The morning sunlight filtered through the classroom windows, soft and golden. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air, glinting like tiny stars. It was the kind of peaceful morning that made you forget the world could ever be loud.
At least, until the door slammed open.
"Tanaka-kun! Help!"
Every head in Class 2-B turned toward the doorway. There stood Aoi Nakamura, hair slightly mussed from her sprint up the stairs, clutching her bag like it might save her from drowning.
Haruto Tanaka sighed quietly, adjusting his glasses. Here we go again.
"What is it this time?" he asked, even though he already knew.
Aoi's lower lip trembled. "I… forgot my homework. Again."
A collective groan echoed from the class. The teacher hadn't even arrived yet, but everyone knew Ms. Kanda's legendary wrath when it came to late assignments.
"You forgot it yesterday too," Haruto reminded her. His tone wasn't cruel, just matter-of-fact.
"I know! But I did finish it! I swear I did! It's just that my cat… might've used it as a bed." She blinked, her expression dead serious. "He looked so comfy, I couldn't move him."
Haruto pressed his fingers to his forehead. "Your cat. Slept. On your homework."
"Yes!"
"…And that's why it's not here."
She nodded vigorously, ponytail bouncing.
The corner of Haruto's mouth twitched. He wanted to scold her, really, but somehow, he couldn't. Aoi Nakamura had that kind of charm — the sort that made it impossible to stay annoyed.
He opened his folder, pulled out an extra sheet of notebook paper, and slid it across her desk. "Write it out again before homeroom. You have ten minutes."
Her eyes widened like he'd handed her a winning lottery ticket. "You're the best, Tanaka-kun!"
"Just hurry," he muttered, turning back to his textbook. But secretly, he was smiling.
---
By the time Ms. Kanda entered, Aoi was scribbling furiously. Somehow, she managed to finish just as the teacher called for papers.
Haruto watched her from the corner of his eye as she let out a breath of relief. A tiny strand of hair stuck to her cheek, and she brushed it away, her face bright with triumph.
She really pulled it off, he thought, a little impressed despite himself.
During lunch, she appeared again — tray in hand, grin on her face. "As thanks, I'm giving you one of my homemade cookies!"
Haruto blinked. "You made these?"
"Yup! I bake when I'm stressed. I kinda burned the first batch, though." She laughed nervously, setting a heart-shaped cookie on his desk.
He hesitated, then took a bite.
It was slightly uneven, maybe a little too sweet — but good. Warm, somehow.
"So?" she asked, eyes bright with hope.
"It's… not bad."
"Ha! I'll take that as a compliment." She giggled and plopped down in the empty seat beside him. "You're actually nice, you know. You just pretend you're not."
"I'm just practical," he said, trying not to meet her eyes. They sparkled in a way that made it hard to think straight.
"Practical, huh?" She leaned on her elbows. "Then, practical guy — will you tutor me before the math test?"
He froze. "What?"
"Come on! You're super smart. And I'll totally bring snacks!"
Haruto opened his mouth to refuse — but the way she looked at him, expectant and sincere, made the words die in his throat.
"Fine," he sighed. "Just this once."
"Yay!" She beamed so brightly that even the dull classroom light seemed warmer.
---
That evening, Haruto found himself sitting across from Aoi in the school library. Books were open, notes spread everywhere, and Aoi's pencil twirled uselessly between her fingers.
"Focus," he said, tapping the worksheet.
"I am focusing!" she protested, cheeks puffed.
"Then why is there a cat doodle in place of an equation?"
She froze. "…Artistic expression?"
He stifled a laugh. "You're hopeless."
"Then it's a good thing I have you, right?" she said lightly, resting her chin on her hand.
Haruto looked at her — really looked at her. The fading sunset painted her hair in soft gold, and her smile was so genuine it almost hurt to see.
For a moment, he forgot to reply.
And maybe, just maybe, he forgot the homework too.