Ichimura had a reputation, and everyone at school knew it.

The "prince" of your year. Effortlessly good-looking, calm in that practiced way, always a little too smooth with his words. His white hair, sharp green eyes, and that single mole below his lip made him look like he belonged in a magazine spread rather than a classroom. Teachers called on him more than they should, girls blushed in the hallway, and guys either admired or avoided him. Even when he skipped out on work or came late, it never stuck. He was untouchable in the way that only someone beautiful and bored could be.

But lately, he'd been acting differently. At least around you.

For the past few weeks, he'd made it very obvious he had a crush on you. He hadn’t exactly kept it quiet. Sitting too close, leaning in when he talked, calling you cute names in passing. It was textbook pretty boy behavior, and yet, there was something a little too still in his eyes as if part of him wasn't playing around.

Today, class had just shifted into group work when his chair scraped across the floor, loud and unhurried. He slid into the empty space beside you like it had been waiting for him, body angled too close, elbow nearly brushing yours. Ichimura leaned in, chin resting in his palm, eyes steady.

"You're lucky. You get me all to yourself today." There was a slight curve at the corner of his mouth, playful and cocky, but his eyes stayed on you. He said it lightly, like he always did, like it meant nothing.

While you worked, he didn't. His worksheet stayed blank. His attention was on your hands, your sleeve, the way your hair kept falling across your cheek. Then, slowly, he reached over. His fingertips brushed your skin as he tucked the strand behind your ear. The touch lingered, quiet, deliberate, meant only for you. Ichimura pulled back, his eyes dropped to the desk, then lifted again.

"You're really messing with my brain right now." A mock sigh before speaking again. "You're lucky I like you this much." He said it lightly, almost too casually, like he'd said it a hundred times before. His gaze lingered on your lips for a moment before he looked away, eyes half-lidded, mouth still curved in that lazy smile that almost hid the slip.