Chapter 1

He got up from his seat as soon as the class ended. The chatter of his classmates filled the room, but he didn’t linger—now that it was recess, he wanted some peace and quiet. The library was calling him again.

“Library again?” Hayami asked, raising an eyebrow as she gathered her lunchbox from her desk.

He gave her a small nod, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Yeah. I’m guessing you and Hoshino are heading up to the rooftop, huh? Have fun, you two.” He waved casually before slipping out the door, leaving a faint breeze in his wake.

Hayami stood frozen for a moment, her eyes on the spot where he had just been. Emi, who had been watching from her desk, sidled up next to her, curiosity practically glowing on her face.

“So, I wonder who this mystery person is,” Emi teased, poking Hayami lightly on the arm. She’d been trying to dig up the secret behind Miyuki’s year-long crush, but so far, Hayami hadn’t cracked.

Hayami smiled faintly, her lips pressing together to hide her amusement. She knew exactly who it was, but it wasn’t her story to tell. Instead of answering, she reached out and grabbed Emi’s hand.

“Come on, Emi. Let’s go to the rooftop!"

Emi pouted at the deflection but let herself be pulled along. “Hmm. One day, you’ll tell me, Hayami. One day.”

Hayami just laughed softly as they stepped into the hallway, the lingering question left behind with the empty desks.

...▻✦◅...

He stepped into the library, the familiar hush wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. His eyes swept the rows of desks until they landed on the one person he’d been hoping to find. A grin spread across his face, wide enough to make his cheeks ache, and he made his way over.

That person—Matsumoto Yukito—was hunched over his notebook, scribbling intently. Miyuki knew from experience that if you snuck up behind him, he’d never notice. Careful not to disturb him, Miyuki slipped into the seat across from him and rested his chin on his hand, watching quietly.

It took a moment before Yukito finally looked up—and when he did, he was met with Miyuki’s shameless smile.

“Oh, you’re here already,” Yukito said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“And you’re early, as usual,” Miyuki shot back, voice low but teasing. He tilted his head, eyes glinting mischievously. “Senpai, any big plans after graduate”

Yukito raised an eyebrow, a soft chuckle escaping him. “Pursue medicine, maybe. I’m not sure yet. Still deciding.”

Miyuki hummed in understanding and pulled out his own book, opening it to the marked page. He tried to focus, he really did—but every few minutes his eyes flicked up, stealing glances at Yukito’s face. Is it bad that the more I like him, the more beautiful he gets?

His eyes dropped to the name tag pinned neatly to Yukito’s uniform: Matsumoto Yukito. A third-year now—while Miyuki was still stuck in his second year.

He couldn’t help but remember how it all started. Back when he was a freshman, Miyuki had shamelessly bribed anyone who could help him track down Yukito’s whereabouts—without Yukito catching on, of course. He’d approached close classmates, upperclassmen, even the occasional teacher, gathering any scrap of information he could get.

Eventually, rumors had spread like wildfire. People joked he’d pay for even the tiniest updates—where Yukito sat at lunch, what snacks he liked, if he’d borrowed a book from the library that day. Some called Miyuki Yukito’s dog. And to be fair, he really did trail after him like a stray puppy back then.

Yukito had hated it at first. Who wouldn’t? He’d done everything he could to avoid the strange, persistent boy who always popped up where he least expected. But little by little, Miyuki had forced his way into Yukito’s days—and somehow, impossibly, they’d ended up here. A junior and senior, side by side like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Now, people were more annoyed than amused. No more easy pocket money for updates—Miyuki didn’t need spies anymore. He had Yukito all to himself.

Sometimes it still felt like a dream. The closer they got, the more Miyuki wanted to know everything about him—his favorite color, the songs stuck in his head, the things that made him laugh until he wheezed.

Yukito was popular for obvious reasons: a perfect face and an even better mind. He wasn’t much for sports, but when it came to academics, no one could touch him. And once you cracked that polite, reserved shell, he was warm and talkative—smiling so easily it made Miyuki’s chest ache.

Miyuki had fallen for his beauty first, sure. But now? Now he was in too deep.

“Are you planning to stare at me the whole time, Tanaka?”

Miyuki snapped out of his thoughts, feeling his face burn as Yukito watched him with an amused expression.

“S-sorry,” Miyuki mumbled, ears turning pink.

“Are you, though?” Yukito teased, the corners of his mouth twitching.

“Can’t help it. You’re too pretty, senpai.” Miyuki smirked, leaning back in his chair with shameless delight.

Yukito shook his head, half-exasperated, half-fond. It still amazed him how easily this junior of his threw out compliments—like it cost him nothing at all. He’d never seen Miyuki act this way with anyone else.

Maybe he’s just comfortable with me, Yukito thought, a tiny smile tugging at his lips.

“I heard you got confessed to. Again.” He changed the topic before his thoughts could spiral.

Miyuki arched an eyebrow. Ah, so he heard about that. He tapped his pencil against the table. “Yeah... a couple days ago. Who told you?” He could already guess—Hayami, probably. Or maybe the girl herself had spread some half-baked story.

Yukito sighed, looking genuinely annoyed. “Apparently someone started a rumor that you rejected her really harshly. I knew you wouldn’t do that, so I asked around—but no one knows who started it.”

Miyuki pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh too loudly in the library’s hush. “Ignore it, senpai. I’ve gotten used to it. There’s always something new.”

Yukito frowned but didn’t argue. It still bothered him. Miyuki was his junior—his—and he hated how people spun silly rumors about him just because he wasn’t the type to talk much. And what if someone took it too far one day?

He was still mulling it over when he felt a soft touch on his hair. Startled, he turned to find Miyuki leaning forward, plucking something gently from his bangs.

“Look at this—how did a leaf get stuck in your hair?” Miyuki chuckled, flicking the leaf away with exaggerated care.

Yukito blinked, scratching the back of his head. “Ah... I had the window open. Maybe the wind carried it in?”

Miyuki narrowed his eyes playfully. “Mm-hm. I thought maybe you got called behind the school building again.”

“What? Why?” Yukito tilted his head, genuinely confused.

“For a confession,” Miyuki said bluntly, shaking his head with a grin. “But nah... they wouldn’t dare.” He flipped back to his notebook, pencil gliding across the page as if the conversation hadn’t flustered him at all.

Yukito stared at him for a second longer, a warmth blooming in his chest he didn’t know what to do with. Confession? Me? He shook his head and bent back over his notes, pretending he hadn’t just forgotten how to read a sentence.

...▻✦◅...

"I'm home!"

His mom appeared from the kitchen and smiled warmly. "Welcome home, Miyu. Take a shower and come down, okay? I bought your favorite cake."

"Oh, thank you, Mom," he said, bending down to pick up his little sister, who was tugging at his pants and chanting, “Up! Up!”

He lifted Himiko into his arms, spinning her gently until she squealed with laughter. After a few minutes, his mom came over and took her back with a soft chuckle.

Miyuki headed upstairs to his bedroom. He dropped his bag by the desk and reached for a small blue notebook hidden on his shelf. He sat down, flipped it open, and carefully pulled something out of his pocket.

It was the leaf he had taken from Yukito’s hair.

With quiet focus, Miyuki cut a piece of clear tape and gently pressed the leaf onto an empty page, making sure not to tear it. He smoothed it down with his palm, then scribbled the date next to it.

Satisfied, he closed the notebook and tucked it safely back on the top shelf—where no one would ever find it.

Then he stretched, grabbed his towel, and headed to the bathroom as if he hadn’t just done something undeniably weird about his crush. Totally normal. Not creepy at all!

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***