It only took a smile - Chapter 6- Deskmate

“Alright class, I’d like to introduce you to a new addition to our class.”

As Chihiro quietly left to fetch a mop, the teacher’s cheerful voice carried across the room.

The announcement drew a wave of surprise. At Sakuramine Gakuen, transfer students were almost unheard of. The academy only accepted a set number of students at the start of the year.

Ichihara Ikue, the blond gyaru, leaned back with a grin. “I hope he’s handsome.”

At the back, Fujiwara Takuya—the one who had sprayed deodorant in Chihiro’s face earlier—barely looked up, too busy with whatever was on his phone.

On the other side, his older sister, Fujiwara Satomi, filed her nails, not sparing the class a glance.

These three were the ones who ruled over Class 2-A. And they were the ones who tormented Chihiro the most.

The teacher, unfazed by the buzz of curiosity, turned toward the door. “Come in, Haruto-kun.”

Every head turned toward the entrance.

Footsteps echoed softly as a tall boy with jet-black hair stepped into the classroom.

The moment he appeared, a quiet gasp rippled through the room.

“Whoa… he’s gorgeous.”
“Isn’t he an idol? I swear I’ve seen him before.”
“Look at that build—he’s huge…”
“Those eyes… they look like they could eat you alive.”

Whispers spread quickly, but Haruto didn’t react.

He walked forward with calm steps and stood at the podium. His back was straight, his shoulders broad. Standing nearly six feet tall, he carried himself with a presence that made the room feel smaller.

Even through the plain school uniform, his lean, defined body was obvious. And then there were his eyes—sharp, blood-red, and impossible to look away from.

It wasn’t just that he was handsome. There was something dangerous in the way he stood, something magnetic that drew everyone in without him trying.

Ikue fanned her flushed face. “Phew~ it’s suddenly hot in here…” She giggled nervously, unable to hold his gaze for long.

Finally, Satomi looked up, ready to shout at the class for their noise. But the moment her eyes met his, she froze.

Her nail file slipped slightly in her hand. Her lips parted.

She had met plenty of men before. Handsome, well-dressed, confident men who tried to impress her. But this guy…

He didn’t need to try. Dressed in the same uniform as everyone else, he still stood out like fire in the dark.

And Satomi’s heart throbbed with a desire she rarely admitted.

‘I want him.’

The thought burned inside Satomi as she silently made her decision.

“Go on, introduce yourself,” the teacher urged.

The boy gave a short nod. For the first time, the class heard his voice.

“My name is Okamoto Haruto. My hobbies are reading and sports. I hope we can get along.”

He bowed lightly, simple and direct—yet the room erupted into applause, as though he had delivered some profound speech.

The teacher coughed, flustered. “Alright, alright, that’s enough. Haruto-kun, you may take a seat.”

Haruto stepped down from the podium.

The desks were meant for two, but most students preferred to sit alone. As he walked past the rows, several girls quickly moved their bags aside, hoping he would sit with them.

Whispers buzzed.
“Over here, over here!”
“He can sit with me!”

Satomi’s heart raced. She had never let anyone touch her desk before—no one dared. But if he wanted to sit there… she might make an exception.

Her lips curled into a faint smile, waiting. But—

“Eh?! Not even Satomi is the chosen one?!” Ikue burst out when Haruto kept walking.

Gasps filled the air.

He ignored the eager invitations and the silent hopes. Instead, he stopped at the very back of the classroom—at the desk everyone avoided.

The cursed seat.

The seat that belonged to only one person.

“Oh, Chihiro. You finished cleaning? Now, go to the infirmary and change your clothes,” the teacher said casually.

The green-haired girl who had mopped the floor gave a polite bow and left.

Haruto’s eyes narrowed at the teacher. ‘What use is a guide if he chooses to stay blind?’

He slid into the seat, calmly placing his books on the desk.

A soft voice interrupted him. “I-I suggest you change your seat.”

He turned. A timid girl with glasses avoided his gaze, clutching her notebook as if for courage.

Haruto smiled faintly. “I came here for her.”

Her breath caught. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe—or even think.

Just then, the classroom door slid open.

Chihiro stepped in, wearing her PE uniform. Her eyes were still swollen, her vision hazy—but at least she could see.

Not enough, however, to notice the leg that stretched into her path.

She stumbled forward. “Ah—!”

But instead of the cold, hard floor she had grown used to meeting, something caught her. Strong arms steadied her by the shoulders.

Every head in the class snapped toward the scene. Whispers broke out, tension thick in the air.

Satomi’s brows twitched. Her prey… was holding that bitch?!

Haruto ignored the stares. He bent slightly, meeting Chihiro’s trembling eyes.

“Are you okay?”

The same syllables, the same voice—but this time, she could see the face behind them.

A pair of warm eyes.

Chihiro swallowed and nodded faintly. “Y-Yes… thank you.”

Haruto smiled softly. “Nice to meet you. I’m your deskmate, Okamoto Haruto.”

Chihiro froze, stunned. Her lips parted.

“D-Deskmate?”

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.