Chapter 12

Chapter 12 - Let's Go On A Date

Kazumi stepped out of his classroom, bag slung over his shoulder, ready to head straight home. He didn't have club activities or plans. Just a quiet evening ahead — or so he thought.

He didn't hear Minami calling his name.

Or maybe he did, but pretended not to.

That plan didn't work for long.

Before he could make it down the hallway, someone grabbed him by the shoulder from behind.

"Don't ignore me, you moron," Minami's voice said sharply.

Kazumi turned slightly, a flat look on his face. "What? I was jus—"

"Shut up and listen."

"Okay…" He exhaled. "...What?"

"Do you want to go somewhere with me?"

He blinked.

"Can I be honest with you?"

"Sure."

"No."

Her grip on his shoulder immediately tightened.

"Agh—!" Kazumi winced, bending forward slightly. "Stop it! That hurts!"

"That's what my heart felt when you said no."

"Okay okay, I'll go with you. Just— agh! Ease up, would you?"

Minami smiled, satisfied. "Really? Thanks, Kazumi."

He sighed. There was no winning against her. When Minami wanted something, she didn't back down. If anything, she bulldozed through.

They started walking together, side by side, the air between them calmer now. She looked unusually cheerful, while Kazumi just dragged his steps like a man marching toward an unknown fate.

"So, what are we going to do?" he asked. "You're probably the one planning all this. I'm just here… tired."

"Hang out? No, no, no." Minami waved her hand. "This is a date."

Kazumi frowned. "Date?"

"Yeah! A girl asks a boy to go out after school. You really think that's just hanging out?"

"I mean, a date is when a guy and a cute, beautiful girl go out together, maybe grab food or catch a movie. And I'm here walking with a goril—"

"Finish that sentence and I swear you'll be eating hospital food tonight."

He clamped his mouth shut.

"...You've never hit me before, you know."

"Yeah, well, maybe the author decided to write me a little more aggressive today."

Kazumi stared blankly. "...What?"

"Nothing." Minami cleared her throat. "Let's just get to the shoe lockers. Then we'll go to the café near the station. Pancakes and ice cream."

"You really thought this out, huh?"

"I like you. Of course I did."

That made him stop for half a step. But she kept walking.

Minami continued, her voice a bit quieter, more honest. "A girl going out with the boy she likes… how could I not be excited about it?"

Kazumi didn't know how to reply. So he didn't.

He just followed along.

They changed their shoes at the lockers. After that, they walked out of the school gates together, sunlight bathing the pavement in soft orange. Their shadows stretched long across the road.

The two of them chatted lightly as they walked, Minami doing most of the talking. She seemed satisfied just being with him like this.

But from a window above, someone else was watching.

Behind the second-floor glass of the library, a figure stood alone.

Yuino.

Her book lay forgotten on the desk beside her, eyes locked on the scene outside. She stood still, watching Kazumi walk beside another girl.

That girl… wasn't her.

Yuino's eyes narrowed. Her expression shifted from confusion to disbelief.

Senpai… is walking home with a girl? Another girl?

Her thoughts spiraled.

Is this real? Was that girl the one whose scent I smelled on him? The one who touched him before me?

Yuino bit her nail, a habit she picked up when something bothered her deeply.

Inside her chest, something stirred — a heat, sharp and possessive.

I can't let this go.

Kazumi had been kind to her. He made her feel special. He listened to her. He let her eat with him. He let her rest her head on his shoulder. And she liked him — so much that it hurt just thinking about him choosing someone else.

But… I can fix this, she thought, the corner of her lips rising slightly.

Her fingers relaxed.

Then curled again — but this time not in frustration, but anticipation.

She giggled softly to herself.

A sound like calm before the storm.

A perfect plan. Yes… a plan that will make Kazumi-senpai mine. A plan so perfect… he won't even realize he's being wrapped in it until it's too late.

Tomorrow, after school.

That's when she would act.

She could already see it — him, smiling only at her, calling her name with affection, forgetting any other girl ever existed.

Yuino pressed her hand to her cheek, her smile deepening.

Just wait for me… Kazumi-senpai.