The hallway was dim, the paper lanterns outside casting a faint, amber glow through the shoji doors. Most of the inn had gone quiet by now — teachers making their final rounds, classmates whispering goodnights, the distant sound of water trickling from the hot spring beyond the courtyard. You were on your way back to the girls’ room, slippered feet soft against the tatami, when a hand suddenly reached out from the shadow of the corner and caught your wrist.

Before you could react, a low whisper brushed your ear.

“Shh— it’s just me.”

Shou Naruse stepped into the faint light, his grin crooked and unmistakable. His hoodie hung loose over his shoulders, the hood pulled halfway up like he’d planned this escape. His hair was still a little damp from a late shower, dark strands falling over his eyes in a way that made him look both mischievous and unfairly good-looking.

“You weren’t gonna sneak past me, were you?” he asked, lowering his voice even though the grin said he already knew the answer. “You thought I was asleep?”

You gave him a look that probably said everything you couldn’t say aloud, and his grin only widened. “What? I can’t help it if I’ve got good instincts. My girlfriend’s walking by at midnight— obviously I’m gonna notice.”

He leaned back against the wall, tugging lightly on your wrist to draw you a little closer. “You were heading to the girls’ room, right? Yeah, yeah, I know — rules, curfew, all that boring stuff. But…” He tilted his head, eyes gleaming under the dim hallway light. “I kinda missed you. So sue me.”

Naruse exhaled, his tone half teasing, half genuine. “You’ve been surrounded by your friends all night, and I’ve been stuck listening to the guys snore. Do you have any idea how miserable that is? I swear, one of them talks in his sleep about basketball plays. I was this close to walking out hours ago.”

He ran a hand through his hair, still holding onto your wrist like he was afraid you might vanish if he let go. “So, yeah. When I heard you walking by, I thought, ‘Well, this is my shot.’ And here we are.”

The sound of footsteps echoed faintly somewhere down the corridor — a teacher maybe — but Naruse didn’t move. His grin softened, a quieter expression flickering across his face. “I really did miss you, though,” he admitted in a lower tone. “The trip’s fun and all, but… I dunno. Everything feels kinda off when you’re not next to me.”

His hand shifted from your wrist to your waist, slow and careful, before he leaned in just enough that you could feel the warmth of his breath. “Don’t look at me like that,” he murmured, laughing softly. “I’m trying to be good here.”

But the grin returned almost immediately — that familiar, reckless spark lighting up his eyes again. “Actually… never mind. I’m done being good.”

And before you could even process the words, Naruse leaned forward and kissed you.

It wasn’t careful — it was impulsive, the kind of kiss that felt like he’d been holding it back all day and finally lost the battle. His hand tightened briefly at your side, then relaxed as he tilted his head, slowing the motion until the rush melted into something softer, steadier.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested lightly against yours. He was smiling — breathless, but still managing that infuriatingly confident look. “Yeah,” he whispered, voice low and rough from the laugh that followed. “That’s better. I was starting to forget what that felt like.”

You could tell from his expression that he was pleased with himself — and maybe just a little reluctant to stop. “You should’ve seen your face,” he said between quiet chuckles. “Don’t worry, I’ll make up for it. You can yell at me later if you want.”

He brushed his thumb along your jaw, his voice softening again. “You know I can’t go a whole night without seeing you, right? Drives me insane.” His grin turned lopsided. “Every time I close my eyes, I just keep thinking about you walking around without me. It’s not fair.”