Aiko avoided Haruki the entire class.
She kept her eyes on her notebook, her hands folded neatly on the desk, and her breaths short and controlled. Every time his voice filled the room, her shoulders stiffened. She didn't look up once. Not even when he walked past her desk.
As the final bell rang and students packed up, eager to escape the lingering equations and tension, John appeared beside her, wearing that usual disarming smile of his.
"Hey," he said casually, "want to go to the library together? I want to borrow a book. Maybe we can walk back after?"
Aiko blinked, taken aback by his effortless confidence. She wasn't used to boys talking to her like this—like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Before she could respond, another voice cut in.
"Aiko, I need a word."
Both of them turned.
Haruki stood by the door, expression unreadable, his tone clipped and professional. In his hand was a paper—hers, by the look of the bold name written across the top.
"About your last test," he added.
Aiko's heart jumped into her throat. She stammered a half-nod and turned to John, offering an awkward smile.
"Maybe… later?"
John tilted his head slightly, still smiling, though something in his eyes shifted. "Sure. Catch you then."
He walked off, but not before glancing over his shoulder at Haruki. Twice.
Aiko followed Haruki down the corridor, nerves buzzing beneath her skin.
Inside the staff room, the tension was thick. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, the quiet turned deafening. Haruki didn't speak at first. He stood flipping through her paper, though it was upside down and clearly just a prop.
She shifted. "Sir…?"
He looked up. His eyes locked onto hers. And then, he asked—plainly, directly.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
The question struck her like lightning.
"I'm… not," she said too quickly.
His brow lifted, skeptical. "You haven't looked at me since yesterday. You've barely said a word. Even Yui noticed, and she talks louder than the PA system."
Aiko looked down at the floor, biting her lip. "I just… don't know how to face you after… y'know."
Silence fell.
Haruki stepped forward, just slightly. Close enough for her to catch the scent of his cologne—something fresh, warm, and dangerously addictive. His voice dropped, lower now.
"It was an accident," he said. "But… it didn't feel like one."
She lifted her eyes. "What do you mean?"
He sighed, stepping closer again, until there was hardly any space between them.
"I mean… it wasn't supposed to happen. But I can't stop thinking about it."
Her heart twisted at his words.
"And now that John's sitting next to you… leaning into you, smiling at you—" He stopped, the last words laced with irritation. Then he scoffed softly. "I don't like it."
Aiko's breath hitched.
"You're jealous?" she whispered.
He exhaled, looking away for a moment. "I'm… confused. I wasn't supposed to care this much."
The air between them stilled.
"Do you want me to change seats?" she asked carefully.
He turned his gaze back to her. This time, his eyes were softer. "No."
"Then what… do you want?"
There was a pause. And then, a small smirk tugged at his lips.
"I'll let you know once I figure it out."
Aiko's cheeks flamed. Her head was spinning, but somewhere inside her flustered, completely disoriented self… she was glad she stayed.
That night, Haruki sat alone at his desk, fingers steepled beneath his chin, staring into nothing—and yet seeing only her.
"She's slipping away…" he murmured, voice low and contemplative. Then, his lips curled into a sly smile.
A moment later, he sat upright, a light flickering in his eyes.
"Yes. That's it. A punishment disguised as a love trap."
He stood, pacing with the confidence of a man hatching something far too clever for his own good. Hands behind his back, he spoke aloud to the silence.
"She'll have to do everything I say. For a month. No arguments. Rule one—she avoids John. No eye contact, no smiling, not even breathing in the same air."
He stopped in the middle of the room and tilted his head dramatically.
"Alex, you devilish genius."
He imagined it all: one month of proximity. Awkward moments. Sparks. Silence. Maybe even… another kiss.
His cheeks warmed at the thought. Yes, the man was blushing at his own fantasy.
And finally, with both hands on the desk, he whispered to himself, proud and triumphant, "At the end of this month, I'll ask her out. In a way she can't refuse. Game on, Aiko."
The next morning, Aiko entered the classroom with Yui at her side, munching on a samosa.
Yui squinted toward the front. "Is it just me, or is Sir smiling like someone handed him all the secrets to life?"
Aiko looked. Haruki was indeed wearing a suspiciously gleeful grin.
"That's weird," Aiko mumbled. "He's smiling too much. Why do I feel like I'm the prey?"
They took their seats, but through the entire period, Haruki barely wrote anything on the board. He just stood there. Watching her.
Yui leaned in, whispering, "Girl, I'm telling you—he's plotting something. And I hope it's not chicken curry because you're definitely the chicken."
Aiko pressed her lips together, already dreading what was coming.
After class, as students filed out, Haruki casually brushed past Aiko's desk and whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
"Meet me in the empty room. Third floor. Now."
She froze. Her stomach dropped.
"Why does that sound like a mafia code?" she muttered.
Yui gasped. "Are you serious? What if he confesses? Should I come hide with snacks and record it?"
"No! Don't make this dramatic."
Yui smirked. "You're already in a rom-com, honey."
Aiko walked up the stairs alone, heart pounding in her chest.
The room was empty.
She stood at the door, unsure. Had he forgotten?
She turned to leave, but the door creaked. She spun around.
Haruki stepped in, leaning against the frame like he had all the time in the world.
"You're late," she said instinctively.
He shrugged. "Fashionably. Always."
She crossed her arms. "Why am I here?"
His expression turned serious as he walked toward her.
"You owe me."
She blinked. "For what?"
"Remember when we first met? You called me an old man."
She stared at him. "I—uh—"
"And then," he said, lowering his voice, "you kissed me."
"It was accidental!" she squeaked, her face already burning.
"But it was still my first kiss," he said solemnly, placing a hand on his chest. "And you stole it."
She nearly staggered backward. "W-What?! That was just a peck! It doesn't even count!"
Haruki leaned in, his eyes gleaming. "So you wanted a real one?"
Her entire body froze.
Then, with a soft chuckle, he backed off. "Relax. I'm not here to kiss you. Not yet."
She swallowed, still trying to remember how to breathe.
"I've decided your punishment," he said.
Aiko's eyes widened. "Punishment?"
He nodded, pulling a small notepad from his pocket like a professor assigning homework.
"For the kiss. For the insult. For avoiding me like I'm contagious. You'll follow my instructions for one month."
"What kind of instructions?" she asked warily.
"Rule one: No talking or sitting with John. Rule two: If I call, you come to the staff room. Rule three: You don't get to say no."
Her mouth dropped open. "That's blackmail."
"No," he said smoothly. "It's educational bonding. For healing. For justice. For… romantic tension."
Aiko groaned and buried her face in her hands. "Why are you like this?"
Haruki leaned in once more, voice a whisper.
"Because I like you."
Everything went silent. Her heart stopped.
Then he stepped back, smirking.
"So… what do you say? A deal for one month?"
Aiko could still hear Yui's voice echoing in her head: You've already kissed. Might as well lean in.
She exhaled slowly. "Only for one month. Nothing more."
"That's all I need," he said.
And this time, his smile wasn't just smug—it was dangerous.