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The morning air was cool, carrying the faint smell of rain as students hurried through the school gates. Conversations filled the courtyard—laughter, complaints about homework, plans for after school. But Lily Haruna walked through the crowd like she didn’t belong to it.

Her expression was calm and unreadable, her long ash-brown hair falling neatly down her back as she made her way toward the classroom building. Most people stepped aside when they saw her coming. Lily wasn’t the type who talked much, and she definitely wasn’t the type who enjoyed unnecessary attention.

Inside the classroom, the noise was even louder. Chairs scraped against the floor and students leaned over desks to gossip. Lily quietly walked to her usual seat by the window and sat down, placing her bag beside her chair.

The window was her favorite spot. From there she could see the trees swaying outside and the cloudy sky above the schoolyard. It was peaceful, and peace was something Lily valued more than anything.

She opened her notebook and began reviewing yesterday’s lesson.

For a few minutes, everything was quiet.

Then a chair suddenly dragged across the floor beside her.

Lily slowly lifted her eyes.

Kai Mori.

Of course it was him.

He dropped his bag on the desk next to hers and leaned back in his chair as if the seat belonged to him.

“Morning,” he said casually.

Lily stared at him with clear annoyance. “There are many empty seats in this classroom.”

Kai glanced around lazily. “Yeah. But this one looked comfortable.”

“You mean convenient.”

He grinned.

Kai Mori had only transferred to the school two weeks ago, but somehow he had already become the center of attention everywhere he went. He was loud, confident, and completely different from Lily in every possible way.

Which was exactly why she couldn’t stand him.

“Don’t you have friends to bother?” Lily asked coldly.

Kai shrugged. “They’re boring.”

The students around them had already started whispering. It wasn’t every day you saw someone brave enough to sit next to Lily Haruna without looking intimidated.

Kai, however, looked perfectly relaxed.

He rested his chin on his hand and studied her face.

“You know,” he said after a moment, “you’d look less scary if you smiled sometimes.”

Lily’s eyebrow twitched.

“I’m not trying to look friendly.”

“Well, you’re doing a great job then.”

A few students nearby laughed quietly.

Lily closed her notebook with a soft snap and turned to him.

“Do you enjoy being annoying?”

Kai leaned back in his chair again, completely unfazed.

“Only when it works.”

Before Lily could reply, the classroom door opened and their teacher walked in.

“Everyone, take your seats,” she said firmly.

The room quickly became quiet.

Lily faced the front again, hoping the lesson would start soon so Kai would stop talking.

But luck didn’t seem to be on her side today.

The teacher placed a stack of papers on her desk and looked around the class thoughtfully.

“Before we begin, I have something to announce,” she said. “There will be a new seating arrangement for the rest of the term.”

A few students groaned.

Lily felt a small knot of unease in her chest.

She had gotten used to her quiet corner by the window. The last thing she wanted was unnecessary changes.

The teacher began reading names from her list.

Students moved around the room, switching desks and gathering their things.

Then the teacher paused.

“Kai Mori,” she said.

Kai raised his hand lazily.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“You’ll be paired with Lily Haruna.”

The room fell silent.

For a second, Lily thought she had heard wrong.

Then the whispers started.

Kai turned slowly toward her.

“Well,” he said with a small smile, “looks like fate likes me.”

Lily’s grip tightened around her pen.

“This must be a mistake,” she said quietly.

The teacher shook her head. “No mistake. You two will be partners for class projects and assignments.”

Kai looked far too pleased about this.

Lily, on the other hand, felt her patience slowly disappearing.

She didn’t understand why the universe seemed determined to put this boy in her path.

The lesson began soon after, but Lily found it harder than usual to concentrate. Every time she tried to focus on the board, she could feel Kai shifting in the seat beside her.

At one point, he leaned slightly closer.

“Hey,” he whispered.

She didn’t look at him.

“What?”

“You take notes really fast.”

“That’s because I’m listening to the lesson.”

“Relax,” he murmured. “I was just complimenting you.”

Lily finally turned her head to glare at him.

“I don’t need your compliments.”

Kai raised his hands in surrender.

“Okay, okay.”

But a small smile remained on his face.

The rest of the class passed slowly. When the bell finally rang, students immediately started packing their bags.

Lily stood up, ready to leave as quickly as possible.

Before she could step away, Kai spoke again.

“Wait.”

She paused, annoyed.

“What now?”

He looked at her with an expression she couldn’t quite read.

“You really don’t like me, huh?”

Lily didn’t hesitate.

“No.”

Kai nodded thoughtfully.

“Interesting.”

“What is?”

He slung his bag over his shoulder.

“Usually people pretend to like me.”

Lily crossed her arms.

“I don’t pretend.”

Kai laughed softly.

For some reason, the sound made Lily’s chest feel strangely tight.

She quickly looked away.

“Good,” he said. “Honest people are more fun.”

She frowned.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Yet here I am.”

He walked toward the door, then suddenly stopped and looked back at her.

“Oh, Lily?”

She sighed.

“What?”

“Since we’re partners now, we’ll be seeing each other a lot.”

Lily didn’t answer.

Kai’s grin widened slightly.

“Try not to fall for me.”

He left before she could respond.

Lily stood there for a moment, staring at the empty doorway.

Her cheeks felt warm, and she hated it.

“I obviously hate him,” she muttered quietly to herself.

Yet the strange feeling in her chest refused to disappear.

And that only made her more annoyed.

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Lily spent the rest of the afternoon trying to forget about Kai Mori.

Unfortunately, that was nearly impossible.

Everywhere she went in school, someone seemed to be talking about the new seating arrangement. Some students thought it was funny. Others thought it was strange. A few simply watched her with curiosity, waiting to see how long it would take before she lost her patience with him.

By the time the last bell rang, Lily was already tired.

She packed her books carefully and slipped them into her bag. Around her, the classroom slowly emptied as students rushed out to enjoy their freedom after a long day of classes.

Lily preferred leaving when the hallway was quieter.

Just as she stood up from her desk, a familiar voice appeared behind her.

“Leaving already?”

She froze for half a second.

Kai.

Of course.

Lily turned around slowly and saw him leaning casually against the desk behind her. He looked completely relaxed, as if he had been waiting there for a while.

“What do you want?” she asked.

Kai tilted his head slightly.

“You’re really not even going to pretend to be nice?”

“No.”

He chuckled softly.

“Fair enough.”

Lily started walking toward the classroom door, hoping he would stay behind.

He didn’t.

His footsteps followed hers into the hallway.

Students were still moving through the corridors, laughing and chatting as they headed toward the school gates. A few glanced at Lily and Kai walking near each other and immediately started whispering again.

Lily ignored them.

Kai, however, seemed to enjoy the attention.

“You know,” he said casually, “people are already making bets.”

Lily stopped walking.

“What?”

Kai shrugged.

“About how long it will take before you yell at me.”

She stared at him with disbelief.

“And what did you say?”

“I said you’d last at least three days.”

Lily sighed.

“You think this is amusing?”

“A little.”

She continued walking again, her patience growing thinner with every step.

Outside the school building, the sky had grown darker. Thick clouds were gathering overhead, and the wind had picked up slightly.

It looked like rain was coming.

Students hurried past them toward the gates, hoping to get home before the storm started.

Lily adjusted the strap of her bag and kept walking.

Kai stayed beside her.

“Don’t you have somewhere else to go?” she asked.

“Not really.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Kai laughed again.

“You’re very honest.”

“And you talk too much.”

They reached the school gate just as the first raindrops began to fall.

Within seconds, the rain started pouring heavily.

Students ran for shelter under nearby shops and bus stops. The sudden downpour created a loud rhythm against the pavement.

Lily stopped under the edge of the school entrance, watching the rain with quiet frustration.

She hadn’t brought an umbrella.

Kai stood beside her, glancing at the sky.

“Well,” he said, “that’s bad timing.”

Lily didn’t reply.

She hated waiting around.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The rain continued falling, and the street outside the school quickly began filling with puddles.

Then Kai suddenly reached into his bag.

A moment later, he pulled out an umbrella.

Lily blinked in surprise.

Kai opened it with a quiet snap.

“Lucky me,” he said.

Lily turned away.

“Congratulations.”

Kai looked at her.

“You’re not moving?”

“I’ll wait until the rain slows down.”

Kai studied the sky again.

“That might take a while.”

“That’s fine.”

Another moment of silence passed.

Then Kai stepped closer and held the umbrella slightly over her head.

“Come on,” he said. “You’ll get soaked if you stand here too long.”

Lily looked at him.

“I didn’t ask for help.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you offering it?”

Kai shrugged.

“Because it’s raining.”

She hesitated.

Accepting help from him felt… strange.

But the rain didn’t look like it was stopping anytime soon.

After a few seconds, Lily finally stepped under the umbrella.

“Just until the bus stop,” she said firmly.

Kai smiled.

“Of course.”

They began walking down the street together. The umbrella barely covered both of them, forcing them to walk closer than Lily would have liked.

She focused on the road ahead, trying not to notice how near he was.

The sound of rain filled the air around them.

After a minute, Kai spoke again.

“So where do you live?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Relax. I’m just making conversation.”

“I’m not interested in conversation.”

Kai sighed dramatically.

“You really are difficult.”

Lily ignored him.

They reached the bus stop a few minutes later. A small group of students were already waiting there, standing close together to avoid the rain.

Lily stepped away from the umbrella.

“Thanks,” she said quietly, though her voice still sounded distant.

Kai closed the umbrella.

“No problem.”

She expected him to leave.

Instead, he leaned against the bus stop pole and looked at the rain.

“You know,” he said after a moment, “you’re not as cold as people think.”

Lily frowned.

“You don’t know anything about me.”

Kai looked at her calmly.

“Maybe not.”

The bus arrived then, its headlights shining through the rain.

Students quickly climbed inside.

Lily stepped onto the bus and found a seat near the window.

As the bus doors began to close, she glanced outside.

Kai was still standing at the bus stop.

He raised his hand in a small wave.

Lily immediately looked away.

The bus began moving down the street, leaving the school behind.

She rested her head lightly against the window, watching the rain slide down the glass.

Her mind replayed the moment under the umbrella.

The quiet walk.

The strange feeling in her chest.

Lily frowned slightly.

“This is ridiculous,” she whispered to herself.

She barely knew Kai Mori.

He was loud, annoying, and completely impossible to deal with.

There was absolutely no reason for him to occupy her thoughts.

Yet somehow…

He did.

Lily closed her eyes for a moment and sighed softly.

“I obviously hate him.”

But the memory of his smile appeared in her mind again.

And once again, her heart betrayed her with a soft, confusing warmth she didn’t understand.

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The next morning arrived faster than Lily expected.

The rain from the night before had washed the city clean, leaving the streets cool and quiet as students made their way toward school. Lily walked through the gates with the same calm expression she always wore, hoping today would be more peaceful than yesterday.

Unfortunately, peace rarely lasted long at school.

The moment she stepped into the hallway, she felt eyes on her.

Students whispered to each other as she passed. Some tried to be subtle, but others stared openly.

Lily pretended not to notice.

But she had a feeling she already knew the reason.

Kai Mori.

She entered the classroom and headed straight for her seat by the window. As usual, she placed her bag down and sat quietly, opening her notebook.

For a few minutes, everything seemed normal.

Then the chair beside her moved.

Lily slowly turned her head.

Kai dropped into the seat like he belonged there, stretching his arms lazily.

“Morning, partner.”

She sighed softly.

“Do you ever get tired of talking?”

“Nope.”

He leaned back in his chair and glanced at her notebook.

“You’re studying already?”

“It’s called being responsible.”

Kai smirked.

“You make it sound so boring.”

Before Lily could respond, another voice suddenly cut through the room.

“Kai!”

A girl hurried over from the other side of the classroom.

Her long black hair swayed as she walked, and several students immediately looked in her direction.

Lily recognized her instantly.

Mina Sato.

She was one of the most popular girls in their grade. Friendly, confident, and always surrounded by friends.

Mina stopped beside Kai’s desk and smiled brightly.

“I’ve been looking for you,” she said.

Kai glanced up at her. “Morning.”

“You disappeared right after school yesterday,” Mina continued. “I was going to ask if you wanted to walk home together.”

Lily looked back at her notebook, pretending not to listen.

Kai shrugged slightly.

“It started raining.”

Mina noticed Lily sitting beside him and blinked in surprise.

“Oh… you’re sitting here now?”

Kai nodded.

“New seating arrangement.”

Mina’s eyes moved to Lily for a moment. Her smile remained, but it felt slightly different now.

“I see.”

Lily could feel the girl studying her.

The classroom suddenly felt much quieter.

Then Mina laughed softly.

“Well, that’s interesting.”

Kai tilted his head. “Why?”

Mina leaned lightly on his desk.

“Because Lily usually prefers sitting alone.”

Lily finally looked up.

“I still do.”

Kai chuckled beside her.

Mina’s smile widened slightly, though something sharp flickered in her eyes.

“Well,” she said lightly, “I guess you’ll have to get used to it.”

Before Lily could answer, the classroom door opened and the teacher walked in.

Students quickly returned to their seats.

Mina gave Kai one last smile before heading back to her desk.

The lesson began soon after, but Lily found it harder to focus today.

She could still feel Mina’s curious gaze occasionally drifting in her direction.

Kai, meanwhile, seemed completely relaxed.

Halfway through class, he leaned closer to Lily again.

“You made a new enemy today.”

Lily kept her eyes on the board.

“I already have one.”

Kai raised an eyebrow.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

He smiled slightly.

“That hurts.”

Lily ignored him.

When the bell rang for lunch break, students immediately began chatting and moving around the classroom.

Kai stood up and stretched.

“Food time.”

Lily started packing her books.

She preferred eating lunch somewhere quiet.

Just as she was about to leave, Mina appeared again.

“Kai,” she said sweetly, “want to sit with us today?”

She gestured toward a table near the center of the classroom where several students were already gathered.

Kai glanced at Lily.

She noticed the look and frowned.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“Just wondering something,” he said.

“What?”

“If I go with them, will you miss me?”

Lily stared at him.

“Absolutely not.”

Kai laughed.

“Alright then.”

He grabbed his bag and walked toward Mina’s table.

Lily watched him for a second before shaking her head.

“Finally,” she muttered quietly.

Peace.

She left the classroom and headed toward the school courtyard. The rain had stopped, and the air outside felt fresh.

Lily sat on a bench under a tree and opened her lunch box.

For the first time that day, everything felt calm again.

Or so she thought.

A few minutes later, someone suddenly sat down beside her.

Lily turned her head slowly.

Kai.

She stared at him in disbelief.

“What are you doing here?”

He opened a drink bottle casually.

“Eating lunch.”

“I thought Mina invited you to sit with her.”

“She did.”

“Then why are you here?”

Kai looked at her.

“Because it’s quieter.”

Lily closed her lunch box.

“You’re unbelievable.”

Kai took a sip of his drink.

“People say that a lot.”

She shook her head in frustration.

“Why do you keep following me?”

“I’m not following you.”

“You literally just left your friends to sit here.”

Kai leaned back slightly and looked at the sky through the tree branches.

“Maybe I just prefer this spot.”

Lily crossed her arms.

“You enjoy annoying me.”

“A little.”

She sighed deeply.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The courtyard remained peaceful except for the soft sound of wind moving through the leaves.

Then Kai suddenly spoke again.

“You know something?”

Lily didn’t respond.

“You’re different from everyone else here.”

She glanced at him.

“How?”

“You don’t pretend.”

Lily frowned slightly.

“I don’t see the point.”

Kai smiled faintly.

“Exactly.”

Before she could reply, a voice suddenly called from across the courtyard.

“Kai!”

Both of them looked up.

Mina stood near the school entrance with two of her friends.

Her expression wasn’t as cheerful as before.

“Kai,” she repeated, “we were waiting for you.”

Kai stood up slowly.

“Guess I should go.”

Lily didn’t say anything.

As he started walking away, he paused and looked back at her.

“See you in class, partner.”

Then he left.

Lily watched him disappear toward the building.

For some reason, the courtyard suddenly felt quieter than before.

She picked up her lunch box again, staring down at it thoughtfully.

“This is getting annoying,” she murmured.

Because the more time she spent around Kai Mori…

The harder it became to ignore the strange feeling growing inside her heart.

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