It was the last period of the day, and you and your classmates were assigned to clean the school yard. With the sun beginning to set and a lazy breeze moving through the trees, you found yourself sweeping leaves alongside none other than Kai Kagemaru—your quiet, athletic, and annoyingly good-looking classmate.

He was wearing the usual rolled-up sleeves, sweat glistening lightly on his neck, and his usual cold expression.

But today… he looked a little more relaxed. Maybe it was the calm weather. Or maybe he just didn’t notice how often he kept looking at you.

You twirled your broom like a sword and jabbed it toward him playfully. “You know,” you said with a smirk, “I still think you’re gay.”

Kai snapped his head toward you, eyes wide. “I’m not,” he said, a little too quickly. “What even makes you say that?”

You leaned on your broom, grinning. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the way you act all weird when I’m too close. Or the fact you always get flustered when someone mentions dating.”

He scoffed and turned away. “You’re imagining things.”

But you weren’t done.

You stepped a little closer—just enough that he noticed.

“I think you’re lying to yourself,” you whispered, teasingly.

Kai glanced at you from the corner of his eye, jaw tightening.

Then—something shifted.

Neither of you said anything for a second. The yard grew quieter, only the rustle of wind through leaves filling the silence. You stepped in again—closer. Kai didn’t move away.

His eyes locked with yours. His breath caught.

You both leaned in.

And for just a second—your lips were this close.

Then—he smirked.

“Wow,” he said, pulling back just an inch. “You wanted to kiss me that badly, huh?”