Trapped in the Storage Shed: Tears, Hugs, and Unexpected Heat
Sorry, I didn't expect this either. "...No way." "Looks like we're trapped..."
Getting locked in the after-school academy's gym storage room was the last thing either of them anticipated.
"Uh, um..."
Vita was utterly flustered, and Carlyle wasn't much better off. Clank-clank- They kept trying to force the door open, but it wouldn't budge an inch.
"Got your phone?"
Ah, right. We can just call someone.
But after rummaging through her pockets, Vita was at a loss for words.
"M-mine... it's in my classroom bag..."
Carlyle was in the same boat. The two of them searched around together for any other options. That's when Vita's eyes landed on the storage room window.
"Hey, that window. Worth a shot, right?"
The window was high up and closed, but if they could open it, they might be able to call for help. Problem was, it felt way too high to reach.
What do we do... with this...
As Vita pondered, a voice suddenly cut in.
"Climb on. Onto me."
"E-eh?!"
"Don't get the wrong idea. You're way lighter."
With that, Carlyle patted his shoulder.
"Oh... right."
Vita felt a bit embarrassed for misunderstanding at first. But yeah, definitely—if she stood on those shoulders, she could probably reach it. Hesitating a little, she slowly climbed onto Carlyle's crouched shoulders.
"Hold on tight!"
"Don't worry about it."
For some reason, there was a teasing lilt to his tone just now. Vita paused for a second.
"......"
Carlyle seemed to notice too, and silence hung between them. Things had been awkward between them lately, after all.
"Ahem-"
Carlyle cleared his throat awkwardly and went back to his usual stoic self.
"Anyway, hop on."
"Yeah, got it."
For some reason, Vita felt a little better. Unexplainably so. No matter how she sliced it, she was hyper-aware of Carlyle. The strained distance between them was getting to her.
Thud-thud-
But moments later, even their last hope—the window—showed no sign of opening. They were speechless.
"...Won't open, huh."
"Nothing we can do."
Why was it stuck? Who knows. But being trapped meant the reason didn't matter anymore.
They tried a few more things after that. Like hurling a ball at the window.
"Is anyone out there-?!"
Or pounding on the door and yelling. But none of it worked, and they started to tire out.
Silence settled in again. How much time had passed? Vita was slumped on a mat, exhausted, while Carlyle leaned against the wall by the door.
It was a chilly autumn day. The uninsulated shed felt surprisingly cold, and it was getting dark. The reddish sunset filtered in through the window, and Vita bit her lip.
If this keeps up...
No way to contact anyone, sealed space inside. Spending the night here with Carlyle, when things were already awkward? Super inconvenient. No weird vibes or anything, just plain awkward. But no other ideas came to mind.
Tap-tap-
The atmosphere was thick with awkwardness. Vita idly tapped the floor with her toe but soon stopped, too self-conscious.
Carlyle Schultz. He's the one bugging me.
Honestly, by now Vita was starting to feel indignant. Come on. Carlyle stood there with arms crossed, eyes closed, leaning against the wall.
Yeah, I messed up. She admitted it. Emily had been right there, and she'd blurted something stupid.
[Yeah, I hate him.]
His expression had hardened more than expected, surprising even her. To be honest, it wasn't her full truth. Did he take it at face value? But sulking this long? Wasn't that a bit much?
That's what Vita thought. Sure, she'd slipped up, but a guy holding a grudge over one dumb comment? Overkill. Still, she kept it to herself. She had some conscience. It was her mistake, and she couldn't even explain why she'd said it now. No apologies either—stubborn pride.
Cold, hungry, body and mind worn out. Plus, Carlyle's presence kept her on edge. Suddenly, Vita's head heated up. Her mood sank. Just... upset. Why?
Who cares how that Carlyle guy acts...
She bit her lip hard. Even if they drifted apart like this, it wouldn't matter. Really. They were just rivals anyway—rivals being too friendly would be weirder.
But even thinking that, her chest felt tight. Carlyle's cold shoulder was irritating in a weird way, and somehow...
"Here, if you're cold."
And right then, a hand extended toward her with his jacket. The usual consideration. Vita thought,
That's more like it, you idiot.
What did I even do that wrong? Okay, I did, but... it wasn't really sincere.
But she couldn't apologize because of stupid pride. Still, him reaching out first like this...
You could've done this sooner...
Pretty shameless thought. She knew it. But after that, something inside Vita burst amid the whirlwind of emotions she couldn't control.
Drip-drip-
"B-Bianca?"
Carlyle Schultz panicked at the sight of her suddenly crying. Their relationship hadn't been smooth lately, but he couldn't ignore it. She was shivering—definitely getting cold inside. After agonizing, he'd offered his jacket, and this was her reaction?
"H-huh? Y-yeah..."
She looked flustered too, hastily wiping her eyes and turning away.
"Wh-what...?"
Vita couldn't understand herself either. What was this? Why the tears? She had no clue.
No, why...
She couldn't pinpoint the reason. A mix of complex emotions, unknown feelings overwhelming her suddenly. If she'd been born a girl, would she understand these mysteries?
I messed up. She knew it. She felt sorry. A little indignant too. A guy's being petty like that? But she figured she should apologize, so she'd been watching him. Grateful he approached first, annoyed at herself.
Of course, the annoyance was self-directed. Indescribable. Just... unknown feelings.
"Why are you crying, Bianca?"
When Carlyle asked softly, Vita wiped her tears and grumbled.
"Dunno. Beats me."
Idiot. He's just an idiot. That's what she decided right then. Not purely happy, not hating him either. Once she'd just disliked him, seen him as a rival. Not best friends, no real ties, yet this awkwardness with Carlyle was honestly tough.
Vita Shama had few close relationships. She had walls up. But Carlyle had slipped inside without context, unnoticed by her.
So she truly couldn't explain why something this small made her cry like an idiot compared to Carlyle.
She stubbornly wiped her tears, but they wouldn't stop easily.
Carlyle, initially flustered, calmed down and reflected on his recent behavior. He'd been hurt. Childish as it was, he had pride. Never rejected by girls before. He'd even made efforts.
To get closer to Bianca Shama. He'd watched anime for her. But she'd acted oblivious, bringing others into their alone time—Emily Swan, no less. And right in front of Emily, his childhood friend, she'd openly said she hated him.
Of course, Carlyle didn't think it was her full truth. He wasn't stupid.
If Bianca really hated me...
Not arrogance, but girls were sensitive—no skinship with someone they didn't like. He didn't believe it, but doubt lingered. What if it was real? Why did she always seem within reach, then pull away? Plus, personal stresses lately had his head spinning. Pushing someone who said they hated him wasn't smart.
That was his state. But now, his favorite Bianca Shama was crying. So he approached and wiped her tears.
"Don't cry, Bianca."
He'd been too harsh. Complicated feelings led to childish pettiness.
"Sorry. My bad."
With that, Carlyle pulled her into a hug. Silly as the situation was, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Bianca does like me... or at least, she's aware. That pleased him. She was panicking at her own tears and his actions now.
Vita couldn't react, even hugged. As if by magic, her tears stopped. Held like that, the mood between them subtly shifted.
Something made her hesitate. A different awkwardness from before. Ticklish feeling.
"I'm not crying."
Embarrassed, she made a lame excuse.
"Yeah, I know."
"Dust got in my eyes or something... for real."
"If you say so."
Carlyle chuckled at the ridiculous excuse.
"No, seriously."
"Sure, I believe you."
"You don't sound like you do..."
The distance, awkward just moments—and days—ago, closed in an instant. Vita bit her lip in his arms.
[Sorry, my bad.]
She'd received the apology first. When she was the one at fault.
So, hesitating no more, Vita spoke.
"...Sorry. About back then."
It felt like she couldn't say it any other time.
"Sorry, me too."
Ditching her pride, she confessed honestly.
"...I messed up my words."
"I know."
"I lost the election and got petty jealous. But it wasn't sincere."
"I know that too."
Vita's eyes widened.
"Wait, you knew...?"
Carlyle chuckled, stroking her small head.
"It's all over your face."
"Then why..."
Vita trailed off, shaking her head. Her fault. Even knowing it was a slip didn't excuse it.
Anyway, things weren't fully resolved. Still trapped, but her heart felt steadier. So Vita stayed in that big embrace for a while.
Of course, as time passed, embarrassment grew, and she asked to be let go.
"Let me go now."
Carlyle refused.
"Nah, don't wanna."
"Ugh, why...?"
"It's cold. Staying like this."
Autumn for sure. The unheated shed was chilly. Vita asked a few more times, but Carlyle wouldn't release her. She gave up eventually.
Still in his arms, she asked her curiosity.
"Be honest."
"About what, suddenly?"
"That class rep election promise. Is it really doable?"
Carlyle's promise was simple. End-of-term festival: masked dance with boy-girl pairs, class competitions. His pledge?
-If I'm class rep... I'll book a pop-up cocktail bar for the festival.
The class ate it up. Vita had felt cheated.
"You got one, don't you."
Carlyle smirked faintly.
"What do you take me for?"
"A shameless guy?"
Shameless, yeah. But not a false promise.
"The bar I work at is pretty famous."
"You... work?"
"You wouldn't know."
Instead of continuing, Carlyle lowered his head slightly. He'd been holding back since earlier.
Smack-
A brief, brushing kiss.
"Not as tasty as your soft lips, though."
Back to his usual nonsense. Vita caught on quick.
Tastier than cocktails...?
Her face burned.
Reconciliation gesture? Flustered by the rare act and inexplicable shyness, she tried turning away, but Carlyle stopped her. Another kiss. Their bodies leaned into each other.
"You know, Bianca?"
Lips parting briefly, Carlyle murmured.
"Why I ran for class rep."
Such a hassle—normally he'd pass. But he volunteered for a reason.
"To stick by you. Instead of some other guy."
"Wh-what...?"
Is he insane? For that reason?
"What I did to get close to you."
Confessions kept coming.
"Even watched that magical girl anime or whatever."
"You... what...?"
Vita was floored. Carlyle Schultz? The popular guy? Watched anime to get close to her?
"Was kinda fun, actually."
Carlyle smirked, and Vita was speechless. His sincerity was undeniable.
"Mmgh-"
Pulled even closer. Empty after-school storage, trapped. But now, perfect situation. Carlyle had confirmed his feelings. Not one-sided—she felt something too.
His arms around her female form tightened, hand on her head gripping firmer.
"W-wait-"
Vita protested, but she didn't hate it. Responding unconsciously. Before she knew, her slender arms hugged his firm torso.
They were past stopping. Unaware, her white blouse's buttons came undone. Pushed onto the mat.
Carlyle paused at the unexpected sight.
"...What’s this."
A pure, white lace bra. Childish before, now feminine and too pretty.
"D-don't look-!"
Vita tried sitting up but was pulled back into his embrace—Carlyle hugging her again.
"It's fine, it's pretty. You changed it for me, right?"
More nonsense.
"Like hell I did!"
Vita wanted to die of embarrassment. Face beet red, she tried covering, but too late. Bra pushed up, breasts to his lips. Hand sensation below.
Ah, this...
Vita's head spun from the long-absent feeling. Carlyle was no different.
In that short time, reconciling, heating up, total disarray.
But Vita and Carlyle had no idea.
Three other students heading to the shed.
"Next week's the tournament, what a pain."
"Got the key?"
"Obviously."
Clank-clank-
Vita and Carlyle panicked.
Oh crap-!