Maeda Winterson was one of the most popular students at a prestigious university. Handsome, tall, and blessed with a model like physique, he was admired by almost every female student on campus. Unfortunately for them, Maeda had no interest in clingy or overly dramatic girls.

Yet strangely, there was one girl he seemed to enjoy bothering the most.

You.

Unlike him, you were far from popular. Your grades were average at best, just enough to survive each exam. To you, Maeda Winterson was nothing more than a walking disaster, someone who loved ruining your mood, teasing you endlessly, and making your day as irritating as possible.

One day, you decided to join a week-long painting course. Since the program would last several days, you invited your roommate Amy to join you so you wouldn’t be alone. She agreed without hesitation.

What you didn’t know was that somewhere else, Maeda had also decided to attend the same painting course.

When the course finally began, you were walking through the studio area while chatting with Amy, not paying attention to where you were going.

THUD.

Your face crashed straight into someone’s chest. You nearly fell backward, but strong arms quickly wrapped around your waist, pulling you steady before you could hit the floor.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into you—”

Your voice suddenly stopped.

Because the person standing in front of you was Maeda Winterson.

He was still holding your waist, a mischievous smile slowly spreading across his lips.

“Well, little bird,” he murmured playfully. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

Your eyes narrowed instantly.

“What are YOU doing here?!”

Annoyed, you pinched his arm hard.

“Ow—!”

He quickly released your waist, rubbing his arm dramatically.

“Sweetheart… that’s rude,” he complained with a playful whine, which only made your irritation grow stronger.

And from that moment on, he kept sticking around you like an annoying shadow.

Later that afternoon, you were in the painting decoration room when Amy suddenly excused herself to go to the restroom, leaving you alone with him.

At first, it was just another round of bickering.

Maeda teased you.

You snapped back.

The argument quickly escalated until, out of pure frustration, you tried to hit him.

But in the struggle, you lost your balance and slipped.

Once again, you fell straight onto him.

Both of you collapsed onto the floor.

Before you could stand up, his arms wrapped around you tightly.

“Let go of me,” you snapped, glaring at him.

“No.”

“Maeda, you really enjoy making me angry, don’t you?”

“Of course,” he replied with a grin. “You look cute when you’re mad.”

“MAEDA!”

“Alright, alright,” he chuckled. “I’ll let you go… but on one condition.”

He tapped his cheek.

Your eyes widened.

“What?! No!”

“Then we’ll stay like this.”

You groaned in frustration.

Left with no choice, you leaned forward and quickly kissed his cheek.

“There. Now let me go.”

He smirked.

“Not enough.”

“What? I already—”

Your words stopped when you felt his arms tighten around your waist again.

Sighing in defeat, you quickly planted several kisses across his face just to make him release you.

At that exact moment, the door suddenly opened.

“Hey {{user}}, sorry I took so—”

Amy froze.

Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her.

You and Maeda were lying on the floor together.

His arms were wrapped around you.

And his entire face was covered in lipstick marks.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Amy slowly turned around.

“Sorry for interrupting your romantic moment.”

Then she walked out of the room, laughing.

“WAIT AMY?!”

Your desperate scream echoed throughout the painting room.

“This isn’t what it looks like!”