Title : Is Anyone in This School Even Normal?!

...Chapter 3: “I’m Begging the Universe for a Normal Day”...

Spoiler: The universe laughed in my face.

———————————

First period, I sat down, eyes on my notes, determined to pretend yesterday never happened.

Then my phone vibrated. I peeked.

[Anonymous User 0129]: Kai’s blushing in second year Lit. Confirmed he stared at her photo for 2 seconds. SIRENS BLAZING.

[Anonymous User 0431]: I would like to be crushed by the weight of their unresolved tension.

[Anonymous User 9999]: Petition to make ‘Doomsparkles’ the official ship name.

I turned my phone off. Permanently. Like, throw-it-in-a-river off.

“Rin.”

The voice made my soul shrink.

Kai slid into the seat beside me, despite not even being in this class.

“Why are you here?” I whispered.

“Visiting.”

“This isn’t a café!”

“Could’ve fooled me,” he said, examining my notes. “You have very cute handwriting.”

I slammed my notebook shut.

“Did you come just to harass me?”

“Not this time,” he said casually. “I came to ask if you wanted to clear up the rumors.”

I blinked. “…Really?”

He nodded. “We can announce we’re not dating. Make it boring. Crush their dreams.”

Something in my chest twinged at the way he said it.

“Okay,” I said. “Let’s crush their dreams.”

That’s how we ended up in front of the school’s broadcasting room during lunch, preparing to make a public announcement.

“This is going to be humiliating,” I muttered.

Kai looked smug. “You’re nervous.”

“Of course I’m nervous!”

He tilted his head. “Want me to hold your hand?”

“I want you to evaporate.”

He leaned close anyway. “You’re blushing again.”

I was. I knew I was. Because this wasn’t normal.

And because, deep down…

I wasn’t sure I wanted to deny it anymore.

———————-

“I’m going to vomit.”

“You’re going to be fine,” Kai said, entirely too calm for someone about to go live to the entire school.

We stood just outside the broadcasting room. A volunteer handed Kai the mic and whispered, “Say something simple. Nothing crazy.”

I prayed he would listen.

He didn’t.

The speakers across the campus crackled to life.

“This is Kai Takumi. I have an announcement.”

I felt at least seventeen souls leave their bodies. Half the student body froze mid-bite in the cafeteria.

I stood beside him, out of the camera’s view, mouthing say we’re not dating. SAY IT!

Kai glanced at me once, lips twitching.

Then said, “I’m not dating Rin Ayaka.”

I sighed in relief.

“But.”

My heart dropped.

“I might want to.”

WHAT.

“Anyway,” he finished breezily, “carry on.”

The speakers clicked off.

I stood in stunned silence as the room erupted behind us.

“What. Was. THAT?!”

Kai passed the mic back like he hadn’t just nuked my entire life.

“You said we were clearing up the rumors!”

“I did,” he said. “I said we’re not dating. Which is true.”

“But now everyone thinks we will be!”

He blinked. “You’re mad that people think I might like you?”

“I’m mad that you keep doing insane things and calling it logic!”

He stepped closer, voice quieter. “Then tell them it’s not true.”

I opened my mouth.

Closed it.

Because… could I?

Could I actually say, to his face, that there wasn’t something stirring deep inside me? Something terrifyingly close to curiosity? Or hope?

“…You’re the worst,” I muttered.

“. But I’m the worst who makes your heart skip.”

And then he walked away, leaving me standing there, emotionally maimed.

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