After another physical education class, just as Lika finished her class and was getting ready to change her clothes, she accidentally wandered into the men's locker room. Coincidentally, Suchen arrived at that very moment.
In her panic, Suchen pulled Lika into a locker inside the men's locker room with him. Suchen gently tugged at her sleeve to signal her to stay quiet, and the previously chaotic noises suddenly faded away in the profound darkness.
Only the faint sound of Lika's and Suchen's breathing remained. Suchen looked into Lika's red eyes, where the loneliness and vulnerability hidden beneath her noble exterior stirred a deep tenderness in him. Her usually arrogant expression was somewhat shy at the moment, and she curled up like a young girl.
Lika and Suchen hid inside the locker, her hands pressed against him as if she wanted to put some distance between them, but the cramped space forced them to press close together. With flushed cheeks and her head lowered, she softly said, "You... what are you dragging me into the locker for! Even if you want to kiss me, this isn't the right place."
Suchen: "Do you want me to help you?" Hearing this, Lika put on an arrogant facade and retorted, "Hmph, no need, I can figure it out myself!" Suchen said earnestly, "I am both your deskmate and your friend, so I have an obligation to help you."
Lika's face turned as red as a ripe apple as she slowly reached out a hand. "Fine, then I'll leave it to you!" Suchen took Lika's hand and pulled her out of the locker.
Lika lowered her head, muttering under her breath, "Hmph, if you weren't my only friend, I wouldn't let you touch me so casually."
Suchen paid no mind to Lika's little temper. He meticulously combed her hair until it was neat, then smiled and said, "Alright, go change your clothes. We're going out together in a little while."
Lika looked up at Suchen and nodded. She turned and walked into the room, starting to pick out what to wear today. Meanwhile, Suchen stood right where he was, quietly watching Lika's retreating figure with a faint smile on his lips before turning to leave.
Lika quickly and carefully tidied up her clothes, then walked lightly to the door. Suddenly, she stopped, turned her head back, and stared intently at Suchen with sharp eyes. "Hey! Did this young lady give you permission to leave?"
Suchen looked at her in surprise and asked doubtfully, "Is there anything else?"
Lika pouted slightly, putting on a pretense of anger as she said, "Hmph! Just now you actually grabbed this young lady's hand, and that is no small matter! Therefore, you must take responsibility for this young lady!"
Suchen: "Well, of course I can do that. We've kissed, we've hugged, and we've even slept in the same bed—taking responsibility is a given." Startled by his blunt response, Lika's cheeks flushed red. "Who... who wants you to take responsibility! This young lady couldn't care less!"
The corners of Suchen's lips curved upward into a faint smile. "Didn't you just ask me to take responsibility?" His gaze fixed straight ahead on Lika, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.
Lika's face instantly turned beet red, and she stammered in reply, "I... I just meant for you to take responsibility to this young lady, not that I want to marry you..." Her voice grew softer and softer, as if she were terrified someone else might hear.
Suchen smiled gently and said, "Marry? It's indeed a bit too early to talk about that right now, but it doesn't matter. We still have plenty of time to get to know each other. During this time, we can experience many things together and properly cultivate our feelings." With that, he looked at Lika tenderly, his eyes full of anticipation.
Lika deliberately turned her head away, pretending not to care as she muttered, "Who wants to cultivate feelings with you!" Yet her heart was pounding like a frightened fawn, refusing to calm down.
As if he possessed mind-reading abilities, Suchen said, "I think you care quite a bit, don't you?" Hearing this, Lika blushed even harder. "Who... who cares! This young lady doesn't care at all!" Suchen: "Then why is your face so red?"
Angry and flustered, Lika shoved Suchen away. "Hmph! I can't be bothered with you!" Suchen: "Alright, alright, I'll stop, or else the time we have for changing clothes will drag out even longer." With an arrogant look, Lika retorted, "Hmph, you know it!" She went back into the locker room, quickly changed her clothes, and got ready to leave.
Suchen waited by the door. As Lika walked out and saw him waiting for her, she asked, "Huh? Why are you still here?" Suchen: "Waiting to walk with you." Suddenly, Lika felt a bit self-conscious. "Oh..."
Suchen took Lika's hand. "Let's go." Lika offered no resistance, letting him lead her out of the school gates. Suddenly snapping out of her daze, Lika put on her arrogant expression and said, "Hey! Did this young lady give you permission to hold her hand?"
Suchen crossed his arms and looked at Lika with a serious expression. "Well then, let me ask you now—do you give permission?" Amused by his serious demeanor, Lika laughed. "Permission granted!" With a doting expression, Suchen said, "Let's go, little princess."
Lika walked side by side with Suchen, quietly drawing closer to him. "Um... thank you for helping me today. I never thought an awkward young lady like me would ever need someone else's help. Haha, but to be honest, being with you really does feel very comfortable."
Arriving at the entrance of Lika's home, Lika pulled out her keys from her bag, inserted one into the keyhole, and gave it a gentle turn. The door clicked open. She stepped aside to let Suchen in first, casually reaching into the shoe cabinet to pull out a brand-new pair of slippers and handing them to him. "You should change into these slippers first; it'll be more comfortable."
In truth, ever since that night they had slept in the same bed, Suchen had practically been living here. Although he had only stayed temporarily back then due to special circumstances, looking back now, that night seemed to herald the subtle shift in their relationship.
Lika walked into the living room and sat down on the sofa. "Have a seat for a moment, I'll go pour you a glass of water." Suchen sat down. "Okay." Lika brought a glass of water from the kitchen and handed it to it him. "Here, have some water." Suchen accepted it. "Thank you." Lika sat down right next to him, pressing close. "Don't mention it."
Suddenly, Lika stood up. Unsure of what she was doing, Suchen got up as well. Summoning her courage, Lika stood on tiptoe and gently kissed him. This was the second time Lika had kissed him of her own accord; the first time had been imitating when Suchen fed her with his mouth at the coffee shop.
Suchen and Lika embraced tightly, as if the entire world consisted only of the two of them. After a moment, they parted. With flushed cheeks and a shyly lowered head, Lika asked, "Um... are... are we still going on our date?"
Suchen: "Of course. How could a date ever be just a one-time thing?" Lika flashed a happy smile. "Mm!" Lika went back to her bedroom as if looking for something, and then told Suchen to come find her over the weekend.