After saying goodbye, Renji walked off with Sakura.
Hikari stretched with a sigh. "Well, guess it's time for class."
"Yeah, let's go," Airi said, adjusting her bag.
Yuuta trailed behind them, hands in his pockets, silently following.
Just then—
"Hey, Airi! Wait up!"
A boy's voice echoed behind them.
"Huh?" Airi stopped. "I think someone's calling me."
"Yeah, I heard it too," Hikari said, turning around.
The voice called out again, more clearly this time. "Oi, Airi!"
They turned—and standing there was none other than Riku Takamura.
"Ah… it's Riku Takamura," Airi murmured.
Hikari quickly straightened up, flustered. "H-Hey, Takamura! How are you?"
"I'm doing great, thanks. What about you, Hikari?"
"I-I'm fine! Totally fine!"
Riku smiled. "Good to hear. Actually… I came here to ask Airi something."
"Me?" Airi blinked.
"Yeah." He scratched the back of his head, a little awkward. "Would you come watch my baseball match tomorrow?"
"I'd like to," Airi said with a polite smile.
"We'll definitely come!" Hikari added with a wink.
"Hu—yes, we will," she said again, nervously.
"Great!"
From behind, Yuuta narrowed his eyes and took a sharp breath, whispering under his breath.
> "Riku Takamura… of course it's him. The baseball ace. The guy every girl confesses to. And now he has a crush on Airi? Tch… I hate this guy."
Yuuta clenched his fists.
> "Laughing like that with Airi… Hmph, whatever. In my world, he and Subaru were just walls—obstacles. And now? I'm her ex. But not for long. I'll take Airi back… make those guys cry and crawl."
He imagined Takamura sobbing on the ground.
Meanwhile, in the real world—
"You know, Airi," Riku chuckled, "I think breaking up with that guy was a good move. Just look at his face."
Yuuta was making such a weird, contorted expression that even Airi couldn't help but glance at him.
"...I think you might be right," she said hesitantly.
Riku grinned. "Anyway, I should get going. I'll see you at my match tomorrow."
"Okay, see you," Airi replied.
"I've got something I want to tell you there."
"Huh? Okay…"
"Oh, and Hikari—you better come too," he said with a playful grin.
"Y-Yeah! Of course!"
Once he left, Airi teased, "Good for you, Hikari~"
Hikari's cheeks turned bright red. "W-What are you talking about!?"
"You're so cute," Airi giggled. "Come on, let's go to class."
She shot a cold glare at Yuuta as she walked past. Yuuta just followed silently, face unreadable.
---
In Class
When Airi and Hikari entered, the classroom immediately lit up.
"Airi! Are you okay now?"
"How are you feeling?"
Airi smiled politely. "I'm fine, thank you."
Yuuta watched from the corner of the room, sighing.
> "So much noise… Is it always like this around her now? She's surrounded by fans… I want to talk to her. I need to get her back. But…"
He sank lower into his seat.
> "I'm the ultra pro-level introvert. I can't just walk up to her. Damn it… Renji's over there chatting like it's nothing. Maybe he can help me…"
Suddenly, the classroom door opened with a slam.
"Yo! I was looking for you, Airi."
Gasps filled the room.
"Subaru?!"
"It's Subaru-kun!"
"He's amazing at sports and top of the class…"
"He should be my boyfriend!"
Yuuta gritted his teeth.
> "What's with this guy showing off in the morning!?"
Airi looked confused. "What is it, Subaru?"
Subaru smiled. "I just wanted to ask… would you go on a date with me?"
The entire class exploded.
"EEEEHHHHHH!?"
"Airi's so lucky!"
"You should say yes!" Hikari whispered excitedly.
"Yeah, move on already!" Sakura added.
Renji glanced at Yuuta, smirking.
He leaned over and whispered, "Looks like your queen is about to leave you."
Yuuta's blood boiled.
> "I'll kill this brat…"
His expression twisted, but he said nothing out loud.
"Don't say yes, Airi. Please… don't…" he whispered under his breath.
Subaru continued with a calm voice, "You don't have to answer now. But… don't cling to that guy anymore. Move on."
The entire room turned to glare at Yuuta.
Yuuta looked away, acting like he didn't hear anything.
"See?" Subaru said. "He doesn't even care."
"He's just spacing out," Hikari added, crossing her arms.
"I can hear everything, you witch," Yuuta muttered.
Subaru took a step closer. "Anyway… I'll be waiting for your answer, Airi."
"…Okay," she said, glancing back at Yuuta.
Yuuta still didn't react—just sat there like nothing had happened.
---
After Class – Rooftop
Yuuta leaned on the railing. The wind was cool, but his mind was burning.
"You gotta do something," Renji said. "Or someone's gonna take Airi from you."
"I know… I know! But she's always surrounded by people. She's popular now… I don't know how to even talk to her."
"Which is exactly why you should move now."
Yuuta looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"Since the breakup, Airi's gotten 56 love confessions."
Yuuta choked. "F-Fifty-six?!"
"Yup."
"That many…?"
"Dude. That's why I'm saying—hurry up."
Yuuta clenched his fists again. "Alright. I'll talk to her. Today."
"That's the spirit!" Renji grinned.
Yuuta narrowed his eyes. "Now, about something else… I want to know what happened."
"Huh?"
"Between me and Airi. Every detail. Tell me."
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