An Unexpected Encounter
The evening sun bathed the school courtyard in a golden glow as students slowly made their way home.
Yuto adjusted his glasses and stepped out of the school gates, his mind occupied with thoughts of Reina and Kaido.
Just as he was about to cross the road, a voice called out behind him.
"Stop, Yuto!"
He turned around, surprised.
Mei.
The shy girl was standing just a few feet away, her cheeks flushed red as she tried to look serious.
Her hands were clenched into small fists, and she took a deep breath before speaking again.
"I-I order you to come to our after-school study!"
Yuto blinked.
Then blinked again.
"Did she just try to order me?"
Mei's face was burning red, her entire body tense as if she had just committed a crime.
She wasn't used to being assertive—and it showed.
Yuto suddenly laughed. "Mei… are you trying to be dominant?"
Mei's face turned crimson.
"S-Stop it!" she stuttered, waving her hands in embarrassment. "I-I just… I just… Come to the library! We're waiting!"
Before Yuto could respond, Mei turned on her heels and ran away.
Yuto chuckled, shaking his head.
"She's cute when she tries to be serious."
But as he took a step forward…
A thought lingered in his mind.
"Why are they trying so hard to bring me back?"
Yuto's Decision
Yuto stared at the school building.
Reina was waiting for him.
Mei and Kaido were waiting for him.
His feet hesitated.
For weeks, he had followed Reina's every word. But now… now there was a part of him that wanted to turn back.
His hands clenched.
"I'll go."
With a deep breath, Yuto stepped forward—toward the library.
A Silent Reunion
As Yuto stepped into the library, he spotted Kaido sitting at a table, flipping through a book.
Yuto hesitated.
He had expected to see Mei, maybe a few other students, but not Kaido.
For a brief moment, he considered turning back.
"Does he even want to see me?"
But before Yuto could retreat, Kaido looked up.
Their eyes met.
There was no anger in Kaido's face—just quiet surprise.
Yuto swallowed hard and walked toward the table. "Mind if I sit?"
Kaido simply nodded.
Yuto took a seat across from him, his hands resting on his lap. The silence between them was thick—not hostile, but filled with unspoken words.
---
Breaking the Ice
Just then, Mei rushed in, holding a stack of books.
She beamed when she saw Yuto. "Oh! You actually came!"
Yuto smirked. "Well, you asked me so nicely… how could I refuse?"
Mei blinked in confusion. "Huh? I-I just told you to come—"
Yuto leaned in slightly, grinning. "No, no, Mei. You didn't just tell me to come."
He lowered his voice, mimicking her previous flustered tone. "'I-I order you to come to our after-school study!'"
Mei's entire face turned red. "S-Shut up!"
Kaido raised an eyebrow. "Wait… Mei tried to be dominant?"
Yuto nodded, chuckling. "It was adorable."
Mei puffed her cheeks, glaring at him. "I thought you liked dominant girls, Yuto!"
Yuto laughed harder. "Oh? So that's what you were thinking about?"
Mei hid her face behind a book. "I hate you both."
Kaido smirked. "I don't know, Mei. Maybe you should keep trying. Maybe Yuto has a thing for bossy girls."
Yuto pretended to think. "You know, Kaido… she might be onto something."
Mei let out a frustrated "Ugh!" and slammed a book onto the table. "Focus on studying, you idiots!"
Yuto and Kaido burst into laughter.
For the first time in weeks, everything felt… normal.
---
The Unspoken Apology
Kaido stretched and leaned back in his chair. "This feels weird."
Yuto stiffened. "What does?"
Kaido shrugged. "Studying together like this, after… everything."
Yuto lowered his gaze. "I know."
Kaido tapped his pen against the table. "So… are you happy now?"
Yuto froze.
The question was so simple.
But the answer?
Yuto hesitated. He thought about Reina. About how he felt trapped under her control.
Finally, he let out a deep sigh. "…I don't know."
Kaido nodded, as if he already knew the answer.
Mei, still hiding behind her book, peeked out and smiled softly. "It's okay not to know."
For the first time in a long time, Yuto felt a little lighter.
Maybe… just maybe… he hadn't lost everything yet.