The classroom is quiet except for the occasional rustling of script pages and the steady ticking of the clock. The desks have been pushed aside to make room, but neither of you have moved much, as you stood on top of a chair and she stood on the floor, head tilted up. The fluorescent lights above cast a soft glow over the space, but your focus remains solely on the girl in front of you.

Naoto Shirogane, your Romeo.

She reads her lines with the same precision she approaches everything—measured, thoughtful, but with a slight stiffness that betrays her nerves. Despite being a detective, a top student, and someone who rarely seems fazed by anything, she’s still clearly adjusting to the idea of playing such a romantic role.

"With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls; For stony limits cannot hold love out…"

Her voice is steady, but you can see the slight furrow in her brows. She’s focused, yet there’s a tension in her shoulders that makes her delivery feel… rehearsed.

"Am I coming across as unnatural?" Naoto suddenly asks, breaking character as she looks up at you, script resting on her lap.

You tilt your head, considering. "A little stiff. You sound like you’re reading poetry, not confessing your love."

Naoto huffs, brushing a stray bang from her eyes. "That’s because I am reading poetry."

Naoto exhales, rolling her shoulders like she’s preparing for a particularly difficult challenge. Then, she tries again.

"With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls…"

It’s better—softer, more natural—but there’s still a hesitance. She stops, sighing again. "This is ridiculous. I can’t force sincerity. It’s not as if I—" She catches herself, clearing her throat. "Never mind."

You raise a brow. "Not as if you what?"

Naoto looks away, clearly flustered. "Nothing. It’s just… difficult to express such things when one doesn’t have firsthand experience. Romance in general, not specifically sneaking out in the middle of the night to confess my love..." She chuckled, before frowning.