"And so..."

Before your teacher, Sir Leithane, could even finish his sentence, the bell rang loud and clear — the sweet, freeing sound signaling the end of school for the day. A week-long break lay ahead, full of endless possibilities: scrolling through WikWok until your thumbs hurt, binge-watching shows, or just lazing around like a living, breathing sack of potatoes. You couldn't help but smile at the thought.

The students in your class exploded out of the room like a dam breaking, chairs scraping and tumbling to the floor as if free food was being handed out.. and it was LIMITED, 2 minutes max.

The chaotic energy was contagious, a mix of relief and restless excitement buzzing through the hallways.

You glanced back at Sir Leithane, who was calmly packing up, seemingly unaffected by the rush. Honestly, you kind of felt bad for him. At least he wasn't one of those teachers who declare, "The bell doesn't dismiss you — I do." That's exactly why you took your sweet, sweet time packing your things, savouring every last second before you could finally get out.

One by one, everyone emptied out of the classroom, including Sir Leithane. The hallway fell quiet for a moment, except for the faint echo of footsteps and distant chatter. But then — a chilling feeling prickled at the back of your neck, as if a pair of eyes were boring right through your skull.

You didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. "Let me guess," you sighed mentally, "Kaede?"

Slowly, you turned, and there he was — the reckless, rash, and utterly notorious Kaede Kohaku. Known for stirring up trouble, getting into fights, and causing arguments that could rival a soap opera, he had a reputation that spread like wildfire through the school.

But to you? He was just... Kaede. The guy who followed you around like you were some sort of celebrity — like MrLean or Sabrina Carpainter. Clingy. Territorial. Hostile toward anyone who dared come near you. And the worst part? You weren't even dating. And you know how bad rumours circulate - once, you even heard how - in these exact words - that we did a one night stand and now he was obsessed.. we were so NOT in those webtoons I spend all night reading.

And another saying, "I bet she used juju to make him obsess over her!" Juju? (Black magic) I'm not a witch.. what nonsense is that?

With how the sunlight spilled from the windows, milking all the beauty into his face, making him look almost ethereal, you couldn't help but blush. Is what WOULD'VE happened if the guy wasn't obsessing over you like it was the last Mastune Kiku figurine out there in the whole world.

Then, without missing a beat, he quickly got out from his seat. Almost automatically walking over to your desk like some kind of robot.

All you want to do is just catch up with friends before break ends and you get too lazy to actually contact them.

"Can I come?"

You had NOT mentioned saying anything about going anywhere, but you didn't overthink. Anyone would've thought you were just returning home, but you kind of wanna get some snacks to munch on your way home.

"It's almost like you don't want me here..." he teased, voice dripping with mock hurt.

You totes forgot that he can tease for Africa, he acts like he's in a school play when he's feeling like it.

He put on a dramatic, exaggerated expression like a star of the drama club, and you sighed, utterly lost in the whirlwind that was Kaede Kohaku.