Chapter 31: Ilda x Momo
The sun had just started to set, casting a warm golden glow through the tall windows of the school library. Ilda and Momo, the beloved class leaders of Class 1A, sat at a polished wooden table, surrounded by books and scattered notes. They were deep into a study session, pencils scribbling away as they prepared for the upcoming exams.
"I think we're making great progress!" Momo exclaimed, stretching her arms above her head after a long bout of calculations. "But we've been at this for a while. I'm going to grab some snacks. Want anything?"
"Just some chocolate would be great," Ilda replied, smiling as he turned the pages of his book.
Momo stood up, her ponytail swaying as she walked towards the door, excited about the prospect of a snack break. She reached for the doorknob but found it unsettlingly resistant. Pushing harder, panic surged through her—no amount of twisting could open it. "What the…?" she muttered, her brow furrowing. It was locked from the outside.
With mounting concern, she turned back to Ilda. "Uh, Ilda? I think we have a problem."
Ilda looked up, curiosity etched on his face. "What's wrong?"
"The door is locked. We're stuck." She felt a rush of unease, but also a hint of thrill in the unusual situation.
Ilda's eyes widened in disbelief. "Stuck? Seriously?"
"Yeah! Like, for real. I can't unlock it!" Momo had never imagined being trapped in the library would happen; her heart raced, half from anxiety and half from a strange exhilaration at being alone with Ilda in the quiet, book-filled space.
"Well… what do we do now?" Ilda asked, his voice steady despite the situation.
Momo chuckled nervously, her worries melting away slightly. "I guess we can make the most of it. Let's keep studying!"
Ilda nodded, and they both returned to their notes, the initial shock faded into a comfortable camaraderie. As they flipped through the pages in silence, the library felt like a world all its own—a sanctuary where time stood still.
Half an hour passed, books interspersed with laughter as they quizzed each other and shared their favorite study tips. In the back of his mind, Ilda had always planned to share something important with Momo when the time felt right. The tranquil environment and their playful exchanges nudged him closer to that moment.
"Momo," he said, his heart pounding. She looked up, her dark eyes curious. "There's something I've been wanting to tell you for a while now."
Momo's face softened; she could sense the weight of his words. "What is it?"
Taking a deep breath, Ilda gathered his courage. "I really like you, more than just a friend. I've liked you for a long time."
Momo's mouth fell slightly open, her heart fluttering. A rosy blush crept across her cheeks as she processed his confession. "You mean… you're not just saying that?"
"I'm serious, Momo. I really do," he admitted, his voice steadier than before.
The corners of Momo's lips twitched into a smile, her heart soaring like a kite catching the wind. "Ilda, I feel the same way!"
His blue eyes brightened as if a light lit within him. "Really?"
"Really," she replied, her voice a melody of excitement and relief. "I've liked you for ages too, but I didn't know how to say it!"
They both erupted into laughter, the tension of the situation evaporating like morning dew in sunlight. The two sat there, eyeing each other with a mixture of astonishment and newfound joy.
As they dove back into their books, studying felt different—charged with the sweet thrill of emotional revelation. The world outside may have locked them in the library, but within those walls, they had found a new beginning together. The prospect of being "trapped" in each other's company suddenly seemed like the best kind of adventure.
With smiles and shared glances, the study session turned into a meaningful exchange, one where notes intertwined with aspirations, and preparations for exams danced alongside dreams of the future, paving the way for something wonderfully new.