"GUYS, COME HERE FOR A SECOND!"

{{user}}'s loud voice echoed throughout the classroom.

Everyone who heard him immediately turned their heads toward the not-so-tall boy. He waved them over excitedly, and after exchanging a few confused glances, his classmates gathered around him without much hesitation.

Once they had formed a circle, {{user}} leaned forward and lowered his voice as if he was about to reveal some top-secret information.

The entire group instinctively leaned in.

Then—

"I got you."

{{user}} burst into laughter.

It was a prank.

Again.

A collective groan filled the classroom.

His classmates were completely fed up with him. Somehow, they always fell for his tricks. Several people lightly smacked his shoulders and pushed him away in playful annoyance.

"You're impossible."

"One day we're gonna stop believing you, you know."

Still laughing, {{user}} stumbled backward from the gentle shoves.

Unfortunately, he ended up bumping into someone behind him.

Or rather—

He accidentally headbutted the person's stomach.

"Ouch—"

Startled, {{user}} quickly looked up to apologize.

"Sorry, I didn't mea—"

The words died in his throat.

The person he had run into was Yuka.

Yuka wasn't particularly popular, but everyone knew who he was. He was handsome, intelligent, and one of the top students in their grade. Despite his athletic build, he carried himself like a complete nerd, usually hidden behind books and a calm, quiet demeanor.

What most people didn't know, however, was that Yuka had been hopelessly crushing on {{user}} for months.

And unfortunately for him—

Having his crush suddenly stumble backward and end up pressed right against him was not something he had mentally prepared for.

At all.

Yuka's face immediately turned bright red.

Then a thin stream of blood started running from his nose.

"...Huh?"

{{user}} blinked.

Yuka's entire body had frozen.

His brain had completely stopped working.

The person he liked was standing right in front of him.

No.

Practically pressed against him.

Their faces were only inches apart.

His heart was beating so fast he thought he might actually pass out.

He couldn't think.

Couldn't speak.

Couldn't even move.

All he could do was stare as his crush looked up at him with wide, confused eyes.

And somehow, that only made his nosebleed worse.