Yuuta arrived at school, only to see Hikari standing by the gate—her eyes darting around, panic written all over her face.
What happened to the demon who makes others cry? Yuuta thought. Now she looks like she's about to cry herself. Should I ask her...?
"Hey, Hikari," Yuuta called out. "What's with that serious face?"
"What's it to you?" Hikari snapped, glaring at him. "You're the reason both Airi and I are stressed, you idiot!"
"Huh? What did I do?" Yuuta asked, clearly confused.
"Tell me the truth, Yuuta. What happened between you and Airi yesterday when you two went shopping?"
Yuuta hesitated, glancing away. "N-Nothing happened…"
"You should stop hiding it!" Hikari said firmly. "Because Airi's in big danger right now!"
"Ha? Danger?" Yuuta's face paled. "What are you talking about, Hikari? Stop joking!"
"You really haven't heard the rumors?" she asked, her voice dropping in disappointment.
"What… rumors?" Yuuta asked, fear rising in his chest.
"There's a rumor going around school… that Airi's two-timing."
"What?! That's just some fake gossip! Who the hell spread that!?" Yuuta asked, eyes wide in disbelief.
"I don't know," Hikari admitted. "Usually those rumors don't stick because there's never any proof… but this time, they have photos."
"P-Photos?" Yuuta stammered.
"Yeah. One of Airi hugging Takamura, and another with… you. That's why I asked what happened between you two."
"I told you, nothing happened," Yuuta said, avoiding her gaze.
"Then that means both photos are fake. At first, I thought the photo with you and Airi was real, and the one with Takamura was edited. But now, it looks like someone doctored both."
"Can I see them?" Yuuta asked urgently.
"I don't have them," Hikari replied.
"I do," came a voice from behind.
They turned to see Saya standing there, smiling faintly.
"My friend sent them to me. I was shocked at first… but after what Hikari said, I feel a little relieved. If they're edited, then there's still hope."
"Oh Saya, can you show us?" Yuuta asked.
"Of course."
Saya held out her phone, showing both images. Yuuta stared at them closely.
The one with me and Airi… it's real. I can tell from the lighting and shadows. Which means... the one with Takamura isn't edited either.
Yuuta's heart sank.
"Why… why was Airi hugging Takamura?" he muttered. "Did something happen yesterday at the baseball match?"
"Where is Airi now?" Yuuta asked.
"She didn't tell me," Hikari replied. "Just said she had some stuff to do."
"Then I'm going to find her," Yuuta said, turning away.
"Oi! Where do you think you're going!?" Hikari shouted. "Shouldn't you be helping her!?"
"Sorry—I've got urgent business!" Yuuta called back as he ran off.
"That idiot doesn't care at all," Hikari muttered, fuming.
"I need to talk to you, Hikari," Saya said, her expression serious.
"Huh? Saya… what is it?" Hikari asked, suddenly nervous.
---
Meanwhile…
Yuuta ran through the hallways, thoughts racing.
Airi probably doesn't even know about the photo with Takamura. She's definitely going to confront him. I have to get there too—
Suddenly, a black fog surged around him.
Yuuta froze in place.
A whisper echoed in his mind.
> "It depends on a choice. Change her choice. Make Hikari choose another route."
The fog vanished. Yuuta staggered, gasping for breath.
What… was that? he thought.
Another whisper came, softer this time.
> "This is the second time… Is that… me?"
Change Hikari's choice…? What's going on?
---
On the school field…
Takamura turned as Airi approached him.
"You came," he said with a smile. "I was waiting."
"Takamura," Airi said with a cold tone. "Stop pretending. Why did you spread those rumors? And did you take those photos?"
"What?" Takamura blinked. "What are you talking about, Airi? I didn't do anything."
"You're seriously denying it?" she said, glaring at him.
"I get it—you think I'd do something like that just because you rejected me." Takamura smiled faintly. "But I'm not that kind of guy."
Airi's gaze softened.
"…I believe you, Takamura. We're friends, after all," she said. "But if you do hear anything, please tell me."
"…I will," he replied. "I promise."
Airi turned and walked away.
You believe me… because you love me, Takamura thought, watching her leave. Don't hide it, Airi. One day… you'll be mine.
---
Yuuta arrived just in time to see Airi walking back from the field.
"Airi!" he called. "What happened? What did Takamura say?"
But Airi walked past him without a word.
He grabbed her wrist gently.
"How long are you going to ignore me? Just tell me what I did wrong!"
Airi paused, looked at him seriously.
"I don't talk to 'friends' about this kind of thing," she said coldly, brushing his hand away.
Then she walked off.
Yuuta sighed deeply.
She's still angry about that… because I called us friends. I just wanted things to go back to normal. But… wait…
In my world, we were just friends.
But in this world… we were dating.
"…I'm such an idiot," Yuuta muttered.
---
Back in class…
Airi entered quietly. Every pair of eyes turned to her, judging.
She ignored them and sat at her desk. Hikari and Saya were already there.
Without a word, Hikari stood up and walked out.
What's going on…? Airi wondered.
Saya followed Hikari, leaving Airi alone.
Suddenly, the girls from their class surrounded Airi.
"We believe in you, Airi!" one said.
"Yeah, we know you'd never do something like that!" another chimed in.
Airi looked around in shock.
Then… she smiled.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Yuuta watched from the doorway.
No matter how far the rumors spread… some people will always believe in Airi. That's what matters most.
---
Later… in an empty classroom…
Airi and Saya stood in silence.
The door creaked open.
Takamura entered, eyes narrowed.
The three of them—Airi, Saya, and Takamura—stood facing one another in silence.
What will happen now?
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