A few minutes passed outside the classroom, the hallway unusually quiet except for the faint sound of chalk scratching against the blackboard inside.
Axel leaned against the wall, arms crossed, still catching his breath.
Akira glanced at him sideways. "You were staring again."
Axel frowned. "Staring at what?"
"You know exactly who."
He opened his mouth to argue, then closed it. There was no point lying to Akira. She had known him since childhood—back when scraped knees and stolen candies were the biggest problems in life.
Before he could respond, the classroom door slid open.
The teacher stood there, arms folded. "This is your final warning," he said sternly. "If you're late again, it's detention. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Axel and Akira replied together.
"Get inside."
They walked back in, heads slightly lowered as a few students snickered. Axel scanned the room automatically—and his eyes found Mia again.
She was already seated, talking softly with her friends. When she noticed Axel, she paused for half a second.
Then she smiled.
Not loud. Not teasing.
Just… warm.
Axel felt his face heat up instantly and turned away, pretending to fix his bag.
Akira noticed.
Of course she did.
"Tch," she clicked her tongue, sliding into her seat beside him. "Control your expressions."
"Mind your business," Axel muttered.
Their seats were the same as always—side by side, near the middle of the classroom. It was so normal that no one questioned it anymore.
Except maybe… Megumi.
She sat two rows behind them, chin resting on her hand, watching the scene quietly. Her expression was neutral, calm as always, but her eyes lingered on Axel longer than necessary.
Megumi liked Axel.
A lot.
But she never said it.
To everyone else, she was just a good friend—the kind who listened, laughed, and stayed close without demanding anything. And maybe that was why no one noticed how her fingers tightened slightly around her pen when she saw Axel blush because of someone else.
The class went on like any other. The teacher droned on about equations and formulas, chalk dust floating in the sunlight. Axel tried to focus, but his mind kept drifting.
To Mia's laugh.
To Akira's annoyed sighs.
To the strange feeling that someone behind him was always watching.
When the bell finally rang, relief washed over the room.
"Lunch time!" someone shouted.
Students rushed out in groups, chatter filling the corridors once again.
The cafeteria was loud, warm, and alive.
Axel dropped his tray onto the table where his usual group sat—Akira to his left, Megumi across from him, and a few of his male friends scattered around.
"Man, you almost died running today," one of them laughed.
Akira scoffed. "He deserved it."
Axel rolled his eyes. "You ran too."
Megumi smiled softly. "You both looked like you were about to collapse."
"At least I didn't stare into space like an idiot," Akira said pointedly.
Axel ignored her and picked up his spoon.
They talked about random things—teachers, tests, a stupid rumor about a senior getting rejected. Laughter came easily. It always did when they were together.
Then Axel's eyes wandered.
Across the cafeteria, Mia sat with her friends, laughing at something someone said. Her head tilted back slightly, eyes bright.
Axel watched without realizing.
As if sensing it, Mia turned.
Their eyes met.
For a split second, time slowed.
Mia smiled again—this time directly at him.
Axel froze.
Color rushed to his cheeks so fast it felt like his face was on fire. He immediately ducked his head, pretending to inspect his lunch tray like it held the secrets of the universe.
Megumi noticed.
Akira noticed too.
Silence fell at the table.
"…Wow," Akira said slowly, forcing a smile. "You seem very interested today."
Megumi nodded, also smiling—but her eyes weren't smiling at all. "Is something wrong, Axel?"
He looked up, confused. "Huh? No. Why?"
"Nothing," Megumi said sweetly. "Just wondering."
Akira crossed her arms. "Yeah. Just wondering."
Axel blinked. They're mad.
He sighed internally. But why?
Trying to lighten the mood, he leaned forward. "Hey… can I try some of your lunch?"
Akira's eyebrow twitched. Megumi's smile widened—dangerously.
"Oh?" Akira said. "You want my food?"
Megumi tilted her head. "Mine too?"
Axel nodded, relieved. "Yeah, sure. Just a bite."
Bad decision.
Before he could react, Akira scooped a spoonful of her food and shoved it toward his face.
"Eat."
"Wha—wait—"
Megumi leaned forward from the other side at the exact same time, holding out her spoon. "You said you wanted to try."
Axel's eyes widened. "Guys—one at a time!"
"Eat," Akira repeated flatly.
"Don't be rude," Megumi added politely.
They moved closer.
Axel was trapped.
The table burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Dude, he's dead!"
"Which one do you choose?!"
Axel panicked. "I—I'll eat both, okay?!"
He took an awkward bite from Akira's spoon, then immediately from Megumi's.
Akira smirked. Megumi giggled softly.
"There," Akira said. "Satisfied?"
Axel chewed, face red, surrounded by laughter. "You're both evil."
Megumi smiled at him—this time, genuinely. "But you still ate."
The tension dissolved. Laughter filled the table again, louder than before.
Across the cafeteria, Mia watched the scene quietly.
Her smile faded just a little.
And somewhere between forced smiles, shared lunches, and jealous glances—
Love's timing grew even more complicated.