The alarm was blaring so loud that I nearly fell off my bed. I groggily reached out and smacked the clock to silence it. My eyes squinted at the glowing red numbers-Oh crap, I'm late! Panic surged through me as I leaped out of bed. No time for breakfast, no time for thinking-I barely had time to shower before I sprinted out of the apartment. As I dashed through the streets, my heart pounded-not just from running, but from fear. If Keiko finds out I'm late again, I'm dead. Somehow, I arrived at Manna's Kitchen a minute late. The other employees were already lined up, preparing for the day. I bent over, panting, sweat dripping down my forehead. "I-I'm here...! I made it!" I gasped. The other employees just sighed, I could practically hear their thoughts: This idiot is late again... While apologizing, I quickly made my way to the staff room. Still catching my breath, I rushed into the staff room to change into my uniform. But just as I started buttoning up my shirt- The sound of a lock turning made me freeze. I turned my head and saw Keiko standing at the door. She had just locked it. "Keiko? Aren't you supposed to be at the front?" I asked nervously. She didn't answer. Instead, she took slow, deliberate steps toward me. "Ryuko... you've been late five times this month." I swallowed hard. Welp, I'm doomed. "I-I'm really sorry," I stammered. She stopped in front of me, her intense eyes locking onto mine. I closed my eyes, ready to get punched or something. She suddenly grabbed me and pulled me in for a kiss. My brain shut down. Error. 404. Brain not found. I felt her soft, warm lips pressing against mine. My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might actually explode on the spot. "W-what are you doing, K-Keiko?!" I gasped when she pulled away. She tilted her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "This is your punishment. You don't like it?" Like it? LIKE IT?! I LOVE IT! But I couldn't just scream that in her face! "I-I like it," I whispered shyly. She smirked and pushed me against the locker. Before I could react, she **kissed me again-**this time deeper, more intense. I felt like my whole body was melting. Keiko is kissing me. KEIKO IS KISSING ME. Her hands traveled down to my waist, pulling me closer. I could feel the heat radiating from her body, and I couldn't stop myself-I started unbuttoning her shirt. She let out a soft chuckle. "You're impatient, huh?" I blushed but didn't stop. My hands worked on their own, leaving her in just her bra. Her cheeks turned slightly pink, and I nearly fainted. Keiko... embarrassed? That was rare. "You're still the same as before," she whispered, her breath hot against my ear. "So eager." I was dizzy from excitement. I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I reached for my pants, ready to take them off- Something was missing. SOMETHING I'VE HAD ALL MY LIFE. I looked down, my hands frantically searching. It was gone. COMPLETELY GONE. Keiko tilted her head in confusion. "...Ryuko?" "WHERE IS IT?! WHERE DID IT GO?! WHO STOLE IT?! THIS IS A NIGHTMARE!!!" I shot up in bed, drenched in sweat, my heart pounding like crazy. I sat there, breathing heavily, face burning from embarrassment. "WHAT KIND OF DREAM WAS THAT?!" I screamed into my pillow. It was so real. I could still feel Keiko's warmth, taste her lips, see her teasing smile "GAHHH!" I buried my face into my hands. WHY AM I ?! I felt a cold wetness down below. I jumped out of bed, horrified. "NONONONO! NOT A WET DREAM! I'M A GIRL NOW! HOW DOES THIS EVEN WORK?!" I paced back and forth, grabbing my head. This was a disaster. This was the worst morning of my life. It must be because I've been thinking too much about the series of events that happened with Keiko lately. I needed to calm down. Deep breaths, Ryuko. Deep breaths. I glanced at my clock. ...AND REALIZED I WAS LATE. I rushed into the shower, dressed in record time, skipped breakfast, and ran out the door-all while my brain was still stuck on Keiko's lips. Why did you have to be so hot in my dream?!