The next morning, they went through their normal morning routine. They walked to school together like normal chatting the whole way. Eizan still felt like something was off but he chose to ignore it. They made their way through the school gates and found Ome and Ren talking and waiting for them to arrive. Eizan couldn’t help but notice a nice-looking bracelet on Ren's left wrist. He knew it wasn’t anything too extravagant. He shot Ome a knowing glance and he looked away innocently like nothing was going on. Ren and Mio all of a sudden told them they had something to do and ran off. Ome and Eizan waved them off and started to chat as they headed to class. “You bought her a bracelet, didn’t you?”

Ome looked at him disapprovingly “How do you always figure things out so quickly?”

“It was pretty obvious. Don’t you think you two might be moving a little fast.”

“Oh, come on man. You saw the look she was giving me at lunch yesterday. What was I supposed to do?”

Eizan burst out laughing. “Yeah, she was definitely giving you an expectant look.”

“I like Ren a lot and I’m thinking about asking her out soon. We’ve been talking late into the night the last few days. I’m almost certain she likes me. Besides, don’t you think you two are taking things a little slow?”

“What makes you think that?”

“You two are basically living together and your relationship has barely progressed.”

Eizan sighed “We’re just taking things at our own pace. I have made some moves but she hasn’t really responded to anything. At this point I’m kind of at a loss.”

Ome patted him on the shoulder. “Just give her time.”

Mio and Ren made their way to the school library and checked to see if they were alone once there. “I need some advice.”

“What about?”

“Love advice.”

“Did you guys finally decide to become a couple?”

“No, not yet. We are living together but not much has happened yet.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

Mio hesitated, looked down at the table and mumbled. “H-how do I know if I’m in love?”

Ren was shaking her head. “Are you stupid or something?”

Mio yelled “I’m not stupid. Why would you say that?”

Ren sighed “Honestly, I can’t believe you two aren’t dating yet. You already act like you are a couple.”

“We what?”

Ren put a hand on her forehead like she had a headache. “Oh please, you two are all over each other. It’s obvious he’s crazy about you. Even before you started living together you would go out of your way to go to his apartment. From the first time I saw you two together I knew you were in love with him.”

Mio put a hand on her forehead and raised the other in front of her, showing Ren her palm. “Wait. I’m lost.”

“Geeze, are you kidding me right now? When he speaks you hang on every word. You’re constantly looking at him and blushing in class. You have secret pictures of him on your phone. Not to mention all you did yesterday was fiddle with that necklace he got you. All you ever do is talk about him nowadays. Are you really that blind to your own feelings.” Mio sat down in one of the chairs and seemed to be lost in thought. Ren sat down across the table from her. “Let’s try an exercise. Try picturing his face right now.” Mio did what she was told and immediately her heart started to race and she began to blush. “How do you feel?”

“Um, hot I guess.”

“Did your heart start to race?” Mio nodded. “I could already tell by the fact you were blushing but I just thought I would ask.”

Mio looked surprised “I’m what?”

“You’re blushing you idiot.”

Mio got an angry look on her face “I’m not an idiot.”

“Oh, you most certainly are in this area. Now, think about him going on a date with another woman.”

Mio started to feel sick to her stomach and her face went pale.

“So, how does it feel?”

“Horrible.”

“Yup, you’re in love alright.”

She grumbled. “How do you know all this? Have you been in love before?”

Ren blushed. “I have been in love two times to be exact. I’m not sure if the first one counts though.”

Mio’s eyes narrowed and she examined Ren closely. She noticed Ren was fiddling with something on her wrist. “That’s a nice bracelet. When did you get it?”

Ren blushed even harder. “Ome gave it to me this morning. He’s was really cute when he gave it to me. He got all nervous and was stuttering.” She got a bright smile on her face.

“You fell for him pretty hard, didn’t you?”

Ren looked away. “Whatever do you mean? Were just friends.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Mio started laughing “You’re showing the same face you used to show when you talked about Towa. I can’t believe he was right about you two. He said you were a great match, but I didn’t think you would fall for him so fast.”

Ren frowned “Who are you talking about?”

Mio smiled. “I wonder?”

Ren gave her a disapproving look “You know I think Eizan is starting to rub off on you. You’re even starting to act like him a little.”

“You might be right about that.” Mio sighed. “Ren, what do I do now?”

“What do you mean? What do you do?”

“If what you say is correct and I am in love. What do I do now?”

“You really are an idiot. Aren’t you basically engaged. Just go on the offensive. Make him fall so hard in love with you that he can’t live without you.”

Mio sighed. “That’s easier said than done. He’s basically perfect.”

“You already got the wolf on a leash. What are you worried about? Just jump him when your alone.”

Mio immediately blushed and loudly said "You know I can't do that."

Eizan and Ome had been chatting in the classroom for a while. The bell was about to ring when Mio and Ren finally entered the classroom. Eizan whispered to Ome “I wonder where they went?” Ome shrugged. Eizan decided to ignore it and laid his head down on the desk for his morning nap. Izumi was at the front of the class staring at Eizan as he laid his head down. She glanced at Mio who was currently looking at her notes. She thought to herself “I wonder if I sat her next to him, if she would keep him awake? Maybe I’ll sit those four next to each other, it’s worth a shot.” Eizan was still asleep when lunch came. Mio slowly approached him. She was hesitating today though. Even though she had woken him up twice already, she was nervous today. Before when she hadn’t realized her feelings for him, it was easy for her to wake him. She knelt down next to his desk and stared at his sleeping face. She thought to herself “Why does he like me? I’m not that pretty. I’m not that smart. I’m a huge nerd. I’m shy. What could he possibly see in me.” Mio has never had any self-confidence. “Wake up sleepy head.”

He slowly opened his eyes. “It really is nice to be woken up by an angel for lunch every day.” Today her face turned completely red. Eizan was slightly caught off guard by this. “She reacted a lot more to that today. I wonder why?” He sat up and smiled at her. “Are you ok?” She nodded and ran off towards Ren. “What’s with that reaction. Did I do something wrong.” The four of them slowly made their way towards the court yard. Mio would glance over at him now and then and then look away quickly. Unbeknownst to her she had completely confused him. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. He looked over at her and she immediately looked away. “Have I done something to make you mad?” She flinched a little then shook her head. Eizan looked at Ren and Ome who were walking a few steps in front of them and chatting. He looked back at Mio “You haven’t said a word to me this whole time. If I’ve done something wrong, I apologize.”

She stuttered “Y-you haven’t done anything wrong. I um, am just thinking about something.”

“Are you worried about moving tomorrow?” She shook her head. “Ok.” He decided to leave her alone for the moment.

Little did he know she was having a mini mental breakdown in her head. “He’s so handsome. I don’t know what to say. My heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. I knew he was good looking but has he always been this handsome. Am I really living with this good looking of a guy. I wish I hadn’t realized my feelings for him. Now I’m so nervous I could throw up.” She glanced over at him again. She was screaming on the inside “He’s so cute! Crap I’m losing control of myself. Calm down, we’ve known each other for a while now. There’s no reason to panic.” She was lost in her own little world.

Right as they were about to reach their table Eizan leaned in a little closer to her and whispered. “Are you sure you’re ok.” They’re eyes met and she let out a small squeal.

She stuttered “I-I n-need t-to use the restroom.” She scurried away. Ren followed after her. Eizan and Ome were left standing there.

Ome looked over at Eizan. “What did you do?”

Eizan shrugged. “Hell, if I know. She’s been acting weird all day.”

Ren was following closely behind Mio. She reached out and grabbed her by the arm. “Mio, stop. Where are you going?”

She turned and looked at Ren. “Um, to the restroom.”

Ren laughed “You already passed it.”

Mio gave her a weird look. “Sorry.”

“What’s wrong?”

Mio grabbed her hand and dragged her into an empty class nearby. “Ren, I’m freaking out a little.”

“Why? What happened?”

“U-um has he always been that good looking?”

Ren burst out laughing. “You just now realized that?”

“N-no, I think I realized it the very first time I met him. B-but I feel like I realized it, but didn’t at the same time.” She grabbed Ren by the shirt. “Ren, I’m living with him and he’s incredibly good looking, smart, and athletic.”

“Yeah, so what?”

“W-why would he like a plain girl like me?”

“Plain? Mio, are you sure you didn’t hit you head? Have you ever looked in the mirror?” Mio tilted her head in confusion. Ren sighed “Just ask your little boyfriend if your pretty. Doesn’t he already call you an angel every day when you wake him up?”

Mio thought for a few seconds “Well, I mean he does do that. He even called me beautiful once but it might have been the dress.”

Ren karate chopped her on the top of the head. Mio grabbed the top of her head and looked up at her angrily. “Why’d you do that.”

Ren laughed. “I thought it might knock some sense into you. Mio, you’re incredibly pretty and it’s obvious he thinks so. Just get out of your own head already. You’ve been living with the man for almost a week now. Nothing has changed since yesterday.”

“I know but… Every time I look at him I…”

“You what?”

“I start to freak out.”

Ren burst out laughing “Yeah, I noticed.”

Mio puffed out her cheeks. “Stop laughing at me.”

“Just get over it already. I’m hungry. Come one lets go back.”

“Ok, I guess I can’t run away forever.”

At the table in the courtyard, they had been using for the last few days Ome and Eizan were chatting. “What did you to her man?”

“Hell, if I know. Last night everything was fine. When we woke up this morning, she was acting strange.”

Mio and Ren came back a few minutes later. Sakurai had calmed herself down enough and sat down next to Eizan like normal. They ate lunch like normal, but she barely said anything to him. The rest of the day went normally. They didn’t go to the study session because Eizan had to go home and pack a few things he didn’t want movers to touch. Mio still wasn’t saying much and he was a little perturbed. About half way to the apartment Mio finally said more than a few words. “Um, I was thinking. We’re moving tomorrow and I don’t really have a lot of stuff. I’m running out of clothes. I wasn’t really prepared for staying for a whole month.”

“Yeah, I’m not surprised. Do you need to go shopping?”

“N-no I’m thinking about running home tonight. Would that be ok with you?”

Eizan smiled “You don’t really need my permission.”

“I-I know that. It means I won’t be around to help you pack.”

“Do you want me to go with you?”

“N-no I should be fine.”

“Oh, ok”

“Are you going right now or are you going to wait until after dinner?”

“I think I should go now so it doesn’t get too late.”

“Oh, ok. I guess I’ll see you later then.”

She smiled “Yup. I’ll see you later. Bye.”

“Bye.”

She turned and started walking the other direction. Eizan was left standing there with a weird look on his face. “Did I do something wrong?”