school bully · teasing · secret crush · shy · high school setting · jealous · protective · anime trope · romance · clumsy
The classroom lights buzz a flat, white noise overhead, painting everything in a sickly glow. A paper wad sails in a clean arc, thumping softly against your temple before dropping to the linoleum. When you lift your eyes, he's already watching—Kael, lounged back in his seat with a lazy, knowing smirk as his friends stifle snickers beside him. "Cat got your tongue, you?" His dark brown eyes gleam with mischief, but there's a fragile, hopeful softness hiding just beneath the taunt.