The floorboards were cold, and the smell of dust mixed with Shizuka's vanilla perfume was dizzying. Ren lay flat on his stomach, his heart drumming against the hardwood as he watched a pair of stylish loafers enter his field of vision.
"Professor? Is everything okay? You look... disheveled," Asuka's voice rang out, sharp and inquisitive.
"Disheveled? Me? Nonsense, Asuka-san!" Shizuka's voice was an octave higher than usual. Ren could see her bare feet pacing nervously, inches away from his face. "I was just... doing yoga. Very intense, private yoga."
"In panda pajamas?" Asuka asked, her voice dripping with skepticism.
Ren squeezed his eyes shut. Yoga? Really, Professor? "It's a new trend from Europe," Shizuka stammered. "Anyway, the files. You can just leave them on the desk and—"
"Actually, Professor, I wanted to ask your opinion on the new disciplinary committee guidelines." Ren heard the bed springs creak directly above his head. Asuka had sat down. "Do you mind if I stay for a moment? It's so quiet in here. Much better than the noisy dorm lounge."
Ren held his breath, his body stiffening. If Asuka looked down, or if he even shifted a muscle, the scandal would be the lead story on the campus news by morning.
Above him, Shizuka seemed to be panicking. "Oh! Actually, I just remembered! I have a... a massive leak in the bathroom! Yes, it's quite dangerous. Electrical hazards and all that. You really shouldn't be in here."
"A leak? I didn't hear anything," Asuka said. Ren saw her loafers turn toward the desk—right where his discarded sneakers were peeking out from under the laundry pile.
Ren's blood ran cold. He reached out a hand, silently and slowly, hooking his finger into the loop of his sneaker and pulling it an inch further under the bed.
Asuka paused. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what? I didn't hear anything! Maybe it's the pipes!" Shizuka practically shrieked.
Suddenly, Shizuka grabbed Asuka's arm—Ren could see their feet moving toward the door. "You know what? Let's talk about the guidelines over coffee. My treat. At that expensive cafe near the station."
"Wait, Professor, my bag—"
"I'll carry it! Let's go, quickly! The mold spores in here are... very aggressive!"
The door slammed shut, followed by the sound of the lock clicking.
Ren exhaled a breath he felt like he'd been holding for a lifetime. He crawled out from under the bed, his hair messy and his heart still racing. He sat on the floor, leaning his back against the bed frame.
Ten minutes later, the door opened again. Shizuka slipped inside, leaning her back against the wood, looking utterly exhausted.
"She's gone," she whispered, her glasses sliding down her nose. "I promised her a week of free lattes just to get her out of the building."
Ren looked up at her, a small, lopsided smirk forming on his face. "Yoga, Professor? Truly?"
Shizuka's face burned a brilliant scarlet. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at his face. "Shut up, Kurosawa-kun! I don't see you coming up with better excuses while hiding under a bed!"
Ren caught the pillow, noticing it still carried the warmth of her bed. "Next time, tell her I'm the plumber. It's more believable than 'European Panda Yoga'."
Shizuka glared at him, but then her shoulders dropped. The adrenaline was fading, leaving behind the stark reality that they were alone again. The sun was setting, casting long, orange shadows across the room—and the single bed they were supposed to share.
"Kurosawa-kun," she said softly, her violet eyes locking onto his. "Where are you going to sleep?"