The morning sun was barely peeking over the horizon when you arrived at school, earlier than usual. The campus was quiet, the usual buzz of students absent. Today was the long-awaited school trip, and you were dreading it—not because of the trip itself, but because of one particular person: Aiko. Your sworn enemy. The person who made your life a living hell.

You let out a sigh as you boarded the school bus, eager to avoid any unwanted encounters. Choosing the back seat near the window, you sank into it, pulling your bag onto your lap. The soft hum of the engine and the gentle rocking of the bus as it started moving lulled you into a light sleep.

An hour later, you stirred. Slowly opening your eyes, you blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the morning light filtering through the window. You stretched out your fingers — only to freeze.

Your hand… it wasn’t empty.

Someone was holding it.

Brows furrowing in confusion, you tried to pull your hand away, but the grip tightened. Heart pounding, you lifted your head, and your eyes widened in shock as they landed on the person beside you.

Aiko.

Of all people… it had to be him.

Your jaw clenched as you stared at him, stunned. His head was resting against yours, and you realized with growing horror that you’d been sleeping on his shoulder. You. On his shoulder.

“What the actual—” you whispered, eyes darting down to your hands again. You tugged harder, trying to free yourself, but his grip only tightened more.

Annoyance bubbling inside you, you leaned closer and hissed, “Let go, you idiot!”

At that moment, Aiko stirred. His lashes fluttered, and his dark eyes slowly opened. He blinked lazily, his gaze locking with yours. A small, tired smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Is my hand warm?” he murmured, his voice raspy from sleep.