I reached school barely alive, lungs begging for oxygen.
"M-Ma'am, may I come in?" I gasped, clutching my bag like I just ran a marathon.
The teacher looked up from her book with an expression that could kill ten generations.
"You are late… again."
I grinned. "Oh, you should say something new, ma'am. You've been repeating that line for three years now."
Her eye twitched. She threw the nearest book straight at me.
I caught it midair, holding it up proudly. "Whoa, we're already on lesson 8? Nice!"
She sighed like she regretted every life decision that led her here. "You never change, Hikari."
I winked. "Hehe, I wish I could, but you know me. Mwah~" I blew her a kiss and strutted to my desk.
My two best friends were already there, Aria, with her perfect hazel eyes and shiny blonde hair, and Kimiyo, who was trying not to laugh at my entrance.
"Morning~ Aria, Kimiyo," I said, plopping down on my chair.
Aria rolled her eyes. "You're late again, stupid. Can't you wake up early once in your life?"
I pouted dramatically. "C'mon, Ariaaa… mornings are evil, okay?"
Kimiyo snorted. "Shh, don't talk. Ma'am's still in kill mode."
I slouched in my seat, watching the teacher scribble formulas on the board. So boring… My brain immediately wandered off into random thoughts, what if chairs could talk? What if my pencil had feelings? Before I knew it, the bell rang.
Lunchtime. Salvation.
We gathered in our usual spot under the big tree. Aria opened her lunchbox like she was revealing treasure. "Guys, I have something to tell you."
Kimiyo and I looked up instantly, mid-bite.
"You know that guy from grade 15?" she started, cheeks turning pink. "He… he proposed to me yesterday after school."
Kimiyo and I almost died choking on our food. "WHAT?!" we yelled in perfect sync.
I leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Wait wait wait! he's cute, right? You like him too? What's his deal? Is he hot? Kind? Rich? Tell me everything, woman!"
Aria giggled, blushing even harder. "He's really kind. And he said… he'll wait for my answer."
I smirked. "Ooooh, so romantic~ Look at our Aria getting all love-drama energy now."
Kimiyo nudged her. "We need to meet this guy, okay? Immediately."
Aria hid her face in her hands. "Fine! Tonight, maybe…"
Just like that, the lunch break vanished in gossip and laughter. By the time school ended, we all split ways, agreeing to meet later at Aria's house.
When I reached home, the place was its usual chaos, maids cleaning, others cooking, the smell of something delicious floating through the air. I spotted the head maid, the sweetest old lady alive, stirring something in a pot.
"Whatcha cooking?" I asked, sneaking up behind her.
She nearly dropped the spoon. "Oh my, you scared me, my lady!"
I laughed. "Oops, my bad. Why are you cooking so much food? Are we feeding the whole city?" I stole a strawberry off the counter and bit into it.
She smiled. "Mr. Yoshi's family is coming over for dinner tonight."
"Ohhh, really? That's nice." I said casually but something about it tugged at me.
"You should take a shower before they arrive, my lady," she added kindly.
I sniffed my arm. "…Do I smell?"
She chuckled. "Of course not, but you did just come back from school."
I thought for a second, then shrugged. "Maybe I will, maybe I won't. When are they coming anyway…."
Before she could answer, the front door opened.
My father's voice echoed through the hall. "They're here!"
I froze.
The head maid smiled nervously.
And then I saw them.
Mr. Yoshi's family stepped in his elegant wife, his calm son… and him.
That boy.
The one I hadn't seen since I was ten.
He looked… different. Taller, sharper, eyes colder but unmistakably him.
"Hello, darling," Mrs. Yoshi said warmly, walking up to me. "You've grown up so much. You're beautiful."
My brain short-circuited. I opened my mouth to say something, but my heartbeat had other plans, it was going full drum solo.
Then he looked at me. Just one glance.
And that was enough.
The same scent I'd caught this morning hit me again, sweet, yet cold, like sugar and seawater.
"...Oh crap," I whispered.
And before anyone could say another word, I bolted upstairs. Slammed my door. Leaned against it, panting.
My face burned, my ears were red.
"Damn it…" I muttered, covering my face with my hands. "Why does he have to smell that good?!"