The classroom was quieter than usual after school.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, painting the empty desks in shades of gold. The lively noise of the day had faded, replaced by a gentle stillness that made every sound feel more intimate.
And today, for the first time, I stayed behind—not out of obligation, but by choice.
"Thank you for waiting."
I turned toward the door.
Aizawa Reina stood there, slightly out of breath, her long black hair glowing in the warm light of the setting sun. She clutched a notebook to her chest, her gentle smile as captivating as ever.
"It's no problem," I replied. "Ready to practice, Lead Hostess?"
A faint blush dusted her cheeks.
"Please don't tease me," she said softly. "You're the Lead Host, after all."
I chuckled. "Then shall we begin, Aizawa-san?"
She nodded. "Yes."
Preparing for the Romantic Café
We arranged two desks by the window, imagining them as tables in our future café. Reina carefully set down a pair of empty cups to simulate the atmosphere.
"Let's pretend I'm welcoming a guest," she suggested.
"Alright," I said, straightening my posture. "I'll be the customer."
She took a step forward, her expression soft and professional.
"Welcome to our Romantic Café, dear guest," she said with a graceful bow. "May I guide you to your seat?"
For a moment, I forgot this was only practice.
Her voice was warm and soothing, like a gentle melody.
"Y-Yes," I stammered, caught off guard. "Thank you."
She giggled softly. "You're supposed to be the host. Why are you nervous?"
"Because you're too convincing," I admitted.
Her cheeks turned pink. "You're exaggerating."
"Not at all."
For a brief moment, their eyes met—and neither of them looked away.
The silence that followed wasn't awkward.
It was comfortable.
Fragile.
Beautiful.
A Moment Too Close
"Shall we try a scene together?" Reina asked.
"Sure," I replied.
She handed me her notebook. As I reached for it, our fingers brushed.
A spark of warmth shot through my chest.
She froze.
So did I.
We were standing closer than before—close enough to feel each other's breath.
"Reina…"
Her name slipped out before I could stop myself.
Her eyes widened slightly, shimmering in the golden light.
"Y-Yes?" she whispered.
Time seemed to stand still.
Then—
"Looks like I'm interrupting something."
A cool voice shattered the moment.
We quickly stepped apart.
Kurosaki Yuna stood at the classroom entrance, her sharp gaze taking in the scene.
Her lips curled into a faint, knowing smile.
"My apologies," she said coolly. "Please continue."
Her tone suggested the exact opposite.
Reina straightened herself. "Kurosaki-san, what brings you here?"
Yuna stepped inside gracefully.
"I've joined the Cultural Festival Committee," she replied. "I'm responsible for evaluating each class's progress."
Her eyes shifted toward me.
"And I must say… this rehearsal is quite convincing."
I cleared my throat. "We're just practicing."
"Of course," she said. "Though I recommend maintaining professionalism. The spotlight is less forgiving than you think."
Despite her words, there was no malice in her voice—only quiet observation.
Reina met her gaze calmly. "Thank you for the advice. We'll keep it in mind."
Yuna studied us for a moment before turning toward the window.
"The Romantic Café will attract significant attention," she said. "If executed properly, it may become the highlight of the festival."
She paused before adding softly:
"I expect great things from you both."
With that, she turned and left.
The door clicked shut behind her.
After the Interruption
Silence returned to the classroom.
But the atmosphere had changed.
Reina looked down, her cheeks still flushed.
"Um… shall we continue?"
I smiled gently. "Yeah."
We resumed our rehearsal, this time with renewed determination.
Yet neither of us mentioned what had happened.
The accidental touch.
The whispered name.
The moment that felt just a little too real.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Reina gathered her things.
"Today was enjoyable," she said softly.
"It was," I replied. "Let's do it again tomorrow."
Her smile brightened. "I'd like that."
We left the classroom together, side by side, as the evening sky deepened into shades of violet and gold.
And with each step, the distance between our hearts grew smaller.
End of Chapter 8
Preview of Chapter 9:
Festival preparations intensify
A jealous rival targets Reina
The protagonist is forced into a bold public performance