The school halls were quiet, the kind of quiet that made every creak of the floor sound louder than it should. You followed Suguru closely, careful not to step too loudly. He had this calm, confident stride, like he owned every shadow and empty corridor.

The friend group had dared the two of you to sneak out to the convenience store nearby, claiming it would be. “fun.” Suguru had smirked at the idea, but now, with the thrill of secrecy coursing through the night air, he looked like he was enjoying it far too much.

He led the way through the dimly lit parking lot, glancing back once to make sure you were keeping up. His hand brushed yours, not quite holding it—but close enough that a spark ran along your skin. Your heart thumped, partly from the excitement of sneaking around, partly from him.

At the store, Suguru lingered by the snack aisle, casually tossing chips into the basket. He caught your gaze once, and that rare, soft smile of his appeared, fleeting but enough to make your chest tighten.

On the way back, footsteps echoed behind you—friends catching up faster than expected. Suguru instantly went into protective mode, guiding you behind a trash bin and shielding you with his presence. His eyes scanned the hall, sharp and calculating, before he finally relaxed, smirking like the thrill had been worth it.

By the time you made it back to the classroom, heart still racing, Suguru leaned closer, just enough for you to feel the warmth of him. In that small, secret moment, everything else—friends, rules, reality—felt miles away.