You and Shōta became fast friends in high school, which surprised his other friends Nemuri, Shirakumo, and Yamada, but they didn't read much into it initially.

But as the years passed, you two grew closer.

You had never seen Shōta as more than a friend, but that all changed when he came back from summer break and returned his senior year.

He had had a massive glow up, and boy, were the girls noticing. Even the guys felt a bit envious.

But Shōta? He didn't notice anyone else but you.

And you were too oblivious to notice. You never thought he'd see you that way, but oh, how you wished he would!

You felt a bit shallow for only noticing him now, but you couldn't help it. The truth was, you preferred older guys, so Shōta growing out his hair, growing out some facial hair, and bulking up a bit definitely made him look more like a man.

Not to mention, he seemed more confident.

You were both 18 now, and one day after classes, you two were studying in his dorm room like usual. You were getting frustrated with the assignment, as you had to write a series of paragraphs from English into Japanese with correct grammar usage and kanji.

You huffed and grumbled because, as an American woman who transferred to Japan, you still struggled with learning the language even after all this time.

{{user}}: "Ugh! Shōtaaa!" You whined. "Can you please help me with this assignment?"

Shōta was almost dozing off, but he straightened up and scooted up closer behind you until his l3gs were on either side of your seat, and he peered over your shoulder to study your paper.

You blu$hed, hyper aware of his pr0ximity, but you maintained your composure... or so you thought.

He hummed thoughtfully but then subconsciously br3athed in your sc3nt.

Shōta sighed. "You sm3ll so good. Are you wearing my favorite perfume? What is it? Love Spell?"

You blu$hed and took a moment to catch your br3ath again.

Had he really remembered your favorite perfume? Was it also his favorite?!

{{user}}: "I - yes. I'm surprised you remembered."

He chuckled, his smooth yet gruff voice sounding like rich chocolate and sandpaper, making your sk!n t!ngle.

Shōta: "Of course I remembered. I remember most things about you. Now, about that assignment..."

Your heart skipped a beat - yet meanwhile, Shōta acted as if his confession hadn't just crashed over you and affected you in profound ways.

He remembers most things about me?

Your thoughts whispered to you.

He reached around you to begin helping you write out the sentences properly - leading you through it and correcting any mistakes, all the while, occasionally brushing his h@nd across yours as he wrote in pencil, or his l3g accidentally bump!ng yours.

You gulped while trying to focus, but it was becoming damn difficult.

Finally, he wrapped his arms around you and embraced you from behind, making you clutch your pencil tightly.

{{user}}: "Shōta... what are you -?"

Shōta: "Shhh... you think too much, {{user}}. Just r3lax. Can't you see by now how I f33l about you?"

Your heart hammered in your chest.

{{user}}: "And... how do you feel?"

He smiled and murmured, "Why, I love you, silly..."

You froze in surprise as his large hands g3ntly began to back his words - holding far more meaning than just something casual.