The room was filled with the sounds of scratching as every student was bent over their desks, focusing on the midterms. Natsumi marked another answer when her mind began to wander again. She couldn't help it...She was worried and wondering how Ryuu was doing right now. He would be fine in every other subject, but she worried that they hadn't covered enough material to prepare him for the English portion.

'Sumi...relax...' The minute she heard his voice in her head she did exactly that. She smiled and focused back on her own test. He had whispered the words to her while giving her a quick hug in the hall. She had been fretting about the midterms, not just his, but also hers. She had fallen behind in her studying and was worried that it would come back and bite her. It wasn't just tutoring Ryuu that had put her off her usual schedule. He would find every opportunity to draw her attention to him.

Recently during lunch they were talking more than studying and on her days off she would find herself talking to him on the phone for hours without realizing it. She internally rolled her eyes, but there was still a smile on her face as she thought of how annoying he could be. Ryuu could also be really sweet though. He had taken time out of their sessions to help tutor her with math in the areas she was struggling most.

Natsumi took a deep breath and let it out slowly, calming her nerves more as she imagined Ryuu smiling and teasing her. She finished the test early and took a book out to read, but wasn't looking at the words. She was thinking about the confusion that had recently risen within herself when it came to her best friend. Ryuu was obviously handsome, but it had never affected her before the night he stayed over.

When he had held her in that embrace and assured her that he wasn't going to leave, she hadn't just felt relieved. She felt her heart speed up again as she remembered the way it felt to have his warmth surrounding her and the moment she became aware of the fluttering in her stomach. It seemed to have sparked a reaction in her skin so that now anytime he touched her it left a weird tingle behind. The moments when he surrounded her were more frequent now as he would randomly wrap his arm around her shoulders while they walked next to each other. She would always pretend that it didn't bother her and tease him back like normal. Ryuu probably still noticed how it affected her, because she couldn't seem to hide anything from him.

Natsumi buried her face deeper into her book to hide the blush on her cheeks. She wanted to groan, but it would be too obvious in the silence so she swallowed it. What was going on with her? Why was it that when she closed her eyes all she saw was him!? She had to get ahold of herself soon though. Ryuu was her best friend and meant more to her than anything. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against the pages in her book.

She jumped when she felt her jacket's left pocket vibrate. She quickly glanced around, but no one seemed to have noticed. Natsumi carefully pulled out her phone, keeping her book up to cover it as she flipped it open.

All done. Were you able to stop freaking out long enough to focus?

Natsumi couldn't fight the smile that crossed her lips as she looked at the words and imagined the teasing grin on his face. She quickly typed back a message and turned her phone to silent so that there wasn't a chance someone noticed the vibration.

I'm finished too. And I wasn't freaking out...much...anyways, there are no phones in class sir.

She waited and a few seconds later until the envelope popped up on her screen, signalling his reply.

And yet you replied? Looks like we're accomplices in this crime Sumi. And you were definitely freaking out. Don't deny it, remember I can see right through you to your true feelings.

Her heart jumped at that, but she quickly recovered as she reminded herself that he didn't mean the confusing feelings she was experiencing lately. She sighed and typed...

You started it by messaging me first! So if they ask I'll say you made me!

That's not nice Sumi...but as long as you don't make it obvious that you're on your phone no one will know. P.s. if they do catch us I'll just use my charm to get us out of trouble.

I'm going to stop responding now...

Haha. You're so cute sometimes. Don't pretend that you don't appreciate my talents.

Natsumi felt her cheeks heat up and her heart skipped when she imagined him calling her cute. She shook her head and frowned at her phone, then as if he could see...

You're frowning right now aren't you? Come on Sumi, smile for me.

I wasn't frowning!

Liar.

I'm not lying! How rude!

Right...just like how you were going to stop responding?

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

I am...as of right now...

Alright.

Alright what?...Ryuu? Hello?

Haha! You are too easy Sumi! But I suppose that's what I love about you. Just like you love that I'm so entertaining.

Your definition of entertaining sounds a lot like the real definition of annoying.

That wasn't a no.

Argh! Seriously Ryuu we're going to get caught!

*sigh* Fine mom... I'll meet you after class like normal. Later Sumi.

Good...bye Ryuu.

Natsumi closed her phone, a smile on her face as she subtly slipped it back into her pocket. He was so impossible sometimes, but he was right about one thing...She did love that he could always make her smile no matter how she was feeling before.

----------------------------------------

"I think my brain is going to split in two." Sumi moaned as they walked down the hall towards the lockers. It was final day of midterms and now they had a short break over the weekend to recover. Ryuu grinned down at her as she held her head between two fingers.

"How do you think you did?" He asked and she sighed, but there was a gentle smile on her face as she glanced up at him.

"I think I'll pass. Maybe not at the top this time though." She giggled and he laughed along with her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him.

"It's okay Sumi. Even if you lose your title of 'Perfect Pet' I'll still keep you around."

"You better! If I thought you were only using me for my brains I'd be really hurt. Plus I'd be tempted to punch you in the stomach for it." She huffed and he chuckled at the way she pouted at him. He pulled her closer and leaned close to her ear, telling himself that it was to make the pink leak into her cheeks.

"Trust me Sumi...I keep you around for a lot more than that odd brain of yours."

"Well g-good. But don't get any ideas mister. You promised that you weren't going anywhere and I'm holding you to that."

"I remember what I said...I meant it then and now. You're stuck with me until you die." He whispered into her ear, feeling the shiver that ran through her. He raised a brow at that and watched as she quickly pulled out of his hold and averted her eyes.

"I am so looking forward to these next few days! I feel like I could sleep for a week after all those late night sessions." She laughed and he straightened with a smile once more, placing his free hand in his pocket. Although he wished that it was still resting on Sumi's shoulder. After they switched out their shoes and started walking to the front Sumi spoke up again.

"So what are your plans this weekend? I was kinda serious about that two day nap." She laughed and he rolled his eyes as he glanced down at her.

"I'm not sure. Maybe I'll crash at your place again." He teased and she snorted while giving him one of her reproachful looks. Honestly, they didn't intimidate him, but she was so adorable when she made them that he never told her this.

"Don't you think you should ask before just deciding to move in?"

"Mom wouldn't mind. I'll just kick you out of your room." He laughed and she pouted more, shoving him playfully. He laughed and pushed her back with his elbow, knocking her a few steps to the side. She glared up at him, but he only grinned wider. She used both hands this time and managed to knock him off balance. But he also managed to grab her wrist and pull her after him. He fell back and landed with a grunt, followed by a second as Sumi landed on his chest.

He laughed as she scrambled off of him with a dark glare directed his way. He was glad they had landed on a soft patch of grass, but knew his butler wouldn't be as amused. She sat back on her legs and continued to frown at him as he lay in the grass laughing and holding his stomach.

"How old are you!?" She shook her head, fighting the smile lifting her lips as she stared down at him. He was still laughing as he lifted himself up as well, the sudden movement bringing their noses close, almost touching as his eyes locked with hers.

"You started it when you pushed me." He chuckled and she giggled, shaking her head once more. He noticed a leaf stuck in her hair and instantly reached up to grab it. His eyes were on the leaf, but her sudden indrawn breath made him glance down. Sumi's cheeks were flushed bright once more and her eyes had widened as she looked up at him. He didn't move right away as he took in the full details of her large eyes as they watched him warily.

He pulled the leaf from her hair and let it fall back to the ground, but he didn't pull his arm back. Instead he lowered it slowly, his hand pressing between her shoulder blades, pulling her closer. She jumped at the contact and he felt a strange jolt run through his arm. What was this? Why did he have the sudden urge to draw her nearer...even stronger than the other night during their chess game.

He frowned down at her as this strange feeling consumed him. It had been weak at first, but recently it had increased. He was starting to notice things about Sumi that made him feel different about their relationship. He wanted to have her closer to him than she was already. When he had held her that night, he had a sudden urge to never let go. What was this feeling and why did it make him feel strangely possessive when it came to this girl? And when did he start noticing that she was in fact a girl, a very pretty one at that? Why was he feeling like something was changing between them. And why did it worry him?

"R-Ryuu...Wh-What are you doing?" She whispered and it snapped him out of the trance he had been under. He blinked and his usual grin returned as he pulled back slightly.

"Just checking for injuries...Although I think I broke your fall this time Miss Kimoto. But as your doctor I think you need to start being less clumsy." He teased and she pushed against his chest, growling.

"You grabbed my wrist! I wouldn't have fallen if you hadn't! And you're not a doctor yet!" She huffed and he chuckled as he pushed himself to his feet and held his hand out to help her up. She took it without hesitation, which made him happy and he pulled her to her feet. But he didn't let go of her hand as he pulled her along after him.

"I will be one day though...and when I am, I'll have my hands full with you as my patient." He said and she snorted, trying to pull her hand back, but he tightened his hold. He wasn't sure why, but at this moment he wanted to keep the contact between them.

"How do you know I won't just find a different physician?" She asked with a raised brow and he grinned as he shifted their hands, lacing his fingers with hers. He chuckled when her cheeks brightened once more. But even he hadn't expected the words to roll off his tongue.

"Because no one can take care of you like I can Sumi."