"Mom, what's wrong?"

Akira, who was lying on the bed researching on his phone, heard his door creak open. Thinking his mom had come in to check on him, he called out without looking up.

There was no response.

He turned his head slowly—and before he could process what was happening, a figure leaped onto his bed.

Shouko, barefoot, straddled him without warning. She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned in close, and bit his ear lightly, whispering in a low voice:

"This is what you meant when you said you were going to sleep?"

Her breath tickled his ear as she spoke, making his skin burn.

Both of his ears flushed bright red almost immediately.

He instinctively tried to push her away—

Vacuum...

His hands froze.

No—he wasn't that kind of guy, but still, his face was blazing like a furnace.

Shouko noticed his hesitation and lack of resistance. Worried she had hurt him, she quickly let go of his ear, leaned her body fully onto his back, and whispered:

"Why aren't you saying anything? Did I use too much force?"

She pressed her cheek to his, trying to read his expression.

Akira's face was now visibly red from ear to chin.

Confused, Shouko shifted slightly to get a better look and gently pinched his cheek.

"Your face is getting redder and redder… what's wrong with you?"

Akira desperately tried to calm himself, silently chanting mantras in his head. It didn't work.

Flustered, he blurted, "No, no, it's nothing. Shouko, can you… get off me? You're a little heavy..."

"!?"

Shouko froze, then narrowed her eyes. She pinched his cheek harder and pushed herself away from him, standing next to the bed with a stern look.

"You think I'm heavy?"

She folded her arms, taking a deep breath like she was about to start a lecture.

"No! No! I just meant—lying down with someone pressing on my back felt uncomfortable! It's not that you're heavy!" Akira rushed to explain, waving his hands defensively.

Shouko raised an eyebrow. She didn't look completely convinced.

"Are you really okay? Your face is so red..." She leaned in again, genuinely concerned now.

Before she could get too close, Akira sat up quickly and waved her off.

"Really, I'm fine! Just… hot! I was about to turn on the air conditioner right before you came in!"

She studied him for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"...Alright. I just came to teach you a lesson for lying to me earlier."

She gave him one last look, turned, and headed toward the door.

"Goodnight, Akira."

He watched the door close behind her, then sighed deeply.

"That was way too intense for a 'lesson'..." he muttered to himself. "And how is that a punishment? That was practically a reward..."

He tapped his cheeks, trying to cool down.

"Good thing I'm a gentleman… otherwise…"

Diary Entries

March 15 – Sunny

Went to see a movie with Shouko. We brought Yuzuru too.

March 16 – Sunny

Bored. Browsed light novels online. Nothing decent—just random garbage.

March 17 – Sunny

Made plans with Mio and the others for the 20th.

March 18 – Cloudy

Ran into Ueno Naoka while shopping with Shouko. I said hi… and got slapped. What did I do!?

March 19 – Light Rain

Asked Shouko why she slapped me yesterday. Got slapped again. She also rolled her eyes.

March 20 – Sunny → Heavy Rain

Went to the park early with Shouko, Yuzuru, and Hachiko. Just as everyone arrived, it poured.

Day ruined. Everyone went home soaked and sad.

March 21 – Cloudy

Shouko added Sahara Miyoko's contact. Apparently, her mom got her a phone too. They made plans to hang out soon.

March 22 – Sunny

Ran into Ito Chika and Matsuoka Miu while shopping. They had a new friend with glasses—Sakuragi Matsuri.

Said hi to them all. No slap this time. Realized what I did wrong before.

March 23 – Sunny

Girls' outing. I was ditched. Shouko even took Yuzuru with her.

Mom made fun of me. I retaliated by taking angry bites of my orange.

March 24 – Light Rain

Pretended to be emotionally wounded from being left behind. Shouko caved instantly.

She promised to make it up to me. Victory.

March 25 – Sunny

Miyamura Shizuka told us she and Dad would help get us placed in the same class.

She asked if Shouko and I were okay with it.

Shouko nodded immediately. So did I.

March 26 – Sunny

Ran into our old teacher, Takeuchi-sensei. His hair was a mess, clothes wrinkled.

He looked at me… and ran away without a word.

March 27 – Light Rain

"Why?! Why!?"

I collapsed on the tatami, lamenting the fast-approaching school year.

Miyamura Shizuka, watching her drama, gave me a bonk on the head.

"Stop whining!" she scolded.

I clutched my chest and groaned. "My heart hurts…"

Shouko, sitting nearby, rubbed the spot on my head gently. Her face was slightly red.

Shizuka rolled her eyes. "Don't think I don't know—you sleep through class. I planted a spy."

I glanced at Shouko. Yeah… the spy was obvious.

"By the way," Shizuka added, pausing the TV. "April 1st is almost here. Let's get school supplies tomorrow."

"Okay!" Shouko replied cheerfully.

"Wait, don't Shouko and I need to check in at school on March 31st?" I asked, handing her some grapes.

"I heard the uniform might be JK..." I added, curiosity piqued.

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