An Assignment

The classroom buzzed with the usual pre-homeroom chatter. Some students were still half-asleep, while others were deep in conversation, their voices blending into a low hum of activity.

Kazuki sat back in his chair, lazily watching the scene unfold. At the desk in front of him, Daiki was practically draped over his books, clearly running on minimal sleep. Reo and Naoto, on the other hand, were engaged in a heated discussion that, from what Kazuki could catch, had started as a debate about last night's anime episode and somehow escalated into a full-blown argument about historical accuracy in fantasy stories.

Kyouya, ever the silent observer, threw in occasional remarks that shut them both up before they could go off the rails.

It had been a few days since the basketball match, and on the surface, everything was normal. The same classroom, the same routine, the same chaotic energy among his friends.

But for Kazuki… something was different.

Or rather, he was different.

It wasn't anything dramatic, but it was there—the way he felt more aware whenever Miyuki was around. Before, he just liked being near her. Now? He caught himself searching for her, noticing little details he hadn't paid attention to before.

And that was dangerous.

Because once he started noticing, it was impossible to stop.

"Alright, settle down."

Hoshino-sensei's voice cut through the noise as she strode into the classroom, a stack of papers in hand.

She adjusted her glasses, glancing at the class. "We'll be starting a short research project, and I'll be assigning partners."

Kazuki exhaled quietly. Just be someone who can do their share of work.

One by one, names were called out.

"Kazuki and Miyuki."

His brain lagged for a second.

Huh.

He barely had time to process before a soft voice beside him spoke.

"Looks like we're partners."

He turned his head slightly. Miyuki was looking at him with a small, amused smile.

"Yeah," Kazuki replied, keeping his tone casual. "Guess you're stuck with me."

She chuckled lightly, a soft sound that somehow made his heartbeat pick up. "I think I'll survive."

From behind, Kazuki could feel the way Reo and Naoto had gone suspiciously silent. He didn't even need to turn around to know they were exchanging looks, already preparing to say something later.

The project itself wasn't anything complicated—just a research paper on historical figures. The kind of thing that required library time, note-taking, and at least some level of cooperation.

So naturally, they started discussing ideas.

"So, we could do someone from the Meiji era—" Miyuki started.

"Yeah, that works," Kazuki nodded. He was listening. Sort of.

The problem was that his brain was also busy noticing things he shouldn't be noticing.

Like how she twirled her pen absentmindedly when thinking. Or the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she focused.

Small details. Unimportant. But once he saw them, he couldn't un-see them.

"...Kazuki?"

He blinked. "Hm?"

Miyuki tilted her head slightly. "You spaced out."

Shit.

"Just thinking," he replied smoothly, flipping a page in his notebook as if he had been deep in thought.

She gave him a knowing look—subtle, but enough to make him feel like she saw right through him.

But instead of pushing further, she just smiled. "Alright, let's narrow down the topics, then."

Get it together, Kazuki told himself. It's just a normal project. Just a normal conversation.

…Except it wasn't.

And that was the problem.

The day went by as usual, and by the time their last period ended, Kazuki packed his bag, ready to leave.

That's when he noticed something.

Miyuki was standing near the doorway.

Not in a waiting for someone kind of way. Not in an accidental lingering way.

She was just… there.

And when their eyes met, she gave a small nod.

"Shall we go?"

His fingers tightened around his bag strap for a split second.

She had waited for him.

It wasn't anything big.

Just a small, simple action.

But damn, if it didn't make his heart trip over itself.

"...Yeah." He quickly recovered, matching her pace as they walked side by side.

The conversation was easy—nothing forced. Just casual talks about the project, upcoming school events, and random observations.

And yet—

It was comfortable.

The kind of comfortable that made Kazuki hyper-aware of how comfortable it was.

Because at some point, when had it become natural to walk beside her? When had it started feeling right?

Deep down, he already knew the answer.

But admitting it was terrifying.

Predictably, the moment Kazuki stepped into the dorm room, he was met with immediate interrogation.

"So," Daiki drawled, lazily tossing a game controller in the air, "how's Miyuki-chan?"

Kazuki sighed. Here we go.

Reo smirked. "You guys looked real comfortable walking together after class."

Kazuki ignored him, setting his bag down. "It was just for the project."

Naoto leaned forward, grinning. "Yeah? And what about before class? Or lunch? Or, oh—I dunno—the entire time you two were talking while everyone else just conveniently faded into the background?"

"…You guys are annoying," Kazuki muttered, lying down on his bed.

Kyouya, who normally didn't participate in the teasing, just gave him a knowing look. "You're thinking about her more than usual, huh?"

Kazuki groaned, covering his face with his arm. "Shut up."

Of course, that only made them laugh harder.

And the worst part?

They were right.