Behind the Perfect Smile

It felt like a storm had swept through the classroom.

“What is he even saying? Seriously… he rejected the president? What a loser.”

_

Satomi’s mind boiled with anger and frustration.

What is he even thinking? Am I not worthy to be his partner? Everyone is crazy about me. Everyone wants me. And yet… he rejected me?

She clenched her fist beneath the desk, her smile never fading.

I can’t say anything. I can’t ruin my reputation for a bastard like him. I just have to smile like I always do…

Her lips curved slightly.

Just wait and watch. You’ll become a good little puppy for me. I’ll make you my loyal dog.

__

The teacher’s voice cut through the tension.

“Haruto! Sit down already.”

Haruto clicked his tongue in irritation but had no choice. He dropped into his seat.

The teacher continued, adjusting his glasses.

“You may change your partner if Satomi wants.”

He turned toward her.

“Satomi, do you want to replace Haruto? Don’t hesitate if you don’t want to work with him.”

Satomi stood gracefully, her usual gentle smile in place.

“I don’t mind working with him. As the student council president, I should treat everyone equally.”

She sat down as soft murmurs spread across the room.

Haruto leaned slightly toward Kaori.

“So… who’s your partner?”

“It’s Yoshi Aizawa ”

Yoshi—the popular guy. Handsome, charming… and annoyingly well-known among girls.

Haruto’s expression darkened.

What?! I can’t just hand Kaori over to someone like him. That guy will definitely try to seduce her…

Kaori leaned closer, whispering with a faint smile.

“You look jealous.”

“I am.”

__

After school, the first day of library duty began.

Satomi and Haruto stood behind a large wooden table piled high with books.

“There are a lot of books we need to sort onto the correct shelves,” Satomi explained calmly. “And many borrowed books haven’t been returned yet. We’ll have to contact those students.”

“Yeah, yeah… whatever.”

Haruto rested his head on his hand, barely listening.

He lazily grabbed a few books and placed them onto the shelves before returning to the table.

Satomi watched him, a small smile forming.

“Hey…Ishikawa kun, why don’t you join the student council?” she asked softly. “I’d really like to have you there. You’re always welcome.”

“Nah, I’ll pass,” Haruto replied instantly. “How many times do I have to tell you? I’m not interested in doing free work for the student council. I’d rather sleep at my desk.”

For a brief moment, disappointment flickered across Satomi’s eyes—but her smile remained.

“That’s okay,” she said gently. “If you ever change your mind, you’re welcome.”

Silence filled the room.

Then—

“Why don’t you drop that fake smile already?” Haruto muttered. “It’s annoying. You don’t have to smile if you don’t want to. I’d rather see the real you than that fake version. I prefer being called by my first name—so you can call me Haruto. Instead, my family name "

A faint, dangerous smirk appeared on Satomi’s face.

“Thank God you said that,” she replied, her voice losing its sweetness. “You’re seriously unbearable, you know that? Honestly… it sucks having to act like a perfect role model all the time.”

Haruto raised an eyebrow.

“Wow. This is actually interesting.”

Suddenly—

Bang!

Satomi kicked the table and grabbed Haruto by his necktie, pulling him closer.

“You won’t enjoy this for long,” she whispered coldly. “Soon, you’ll regret seeing me like this.”

Her grip tightened.

“So tell me—what is it about me that you hate so much? No matter what I do, you always oppose me. Always looking for my mistakes.”

Haruto sighed.

“You’re way too close… can you let go of my tie first?”

“Answer me, idiot.”

He looked straight into her eyes.

“It irritates me,” he said bluntly. “The way you smile when you don’t want to. The way you carry everyone else’s burden even when it’s not yours. It’s boring to watch someone live like that.”

Satomi’s expression hardened.

“Good for you,” she replied coldly. “Then you won’t have to watch my ‘boring’ self anymore.”

Just then—

The door creaked open.

“What are you two doing…?”

Kaori stood frozen at the entrance, her voice soft and hesitant.

“S-Sorry… I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

She quickly turned, about to leave—

—as if she had just walked in on something she shouldn’t have seen.

Satomi quickly let go of him and stepped back, trying to compose herself.

“H-Hey, wait! It’s not what you think! Hey—stop! You’re misunderstanding everything. Please, just stop!”

Kaori heard every word.

But she didn’t stop.

Without turning back, she hurried out of the library.

“…Tch.”

Haruto clicked his tongue and started walking toward the door.

Suddenly—

Satomi grabbed his collar from behind.

“And where do you think you’re going?” she said in a low, chilling tone. “You can’t just leave like this. Finish your duty before you go.”

Haruto frowned.

“I think clearing up that misunderstanding is more important.”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Satomi replied coldly. “I can handle it myself.”

But her mind was anything but calm.

She couldn’t sit still. She paced around the library, restless and agitated.

Is she going to tell others what she saw? She’s a quiet girl… I don’t think she’d talk. But what if she does? What if everyone starts thinking I’m into someone like him?

She bit her lip.

I can’t relax… What should I do?

Then a thought crossed her mind.

She’s Haruto’s friend…

Satomi turned toward him.

“Hey, Haruto… isn’t she your friend?”

“…Yeah, she is,” Haruto replied with an exhausted sigh. “And thanks to you, my love life is now in danger.”

Satomi narrowed her eyes slightly, a faint smile forming.

“Oh? Are you two dating?”

“…Not exactly,” Haruto muttered. “It’s complicated. You could call it… unrequited love.”

Suddenly—

Satomi grabbed his shoulders and started shaking him.

“Then don’t stop halfway and confuse me! Say it properly! I hate it when people do that!”

“H-Hey! Stop shaking me!” Haruto protested. “I’m telling you! There’s nothing to hide. It’s one-sided love. That’s it.”

Satomi froze for a second.

Then—

“Hahaha… I figured,” she laughed mockingly. “Who would ever fall for an idiot like you? It would take a saint—or a complete fool—to like someone like you. What a loser. Even your childhood friend rejected you.”

Haruto’s expression darkened instantly.

Irritation surged through him.

Without thinking, he grabbed Satomi’s collar.

“Maybe one day,” he said coldly, “you’ll fall for me… and I’ll enjoy rejecting you.”

Satomi didn’t flinch.

Instead, she laughed again.

“Haha! In your dreams. Keep dreaming. That’s the only place where that could ever happen.”

Her eyes sharpened.

“And who gave you permission to touch my collar?”

Her voice dropped dangerously low.

“You might regret that.”

Haruto met her gaze without backing down.

“I believe in gender equality,” he said calmly. “If you can grab my tie, I can grab your collar.”

Satomi’s lips curled into a dangerous smile.

“I could make a scene right now,” she threatened. “You’d be in serious trouble.”

Haruto didn’t let go.

“Go ahead,” he said.

“Try it.”