**Chapter 7: A Fleeting Moment of Peace**

Mitsuba pouted, his eyes taking on a dramatic, puppy-like quality as he gazed up at Kou. "You don't have to go home yet, right? Can't you spend a little time with me?" he asked, his voice husky and coquettish. Kou raised an eyebrow, taken aback by Mitsuba's sudden change in demeanor. Mitsuba seemed to sense his hesitation, and he took a step closer, his hips swaying in a exaggerated motion as he tried to entice Kou. Mitsuba's eyes sparkled with mischief as he shimmyed his way over to Kou, his movements almost comically over-the-top. Kou tried to keep a straight face, but it was clear that Mitsuba was attempting to seduce him. However, Kou was not amused. He sighed, trying to hide his exasperation as he gently took Mitsuba's hands and steered him back to a nearby desk. "Mitsuba, stop it. We're not doing this," he said firmly, but kindly. Mitsuba pouted, his face falling as he realized his attempts at seduction had failed. He slumped against the desk, his eyes dropping to the floor as he muttered under his breath. Kou sat down beside him, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Hey, I'm sorry if I made you feel disappointed," he said softly. "But we really do need to focus on finding a way out of here. We can't stay in this school forever." Mitsuba looked up, his eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and longing. For a moment, Kou thought he saw something deeper in Mitsuba's gaze, something that looked almost like... affection. But then Mitsuba's expression changed, and he grinned mischievously. "Fine, fine. I'll behave," he said, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "But just for now, can we have a little fun? Just for a little while?" Kou hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Part of him wanted to give in to Mitsuba's request, to let him have a little joy in the midst of their dire circumstances. But another part of him was wary, knowing that they couldn't afford to get distracted. As he looked into Mitsuba's sparkling eyes, Kou felt a pang of uncertainty. What was the right thing to do here? Should he give in to Mitsuba's whims, or keep their focus on survival? The silence between them stretched out, heavy with unspoken emotions. Kou knew that whatever he decided, it would have consequences - for both of them.