Yukinoshita-san is definitely secretly in love with me.

Yukinoshita couldn't help but feel that something was off about Miura today.

Normally, Miura Yumiko was the undisputed queen of the school proud, commanding, her air of superiority almost overbearing, yet magnetic. Her presence alone could silence a room.

But today, she looked more like a sulky housewife than the high-and-mighty Miura everyone knew.

She slumped weakly over her desk. At first, Yukinoshita thought she might be ill and was about to ask, but the moment their eyes met, Miura huffed and immediately turned her head away.

Yukinoshita blinked.

What was that about?

Baffled, she had no choice but to refocus on her textbook.

Blonde-haired Yukinoshita, it seemed, had put all her stat points into charm and none into academics. Her grades were a complete disaster. With exams coming up, she couldn't afford to keep slacking off like this.

But seeing Yukinoshita so quickly shift her attention away from her only made Miura sulk even more. Her cheeks puffed out as if she were about to steam herself into a dumpling.

Yukinoshita is such an idiot! she fumed silently.

Even her usually radiant golden hair seemed to have lost its shine as she sulked over her desk.

I'm the one you're secretly in love with!

So why does everyone else get your contact info before I do?!

Of course, this had nothing to do with jealousy. Absolutely not. It was just… just that even as a friend, Yukinoshita was totally failing her responsibilities!

Or maybe just maybe it was Miura herself. Maybe she was just too overbearing, so much so that even if Yukinoshita did like her, she wouldn't dare get too close?

But... other than that one moment of gentle kindness after the volleyball match in gym class, Yukinoshita barely even spoke to her.

And if that was the case, then how was she supposed to show a softer side of herself?

Ugh...

Kamizawa Junko and Onozawa Kei exchanged glances before tagging Miura in their Line group, aptly named [One Big Happy Family].

Onozawa Kei: If Yumiko really wants Yukinoshita's contact info that badly, why not just ask her directly?

Kamizawa Junko: If Yumiko could do that, she wouldn't be Yumiko

Miura Yumiko: It's not like I really want it, okay? But if Yukinoshita insists on giving it to me, I guess I could accept... reluctantly.

Onozawa Kei: …

Kamizawa Junko: …

Unlike their friend Yui from high school, the three of them had known each other since kindergarten. When it came to Miura's tsundere antics, they knew her better than anyone.

Junko sighed. In every other aspect, Miura was a reliable and considerate friend sometimes even a bit of a fussy mom-type. But when it came to Yukinoshita, she was hopelessly contradictory and emotionally constipated.

Junko sent Kei a private message.

Kamizawa Junko: If we wait for Yumiko to make the first move, she's going to implode from frustration.

Onozawa Kei: How about we add Yukinoshita to the class Line group, and Yumiko can message her there?

Kamizawa Junko: …She's not in the class group.

Onozawa Kei: Then what about asking Yui? Didn't she just get Yukinoshita's Line?

Kamizawa Junko: There's no way Yumiko's pride would let her go begging to Yui. Getting her to add Yukinoshita directly is already pushing it.

Onozawa Kei: I can't watch this anymore. Junko, tell me what to do we need a plan!

Kamizawa Junko: Alright, here's the plan. First we do this, then that, then circle around, and finally… we strike.

Later that day, after morning classes and lunch break, just before the second afternoon period began, Kamizawa Junko walked into the classroom carrying a stack of flyers.

"Hey everyone, the school sports festival is coming up! If you're interested, fill out this short survey and you can get a free snack on the day!"

Someone raised a brow. "Isn't the sports festival still, like, a month away?"

Onozawa Kei beamed as she handed him a form. "Just fill it out anyway, pleeease?"

Under the assault of her sweet, bubbly smile, the boy melted instantly. "Onozawa-san! Give me ten forms, I'll fill them all out!"

"One is enough…" she replied with a chuckle.

Miura's little trio had always been popular in class high looks, high social status. So when they went around handing out the surveys, most people cooperated without complaint.

The questionnaire was simple: name, hobbies, talents, and of course contact info.

That's right. Given Miura's near-zero initiative when it came to Yukinoshita, Junko and Kei had decided to use the survey to fish out as much personal information about her as possible.

By now, Miura had already figured out what her two best friends were up to. A mix of delight and embarrassment burned in her chest.

Come on. It's just a phone number. If I really wanted it, Yukinoshita would hand it over herself, no hesitation.

It's not like they needed to go through all this trouble.

Still, even while pouting, she couldn't stop herself from sneaking glances at Junko and Kei as they moved around the room.

Eventually, a survey landed on Yukinoshita's desk, where she was quietly working through some problems.

She blinked at it, puzzled.

Faced with Yukinoshita's icy gaze, Kei nearly flinched. "It's, uh… just a little survey about snacks and drinks for the festival haha…"

Yumiko, are you really sure you want to be friends with this terrifying girl?!

Yukinoshita gave a small shake of her head. "I don't have any preferences for snacks or drinks."

Junko stepped in, smiling. "Well, you'll be participating in the festival too, right? So-"

"I'm not good with physical activity," Yukinoshita replied calmly. "I'll probably apply for an exemption from the school."

Completely immune to social pressure.

Kei and Junko exchanged a glance, both feeling a little deflated until a sudden clatter behind them caught their attention.

They turned around to find Miura frozen in place, watching her textbook hit the floor.

"Oops-haha, I dropped it. Hope I didn't interrupt anything…"

She tried to act casual, but the disappointment on her face was painfully obvious. Even her eyes were beginning to turn red.

Yukinoshita bent down without a word, picked up the fallen book, and walked over to place it gently on Miura's desk.

Then, without hesitation, she reached out and placed her hand softly against Miura's forehead.

"Are you sick?" she asked. "You've seemed… off all morning."

The warmth of her palm, so soft and light, brushed against Miura's skin like a gentle whisper.

Like the softest flower leaning in to kiss her brow.

The entire classroom collectively held their breath.

Yukinoshita just touched Miura's face… She's done for. Yumiko's definitely going to blow up-

But to their astonishment, the famously proud and temperamental Miura Yumiko was blushing, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I guess… maybe I do have a bit of a headache…"