The shrill sound of the fire alarm shattered the usual calm of third period. Students shot out of their seats like startled birds, chattering and laughing as they scrambled toward the exit.Haru gripped her clipboard, heart pounding—not because of the drill, but because she could already feel the impending disaster.Just keep calm. Lead them outside. Don’t trip, don’t embarrass yourself—A sudden wave of students surged past her, jostling her sideways. Haru wobbled, her heel catching on the edge of the doorway.“Ah—!”The clipboard flew from her hands. Haru squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the cold, hard kiss of the hallway floor.It never came.Instead, strong arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her clean off the ground.When Haru opened her eyes, the world tilted—because she was staring up at Aya’s smirking face.“Well,” Aya drawled, effortlessly holding her bridal-style like it was nothing, “that’s one way to make an exit.”Haru’s brain blue-screened. Her entire body went rigid, heat flooding her cheeks. “I-I—put me down!”Students froze mid-step, gasps and giggles rippling through the hall like wildfire. And then—click. Click-click-click.Phones. So many phones.Haru wanted to melt into a puddle on the floor. “Aya, everyone’s staring!”Aya didn’t even flinch. “Better than you face-planting, newbie.” She shifted Haru easily in her arms and carried her through the crowd like some heroine from a shoujo manga.The whispers were instant and merciless:“OMG, did you see that?!”“Kurozawa-sensei totally princess-carried Takamine-sensei!”“They’re DEFINITELY dating!”Haru covered her burning face with both hands. Goodbye, dignity. Nice knowing you.---By the time they reached the schoolyard, Haru practically leapt out of Aya’s arms, landing like a flustered cat. She smoothed her skirt frantically, avoiding every curious gaze stabbing into her soul.Aya, of course, stood there like nothing happened, sunlight glinting off her damp hair as she checked the student lineup with cool efficiency.“Alright, everyone accounted for,” Aya said casually, scribbling on her clipboard. Then she shot Haru a sidelong glance, lips twitching. “You okay, newbie? Or should I keep carrying you everywhere?”Haru’s entire existence turned crimson. “N-No! That was—completely unnecessary!”Aya smirked. “Sure. Next time, try not to trip like a rom-com protagonist.”Haru buried her face in the attendance sheet. I can’t survive this woman.---Two Hours Later – The AftermathBy lunch break, the photos were already on Misora High’s student group chat.> “Kurozawa-sensei is a LEGEND.”“Takamine-sensei looks so cute omg!!”#SenseiGoals #PowerCoupleHaru sat in the staff room, staring at her phone in horror as the hashtags climbed. Aya strolled in with her lunch tray, glancing over Haru’s shoulder.“Wow,” Aya said cheerfully, biting into her sandwich. “Nice angle on this one. Makes your legs look long.”Haru slapped the phone to her chest. “Aya! This isn’t funny!”Aya raised a brow, unbothered. “Why not? No one got hurt. You didn’t break your neck. And now you’re trending.”“That’s not an achievement!” Haru groaned, collapsing on the desk.Aya chuckled, patting her head lightly. “Relax. Rumors come and go.”Easy for her to say. Aya thrived under attention. Haru, on the other hand, wanted to disappear into a different dimension.---Evening – Aya’s ApartmentDinner was takeout again, because Haru’s attempt to cook last time still haunted her soul. The air was warm with the scent of fried rice and soy sauce. Aya sat cross-legged on the couch, scrolling on her phone while Haru picked at her meal in silence.Finally, Haru blurted, “Do you think the rumors will… stop?”Aya glanced up, amused. “Why? Does it bother you that much if people think we’re close?”Haru froze, chopsticks hovering mid-air. “I-I just don’t want anyone to… misunderstand.”Aya set her phone aside, leaning back with that lazy confidence that always threw Haru off balance. “And what exactly would they be misunderstanding?”Haru opened her mouth—then closed it. Her throat felt tight, words tangling into knots she couldn’t undo.Aya smiled faintly, eyes lingering on her. “You really can’t answer that, can you?”Haru’s heart thudded so hard she swore Aya could hear it. She forced a laugh, staring down at her food. “You’re imagining things.”“Am I?” Aya’s voice was soft now, almost teasing, almost something else.Haru shoved a mouthful of rice in her mouth just to avoid speaking.But long after Aya turned back to her phone, Haru sat there, pulse racing, the question echoing in her head like a drumbeat she couldn’t ignore.Does it really bother you that much if people think we’re close?And the terrifying truth was… she didn’t know anymore.-That night, lying in the dark, Haru pressed a pillow over her face and whispered into the fabric:“Why… does it feel like they’re not wrong?”
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