Len's cheeks burned a deep crimson, her expression shifting into one of pitiable defeat. Angel, shifting gears with practiced ease, returned to the matter at hand. "Well, if you want to get closer to Kei, Len and I are going to help you."

Len's eyebrows shot up in protest. "Wh-"

Before the word could leave her lips, Angel's fist connected sharply with her stomach. The wind knocked out of her, Len looked up to see a glint in Angel's eyes that brooked no argument. Without a second thought, Len nodded her frantic agreement.

Fay beamed, a radiant smile breaking across her face. "Thank you, girls!"

The trio immediately fell into a huddle, whispering and plotting. Once the strategy was set, Angel let out a cackle that bordered on the villainous. "WHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! With this plan, I'm certain Kei will fall- I…..I mean, get closer to you."

A wave of relief washed over Fay, her heart light as the school bell chimed. It was time for class.

As Fay entered the room, her gaze instantly locked onto Kei, who was sitting by the window, staring out at the sky. It was as if a filter had been placed over the world; the faces of her other classmates were a dull blur, while Kei's features remained in sharp, vivid focus. Fay drifted to her seat as if in a trance.

The teacher arrived shortly after, the sharp tap of a chalk stick signaling the start of the lesson. "Open your books to page 15" the instructor commanded.

Kei rummaged through her bag, her movements growing increasingly frantic until she realized the truth: she had forgotten her book. A look of helpless anxiety crossed her face. Left with no choice, she reached out and tentatively poked the shoulder of the girl sitting in front of her.

Yumi turned around, met by Kei's desperate expression. "What is it?" Yumi whispered, her voice laced with concern.

"I forgot my book," Kei murmured back, her voice barely audible. "Can I share with you? Please?"

Yumi was about to agree when Fay, who sat directly beside Kei, intervened. Having overheard the exchange, Fay leaned in. "I have my book right here, Kei. You can share with me."

Yumi's eyebrows arched, an "angelic" but sharp smile crossing her face. "It's quite alright," Yumi said firmly. "Kei asked me first, so she can share mine."

The air between Fay and Yumi crackled with sudden tension, invisible bolts of lightning flashing as they locked eyes in a silent competition. Angel, sitting next to Yumi, watched the drama unfold and instantly realized the stakes.

Thinking fast, Angel shoved her own book back into her bag. "Hey, Yumi!" she chirped, sliding her desk flush against Yumi's before the other girl could object. "I think I forgot my book, too. Mind sharing?"

Angel shot a pointed look over her shoulder at Fay: This is your chance.

Catching the signal, Fay wasted no time. She dragged her desk against Kei's, her heart hammering against her ribs. As the teacher began the lecture, Fay found herself in a state of pure bliss. They were only centimeters apart. She could catch the faint, clean scent of Kei's perfume and feel the soft breeze from the window as it played with the strands of Kei's dark hair.

Fay became utterly lost in the sight of her. She traced the curve of Kei's profile the lips as pink as cherry blossoms, the elegant bridge of her nose, the porcelain clarity of her skin. She admired the sweep of her long eyelashes and the perfect arch of her dark brows. The lesson became white noise, Fay was mesmerized.

Kei, sensing the intense heat of Fay's gaze, didn't look away from the board. Instead, she reached out, placed a hand gently on the side of Fay's head and firmly rotated it back toward the front of the room.

Fay let out a tiny, playful pout, sulking at being caught. Kei glanced at her for a fleeting second, a ghost of a smile touching her lips, before returning her focus to the teacher. Kei whisper to the wind "Thank you".