The sharp, metallic chime of the class bell echoed through the hallway.
"Ring, ring, ring!"
Students shuffled their belongings and hurried toward their desks. Haruto Amakawa leaned against the window frame, lazily watching the students settle in. His eyes, calm and clear, betrayed no urgency. The sunlight filtered through the blinds, scattering soft patterns across the wooden desks and polished floor.
Soon, Shizuka Hiratsuka entered the room. Her steps were firm but graceful, and she carried herself with the composed elegance of a seasoned teacher. She walked to the podium and cleared her throat.
"Today, we'll be having the midterm exam. Please prepare."
Her voice was measured, but there was a subtle energy beneath it—as if she wanted this day to matter.
Exam papers were passed from hand to hand. Haruto took his with an effortless motion, his expression unreadable. He glanced at the paper and, without hesitation, scanned the questions. His eyes, a deep blue with hints of iridescence like polished sapphire, flicked over each problem.
A faint, knowing smile curved his lips.
As expected, he thought.
As his level had increased, his strength, endurance, and sharpness of mind had all grown by leaps and bounds. Questions that once took effort now dissolved under his gaze like mist under sunlight.
But then, he sensed it.
A piercing awareness—not from a classmate, but from the teacher herself.
He looked up.
Shizuka's eyes locked onto him. There was no denying it—she was watching him intently.
A flash of surprise crossed her face before she composed herself. She had hoped this time Haruto might break into the top 100, she couldn't help but watch him, scrutinizing every move.
Haruto's smile deepened, as if he had caught her gaze and wanted to reassure her without words.
His blue, crystalline eyes twinkled softly, and his lips parted in a subtle, confident curve.
For a fleeting moment, Shizuka forgot to breathe.
It was as if the entire classroom faded around her. His aura radiated like transparent ice crystals—sharp, alluring, and impossibly pure. She could almost lose herself in it without realizing.
"!!!"
Startled by her own reaction, she bit the tip of her tongue hard and snapped back to herself. Her cheeks flushed instantly, betraying her embarrassment.
Ugh... what am I doing?
This was the first time she had ever felt this way toward one of her students.
If her colleagues, especially Mafuyu, ever found out, she'd never hear the end of it.
But even as she scolded herself, another thought crept in.
Once this happens, it happens again.
The rest of the class passed in a haze. Every time she stole a glance at Haruto, her heart skipped a beat. His smile haunted her thoughts.
She had to admit it.
His face, those eyes—it was impossible not to be drawn in.
If only he were the same age as her.
For a moment, she wondered whether she would have pursued him if the gap between student and teacher didn't exist. But reality struck hard—the difference in age and status was too vast.
She sighed softly.
Where, at her age, could she find someone with that same clean, radiant aura?
A wave of regret washed over her as she stared absentmindedly at him for longer than she realized.
---
"Ring, ring, ring!"
The dismissal bell jolted her back to the present.
She looked up sharply—and there he was.
Haruto had already set his pen down and was watching her with a peculiar, knowing expression.
Her face turned red instantly.
Panic surged through her, afraid someone might notice her flustered state.
"Ahem."
Trying to regain composure, she cleared her throat and adopted a serious tone. "Please pass your papers forward."
As she reached his desk, she bend down and collected his exam paper.
That's when she heard it.
A soft, conspiratorial whisper, barely audible.
"Shizuka-sensei... seems like you've been staring at me the whole class."
"?!!!"
Shizuka's legs almost buckled. She froze, cheeks burning crimson.
Caught.
Forcing herself to maintain dignity, she straightened and replied, "That's because I have high expectations for you. I want you to break into the top 100 this time."
Haruto's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Hehe... what if I come in first place? What kind of reward would Shizuka-sensei give me then?"
His tone was playful, teasing—but his words cut through her restraint. Of course he knew.
He knew she'd been watching.
His instinct told him this was the perfect chance to draw closer.
Shizuka's heart raced.
All she wanted was to leave the room as quickly as possible.
"Ugh..." she forced a calm smile and replied casually.
"If you really come in first, you can choose any reward you want."
Inside, she knew it was a bluff. There was no way Haruto could vault from somewhere near the top 100 to first place overnight.
The gap was too large—it would require more than talent; it would take a lifetime.
With that, she hurriedly gathered the papers and left the room, almost fleeing.
The sting of embarrassment burned like fire.
---
Haruto watched her retreating figure, the hem of her lab coat fluttering softly behind her.
A sly grin curved his lips.
Shizuka-sensei... I'll hold you to that.
---
Later, at home…
The midterm exams were over, and Haruto felt nothing but boredom.
The questions had been too simple, barely worth his time. His only amusement came from imagining Shizuka's shocked face when he would eventually reach first place—and the promise she'd made.
But in truth, Haruto didn't expect it to lead anywhere meaningful.
The real temptation awaited him elsewhere.
His mind drifted immediately toward Mai.
The thought of her sultry presence—and the warmth of her skin—had him quickening his steps as soon as he returned home.
The dining table had already been laid out with food.
The faint scent of miso soup, steamed rice, and grilled fish hung in the air.
But Mai was nowhere to be found in the living room or bathroom.
Then she must be in the bedroom.
Without hesitation, Haruto strode toward the door and pushed it open.
His eyes froze.
There she was.
Mid-change.
Her smooth back gleamed softly under the light from the overhead lamp. Black lace lingerie clung to her curves, outlining the slender contours of her body. Her pale skin contrasted beautifully with the dark fabric, every curve sculpted like a work of art.
She hadn't even noticed his arrival.
His gaze lingered, his breath catching slightly.
Without warning, he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
"Ah!"
Mai gasped, startled.
Her eyes snapped open and she jerked away—but stopped mid-motion as Haruto's calm voice reached her ears.
"Mai, it's me."
Relief washed over her face.
She turned and shot him a glance filled with mock reproach.
"Why didn't you say something? I thought it was an intruder."
Haruto chuckled softly, his lips brushing her neck as he leaned in.
"I couldn't help it... you're so irresistible, Mai. I just couldn't bear to disturb you."
He nuzzled gently against her neck, his lips grazing her skin. His tongue traced a soft line along the curve of her throat, eliciting a shiver from her.
Mai's entire body responded with warmth.
"Ugh... what are you doing?" she whispered, trying to push him away, though her limbs felt weak. "I still need to change. Go eat your dinner first."
Despite having shared nearly every intimate moment with him the previous night, Mai's cheeks flamed with embarrassment. Her attempt to resist was halfhearted, her eyes betraying her longing.
Haruto's lips curved into a playful grin.
He leaned in and whispered against her ear.
"More than dinner... I'd rather taste you first. Just like last night."
Mai's breath hitched.
Her tense chest loosened momentarily.
But then—
"Knock, knock!"
The sudden rap on the door shattered the thick, sultry air.
Both of them froze.
Their eyes locked, confusion mirrored in their expressions.
"Who could it be...?"