Why does it feel like my heart forgot how to beat properly?
Seika stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were still pink. Her lips still tingled. And her brain… it had completely short-circuited.
She touched her mouth again, softly. Like if she pressed too hard, it would bring that moment back in full detail.
"Stupid David…" she whispered, but it didn't sound angry.
More like confused. Scared. Excited?
She covered her face with both hands. "Ughhh."
How did that even happen?
She remembered flying across the courtyard, grinning like a fool. She saw him standing there, looking kind of bored, kind of lost. So of course she ran to him. That's what she always did. That's how they always were.
But then... crash. Grass. Eyes.
And that kiss.
Not long. Not planned. Just lips against lips.
And now her world had changed.
Every time she thought about it, her chest squeezed tight. Her breath got short. And the worst part?
She liked it.
No. Not worst. Just... weird.
"Why him?" she mumbled, pacing her room like a cat in a thunderstorm. "He's awkward. And too calm. And always looks like he's thinking about something else."
She paused.
"But he's also kind. And... weirdly cool."
Her heart thumped again, hard and loud.
She dropped onto her bed like gravity had doubled.
Avoiding him was the only plan she had right now. It was either that or faint in front of him, and fainting didn't seem very cool.
She hadn't even told Reika.
Which made her feel worse.
Because now every time her sister talked about David, smiling like a girl in a fairy tale, Seika's stomach twisted up in knots. She wasn't trying to steal anything. She didn't mean for the kiss to happen.
But it did.
And now she felt like she had this secret that buzzed under her skin every second of the day.
Was it a crush?
It felt different than the others.
Like he had unlocked something soft inside her.
And now she didn't know how to close it again.
She curled up under her blanket and stared at the ceiling. Her face still warm. Her thoughts still spinning.
Was this what falling felt like?
....
Seika didn't sleep much.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his face. That blank stare he did when he didn't know what to say. His dumb, confused look after the kiss. The way his mouth opened like he was about to speak but then nothing came out.
She rolled over again. Maybe if she stayed in bed forever, she wouldn't have to face him. That'd be nice.
But no. School.
The one place she couldn't escape him.
She sighed and pulled the blanket over her head.
"Please don't let me run into him," she whispered.
Fate, of course, had other plans.
8:04 AM — Seiryu Academy Gate
David yawned as he walked past the school gates, slinging his bag lazily over one shoulder. He hadn't been sleeping well either. Not after that accident yesterday.
A kiss. An accidental kiss.
It wasn't romantic. It wasn't meant to happen. It was gravity. Poor posture. Timing.
That's all.
Right?
So why was he sweating like he was in a confession booth every time he thought about it?
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
SYSTEM UPDATE: Seika Affection Level – Increased
New Behavior Trait: Avoidance Mode [Active]
"Wait, what?"
He stopped walking and stared at the screen.
Avoidance mode?
Before he could blink, he spotted her. Right there across the courtyard. She had her head down, rushing toward the school building like she was running from a crime scene.
David raised a hand. "Hey, Seika—"
She turned the other way.
Full 180. No words. Just vanished into the hallway like a ninja.
David blinked.
"Huh."
He took a step forward, and the system pinged again.
New Achievement Unlocked: Did I Do Something?
Hint: Yes. You kissed her, dumbass.
David groaned. "Seriously?"
He stepped into the building, glancing around cautiously. Everything felt a little off. Students were whispering more than usual. A few girls shot glances at him and then giggled. One even winked.
System Message: Reputation Up: Mysterious Heartbreaker
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please, end me."
8:15 AM — Classroom 2-B
He reached the classroom and scanned the seats.
Sora wasn't here yet. Reika was by the window, sipping her drink like nothing ever happened. Calm and unreadable.
And Seika?
She was already seated too. But something was weird. She was hunched over her desk, hair covering her face like a curtain. The moment David walked in, she froze like a deer caught in headlights.
He walked slowly past her, aiming for his seat.
She didn't move.
Didn't say hi.
Didn't even breathe, as far as he could tell.
SYSTEM NOTICE: Seika Status – Embarrassed. Avoidance Mode Level 2 Activated.
David sat down behind her. Carefully. Quietly.
But he could feel her aura.
Awkward.
Weird.
Kinda cute.
Not that he'd ever say that out loud.
He coughed. "Morning."
She jumped.
Literally jumped.
Then mumbled something he couldn't hear and buried her face deeper into her arms.
David stared.
Okay. This was officially a situation.
He opened his notebook and pretended to read while sneaking glances at the back of her head.
Why was she acting like she just confessed and got rejected?
Oh right.
The kiss.
Again.
Damn it.
10:20 AM – Break Time
David escaped to the hallway for air. The classroom was too heavy. Too full of side-eyes and awkward tension.
He leaned against a wall and sighed.
"What am I even doing?"
The system popped up again.
Reminder: Main Route Suspended – Reika Affection Stable
Side Route Triggered – Seika Wild Path
Current Goal: Survive This Week
He muttered, "I miss when this system was just about quests and shops."
"Talking to yourself now?" a voice cut in.
David turned.
Sora.
Leaning against the vending machine like a bored detective.
David swallowed. "Not in the mood, man."
"Oh, I know." Sora gave him a long look. "Word travels fast. Heard you and the little sister had a moment yesterday."
David froze. "Wait, you know they're sisters?"
Sora snorted. "Dude. Everyone knows. You really didn't?"
David looked back at the classroom. "I didn't."
"Well, now you do." Sora folded his arms. "Let me give you some advice."
"Please don't."
He ignored him. "Don't screw with both. This isn't an anime harem. You're gonna break something."
David scratched his head. "I didn't plan for anything."
"No one plans. But feelings don't need permission."
He walked off, leaving David to stand in the hallway, the words weighing heavier than they should've.
11:00 AM – Back in Class
David sat in his seat. He peeked over at Seika.
She was still red. Still avoiding him. But now she was stealing glances too.
Every time their eyes met, she looked away like the sun had blinded her.
It was… oddly sweet.
And terrifying.
He sighed.
Then opened his notebook and doodled a tiny stick figure of himself being chased by hearts.
Below it he wrote:
"This is fine."