitantly.

“Huh? Yes?” Furayu replied, slightly startled.

“We need to talk!” She bellowed at him, blushing as she dragged him by his sleeve, leading him out of the classroom.

Inoue yanked Furayu into the corridor, keeping her grip firm. She flung the door open of the nearest empty room and shoved him inside. Slamming the door behind her, instilling her dominance over Furayu in this situation.

“Never speak about what happened yesterday!” She snapped at him, her voice sharp with urgency.

“Yeah, Yeah, I get it,” Furayu muttered, surrendering his hands in the air. “You don't want anyone to find out. Fine.”

“If you do…” Her usual stern tone wavered. “It could ruin everything I worked for…”

Furayu was caught off guard by her vulnerable tone. She wasn't being dramatic. Her face seemed to be pale in fear. Even her eyes flickered with fear.

“You're a model.” He said with a faint chuckle, trying to dispel the sombre mood.

“Yeah!? So what?” She shot back, defensively, her lips curled into a scowl.

But behind her sharp gaze, there were flickers of vulnerability, trust within Furayu. He could see, it felt unnerving but clear.

“You trust me that much, huh?” Furayu said with a smirk, posturing himself up and gazed down on her.

“N-No, I don't!” She snapped, her voice cracked as a deep pink flushed across her cheeks.

Furayu smirked, leaning closer. “It's fine… It'll just be our little secret.”

“Shut up!” Inoue shouted, shoving him back with all the force she could muster. Her entire body flushed with heat. “Just. Keep it between us. Please.”

The sudden shift in her tone, the usual fire was gone, sent a shockwave through his heart. The vulnerability of her tugged at him.

“Sorry about that,” Furayu sighed. taking a step back as he realised he might have pushed the boundaries too far.

Inoue flinched, her breathing slowly relaxed, but there was a hint of frustration behind each exhale.

“I never said I hated it… Just don't talk about it,” She muttered softly, her voice so gentle. She leaned against the door, letting her back and shoulders relax, eyes dropping to the floor to avoid any eye contact.

The classroom fell into silence.

Inoue's eyes remained on the ground, her cheeks burning bright red.

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH WHAT DID I JUST SAY TO THAT IDIOT?! AM I STUPID?!

The words replayed in her mind, embarrassment filled within her. But now she had to endure whatever the outcome was.

She had to wait for the stupid reply he was going to give to her.

Furayu couldn't take the silence any longer. He clenched his jaw.

“Inoue, It's real-”

The door suddenly swung open.