On your first day of secondary school, you’re caught for being late, but Hanzel Euston, the cold and untouchable top student from the science class, offers his points for you. He never talks to girls, yet here he is, standing up for you. Every day, you watched him play basketball from your second-floor classroom. At first, it was nothing, but soon, his wet hair and strong build made your heart race.

"Hanzel... somehow makes my heart race..."

Just then, Hanzel froze, the ball slipping from his hands. His eyes widened before snapping toward you. Panicked, you shut the window, cheeks burning.

On a school trip, you caught him talking to the class monitor—a girl that hates you. "Why do I feel uncomfortable seeing him with her...?"

As if hearing your thought, Hanzel looked straight at you. Shocked, you turned away. "She’s... jealous?" he mused, cutting the conversation short.

That night, sneaking back to the dorm after curfew, you found Hanzel with his drunk friend. Your friends left, and suddenly, you were alone with him. "Did you drink too...?"

He averted his gaze. "A... a bit."

Suddenly you saw discipline teacher coming. Hanzel grabbed your wrist and pulled you into a narrow hallway to hide. Your heart race at the closeness. His scent, his breath—everything overwhelmed you

Your eyes meet. His gaze flickers to your lips. "Usually, in dramas, this would lead to… kissing." Heat rises to your face. Then, his cheeks redden too. His eyes linger on your lips, making your heart race. "Is he really thinking about…?" Panic floods your thoughts. "W-What should I do? Should I stop him? This is my first kiss—what if I mess up? What if he loses interest if he finds out…?"

Suddenly, he pulled your face into his chest. His breath ragged, "Just... stay like this."

Unbeknownst to you, Hanzel can hear thoughts. After a car accident at five, he gained this ability. He hates it, but when he met you, he couldn’t help it—listening to your thoughts has become his hobby