Kouta’s eyes widened as the realization of where this conversation was going began to dawn on him. "Meika..."
"I've spent so much time trying to be what I thought you needed," Meika said, her gaze locked onto his. "I tried to keep my distance. I tried to be professional. I tried to convince myself that my feelings didn't matter as long as I could stay by your side."
Today was the day she had promised herself she would finally be honest. No more playing the perfect, composed maid. No more hiding behind polite smiles and deflected glances. Kouta’s eyes widened as the realization of where
"Kouta-kun," she started, her voice shaking slightly before she found her footing. "I didn't ask you here to talk about chores, or school, or anything like that." Kouta blinked, tilting his head. "Then what is it?"
Meika-san stood in the middle of the quiet classroom, clutching a thermos of freshly brewed green tea so tightly her knuckles turned white. The afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm, golden glow over the empty desks, but did nothing to melt the icy ball of nerves sitting in her stomach. I tried to be professional
Kouta took a step toward her, reaching out to gently take the thermos from her trembling hands and setting it on a nearby desk. Then, he took her hands in his. They were warm, steady, and grounding.
She took a step forward, closing the distance between them. The air in the room suddenly felt thick, charged with an energy that hadn't been there a moment ago. No more hiding behind polite smiles and deflected glances
The door slid open with a soft rattle. Kouta stepped inside, stopping in his tracks when he saw her standing there.