The crisp morning air buzzed with excitement as Haru entered the classroom, stack of lesson plans in hand. A huge banner reading “Misora High Cultural Festival – Two Weeks Away!” hung over the blackboard. Students were already chattering about maid cafés, haunted houses, and live music performances.Two weeks… Haru swallowed. She’d read about cultural festivals in manga, but experiencing one as a teacher? That was a whole new level of pressure.“Takamine-sensei!”Haru blinked as a group of cheerful second-year girls surrounded her desk, eyes sparkling like they were about to drop a bomb.“Yes?” she asked, smiling nervously.“Can you and Kurozawa-sensei be in charge of the Second-Year Café this year?”Haru almost dropped her chalk. “W-Wait, what?! Me and Aya-sensei?!”The girls nodded enthusiastically. “You two would be perfect! Cool Aya-sensei and sweet Haru-sensei—it’s like a dream team!”Haru’s ears burned. Dream… team?!“B-But I’m new, and I don’t think I—”“Please! We need teachers to manage the booth! And everyone ships—uh, I mean, likes you two together!”Haru froze. Did they almost say ship?!Before she could protest further, a shadow fell over the group.“What’s this about me?” Aya’s smooth voice slid into the conversation like honey. Haru turned to see her standing in the doorway, arms crossed, one brow arched in amusement.The students beamed. “Kurozawa-sensei! We want you and Takamine-sensei to run our café!”Aya tilted her head toward Haru, smirking. “What do you think, newbie? Up for it?”“I—I…” Haru stammered, caught in those teasing dark eyes. “I guess… if you don’t mind…”Aya chuckled, ruffling Haru’s hair like she was a nervous puppy. “Guess we’re a team then.”Haru nearly combusted on the spot.---The faculty meeting later that day sealed the deal. Aya looked utterly relaxed, leaning back in her chair, while Haru sat stiff as a board, scribbling notes like her life depended on it.How does she stay so calm?! Haru thought, sneaking a glance at Aya’s confident profile. Meanwhile, I’m over here sweating bullets because people think we’re some kind of duo…---Two days later – Planning Session.The classroom was buzzing with excitement as students finalized booth themes. Haru and Aya stood in the corner, reviewing supply lists.“So,” Aya said casually, flipping through the paper, “café theme is… European-style tea house? Sounds fancy.”Haru nodded nervously. “I—I’ve never done anything like this before. What if I mess up?”Aya grinned, leaning closer. “Relax, newbie. You panic over everything. It’s just tea and cake, not a hostage negotiation.”Haru puffed her cheeks. “Easy for you to say! You’re good at everything.”Aya blinked in surprise, then laughed softly. “You really think that?”Haru realized what she’d said and immediately wished for a time machine. “I-I didn’t mean—”Aya’s grin widened. “I’ll take it as a compliment.”Before Haru could die of embarrassment, one of the students waved excitedly. “Senseis! Can you come check the fortune-telling booth? We need advice on decorating!”“Fortune-telling booth?” Haru echoed.“Yeah! It’s right next to the café! You’ll love it!”Aya shrugged and gestured for Haru to follow. “Come on, newbie. Let’s see your future.”---The “booth” turned out to be a curtained-off corner filled with cushions and fairy lights—unfortunately very small. When the students pushed them inside, Haru nearly tripped, and Aya instinctively caught her by the waist.“Careful,” Aya murmured, their faces inches apart.Haru froze, heart thundering. Too close. WAY too close.By the time they sat down, Haru’s brain was short-circuiting. The students cheerfully explained the theme: “Romantic fortune booth! Couples can find out their love compatibility!”Haru choked on air. “C-Couples?!”Aya smirked, eyes glinting like the devil. “Guess that makes us the test subjects.”Before Haru could protest, the students shoved a little crystal ball prop toward them. “Hold hands and close your eyes! It’s for authenticity!”Haru thought she might actually ascend to another plane. But Aya—completely unfazed—simply laced their fingers together like it was the most normal thing in the world.Haru’s breath caught. Aya’s hand was warm, strong, and her thumb brushed lightly against Haru’s knuckles in a way that sent heat flooding to her ears.“So,” Aya said in a low voice meant only for her, “what do you think our compatibility score is?”Haru squeaked something incomprehensible while silently screaming into the void.---When they finally escaped, Haru practically collapsed against the wall, face blazing. “That was… humiliating…”Aya chuckled, tugging her ponytail loose. “What, holding hands? You act like I proposed.”“D-Don’t joke about that!” Haru hissed, covering her face.Aya leaned in, lips curling into a wicked grin. “Relax, newbie. Your heart’s about to explode.”Haru nearly fainted.---Evening. Staff room.As Haru packed her things, she overheard a pair of students walking by.“Did you see Kurozawa-sensei and Takamine-sensei in the fortune booth?”“They’re totally the hottest teacher duo in school!”Haru froze, mortification crashing over her like a tidal wave. Aya, who had clearly heard too, only smirked and murmured in her ear as they walked out together:“Guess we’ve got a reputation to live up to, newbie.”Haru’s cheeks flamed as her heart whispered one terrifying truth:Why does that thought make me… happy?
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