Fate To Fake: Loved by the Fallen; Fated to Kill the Divine

Sakura Valentine's POV

"Damn it!" I gritted my teeth, pacing just outside the classroom door. My hands curled into fists at my sides.

This was the first time—ever—that I had been thrown out of class. And it had to be because of that annoying woman of a teacher.

Sure, I'd caused trouble before. I'd broken rules, played tricks, and teased others. But whenever I put on that soft, innocent expression, wide eyes, and sweet smile, everyone else would just sigh and leave me alone.

Like I was some precious jewel they dared not scold.

But her?

This teacher really hated me. Didn't she?

With my head lowered, muttering curses under my breath, I leaned back against the wall.

"Ahah…" I chuckled softly to myself. The image from earlier—oh, that unforgettable scene—still replayed vividly in my mind.

The bird, the cone, his ridiculous face. No matter how hard I tried, it refused to fade away.

Never in my life did I imagine seeing something like that.

The poor boy. He must have been embarrassed beyond belief, right?

"Hahhaha…"

And then I froze.

Footsteps.

I turned slowly.

The same red-haired boy was coming up from the stairs, walking calmly into the corridor.

My heart stopped.

I snapped my gaze forward and acted like I hadn't noticed him. My shoulders stiffened, and I forced my lips into a neutral line.

Wait... Wait a second!

What if… what if he used this chance to talk to me?

Holy shit!

I hadn't even considered that possibility, and… Luna wasn't with me now.

And to make it worse, Luna wasn't with me now.

Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no.

He's coming closer… closer with each step. What should I do now? Should I call for help, make a scene, or… scare him with fangs to keep him away?

No. No, no! That would be stupid. That would expose my identity.

Shit. Shit. SHIT.

As that guy kept walking, closer and closer, his footsteps echoing faintly, almost reaching me—

'Shit, he looked at me!' I screamed inwardly when I saw his eyes flick toward me, locking directly with mine for… a heartbeat. Just one second. Then, just as quickly, he walked past me without a word.

I blinked in disbelief… He acted like he didn't see me at all?

Hmm?... He saw me, right? Not just now, but before, too. He had to have seen me. So why was he pretending otherwise? What's going on?

I turned to the side, watching his figure retreat. He walked steadily down the corridor, on the same floor as me, until he nearly reached the far end. Which meant…. He must have been someone from a higher class.

"Senior?" I muttered, blinking curiously.

He saw me before, I know he did.

So why didn't he speak to me?

Maybe… maybe he thought I would make fun of him?

Still, though, wouldn't it have been better to just say something?

Even a single word?

Wouldn't it have been good to at least try to initiate a conversation with a girl like me?

"Hmm… Is he playing some kind of ignore-and-attract tactic?" I whispered under my breath, narrowing my eyes.

Obviously, that must be it. After all, I am a very beautiful girl, the kind who makes heads turn. If someone had a chance to talk to me… they wouldn't waste it.

No one would hesitate!!

He must be trying to make me curious, forcing me into a position where I'd be the one to talk first.

I smirked, tilting my head. 'Small boy… did he really think he could just pull something like that on me?'

Obviously, I wasn't going to fall for that trick. I had seen through many things before, and even my parents had taught me how to handle situations like these. I was not someone so easily manipulated.

Hmm… That's definitely not going to work on me—

That's what I told myself... the very next day,

"E-Excuse me?"

I called him near the stairs when he walked by.

I frowned slightly.

And why was I here?

… Well, I was just curious, that's all.

I only wanted to know whether he actually knew me or not. That was it.

But to my surprise—

As soon as I spoke, his entire face shifted. He froze, and then his cheeks flushed crimson as he quickly averted his gaze from mine, like a shy child caught in the middle of something embarrassing. His hands twitched nervously, and his shoulders stiffened.

"…" I blankly stared at him, my own chest tightening. I… I really didn't know why, but the instant I saw his cheeks redden like that… my heart started beating faster.

"Is there… anything you need, Miss?" he asked, his voice carefully calm, but his fingers betrayed him, twitching as though he couldn't wait to leave.

So cute~

Was he really that embarrassed?

That much just from me talking to him?

I steadied my breath, calming the unexpected bubbling in my chest, and forced my lips to move.

"I… I saw you last time—"

Before I could finish, he suddenly started to laugh like an idiot.

"Haha… so… that's it… ahah… I thought you would have forgotten it… my bad." His words came out broken between chuckles, and with a blushing face, he awkwardly rubbed the back of his hair, almost like he was trying to hide.

I didn't know why… but everything about that moment looked… so damn cute!!!!

Could boys really be this cute?

Or was it just this boy who was ridiculously cute?

What's going on here… WHY THE HELL IS MY HEART BEATING FASTER!!!

And what's with this feeling? This strange flutter twisting in my chest?

I really wanted to pinch his cheeks for it!!

"So… you do remember me?" I asked, keeping my voice calm even though my heart was thundering against my ribs like it wanted to break free.

That boy smiled softly, the corners of his lips trembling with hesitation.

"I mean… you saw something embarrassing… Ha… this is so awkward."

He was the one getting nervous? Why?

Shouldn't I be the one nervous talking to him? It was the first time I had ever spoken properly to a stranger boy!

Maybe I was nervous, just a little… but seeing his nervousness somehow made me calmer. Maybe his awkwardness balanced out mine, and instead of panicking, I found myself just… watching him.

What am I feeling right now?... Arrhh!!

I clenched my fist tightly, trying to still the restless beating of my heart as I asked, forcing my shoulders to relax, "So what's with that bird?"

He chuckled, though the sound was strained, almost painful. "I don't know… honestly, that bird… that damn bird." His fist clenched as he spoke, frustration flickering across his face.

Oh… so cute~

…. Something was definitely wrong with me now!!

"I already complained to the Student Council President about this situation… I hope they capture the bird and release it somewhere else. It's dangerous if it keeps acting like this, stealing food… Sure, I would be fine dealing with it, but what about children? They might get scared, or worse, even get hurt." His tone shifted suddenly, from awkward to sincere, like he truly meant every word.

So… he didn't care about himself but worried for others?

What a strange… weird boy.

"I will be leaving then," he said, turning to walk away.

Just like that? Even though I was the one who initiated the talk?

Did he understand how many boys would have killed for a chance to talk to me? To stand here, to have even one second of my attention?

I really wanted to shout those words at him, to throw them straight at his back… but that kind of felt way too embarrassing.

My pride wouldn't let me.

Instead,

"M-My name is Sakura…" I shouted, louder than I meant to.

The red-haired boy stopped mid-step. Slowly, he turned back and looked at me, his blush softening into a quiet smile.

"Like a flower?" he asked.

Even though I had heard that cliché and cheeky line many times before… for some reason it felt different when it came from his mouth.

His voice wasn't smooth or polished like some Playboy's... it was awkward, shy, almost clumsy. Yet that clumsiness made it strike me deeper, as though he meant every letter.

… That was where it all began.

That was where the first relationship between Junior and Senior started.