Haruki-sensei carefully selected his outfit for the evening—a sharp black suit, matching pants, a freshly ironed white shirt, and a bold red tie. As he dressed, he couldn't help but appreciate how the ensemble made him look. Confident, composed, and ready for the night ahead. Sakura, in the next room, slipped into a stunning red dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her heart fluttered as she smoothed the fabric, a mix of anticipation and nervousness building within her.
"Yuki? Aren't you coming?" Haruki called out, his voice gentle yet curious as he adjusted his tie.
"U-Umm... No, I'm not..." she replied hesitantly, her voice betraying her uncertainty.
Haruki simply nodded, though he couldn't help but feel a slight pang of disappointment. He shook it off and stepped outside, where Sakura soon joined him. The moment their eyes met, a silent acknowledgment passed between them—they both looked stunning. But pride and nerves kept them from voicing their thoughts.
"Haruki-sensei... What are you wearing? You look like a scarecrow," Sakura teased, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.
"And you look like a cheap maid! Didn't you have anything else to wear?" Haruki shot back, grinning mischievously.
Their banter was lighthearted, a familiar dance of sarcasm and affection. As the teasing continued, Haruki extended his arm, and with a dramatic flair, Sakura looped hers through his. The two walked to the car arm in arm, unaware that someone watched them from the shadows, their eyes burning with jealousy and resentment.
When they arrived at the karaoke bar, the place was eerily quiet, the usual buzz of excitement conspicuously absent. Sakura quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Izumi's number. "Hello? Where are you? It's today, right? The karaoke?"
"Yes, but something came up. Isn't anyone else there?" Izumi's voice was barely a whisper, adding to Sakura's growing suspicion.
"No... And why are you whispering?" Sakura asked, her tone edged with concern.
"Well... I'm in a hospital..." Izumi admitted, her voice trailing off.
"Okay...~" Sakura sighed, her disappointment palpable as she ended the call. Just then, Haruki's phone vibrated, and he caught the faint sound of whispers and shuffling from the other side of the room. A knowing smile played on his lips—he realized they were being spied on.
"Then let's enjoy ourselves, darling," Haruki said, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm as he leaned in closer to Sakura, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"E-Eh...? W-What...? O-Okay...?" Sakura stammered, caught off guard by his sudden change in demeanor.
They entered the private karaoke room, and Haruki immediately suggested he start with a song. As the music played, his smooth voice filled the room, and halfway through the song, he subtly altered the lyrics: "They're spying on us, just play along." The words were spoken so smoothly that Sakura almost missed them, but when she caught on, her heart skipped a beat. A small smile tugged at her lips—this was a side of Haruki she hadn't seen before.
"Wow~~ Sensei, that was amazing! Now it's my turn!" Sakura exclaimed, her voice bright as she stood up, ready to keep up the charade.
But as she moved to take the microphone, Haruki suddenly grabbed her hand, his grip firm yet gentle. With a swift motion, he pulled her back down onto the couch, his body hovering above hers. Time seemed to slow as he gazed into her wide, startled eyes, his face just inches from hers. The air between them crackled with tension.
"I told you not to call me 'Sensei' outside of class," Haruki murmured, his voice a low, seductive whisper. "You should call me Haruki. Now, may I have the honor of punishing you~~?"
His breath was warm against her skin, and the intensity of his gaze sent shivers down her spine. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing with thoughts she didn't dare voice. Haruki inched closer, their noses almost touching, and for a moment, it felt like the world around them had disappeared. Nothing existed but the two of them.
"Don't make a noise, 'kay?" he whispered, his lips so close to hers that she could almost feel them. The students who had been hiding in the room, watching the scene unfold, suddenly scrambled out in embarrassment, their cover blown. As soon as they were gone, Haruki pulled back, laughing softly.
"Sorry! That was all part of the plan to get them to leave and..." Haruki began, his voice back to its usual tone, though there was still a hint of something deeper lurking beneath.
Sakura, still reeling from the moment, narrowed her eyes. "And...? What?"
"Well... I'm a man, so I took advantage of the moment," he admitted with a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head.
Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, and she averted her gaze, trying to hide her embarrassment. "It's okay. I'll forgive you if you treat me to that fancy restaurant," she said, her voice tinged with both humor and a hint of challenge.
"Okay, okay~" Haruki agreed, relieved that she wasn't upset.
They drove to a high-end restaurant, the atmosphere between them shifting as they entered. The lighting was dim, the air filled with the soft hum of classical music and the clinking of wine glasses. As they sat down, the mood grew more intimate, and Sakura's playful side resurfaced.
"You have to feed me too," she declared with a mischievous smile, her eyes twinkling under the soft light.
"W-What...? Your hands were perfectly fine until now," Haruki stuttered, taken aback by her bold request.
"You have to, or I won't forgive you, and I'll tell everyone what happened," Sakura teased, leaning in closer, her voice dripping with faux seriousness.
"Okay, f-fine," Haruki muttered, his face turning a deeper shade of red. He carefully cut a piece of steak, skewered it with his fork, and held it up to Sakura. As she opened her mouth to take the bite, their eyes locked. In that moment, the world seemed to fade away again, leaving only the two of them. Sakura's expression softened, and Haruki couldn't help but notice how radiant she looked, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush.
"Eh... What is this rom-com stuff? I hate this, but... I don't know!... No, what am I thinking? She's a student!" Haruki thought, his mind a chaotic mess of conflicting emotions.
Sakura chewed slowly, savoring the moment, a small smile playing on her lips. "You know, Haruki, you're surprisingly sweet when you want to be," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The other diners in the restaurant cast curious glances their way, intrigued by the couple who seemed lost in their own world.
Suddenly, Sakura picked up her fork and leaned forward, her smile turning teasing. "Here, say 'ahh,'" she instructed, holding out a piece of steak for him. Haruki, caught off guard, hesitated for a moment before reluctantly opening his mouth. She fed him with a satisfied grin, their faces once again inches apart.
As they looked into each other's eyes, the flickering candlelight cast a warm glow on their faces. Haruki's long black hair and Sakura's flowing orange locks seemed to dance in the gentle breeze from the open window. The moment stretched on, a charged silence hanging between them. Just when it seemed like something might happen, Haruki abruptly broke the spell.
"W-What~ are you looking at? Just eat your food," he mumbled, quickly looking away, his face flushed with embarrassment.
"What am I looking at? You were the one staring at me~~♥" Sakura teased, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
"Shut up and eat. We need to leave quickly," Haruki muttered, trying to regain his composure.
They finished their meal, accompanied by a glass of rich red wine, the romantic tension between them lingering in the air. As they left the restaurant and drove back, the night air cool and refreshing, Sakura drifted off to sleep in the passenger seat. Haruki glanced at her, his expression softening. She looked so peaceful, so different from her usual spirited self.
When they arrived at his apartment, Haruki carefully carried Sakura inside, cradling her gently in his arms. He laid her down on his bed, taking a moment to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. As he pulled a blanket over her, he couldn't help but smile at how vulnerable she looked in her sleep.
He retreated to the couch, lying down with a sigh. As he stared up at the ceiling, the events of the evening played back in his mind, leaving him with a confusing mix of emotions. Before he knew it, sleep claimed him as well, leaving the night to watch over them both.