(Leo's POV)
Out of all the possible ways the universe could punish me, this one was just plain cruel.
"Leo Takahashi and Kieran Hoshino," Ms. Sato read aloud, holding up a clipboard like it was a death sentence. "You'll be partners for the midterm history project. Due in two weeks."
Clara immediately whipped her head toward me with a silent scream of OH MY GOD. I didn't even look at her. I was too busy staring at Kieran, who had zero visible reaction—just sat there like fate hadn't just tossed a grenade between us.
Two weeks.
Of working together.
Outside of class.
Alone.
I buried my face in my textbook.
---
That afternoon, we met up at the library. I had half a plan, a notebook, and way too many butterflies for someone who wasn't supposed to like this guy.
"So…" I began, sliding a few reference books toward him. "We could do something on the Meiji Restoration or the Satsuma Rebellion."
Kieran raised an eyebrow. "You're this organized for every project?"
"No," I admitted. "But my grade depends on this. And so does yours."
He leaned back, arms crossed. "Right. Can't afford to fail again."
I looked at him. "Again?"
He shrugged, like it didn't matter. But something in his eyes said it did.
I decided not to pry.
Instead, we fell into a surprisingly focused rhythm. Kieran wasn't talkative, but he listened. Asked sharp questions. Jotted notes in surprisingly neat handwriting.
Halfway through, I glanced up and found him staring.
"What?" I asked, heart skipping.
"Nothing," he said, then looked down. "Just… you're different from what I expected."
"Expected what?"
He shrugged again, but his voice was softer. "Someone who runs when things get messy."
I didn't respond right away.
"Yeah," I said finally. "Well… maybe I've been running too long."
He looked at me again, something unreadable behind his gaze.
For a moment, there was nothing but the soft sound of pages turning and our breathing.
It was quiet.
Too quiet.
And somehow, in that stillness, my heart made a decision my mind hadn't caught up to yet.