Chapter 21: Kozue's Unexpected Move
The day after the bathhouse incident, Class 3-A was eerily quiet. As if the hot spring had boiled not just their bodies—but their emotions too. No one talked about what happened. No one dared to.
But the glances were louder than words.
Aya's glares.
Rika's smirks.
Mina's over-the-top giggles.
Yuzu's devilish winks.
Misaki's silent, burning eyes.
And then there was Kozue.
The shy one. The soft-spoken one.
The one no one expected to move.
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Lunch Break — Rooftop
Yuu stood at the railing, sipping his juice, when the door creaked open behind him.
"Kozue?"
She stepped out timidly, fingers gripping her skirt. Her glasses caught the sunlight as she walked forward, her eyes darting around like she was afraid to be seen.
"I-I wanted to talk to you…" she said, barely above a whisper.
Yuu turned, sensing something different about her. She wasn't trembling like usual. Still shy, yes—but also... nervous with purpose.
"Of course," he said gently. "What's up?"
She stepped closer. Too close for her usual self.
"I couldn't stop thinking about... last night," she mumbled. "Everyone was so bold. So... confident."
She looked up at him now. Her cheeks pink. Her lips tight.
"And I was just… hiding in the corner. As always."
Yuu started to speak, but she cut him off.
"I don't want to hide anymore, Yuu."
Then—before he could process anything—she kissed him.
Not wildly. Not like Rika.
Not teasing, like Yuzu.
But firm. Shaky. Awkward.
But real.
Her hands trembled on his chest, her body pressed close in a clumsy but determined motion. She pulled back, eyes wide and breath shaky.
"I'm sorry!" she blurted. "I-I just… I needed to try. I needed you to know how I feel before I lose my chance."
Yuu stared, stunned—but his heart burned.
Kozue—the shyest of them all—just jumped.
"I've loved you for a long time," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Even if I never said it out loud. I watched you every day. I memorized your schedule. I sat beside you on purpose. I got into your club just to be near you."
She bit her lip.
"I know I'm not as pretty as Mina, or as bold as Rika, or as confident as Aya, or as... mysterious as Misaki."
Tears formed at the corner of her eyes.
"But I notice everything about you. I've loved you quietly. Deeply. And I can't take the silence anymore."
Yuu stepped closer. His hands gently cupped her face, wiping the tears she hadn't even noticed were falling.
"You're beautiful, Kozue," he whispered.
She gasped. "You don't have to lie—"
"I'm not." His voice was low. Serious. "You're beautiful when you're bold. And you're even more beautiful when you're being you."
Kozue looked like she might faint.
Then—she smiled. Soft and pure.
But the rooftop door creaked again.
Standing there—Rika.
Her arms crossed, eyes unreadable. "Well, well…"
Behind her, Aya. Mina. Yuzu. Misaki.
One by one, the harem arrived.
"What a sweet little confession," Rika said, lips curled. "You girls are really making this interesting."
Aya's tone was sharp. "So Kozue finally made her move, huh?"
Yuzu grinned. "Kyaaa~ This is getting so spicy~"
Misaki just looked at Kozue. Their eyes met.
No judgment.
Just... understanding.
---
Later That Night — Kozue's Room
She had invited Yuu for "homework help."
But they both knew it was more than that.
Her room was small, soft pink, stuffed animals in the corners. A lingering scent of lavender and vanilla filled the air. She sat on the floor beside him, knees tucked, blushing.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For not laughing. For not running."
"I'd never laugh," he replied. "Not at something so honest."
She leaned into him slowly.
And as they sat there—just holding each other, quietly—Kozue's soft hand found his. Their fingers intertwined.
No sparks.
No explosions.
Just quiet. Warm. Real.
And somehow…
That was even more powerful.
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