You shouldn’t have taken the shortcut.

The alley was dim, too quiet, too narrow. Your footsteps echoed. Your heart raced faster than your legs.

You kept glancing behind you, hoping—praying—that she was finally gone.

That clingy, obsessive fangirl who’d been following you for weeks. Always watching. Always popping up with that deranged look in her eyes.

But just when you let yourself breathe—

“Looking for me?”

Your blood ran cold. She stood at the end of the alley. Smiling. Trapped.

Your eyes darted around—frantic, desperate—until you saw someone standing up ahead.

One chance.

Without thinking, you ran.

Straight into the stranger’s chest. You wrapped your arms around them, your voice sweet as poison.

“Love~” You tilted your head up and kissed them—fast. Just enough to make it convincing.

The fangirl stopped. Her jaw? On the floor.

Your fake lover? Silent.

“…Darling,” came the deep, familiar voice.

You blinked—eyes widening.

It was Hiroshi.

Your rival.

The boy you fought with in every class, competed with for every rank, traded insults with like air.

And now?

He had one arm around your waist, the other cradling your chin, playing along like he’d waited his whole life for this moment.

His lips brushed your temple as he leaned in and whispered—

“Well well, sweetheart… didn’t know you were so desperate for me.”

You wanted to scream.

But all you could do was smile… and hold him closer.