𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓.

── .✦ 6

Y/n had been having the time of her life exploring the club booths. The air was alive with excitement—bright banners rippled in the breeze, students enthusiastically called out to passersby, and the irresistible aroma of freshly cooked food hung in the air.

"Thank you for playing our game! Please pick a prize!" chirped a cheerful student, holding out a basket filled with colorful candies.

Y/n grinned, plucking a small handful of sweets. "Thanks!" she said, tucking the treats into her pocket. As she turned, her attention snagged on a vibrant poster plastered on a nearby board. It advertised the school's baking club with an array of mouthwatering pastries printed in glossy detail.

That looks amazing... she thought, so distracted that she didn't notice someone walking directly into her path.

Bam!

She collided with something—or rather, someone—solid. A startled gasp escaped her lips as she stumbled backward, arms flailing to regain balance. Just as she braced herself for impact, a pair of strong hands steadied her, catching her before she could hit the ground.

"Whoa, careful," came a soft, soothing voice.

Y/n blinked up, heart racing, and was met with warm brown eyes and a face framed by chestnut hair. Her gaze dropped to the easy smile playing on the stranger's lips, one that radiated kindness and concern.

"Oh!" Y/n breathed, heat rushing to her cheeks as she realized the compromising position she was in. His hands were still gently resting at her waist, and she was far closer to him than she'd anticipated.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice light but tinged with genuine worry.

"I—I'm fine! Thanks to you!" she stammered, finally regaining her footing. She tried to step back, but his hands lingered just a moment longer before he let go, his touch careful and deliberate.

He chuckled softly, his expression relaxing into an easy grin that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Good. You looked like you were about to go flying there."

Y/n bit her lip, brushing nonexistent dust from her skirt to hide her embarrassment. "Yeah, uh, I wasn't paying attention. Sorry about that."

"No harm done," he said, his tone playful as he motioned to the bustling booths behind them. "These school events are more dangerous than they look. You never know when someone might come flying into you."

Y/n couldn't help but laugh at the teasing edge in his voice. She looked at him more closely now, recognition dawning as she took in his neatly pressed uniform and his familiar face. Wait, isn't this...?

"You're... Odayaka-san, right?" she ventured hesitantly, recalling his face from posters promoting the baking club.

Amao blinked, clearly surprised by the formal address, but then his warm smile returned, this time tinged with amusement. "Just Amao is fine," he said, shaking his head lightly. "We're practically the same age, you know. No need for all the formality."