"Zay Harukawa!!"
It flew out before I could stop it.
I meant to hiss it. Whisper-shout it. You know—quietly yell with rage like any normal person trying to scold someone without losing social points.
But nope.
My brain panicked.
My mouth didn't filter.
And I full-volume shouted his full government name.
The classroom went dead silent.
Like, math class silent.
Like, the teacher-pauses-writing silent.
Chairs stopped squeaking.
A paper dropped somewhere.
Someone sucked in a dramatic gasp like we were on a soap opera.
I blinked.
Zay slowly, slowly, turned his head toward me—expression completely neutral, like this was just another Tuesday.
"You good?" he said, voice low.
I froze. My entire body felt like it had glitched.
"I—" I started, then stopped, because what was I even supposed to say now? Oops, sorry, I screamed your name across the classroom because you called me not-plain and I panicked?
Nope. That wasn't coming out.
I cleared my throat. Sat back in my chair like nothing happened. Picked up my pen.
Behind me, someone whispered, "Did she just—"
"—use his full name??"
"Not even teachers do that."
"Yo, are they close-close now?"
I sank lower into my chair.
Great job, Akiyo. Real smooth.
Zay finally turned away again, but I swear—I swear—I saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
Like he was enjoying this.
Kiro leaned across the row from behind, casually sipping his milk. "You two done declaring war yet or should we all clear the room for round two?"
I slumped forward and hit my forehead on
The desk.
---
I was just about to leave the girls' bathroom, tugging my bag strap over my shoulder, when the door slammed shut behind me.
Not just slammed—locked.
I spun around, heart skipping.
"No way," I muttered.
I banged the door with my fists. "Hey! Let me out!"
Silence. Then faint giggles.
Of course.
That blonde and her little posse.
Typical move—lock someone in a bathroom stall like they're some kind of trapped animal. Probably figured I'd freak out or beg or call a teacher.
Wrong move.
I pressed my back against the door, breathing steady. "Cute. Real cute."
"Hey, Nakahara," the blonde's voice floated through the crack under the door, smooth and sickly sweet. "You know, some people have influence here. Teachers don't like to get involved with certain girls. You really don't want to make a scene."
I rolled my eyes, voice low but clear, "Good to know you've got a fan club with the teachers. Just remember—if you think I'm scared, you don't know me at all."
Another giggle.
Then footsteps fading.
I leaned my forehead on the door and let out a slow breath.
"Guess I'm waiting for the janitor now," I muttered.
And yeah—if the teachers found out who locked me in here? That would be very interesting.