Chapter 4 – Rumors Begin to Bloom

Morning sunlight spilled across the quiet street as Haru and Aya walked side by side toward Misora High. Aya strolled with the easy grace of someone who had all the time in the world, hands tucked in her jacket pockets, while Haru clutched her lesson plan folder like a shield.“This feels so… weird,” Haru whispered, cheeks already pink.Aya smirked, glancing down at her. “What does?”“Walking to school together like this. People will… assume things.”Aya’s lips curved into that teasing grin Haru was starting to dread—and secretly like. “Oh? And what things would that be, newbie?”Haru flailed. “You know! Like we’re… close or… something…”Aya let out a low chuckle, sending a shiver down Haru’s spine. “Relax. It’s not like we’re holding hands.”Thank goodness we’re not, Haru thought, because if Aya even brushed her fingers right now, she’d probably implode on the spot.---As soon as they stepped through the school gates, Haru felt the shift in the air. Whispers buzzed like cicadas.“Sensei came with Kurozawa-sensei this morning…”“They looked like a couple!”“No way, really?!”“I bet they live together…”Haru’s soul left her body. Oh no. No no no.By the time they reached the staff room, Haru was practically vibrating with panic. “Aya, they’re gossiping—what if the principal hears? What if they think we’re—”Aya, of course, was completely unfazed, sipping her sports drink like the queen of calm. “What if they do?”Haru’s jaw dropped. “W-What do you mean ‘what if they do’?!”Aya shrugged. “Rumors come and go. High schoolers need something to talk about. At least it’s not a scandal about you burning rice.”Haru groaned, burying her face in her hands. Why does nothing embarrass this woman?---The day dragged on, and Haru tried to focus on her classes, but the whispers never stopped. Every time she walked past a group of students, she caught snippets:“They looked so close this morning…”“Kurozawa-sensei’s smile was different!”Haru wanted to melt into the floor. By the time she collapsed at her desk during lunch, she was ready to fake a fever just to escape.“Paperwork mountain got you down?” Aya’s voice pulled her from her spiral. Haru looked up to see Aya leaning casually against her desk, holding two bottles of iced tea.Haru groaned. “More like paperwork Everest. I didn’t realize Social Studies involved this much grading.”Aya chuckled, setting one bottle in front of her. “Here. Hydrate before you keel over.”“T-Thanks,” Haru mumbled, taking the drink gratefully.Aya glanced at the stack of papers, then at Haru’s weary face. “Need a hand?”Haru blinked. “You… would help with paperwork?”Aya smirked. “Don’t sound so shocked. I’m not just good with balls and whistles, you know.”Haru choked on her tea. “W-Why would you phrase it like that?!”Aya laughed, loud enough to earn a glare from a nearby math teacher.---Later that afternoon, Haru wandered into the gym, clutching a file that needed Aya’s signature. The moment she stepped inside, a whistle pierced the air.“Newbie!” Aya’s voice echoed across the polished floor. She jogged over, towel slung around her neck, T-shirt clinging to her from the workout. Haru’s brain short-circuited again.“Y-Your signature…” Haru stammered, holding out the file like a shield.Aya signed without breaking eye contact, her grin playful. “You really need to work on your poker face.”Haru blinked. “Huh?”Aya tapped her nose lightly with the pen. “Every time you’re flustered, it’s written all over your face.”Haru’s cheeks turned crimson. “I—I’m not flustered!”“Sure.” Aya winked, striding back to the court. “Keep telling yourself that.”Haru’s knees nearly gave out.---Evening.They ended up sprawled on the couch, takeout containers spread across the low table. Haru poked at her karaage while Aya flipped through channels, eventually settling on a late-night comedy show.“This feels… weirdly nice,” Haru admitted softly.Aya glanced at her. “Living with me? Or eating food you didn’t burn?”Haru shot her a look. “Both.”Aya grinned. “You’ll get used to it.”For a while, they just sat there—laughing at the TV, sharing little comments, Aya casually stealing fries from Haru’s plate. It was… comfortable. Too comfortable.And that was the problem.Haru’s gaze drifted to Aya, to the curve of her smile, the easy way she leaned back like she owned the world. Something warm and terrifying unfurled in Haru’s chest, curling tight around her ribs.Why… does my heart beat so fast around her?---