The rumors didn't die.
They grew.
Faster than expected.
Stronger than logic.
And more annoying than anything
Yamabuki had ever faced.
Morning Disaster
The moment Yamabuki entered class—
"Good morning, lover boy."
"…I will throw a chair."
Takumi laughed.
"Relax, it's cute."
"There is NOTHING cute about this."
"Your face says otherwise."
"My face says violence."
The Stares
Everywhere he looked—
People were watching.
Whispering.
Judging.
"…This is harassment."
"You're popular now," Takumi said.
"I reject this popularity."
Naya's Presence
And then—
She walked in.
Naya.
Same calm steps.
Same unreadable face.
But now—
The entire class noticed her differently.
"…She's here…"
"…Act normal…"
"No one is acting normal."
Unavoidable
Their eyes met again.
Just for a second.
But this time—
Neither looked away immediately.
"…This is your fault," Yamabuki muttered.
"…You said that yesterday."
"…It's still true."
"…You're consistent."
"…I hate consistency."
Teacher's Move
"Today, continue your pair work."
The class reacted immediately.
"Ooooooh—"
Yamabuki slammed his desk.
"I QUIT SCHOOL."
"Sit down," the teacher said calmly.
"…This system is rigged."
Close Again
Same desk.
Same seats.
Same distance.
But now—
That distance felt… fake.
Because both of them remembered yesterday.
Too clearly.
Forced Normalcy
"…We should finish the report," Naya said.
"…Yeah."
Silence.
"…You start."
"…No, you start."
"…Why."
"…Because you talk more."
"…That's discrimination."
The Break
Yamabuki suddenly stopped writing.
"…Hey."
"…What."
"…About what you said yesterday."
"…Forget it."
"…No."
"…Yes."
"…No."
"…You're annoying."
"…You didn't deny it."
Crack in the Wall
Naya's pen stopped.
Just slightly.
"…You think too much."
"…You say too little."
"…That's better."
"…It's not."
The Tension Builds
"…Answer me properly," Yamabuki said.
"…Why."
"…Because I want to know."
"…That's not a reason."
"…It is for me."
Silence
Long.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
But not empty.
The Truth (Almost)
"…It didn't feel normal," Naya said quietly.
"…Yeah."
"…That's all."
"…That's NOT all."
"…It is."
"…You're lying."
Closer (Again…)
Without realizing—
They leaned slightly closer.
Not touching.
But close enough.
"…You're doing it again," Naya said.
"…You too."
"…I'm not."
"…You are."
The Interruption
"OOOH—!"
The class erupted.
"AGAIN?!"
"IN CLASS?!"
"I KNEW IT!"
Yamabuki jumped back.
"I HATE THIS SCHOOL!!"
Public Pressure
"Just date already!"
"Stop hiding it!"
"Confess! Confess! Confess!"
"…I WILL TRANSFER SCHOOLS."
Takumi wiped tears from laughing.
"…Best arc so far."
Naya's Reaction
For the first time—
She looked… slightly shaken.
Not panicked.
But not calm either.
"…They're loud."
"…That's your concern?!"
"…You're louder."
"…THIS IS DIFFERENT!"
After School
The noise followed them.
Whispers.
Stares.
Pressure.
Until—
They ended up alone again.
Same place.
Same timing.
The Breaking Point
"…This won't stop," Yamabuki said.
"…No."
"…Then what do we do."
"…Ignore it."
"…That's not working."
"…Then what."
The Dangerous Suggestion
Yamabuki hesitated.
"…We could…"
"…What."
"…Prove them wrong."
"…How."
"…Act normal."
"…We are not normal."
"…Exactly my problem!"
The Twist
Naya looked at him.
Longer than usual.
"…Or."
"…Or?"
"…We could prove them right."
"…WHAT?!"
System Crash
"…You're joking."
"…Maybe."
"…That's not funny."
"…You're reacting too much."
"…YOU SAID WE SHOULD DATE!"
"…I didn't say that."
"…YOU IMPLIED IT!"
Final Line
"…If acting fake is easier than
denying…"
Naya turned away slightly.
"…then maybe we should try it."