Dark circles, Dark secrets

The classroom buzzed with murmurs as students glanced toward the two of them. Hinata and Akira, sitting next to each other.

Hinata, still flustered from earlier, hesitated before whispering, "Um… about this morning. Thank you for saving me."

Akira barely glanced at her. "Forget it."

Before she could say more, a boy from the back smirked. "Oi, isn't it kinda suspicious? First, Toizawa saves her, now they're seatmates?"

A girl giggled. "Are they dating?"

Whispers spread like wildfire.

Hinata's face turned red. "W-Wait! It's not like that!"

Akira let out a sigh, resting his head on his hand, clearly uninterested. But he didn't deny it either.

---

Lunchtime Mishap

Hinata noticed something odd—Akira wasn't eating. While the others were busy chatting and enjoying their lunches, he sat still, staring at his empty desk.

"Did you forget your lunch?" she asked.

"Yeah," he muttered. "And my wallet."

She hesitated for a second before reaching into her bag, pulling out some money. "Here. You can return it tomorrow."

Akira glanced at the money, then at her. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.

"You don't have to—"

"It's fine!" Hinata interrupted, smiling. "I don't want you to starve."

For a moment, Akira didn't move. Then, with a sigh, he took the money. "…I'll pay you back."

By the time school ended, everyone in class had already decided they were a couple.

---

Following Her Home

Hinata hummed to herself as she walked home, trying to ignore the teasing from her classmates. "Lovers," they said. Ridiculous!"

As she reached her apartment, she had an odd feeling—like someone was following her.

She turned around.

Akira stood a few steps behind.

"…Are you following me?" she asked, half-joking.

"No."

"Then why are you—"

Before she could finish, he walked past her and stopped in front of the door next to hers.

Hinata blinked. "Wait… You live here?!"

Akira pulled out his keys. "Obviously."

She stared in disbelief. Of all people, he had to be her neighbor?!

---

The Next Morning

Hinata stretched lazily, still in her pink night suit, enjoying the quiet morning of their holiday. She was about to make breakfast when—

Ding-dong!

She froze. Who would visit her this early?

When she opened the door, Akira stood there.

"Yo," he said casually.

Hinata's eyes widened. "W-What are you doing here?!"

Then she realized—she was still in her night suit.

Her face burned red as she slammed the door shut.

"Wait there! I-I'll be back!"

From the other side of the door, Akira sighed. "You're making this weird."

---