A Dangerous Group Project

Ren Nakamura hated group projects.

No, he despised them.

And of course, because the universe loved making his life miserable, he got stuck with the worst possible partner.

"Looks like we're together, Nakamura!" Yuki beamed, holding up the project guidelines.

Ren slumped in his chair. "Tch. Of course we are."

"Don't look so excited," she teased, sitting beside him.

Ren groaned, rubbing his temples. "I don't do group work."

"You do now," she said cheerfully. "It's due next week."

Ren clicked his tongue. Just great. A full week of this.

Yuki flipped through the instructions. "We need to research a historical event and make a presentation. Any ideas?"

"Yeah. We drop out of school and don't do it."

Yuki snorted. "Okay, but seriously."

Ren sighed. "I don't care. Pick whatever."

Yuki tapped her chin, thinking. Then her face lit up. "Ooh, what about the Great Fire of Tokyo?"

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because it's interesting!" she said, excited. "And kind of symbolic, don't you think?"

Ren frowned. "Symbolic of what?"

Yuki smiled. "A disaster that destroyed everything but led to a stronger city."

Ren blinked.

...Why did that sound like him?

Tch. Overthinking.

"Fine. Whatever," he muttered.

Yuki grinned. "Awesome. Let's start after school."

Ren sighed. "Can't we just do it separately?"

"Nope."

Of course not.

After School – The Library

"Okay, read this," Yuki said, sliding a book toward him.

Ren leaned back in his chair. "You read it."

She stared at him.

Then, before he could react, she poked his forehead.

Ren jerked back. "Oi—"

"Sit up and focus," Yuki scolded. "We're in this together."

Ren grumbled, rubbing his forehead. "You're annoying."

"And yet, here you are, doing your work like a good student," she said smugly.

Ren exhaled through his nose. Why was she so irritatingly right all the time?

Still, he grabbed the book and started flipping through the pages.

After a while, something strange happened.

They actually worked.

No distractions. No sarcasm. Just quiet reading and occasional discussions.

Ren didn't even realize how much time had passed until Yuki stretched, yawning.

"Wow, we actually got stuff done," she mused.

Ren blinked at the clock. Two hours had passed.

...Huh.

Yuki stood, grabbing her bag. "Let's continue this at my house tomorrow."

Ren froze.

"Wait. What?"

Yuki tilted her head. "We need more time, right? My place is quiet."

Ren hesitated. "Tch. You don't have to invite me."

"I know," she said simply. "But I want to."

Ren clenched his jaw.

Yuki Hoshino was way too casual about everything.

And that—

That was dangerous.

The Next Day – Yuki's House

Ren stood outside her house, hands stuffed in his pockets.

Why was he so tense?

It was just a project.

Just Yuki.

Then why did his stomach feel weird?

Tch. Whatever.

He knocked.

A few seconds later, Yuki swung the door open, smiling. "Oh! You actually came."

Ren scowled. "You think I wouldn't?"

"A little," she admitted.

Ren clicked his tongue. "Tch. Just let me in already."

She giggled and stepped aside. "Welcome to my humble home."

Ren stepped in, glancing around.

It was... warm.

Cozy. Nothing fancy, but filled with little details that made it feel alive. Photos on the wall. Small trinkets on shelves. A soft scent of lavender in the air.

Nothing like his house.

Nothing like the emptiness he was used to.

"Come on," Yuki said, grabbing his wrist and tugging him toward the living room.

Ren stiffened.

"...Tch. I can walk by myself."

Yuki just laughed. "I know."

Ren sighed, sitting on the floor by the coffee table. Yuki sat beside him, flipping open a notebook.

"Okay, let's finish the outline first."

Ren groaned. "Why are you so damn productive?"

"Because someone has to be," she teased.

Ren rolled his eyes but grabbed his notes. Might as well get this over with.

An Hour Later

Somewhere between note-taking and research, Ren started feeling drowsy.

His body was slouched against the couch, eyelids heavy.

Yuki was still reading, her voice soft as she mumbled through an article.

Ren wasn't really listening anymore.

His head dipped slightly.

And then—

Something soft.

Warm.

His head had landed on Yuki's shoulder.

For a moment, there was silence.

Ren's brain completely short-circuited.

Oh. Shit.

He had two options.

Move away immediately.Pretend he was already asleep.

Ren chose option two.

Yuki stiffened slightly but didn't push him off.

Instead—

She let him stay.

Ren's heart wasn't supposed to beat this fast.

But somehow, as the warmth of her presence surrounded him—

He didn't want to move.

Not yet.

Later That Night – Ren's Room

Ren stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep.

His mind kept replaying the feeling of her shoulder.

Soft. Warm. Comfortable.

Tch. What was wrong with him?

Why did it feel like something changed today?

And worse—

Why wasn't he mad about it?