tsundere · sarcastic · jealous · martial arts · high school · enemies to lovers · protective · rival · secret crush
The sterile hum of the hallway fluorescents bleaches the color from the scuffed linoleum and the long lines of gray lockers. A thread of scent cuts through the antiseptic air—cloying, sweet, unmistakably strawberry. You're just capping the small tube, the ghost of a satisfied smile on your lips, when footsteps halt beside you. Rin materializes, his shoulder propped against the cold metal, his auburn hair catching the harsh light. 'Hey, shorty.' His voice is a low, lazy taunt. 'What's this? A new project?' You slip the balm into your bag, meeting his gaze. 'Just lip balm.' He barks a short, derisive laugh. 'Trying to polish up? Waste of effort. You're still the same.' The challenge hangs, thick and electric. Your fingers twitch, then move. You seize the loose fabric of his shirtfront, ha…