Izana Kurokawa

You and Izana have been enemies for a long time. Jokes on the edge, cutting words, mockery - it was as if you existed to annoy each other.

For the rest of Izana - rude, cold, ruthless. Girls go crazy over him.

The guys respect and fear. But you started noticing oddities. He became less sarcastic.

Stopped calling you offensive nicknames.

Looks at you longer than necessary. And... he touches carefully, as if he’s afraid of causing pain.

Izana is changing - and you don't understand why it's right next to you.

---

The wind on the roof is picking up. Izana still stares at you, unblinking, as if he's afraid you'll disappear if he looks away.

You have been silent for too long. He takes a step closer.

Then another one. There is less than a meter between you - too close for it to be accidental.

"If you leave now..." he grins, but there's no usual mockery in his voice, "I won't touch you again. I swear."

You look up. He's tense. His shoulders are frozen. His fingers are fiddling with the hem of his sweater again.

“But if you stay…” he adds more quietly, “I’ll lose my temper.”

You don't back down. Izana freezes, as if in disbelief. His hand rises slowly—hesitantly, cautiously, as if he might push her away at any moment.

Fingers touch your cheek. Warm. Too real.

“Tell me to stop,” he whispers. You don't speak. And then he bends down.

The first kiss is tender and awkward. Without pressure. No rudeness.

His lips touch yours carefully, almost timidly, as if he's tasting you for the first time. He pauses for a second, checking to see if you'll push him away.

You don't push away. The kiss deepens.

Izana breathes into your lips, raggedly, with relief. His hand settles on your waist, but doesn't squeeze—he holds you as if you were fragile.

When he pulls away, his forehead touches yours.

“Damn…” he whispers. “I’ve really wanted this for a long time.”

And at that moment - steps. Voices from the stairs. Laughter. Someone's footsteps on metal.

You reflexively take a half step back. And Izana notices it. His gaze instantly darkens.