As Yui trudged into the Nakahara residence, exhaustion etched on her face, she made her way to the kitchen. The scene before her was chaotic, with mixing bowls and baking sheets scattered everywhere. "Are you preparing for a family gathering or something?" she asked, her voice laced with amusement.
Her mother, elbow-deep in a bowl of batter, looked up and smiled. "Yui, you're back! Help your brother with the icing, dear."
Yui's gaze drifted to Jin, who was standing near the oven, a sprinkle of flour on his cheek. She slipped on an apron, her eyes widening as she took in the scope of the task. "Looks like a big order!"
Her mother nodded, beaming with pride. "We've got 100 cupcakes and 50 packs of special cookies to finish."
****************
Meanwhile, at the Watabane mansion, Ryu gently tucked Akira into her bed, pulling up the blanket to cover her. She was in a deep sleep, her chest rising and falling with each breath.
Ryu softly brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"So, did you find who saw me that night?" Ryu asked, his voice low and firm.
Mr. Tanaka, standing beside the bed, replied in a low, respectful tone, "Yes, young master. I got all his information."
Ryu's eyes narrowed. "Who is he?"
Mr. Tanaka hesitated before answering, "Jin Nakahara."
Ryu's hand paused mid-stroke, and he turned to Mr. Tanaka, his expression unreadable.
"Nakahara," he repeated, his voice neutral.
Ryu looked at Mr. Tanaka. "Did he have any sister?"
"Yes, he has a younger sister, likely of your age," Mr. Tanaka replied.
Ryu thought for a moment before asking, "Do you have any photo of him?"
Mr. Tanaka nodded and took out a tablet, turning it on and displaying a photo of Jin. Ryu's eyes widened in shock, but his expression quickly returned to its usual calm.
"You may leave now," Ryu said, his voice firm. "I will handle him by myself."
Mr. Tanaka bowed and departed, leaving Ryu alone with the tablet. Ryu gazed at Jin's photo, " what a coincidence"
********
Finally, it's over," Yui sighed, relieved.
Jin, standing beside her, flashed a mischievous smile. "Yui, you've got icing on your cheek."
Yui's eyes widened as she looked at Jin. "Huh? Where?" she asked, reaching for a handkerchief.
Jin chuckled and stepped closer. "Let me help you," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Instead of wiping away the icing, he gently smeared more on her right cheek.
Yui's eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a playful yell. "Ahh, Jin!" She launched herself at him, hitting him lightly on the arm.
Jin burst out laughing, unable to contain his mirth.
Just then, their mother rushed into the room, Looking frazzled. "Why can't you two behave like your age ?" she exclaimed.
Yui tried to explain, "It was Jin's fault!" but her mother wasn't having it.
"Enough! Go to your rooms, both of you!" she shouted, shooing them away.
***************
funeral was underway, and the atmosphere was heavy with tension and somberness.
Everyone was dressed in black, their faces etched with grief. A photo of a young man sat at the altar, surrounded by incense sticks that cast a faint, flickering glow. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the occasional sniffle or muffled sob.
A man, likely in his 50s, stood before the photo, his face a picture of conflicted emotions. Anger and sadness warred for dominance, etching deep lines on his forehead and around his eyes.
"Find out who did this," he growled, his voice low and menacing, dripping with anger and vengeance. "My son's murderer..." His voice trailed off, choked with emotion, as he struggled to contain his rage.
**************
The next morning at school, Ryu sat at his desk, his elbow resting on the surface and his palm supporting his cheek. Emiko, stood beside him, was bubbling with excitement, a wide smile plastered on her face.
"What do you think?" she asked, barely containing her enthusiasm. "Should I text him 'hi' or ask him his name? Or maybe I should just ask him out?"
Ryu listened patiently, his expression neutral, until Emiko's gaze drifted to Yui's empty desk.
Emiko sighed, "This girl's late again."
Ryu's eyes lingered on Yui's desk for a moment before he turned to Emiko. "Hey, can you do me a favor?" he asked, his voice low and even.
Emiko's eyes sparkled with mischief as she stared at Ryu. "A favor from you? And I'm hearing right - the great Ryu Watabana is asking me for a favor?"
Ryu rolled his eyes, his expression unchanging. "If you don't want to help, then..."
Emiko cut him off, her grin still plastered on her face. "Okay, okay, tell me what you want."
Ryu handed her an extra activity form. "Add me to the same activity as Yui."
Emiko's eyes widened in surprise, and then she Abegan to tease him. "Why do you want to join the same class as her?" she asked, stepping closer to Ryu. "Are you interested in her?"
Ryu's expression remained neutral. "Think what you want."
"Good morning, Ryu!" Yuri chimed, approaching him with a bright smile.
Ryu and Emiko turned to face her. "How are you?" Yuri asked, her eyes fixed on Ryu.
"I'm fine," Ryu replied, his voice neutral.
Emiko, feeling ignored, inserted herself between Yuri and Ryu. "Hey! Am I invisible? I'm here too."
Yuri's smile faltered for a moment before she recovered, flashing a fake smile. "Good morning to you too, dear."
Emiko forced a smile, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Good morning."
The two girls locked eyes, their tension palpable, until Yui's cheerful greeting broke the silence. "Good morning, everyone!"
Yuri's gaze shifted to Yui, her expression turning cold. She then ignored Yui and refocused on Ryu. "Ryu, can you help me with my math homework?"
Before Ryu could respond, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Emiko chimed in, "Now, go to your desk. Don't you hear the bell?.
Yuri's eyes flashed with annoyance, but she bit back her retort and headed to her desk.
Unbeknownst to Ryu and Emiko, Yuri had overheard their conversation earlier. As she sat down, she cast a sidelong glance at Ryu and Yui, a hint of sadness in her eyes "What's so special about her?"
Hey cupcakes 🧁 that was all for today I hope you like it