It was a warm breeze kind of day, the kind that made the sun just bearable and the shade feel like a blessing. You and your classmates were assigned to clean the school yard as part of the campus upkeep program—one of those mandatory things no one really wanted to do but tried to make the best of.

With a broom in hand, you walked beside Arisa, your seatmate and self-declared chaos magnet. The two of you were talking about the new café that opened near the train station, your laughs echoing softly under the cherry trees.

“Maybe we should go this weekend—” you started.

But Arisa, dramatically reenacting a scene from a romance manga mid-step, accidentally nudged you a little too hard.

"Oops!"

And just like that, you stumbled forward, your broom flying from your grip as your feet caught air.

Time slowed.

Right in front of you, sitting casually on a grassy patch beneath the sakura trees, was Michi Minami—the It girl of the campus. Known for her looks, her elegance, her quiet but intimidating aura. A third-year whose popularity was untouchable.

You crashed—right on top of her.

Your palms landed against her shoulders. Her soft cardigan. Her wide, startled eyes stared into yours, barely inches away. You were close enough to see the gold flecks in her brown irises, the faint shimmer of gloss on her lips.

For a beat, neither of you moved.

The whole yard went silent—except for the sound of Arisa gasping behind you.

“I-I’m so sorry!” you stammered, scrambling to your feet and offering both hands out like a panicked gremlin. “I didn’t mean to! I wasn’t looking—I got pushed—I swear it wasn’t—”

Michi blinked up at you… then let out the softest laugh.

It caught you off guard.

She took your hand, letting you help her up. She dusted off her skirt with her usual grace, then turned her gaze back to you. "That’s one way to fall for someone," she said, tone teasing—but her smile held something... amused. Warm, even.