Rin’s Unexpected Move

The school vacation had finally come to an end. The days spent arranging the dormitory and adjusting to the partner program had flown by, and now it was time for the students to return to their regular classes. Though the partner program would still continue, the only difference was that instead of going back to their individual homes, the students would now live in the dormitory with their assigned partners.

Isagi stretched his arms as he walked into the classroom, a mix of excitement and nervousness buzzing through him. The familiar hum of chatter filled the air, and his eyes immediately sought out May. She was sitting by the window, her face resting in her hand as she gazed outside. He felt a small, warm flicker of happiness seeing her there.

"Morning, Isagi!" Kaito's loud voice jolted him out of his thoughts.

"Morning," Isagi replied with a smile, sliding into his seat. "So, the vacation's over, huh?"

"Yeah, and we're back to studying. Ugh," Kaito groaned, slumping dramatically over his desk.

Before Isagi could respond, the classroom door opened, and Rin walked in. There was something different about him — his usual composed demeanor seemed a little more intense, and his eyes scanned the room with a sharpness that made Isagi uneasy. Their eyes met for a brief second before Rin looked away, taking his seat without a word.

"Rin was back in his hometown during the vacation," Kaito whispered, leaning closer. "I heard there was some kind of family thing. No one really knows the details."

Isagi frowned thoughtfully. He hadn't seen Rin around the dormitory at all during the break, and knowing he'd been away only added to the mystery.

Before they could speculate further, their homeroom teacher entered the room, clapping his hands to get their attention. "Alright, everyone, settle down. Welcome back! I hope you all had a productive and enjoyable break getting used to the partner program and your dormitory life."

The teacher's gaze swept over the room, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Now, I'd love to hear about your experiences. How was it adjusting to household work, money management, and sharing responsibilities with your partner?"

A few students raised their hands eagerly, sharing stories — some hilarious, some exasperated — about their struggles and triumphs. When it was Kaito's turn, he grinned widely.

"It's been an adventure, sir! Akari and I might not always see eye to eye, but we're making it work. Sort of."

The class burst into laughter, and even the teacher chuckled. Isagi risked a glance at May, who was watching the conversation with a small smile. He couldn't help but feel a little proud of how well they were working together — though their moments had been awkward, there was an undeniable bond slowly forming.

"Alright," the teacher said, raising a hand for silence. "Now, back to business. As much as I'd love for you all to keep focusing on household responsibilities, don't forget that your mid-semester exams are coming up in twenty days."

Isagi's heart sank. He'd almost completely forgotten about the exams. Panic bubbled up inside him, but he quickly forced himself to calm down. "Thank you, sensei," he thought silently. "At least now I have time to prepare."

The rest of the day passed in a blur of regular classes, and when the final bell rang, students began packing up to head back to the dormitory. But just as Isagi stood up, their teacher called out.

"Isagi, Rin — you two have class duty today. Don't forget."

Isagi sighed, shooting an apologetic glance at May as she left with Akari and Kaito. He knew she'd told him to come back early, but there was no helping it. He worked quickly, wiping down the desks and sweeping the floor with practiced efficiency.

"You're fast," Rin commented, his voice breaking the silence.

"Yeah, well," Isagi replied without looking up. "I've got someone waiting for me."

Rin's eyes narrowed slightly. "May, right?"

Isagi froze for half a second before continuing his work. "Yeah. Why?"

"Because," Rin said slowly, stepping closer, "I have a challenge for you. And the stake… is May."

Isagi's breath caught, his grip tightening on the broom. He turned slowly, meeting Rin's intense gaze head-on. The air between them crackled with tension.

"What kind of challenge?" Isagi asked, his voice steady despite the storm rising inside him.

To Be Continued…