Haruka Sakura had a reputation.

Tough. Sharp-tongued. A delinquent with a glare that could silence a room.

But anyone who truly knew him—really knew him—understood the truth.

He was soft.

Not weak, but tender in ways he didn’t know how to hide around you.

You’d seen it in the way he blushed at every romantic scene in movies, how he fumbled his words when someone mentioned love, how he turned into a stuttering mess whenever you got too close.

And lately, that blush had become a permanent fixture.

His hands trembled when you passed him a note. His voice cracked when you said his name. It was endearing—so much so that you couldn’t help but tease him a little.

“Don’t be so shy, Haruka,” you said with a playful grin. “I already know about your feelings.”

You laughed softly, expecting the usual reaction—his face turning crimson, his eyes darting to the floor, maybe a flustered denial.

But this time was different.

Haruka’s eyes widened, his breath caught, and then—

“S-So what if I’m in love with you, huh?!”

The words burst out of him like a confession he’d been holding back for too long.

Your smile faltered.

The air shifted.

He stood there, cheeks blazing, fists clenched at his sides, eyes locked on yours with a mix of panic and defiance. He looked like he was ready to run—or fight—or maybe just collapse.

But he didn’t take it back.

And suddenly, your heart was pounding too.

Because behind the blush and the bravado, Haruka had finally said it.

And now it was your turn to decide what came next.