"Shun~!" I squealed as I threw myself onto the auburn haired male who just slightly opened his arm to make sure I don't hurt myself. As soon as our bodies touched, I latches myself on him. I inhaled deeply, savoring the smoky scent on his uniform.

"[Y/N], what is it?" He asked flatly as he tried to unlatch me from him.

"I missed you soooooooooooo much. I was about to go full on crazy earlier! Where have you've been?" I replied while keeping my hold on him.

He sighed and gave up his short attempt of breaking free before looking at her, bangs covering his eyes.

"Classes just ended and I'm in no rush to go home. Also, can you let go of me?"

"No, this is your punishment for making me feel lonely." I replied with a pout.

"Why is it my responsibility to make sure you're not lonely? We live in the same dorm and that's about it. We're not even in the same classes." He bluntly said with a hint of irritation.

I tried not to flinch or react from his words and kept my usual smile.

"It's because of that! We only meet each other in the dorms and you usually lock yourself in your room. Play with me some time too!" I childishly say as I unlatch myself from him.

"You're being childish. We're already in high school, at least grow up a little." He said patting me a little before walking off.

"I'm sorry..." I whispered to myself as I watch his back moving further and further from me.

===After Dinner Polar Star Dormitory===

I volunteered to do the dishes tonight.

'I wanted to do the dishes because I want to be alone with my thoughts but...'

I stole a quick glance on the man beside me.

"Isshiki senpai, you really don't need to help me with this. I can manage on my own." I told the man standing next to me who was wearing nothing but an apron.

"Don't worry about it. It's my greatest pleasure to wash the dishes with one of my precious kohai! This is what youth is about!" He proclaimed.

I giggled at Isshiki senpai's weird proclamation, only to be disturb by someone setting down the dirty dishes in the sink.

I turned and sees the auburn haired male that somehow managed to work his way into my heart.

"Shun~!" I squealed cheerfully and went in for a hug which he dodge easily.

I tried to get my footing straight but I ended up slipping from the spilled water on the floor, probably caused by the earlier dinner merriment. I closed my eyes and waited for the impact that never came.

"Huh?" I cautiously opened my eyes and sees Shun, who's right arm seemed to be reaching out in my direction, standing still.

The next thing I noticed was the weight above me. I shifted my eyes from Shun and sees that Isshiki senpai was on top of me, hugging me, with his arms protecting the back of my head and back. I felt my cheeks heating up upon realizing our position.

"Isshiki senpai, are you okay?" I asked as I moved my hand to touch his well-toned shoulder. He looked up to me and gave me a smile.

"Yeah, but you really startled me." He replied as he hoisted both of us up.

"I'm sorry." I bowed apologetically, feeling ashamed that I caused this much trouble.

I felt a hand on my head, slowly patting me comfortably.

"It's okay, but next time, be more careful, okay?" Isshiki said as he continued patting me.

"Oh and Ibusaki-san, try not to dodge next time. We don't want another accident like this to happen again right?"

I didn't look up, embarrassed that I ended up making him take some blame.

"Isshiki senpai, it's not his fault. I was the one who threw myself at him." I said while slowly looking up at senpai.

He sighed a little before smiling.

"[Y/N]-san, you know, you're a woman. You shouldn't really throw yourself at men especially someone your age." Isshiki said.

"Senpai... You're making it sound like I throw myself to every guy in campus. Just so you know, I only throw myself at Shun!" I replied proudly.

"I don't think that's the issue here. You should stop before you end up hurting yourself." Shun said sternly.

"But... but I like hugging and clinging on you, Shun." I retaliated.

"Girls should only be doing that with their boyfriends." He replied.

"But aren't you my boy friend?" I asked fake innocently.

"I think he meant romantic partners and not male friends, [Y/N]-san." Isshiki replied.

"Ehh? Then Shun, would you be my romantic-"

"Cut it out already. Having you throw yourself at me everyday is getting annoying. I'm going back to my room." Shun cut me off mid-sentence before retreating to his room.

"Don't let his words get to you. I heard he's having a bad day today." Isshiki comforted me with a smile while the most I could do was nod.

My heart started to ache with my head blank.

"You should go to your room, too. I'll take care of the dishes for tonight." He added.

"Eh? But I should-" My sentence got cut with Isshiki's finger on my lips.

"Just listen to senpai, okay? Besides, you need to double check your things, right? I heard from Fumio-san. You didn't attend your classes today. I won't meddle with your business, but I'd like you to know that you're an important part of our lives. Go and be happy." Isshiki said gently as if trying to wash away all the sadness in my heart.

I bid goodnight on Isshiki senpai and went to my room.

I looked around my now empty room with my suitcases packed and ready. I slowly made my way to the bed while letting my tears fall unrestricted. I covered my mouth with my hand, muffling the sound of my cries, as I fell on my knees with my head resting on the bed.

My tears and cries should be left unseen and I have to be extra careful with it since my room was right next to the man I have loved since the moment I transferred in this school.

These past few weeks I've been feeling conflicted. No doubt I was in love but at the same time, I knew it wouldn't bear fruit. He was focused on his works and gave little to no reaction on my advances. I want to stay with him, by his side, until he notices me, but I don't think I can handle it if he fell for someone else. Thinking about his possible romance with other women rips my heart to shreds, but at the same time, I had to suck it up and stop my foolish possessiveness. 'He isn't mine' I had to keep that in mind every moment I run to him, but I feel myself losing it bit by bit everyday and that frightens me.

They say cooking taste better with the thought of cooking for the one you love, but I guess that only works when you're in a relationship with that said person. Every time I cook and think about Shun, my conflicted feelings shows through my cooking, throwing me off to the point of acquiring a warning from the school. One more E rank or fail in any of my class and this school is through with me.

That's why I decided to leave. I'm too proud to accept explusion from this school but I can't cook the way I am now. I only told Fumio-san about my leave but I guess Isshiki senpai noticed it as well and asked about it.

After a few hours, I took a deep breathe and wiped away my tears. I looked at the time and I still have an hour and 30 minutes to spare before leaving this place. I stood up and left my room, the door making a squeaking sound as I open and closed it.

I wanted to see the dorm one last time, but didn't want to because it's dark and scary, so I made way to the terrace where we usually have barbecues together. I heave myself up over the ledge and sat on it facing the dark open space.

I looked up at the full moon was shining brightly despite my gloomy mood. I once again looked at the open space before me, staring at the gates of Polar Star and the path to the school's exit.

"Everyone should be asleep around this time. Maybe I should leave now. It's a little earlier than planned though." I convienced myself.

"Mmnnn. I should. At least I won't have to worry if the trains are still operating if I leave now." I continued.

The next thing I know is someone's arm around my waist and a hand on my mouth, preventing me from screaming, a little forcibly pulling me from where I was sitting on.

I struggled a bit from the hold and turned to face my perpetrator only to feel my blood turning cold and my heart painfully squeezing itself. He removed his hand from my mouth after noticing my struggles coming to a halt.

"Sh-Shun..." I said breathly as I look at the man whose holding me close and his mesmerizing blue eyes.

"I thought you were going to do something stupid like jump off the terrace." He said.

"Of course I won't do something like that! It'll cause trouble to Fumio-san and everyone in Polar Star if they find my dead body like that!" I replied cheerfully.

"I just went out for some fresh air and I didn't want to stand so I sat on the ledge. Oh! Since your already holding me like this, please don't mind me" I continued as I rested my head on his chest making me feel how well-toned he is.

I closed my eyes and took in his smoke covered scent. I love his scent. I love how it never fails to calm my heart. I love how easy it is for him to make me feel at ease just by simply holding me. I love him.

I felt the arm around my waist holding me tighter and his other hand slowly making its way to my back, embracing me.

"Shun?" I asked gingerly. I was the one who always throws herself to him so him acting like this shocked me.

"You're leaving?" He asked flatly. I fell silent for a few seconds. I didn't want anyone to know. I didn't want to say goodbye to anyone. I'd rather be the jerk who just left. That way, they'll forget me that easily.

"...yeah. I'm leaving and going back to my room!" I looked at him with a smile on my face and chirped. Normally, you wouldn't see his eyes but at this angle where he's staring back at me, I could see them clearly despite the darkness of the night.

"You should stop that already." He replied coldly.

"Hmm?" I asked innocently.

"That smile. Those lies. Stop them. I can see right through them. Your eyes never lies."

I let the cheerful smile on my face vanished to be replaced by a pained one.

"Yes. I'm leaving and you should be in bed sleeping. You're ruining everything. How did you find me anyway?" I said in a cold tone.

"I was about to sleep when I heard your door opened and closed followed by your footsteps. I waited and I thought it was odd that you've been gone for so long so I looked for you. Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why leave?" He asked softly, his eyes showing hints of sadness.

"I have to. As a cook and a student of this institution, I'm proud enough to not accept nor acquire explusion." I replied looking away from him.

"Huh? You never had problems with your grades before, what happened?"

"You happened." I looked at him in the eyes with my own slowly accumulating tears.

"I can't cook because my feelings shows itself in my dishes. My conflicted thoughts and horrible personality shows themselves as clear as daylight. I can't cook because of you..." I started letting my tears fall from my face.

He was about to wipe my tears with his hand but I swat it away with mine. He tried doing it again while completely ignoring my rejection.

"Don't. Don't do this. You're not making it easier for me." I hissed as I gave up and let him do what he wants.

"You acting in love with me wasn't a lie?" He asked as he wiped the remaining tears from my face.

"No... but I wished it was. That way I wouldn't flunk my classes, be constantly taunted by my thoughts or have my heart aches every time I take in reality." I confessed as I started hitting his chest. He held pulled me in a complete embrace, making me stop my punches from the lack of space.

"Since this is my fault, how can I make it right?" He asked me seriously as I stare at him in disbelief.

"You can't. I'm not going to ask you to be with me. I don't want you to be stuck with me out of pure obligation. I-"

"I don't mind being by your side." He said still wearing that serious expression.

"But you don't even feel the same way." I replied tearing up once again.

"I don't know what love is. I don't know if I love you. I don't even know if what I feel now is love, but I don't want you to go. I only ever know food and smoke. So I don't know about these things. So if being by your side means that you won't leave, then I'll do just that." He explained.

"It's not just... urrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... I just want you for myself okay?!" I screamed but immediately buried my face on his chest.

"You want us to be a couple?" He asked.

"Yes... but no."

"You're not making sense."

"Yes! Of course I want to be your girlfriend but I don't want to be your girlfriend out of obligation."

"Then let's not be a couple." If it wasn't for the lack of space, I would've probably facepalmed.

"Why are we even talking about this? Let go off me, I have a train to catch." I sighed as I start to wiggle out of his embrace.

"No."

"Yes."

"Hmmm... No." He said still without expression.

"And you were calling me childish earlier." I stopped attempting to get out of his hold. I've never noticed it before but he's pretty strong.

"Stay."

"Not a dog." I pouted.

"No. I mean I'll stay by your side and promise not to look at other girls."

"...Ne.. Shun... Have you've been listening to me at all? I don't want you to stay-"

"-Out of obligation. I'm not. I told you earlier. I don't know love but I don't want you to leave. It's different when thinking about others leaving and... I'll miss you if you go. Can't we just try my proposal for now?" He said with a straight face. There might be a shade of pink forming but it's dark out so I can't be sure.

"I don't know."

"I'll supervise you with your cooking practice too."

"No... I was thinking that you'd probably regret it." I said while looking away.

I could hear him laugh a little from my words.

"You'll throw yourself at me everyday. Shout my name everyday. Be all over me everyday. To be honest, it's annoying." He said while I look at him apologetically, but then he started stroking my hair.

"It's annoying but it's fine. You look the happiest when you're buried on my chest. It's not a bad look and it's a bit comforting so I don't really mind. Afterall, that's what makes you, you." He said gently while I stare at him blushing.

"I can feel your heart beating. Do you like me that much?" He teased. Out of sheer embarrassment, I pushed him away from me successfully.

"I.. I hate you!" I blurted out.

"Eh? I thought you like me... then I guess the deal's off?"

"Eh!? WAIT! Shun!" I panicked and quickly went and hugged him.

"That was just something I blurted out. I didn't mean it. I really really love you." I said while shaking him.

"Then you'll stay and we try things out." He asked while I just profusely nod.

"Then let's go back to our rooms. It's cold outside."

I refused to let go of him so we ended up going to our floor with my arms latched on his waist until we reached our rooms.

"Then goodnight and see you tomorrow." He said as he unlatch me from him and went to his room.

Still dazed, I did so as well and after a few minutes of staring into space while grasping what had happened tonight, I realized that I ended up playing into his hand by agreeing to his terms without much of a say in it.

"Ibusaki Shun, you stupid con artist! I'll make you fall in love with me if it's the last thing I do!"