Mai and Aki made their way to the principal's office. As Mai looked around, she noticed it was the only room in the entire school that remained clean and orderly.
They began their search for the keys. Mai rifled through drawers and cabinets, her movements quick and efficient. Occasionally, she glanced up at Aki, who was equally focused on the task at hand. There was a palpable tension in the air, but it wasn't an uncomfortable one.
Mai's cheeks flushed slightly as she caught herself staring at Aki for a moment too long. She felt a flutter of emotions she wasn't used to, a mix of admiration and something deeper. Shaking off the distraction, she returned her attention to the search, determined to stay focused.
"Aki, any luck on your side?" Mai asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Not yet," Aki replied, her brow furrowed in concentration. "But keep looking. They have to be here somewhere."
Mai nodded, pushing aside her thoughts as she continued her search. They needed those keys, and there was no time to dwell on feelings, however strong they might be.
Mai continued to search for the keys, but her attention kept drifting back to Aki. It was odd, this sudden fascination she had with her friend, and she found herself snickering quietly at her own distraction.
As Mai's gaze lingered on Aki, she couldn't help but admire the way Aki moved with such purpose and determination. There was something undeniably attractive about it, and Mai's cheeks flushed again as she realized the direction of her thoughts.
Aki, sensing the eyes on her, looked up and met Mai's gaze. Their eyes locked for a moment, and an unspoken tension crackled between them, charged and electric. Aki's expression softened, a small, knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"Something on your mind, Mai?" Aki asked, her voice low and teasing.
Mai quickly looked away, flustered. "Just... trying to figure out where these keys could be," she stammered, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her.
Aki stepped closer, the air between them thick with tension. "Sure, that's all it is?" she murmured, her eyes never leaving Mai's.
Mai swallowed hard, feeling the heat rise between them. "Yeah, that's all," she whispered, though even she didn't quite believe her own words.
Aki's hand brushed against Mai's as she reached for a drawer, the contact sending a shiver down Mai's spine. "Well, keep looking. We'll find them," Aki said softly, her voice laced with an undertone that made Mai's heart race.
As they continued their search, the room seemed to grow warmer, the proximity and the unspoken connection between them adding an unexpected layer to their task. The keys were still missing, but something else had been found in the quiet moments of their search.
Aki soon grew bored and rolled her eyes, walking over to the desk and settling into the chair. "Wow... that's really comfortable," she remarked with a smirk, sinking into the seat and letting her legs part slightly. Her short skirt provided quite the view for Mai, who was momentarily stunned before quickly looking away, pretending to continue searching.
Mai, equally tired, rolled her eyes and stretched out on top of the desk, her legs swaying. The sound of her pink Converse hitting the wooden side of the desk echoed softly through the room.
Aki then propped her legs up on the desk, leaning back in the chair. Mai noticed and took a glance, unable to suppress her smirk. "Got a new lacy black set?" she teased, clicking her tongue.
"Mai!" Aki's eyes widened, and she quickly put her legs down, adjusting her position.
"Not my fault you decided to put your legs up on the desk while wearing a skirt," Mai chuckled, her tone playful.
