Chapter 55 - Chapter 54: Not Normal Anymore

Nothing felt normal anymore.

Not mornings.

Not thoughts.

Not even something as simple as brushing teeth.

---

Morning Chaos 🪥

Sakura stood in front of the mirror, toothbrush in her mouth, hair messy, eyes still sleepy.

She looked normal.

Everything was normal.

Until—

Her mind betrayed her.

"May I kiss you?"

Her hand froze mid-brush.

Her eyes widened.

And suddenly—

Her cheeks turned bright red.

Toothpaste foam almost slipped as she covered her mouth.

"…Why am I remembering that NOW?!"

She leaned closer to the mirror, whispering to herself,

"Focus… just brush your teeth like a normal person—"

The door suddenly opened.

Aiko walked in.

And paused.

Slowly.

Suspiciously.

Her eyes narrowed.

"…Why are you blushing like you just committed a crime at 7 AM?"

Sakura choked. "I'm NOT!"

Aiko crossed her arms, smirking.

"Oh really? Then who's living rent-free in your head this early morning?"

Sakura turned away quickly, brushing aggressively.

"No one!"

Aiko stepped closer, peeking at her face through the mirror.

"…Koharu?"

Sakura almost dropped her toothbrush.

"Aiko!"

Aiko laughed. "I knew it."

Sakura rinsed her mouth quickly, avoiding eye contact.

"You're imagining things."

Aiko leaned casually against the sink.

"Mhmm. Sure. Because people randomly blush while brushing their teeth. Very normal behavior."

Sakura grabbed her towel and walked out dramatically.

"I hate you."

Aiko grinned. "You love me."

Sakura didn't reply.

But her ears were still red.

---

Afternoon — The Lift 🚪

OG walked toward the elevator, chatting lightly.

Hana was talking about food.

Yuki was distracted.

Kairi was listening.

Aiko was still occasionally smirking at Sakura.

Sakura… was trying to act normal.

Very hard.

The lift door opened.

And there—

stood Koharu.

Holding her tablet.

Focused.

Calm.

Untouchable.

She didn't even look up.

Everyone stepped inside.

One by one.

Until the lift got…

packed.

Too many people.

Too little space.

And somehow—

Sakura and Koharu ended up in the same corner.

Close.

Very close.

Sakura could feel it instantly.

Her heartbeat picked up.

Why here… why now…

Koharu still didn't look up.

Her eyes were on her tablet.

Her expression calm.

Professional.

Like nothing had changed.

Like that kiss never happened.

Sakura felt something twist in her chest.

Did she forget…?

Her eyes lifted slightly.

Looking at Koharu.

At her face.

At her eyes—

But—

Her bangs were falling slightly forward, hiding them.

Sakura frowned a little.

I want to see her eyes…

She didn't even realize how much she was staring.

---

The Sudden Darkness ⚡

Then—

The lights went out.

The lift fell into darkness.

A few people gasped.

Someone muttered, "Power cut?"

Sakura froze.

And in that exact moment—

A hand grabbed her wrist.

Firm.

Certain.

And pulled her forward.

Before she could react—

She was pressed lightly against someone.

Warm.

Familiar.

Koharu.

Sakura's breath hitched.

Her heart started racing instantly.

"Koharu—"

Before she could say anything—

Koharu leaned slightly closer.

Her voice low.

Almost teasing.

"…Missed me?"

Sakura couldn't even respond.

Because her brain stopped working.

---

Lights Back On 💡

Just as quickly—

The lights came back.

The lift returned to normal.

People adjusted.

Acted like nothing happened.

But in that small corner—

Everything had changed.

Sakura blinked.

Still close.

Still stunned.

She looked up.

And finally—

She saw it.

Koharu's eyes.

Clear.

Sharp.

And—

A smirk.

Small.

Confident.

Dangerous.

Like she knew exactly what she was doing.

Sakura's cheeks turned red instantly.

"…You—"

But the lift stopped.

The doors opened.

Koharu stepped out first.

Calm.

Composed.

Like nothing happened.

Again.

Sakura stood there for a second.

Frozen.

Heart still racing.

Before quickly following.

---

Aftermath

As they walked out—

Aiko glanced at Sakura.

Then at Koharu.

Then back at Sakura.

Her smirk slowly returned.

"…Something happened."

Sakura avoided her eyes immediately.

"Nothing happened."

Aiko chuckled. "Sure."

Behind them—

Koharu walked ahead.

Focused on her tablet again.

Untouchable.

Professional.

But her lips…

still held that faint smirk.

---

And Sakura realized something dangerous.

Koharu wasn't avoiding her.

She was—

playing with her.