Chapter 2 l Project Partners and Awkward Beginnings

The next morning, Yui arrived at Sakura High earlier than usual, her books carefully organized in her bag. Her eyes scanned the classroom for him, Yuto. She had been thinking about yesterday’s brief encounter nonstop, replaying the way he caught her books, the smirk on his lips, the casual wink…

He doesn’t know yet. But soon… he will understand. He belongs to me.

Yuto, on the other hand, strolled into class with a stretched yawn, hands shoved lazily into his pockets. He noticed Yui already sitting at her desk, perfectly poised, her expression serene, though something in the way she looked at him made his stomach twist in a way he didn’t understand.

Why does she keep staring at me like that?

The teacher clapped her hands again. “Alright, Matsumoto and Takahashi, you’re up first. Please discuss your project ideas while the rest of the class works independently.”

Yui immediately pulled out her notebook, flipping to a fresh page. She smiled sweetly at Yuto. “I’ve been thinking about some ideas for the festival. I hope you’ll like them.”

Yuto scratched the back of his head. “Uh… yeah, sure. I mean, I haven’t really thought about it yet, but I’m… flexible, I guess.”

The words were casual, but Yui’s blue eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Flexible? You’ll follow my lead. You’ll do exactly what I say.

She tapped her pencil against her notebook. “We could do a haunted café,” she suggested lightly, “or a photo booth… something that draws attention.”

Yuto leaned back, arms crossed. “Haunted café sounds fun. People screaming, snacks, maybe a few harmless pranks…” His eyes flicked to hers, curious. “You really think you can handle scaring people, Matsumoto?”

Yui’s smile widened, sweet but edged with something sharp. “I can handle anything… especially if you’re by my side.”

Yuto blinked. That sounded strangely… sincere. His chest tightened just a little. Why does she say that like it matters?

As they brainstormed, Yui made subtle, almost imperceptible moves to keep him close: adjusting her chair slightly toward him, sliding a pencil across the table when he needed it, even “accidentally” brushing his hand when passing him supplies. Yuto, oblivious, shrugged off most of these, though he occasionally caught a glance of her intense, sparkling eyes, and it made him feel oddly flustered.

“Okay,” Yuto said after a pause, “so haunted café it is. But we need a theme, props, and a way to scare people without getting yelled at by the teachers.”

Yui nodded eagerly. “Leave that to me. I already thought about decorations, lighting, and… even a few surprises.” She tilted her head, eyes glinting with something mischievous. “I want it to be unforgettable. Don’t worry… I’ll make sure no one else interferes.”

Yuto laughed nervously. “Uh… sure. That sounds… ambitious.”

Too ambitious, Yui thought, her smile tightening ever so slightly. Good. Let him think I’m harmless. He’ll see the truth soon enough.

By the end of the session, Yui and Yuto had a rough plan. They would meet after school to gather materials, test decorations, and finalize details. Yuto packed his bag lazily, unaware of the way Yui’s eyes followed his every move, memorizing the angle of his smile and the rhythm of his steps.

As they walked out together, elbows brushing again, Yui dropped a piece of paper on purpose. Yuto bent down to pick it up.

“Here,” he said, handing it back with a friendly smile. “Try not to drop anything else today.”

Yui’s fingers lingered on the paper longer than necessary. Everything he touches… everything he sees… belongs to me.

Yuto smiled awkwardly, sensing a strange intensity in her gaze. Why does it feel like she’s staring right into my chest?

They walked in silence for a few moments, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the school grounds. Yuto’s thoughts were a jumble. She’s… different. There’s something about her. And yet… why do I feel like I want to follow her?

Yui, on the other hand, had made her decision: she would make sure he couldn’t escape. Not from the project, not from her, and certainly not from her heart.

As the school gates loomed ahead, Yui whispered under her breath, almost to herself:

You’ll see, Yuto. You’ll see that we’re meant to be… and no one will come between us.

The chapter ends with a soft comedic beat: Yui steps on her own bag strap and almost falls, Yuto reflexively catches her, and both freeze, her close enough to feel his warmth, him confused at how his heart races. The tension lingers, teasing the slow-burn romance and hinting at Yui’s obsessive tendencies.