I've always been childish. I hate when people hurt my feelings, and I get seriously emotional—I even cry. Even as an adult, I haven't changed! I secretly compete with others and get super joyful when I win, but I hide it. I hate romance and couples like a child. I couldn't grow up; I'm still a baby.

When I turned 18, I decided I would change. The results so far—now that I'm 21—are huge. I can completely hide my childish behavior. Sometimes, I even forget that I am childish.

Tomorrow is my first day at school. I hope I can continue to hide my childish behavior, man up a little, and get along with people. Good luck, me!

Souta Haruki sighed as he signed the paper, closing his diary with a determined nod. Tomorrow was the start of something new. He crawled into bed, hoping that his resolve would hold strong. But the peace of the night didn't last long.

The next morning, Haruki woke up to loud noises from his neighbor's apartment. With a groan, he turned on some music to drown it out. He dragged himself to the fridge and found some bread. He spread butter on the slices with a delicate knife, popping them into the toaster. As he waited, he checked his phone.

9:50 AM.

Panic shot through him. He had to reach school by 10:00 AM—10:30 at the latest, before the class started. Scrambling, he grabbed his pants and pulled them on over the shorts he slept in. He slipped on a shirt, hastily tying his tie while holding the toast in his mouth. He rushed to his car, finishing dressing as he drove.

He didn't even have time to eat the toast.

Haruki sped to school, parking haphazardly before sprinting to class. But his rush was abruptly interrupted when he collided with something—or rather, someone. A high school girl, Ayano Sakura, was sprawled beneath him. His long black hair cascaded around them, and his half-eaten toast dangled from his mouth.

"Ew... Stupid rom-com stuff only happens in stories. Why is it happening to me?" Haruki thought, quickly scrambling to his feet.

"I'm sorry! I'm in a hurry, so bye!" he blurted out, dashing off before she could respond.

Sakura's eyes sparkled with surprise as she watched him go, a dreamy expression settling on her face. When her friend, Hanako Ruka, arrived, she couldn't help but ask what had happened.

"What's got you looking like that?" Ruka asked, noticing Sakura's dazed expression.

"Hehehe, guess what? A total hottie bumped into me! His long hair, those dark blue narrow eyes—it was amazing! And his elegantly thin red lips, while he was eating toast... It felt unreal," Sakura gushed.

"Are you sure it wasn't a daydream? Or are you lying?" Ruka teased.

"No, seriously! Even though it felt unreal, I know it happened," Sakura insisted, her cheeks still flushed.

"Okay, okay, let's get to class before the bell rings," Ruka said, pulling her friend along.

They entered the classroom, expecting a scolding from their teacher for being late, only to find that the teacher wasn't there yet. Sakura was just about to complain when the door slid open, revealing a slightly disheveled Haruki.

"Well, I'm sorry for being late... Blame my neighbor. Anyway, I'm Souta Haruki, your new teacher. Glad to meet you all. I'm here to do my job, so let's make it through the year together," Haruki said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Oh, and we have a transfer student."

A cute boy with medium-long white hair stepped into the room.

"This is Souta Yuki. He's from Kanto and came here to live with his uncle," Haruki continued.

A student from the back, Higuchi Izumi, piped up, "Why are you introducing him? He should introduce himself. You two seem close!"

"Well, I am his uncle. He's really shy, but keep talking to him even if he runs away or hides. He likes it when people make an effort. What's your name?" Haruki asked, redirecting the conversation.

"Higuchi Izumi, call me Izumi!" the student replied.

"Alright, everyone, why don't you introduce yourselves as well?" Haruki suggested.

The students took turns introducing themselves. "I'm Mitsuki Asui," "I'm Fujiwara Natsuki," "Hanako Ruka," "I'm Ayano Sakura," and so on.

After class, Haruki asked Sakura to meet him in the staff room during break time. When the break came, Sakura made her way to the staff room, finding Haruki asleep at his desk.

"Oh, this sensei... I can't believe he can just doze off during break time," Sakura thought, smiling to herself. She approached him quietly, leaning in close to his ear.

"Haruki-sensei, good morning," she whispered softly.

Haruki stirred, their cheeks brushing as he woke up. His heart skipped a beat when he realized how close they were, and he quickly pulled back, blushing as her brown hair tickled his face.

"Why'd you call me?" Sakura asked, her own cheeks tinged with pink.

"Oh, I'm really sorry for what happened this morning and wanted to apologize properly," Haruki mumbled, still flustered.

"I'll forgive you if you go on a cafeteria date with me~ I mean... if you bring me food. I'll call you when lunch break is almost over, and hopefully, there won't be anyone around," Sakura said with a teasing smile.

"Okay, fine," Haruki agreed, trying to keep his composure.

When lunch break came, Sakura rushed to Haruki's room. "Sensei, come on, the break is almost over!"

Haruki followed her, pinching her ear lightly. "Don't yell in the staff room, especially not in my room," he scolded, though he couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

But as he looked at her flushed cheeks, he felt a pang of nervousness. She was so close, and he could see the brightness in her eyes. He quickly let go, clearing his throat.

"E-Ermm... Oh yeah, what do you want? I'll order," Haruki asked, trying to focus on something else.

"I'll have the hamburger steak. And you?" Sakura replied, her voice softening.

"Me? Obviously, I'm not eating. If someone sees me eating with a student, it'll cause a ton of problems!" Haruki said, trying to sound firm.

As he turned to go, Sakura suddenly grabbed his hand. He twitched, feeling the warmth of her touch, and looked back at her.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice wavering.

She blushed even more. "Ermm... I won't forgive you if you don't eat."

"What? Why not? That doesn't make any sense," Haruki said, confused.

"Well, if you don't eat, I'll feel bad. I usually eat with my friends, and because of you, I'm eating alone," Sakura explained, her eyes downcast.

Hearing her words struck a chord with Haruki. He remembered how he used to feel the same way, how he'd skip meals if he couldn't eat with his friends. He realized that, in some ways, he was still just as childish as her.

"Okay, fine," he relented, ordering food for both of them.

They ate quickly, trying to avoid being seen. But someone did see them—Yuki. He watched them from a distance, his expression unreadable.

After class, Haruki drove back to his apartment, only to find Sakura walking into the apartment next to his.

They both spoke at the same time, "Next-door neighbor, really?"

Sakura said it with a teasing smile, but Haruki's tone was more exasperated.

TO BE CONTINUED!!

next chapter: Sensei got a fiance