Taichi leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, watching Yu tug his satchel strap over his shoulder. The bag looked too big for him—like it might swallow him whole.
"Give it."
Taichi said, reaching for it.
Yu blinked.
"Eh? No, it's mine, I—"
"I'll carry it."
Taichi plucked it off his shoulder before Yu could protest, slinging it over one arm like it weighed nothing.
"Don't argue."
Yu puffed out his cheeks.
"I wasn't going to argue, I was going to say thank you…"
Taichi's lips curled in a smirk, but the warmth in his chest wouldn't settle. He couldn't stop replaying the sight of Yu tying ribbons, putting on gloss—transforming right before his eyes. It made the simple act of carrying his bag feel like a claim.
'Like proof. He's mine.'
The two stepped out together, side by side, the morning sun soft across their faces. Yu fussed with his cardigan sleeves, sneaking little glances at Taichi, who strode tall and smug, bag dangling at his side.
---
By the time they reached the corner, Yu spotted two familiar figures waving.
"Fumiko! Sakura!"
His face lit up like the sun. He dashed ahead, ribbons bouncing with each step.
"I'm sorry about last night!"
Yu called out as he reached them, cheeks pink.
"My phone died right in the middle of the call. I didn't mean to worry you!"
Before the girls could reply, Taichi appeared at his side, slipping his hand firmly around Yu's waist. Both Fumiko and Sakura froze, their smiles faltering as they locked eyes with Taichi's stormy presence.
Then, almost as if realizing how it looked, Taichi bent low—resting his chin lightly on Yu's shoulder, his tall frame folding down into something almost boyish. His hair brushed against Yu's ear, and for a second, instead of a possessive shadow, he looked like an oversized puppy clinging to his owner.
Yu blinked, startled. The girls exchanged quick glances, unsettled yet softened despite themselves.
"See?"
Yu said brightly, looking between them.
"Everything's fine now!"
Fumiko forced a smile.
"Y-yeah. Fine."
But as they continued down the street—Yu chattering away, Taichi hovering close—the girls watched the subtle push and pull of his hand at Yu's waist and thought,
'Maybe… maybe what Yu said about him not being a red flag anymore is true. Or maybe he just hides it well.'
---
By the time the four reached the school gates, the usual morning chatter had sharpened into a buzz. Heads turned. Whispers trailed them like a wake.
Yu blinked at the stares, tugging gently at his cardigan hem.
"U-um… why is everyone looking at us like that?"
Taichi didn't answer. His hand tightened at Yu's waist like an anchor, chin still tipped with that smug curve.
From the side, a second-year muttered.
"Look at that. The princess really did it. She tamed the beast."
Another whispered back.
"Unbelievable. Yesterday he was terrifying—now he's… following her around like a puppy?"
"They say she even got him to carry her bag!"
"Princess Yu, huh… I didn't think anyone could pull that off."
The words spread, faster and faster, until "Princess" and "Beast" became the morning's anthem. Students peeked around corners. Upperclassmen leaned against lockers, smirking as if they'd just spotted a soap opera unfolding live.
Yu, oblivious, tried to wave at Souma and Yamato across the courtyard—only for Taichi to gently but firmly steer him toward their classroom.
"Come on."
"Ah—wait, I wanted to—"
"Later."
Taichi said, his voice low but carrying.
The crowd didn't miss it. To them, it wasn't controlling—it was dramatic. A single word from the "Beast" enough to silence chaos. The princess guarded by her dragon.
Fumiko and Sakura exchanged uneasy glances as they followed.
'This is getting bigger than we thought…'
Yu only felt his ears burning, wondering why his classmates' eyes followed him like he was walking in a play he hadn't rehearsed for.
For once, Taichi didn't hate the whispers.
Normally, the eyes on him were laced with fear, disgust, or annoyance.
"Thug."
"Punk."
"Stay away."
But now?
He caught fragments as they walked down the hall.
"Princess and Beast."
"She softened him."
"Never thought I'd see the day."
It made something hot and tight coil in his chest.
'Yeah. That's right. Mine.'
He glanced down at Yu, the faint blush across his cheeks, the way his hair ribbons bobbed with each step. His princess. The one who made everyone see him differently.
Taichi almost smirked. Almost. But instead, he leaned a little closer, close enough to brush his lips against the crown of Yu's head. He didn't kiss him—just lingered there, breathing him in like proof.
'Beast, huh? Fine. As long as everyone knows who I belong to now.'
---
In class, Yu slid nervously into his seat, clutching his notebook like a shield. The whole room felt like it was buzzing, eyes darting to him and Taichi, who had casually leaned back in his own desk like a king watching his kingdom.
Yu scribbled his name in the corner of the page, trying to focus. His ears burned.
'Why is everyone staring…? Did he mess up my hair buns?'
DK01's voice was warm and teasing in Yu's head.
[No, Yu. It's not the buns. It's the story they're telling about you two.]
Yu froze.
'…Story?'
DK01 continued.
[The "Beast" who was feared by all… tamed by a beautiful princess. Guess who the princess is.]
Yu buried his face in his notebook, mortified.
'M-me?!'
DK01 chimed.
[Bingo. They're calling you "Princess." And Taichi? Well… the Beast suits him, doesn't it?]
Yu's pulse skipped.
'B-but that makes it sound like I'm—like I'm part of some fairy tale with him!'
DK01 spoke gentler now, almost fondly.
[Maybe that's the point. It's easier for them to understand what they see that way. And for Taichi…]
Yu risked a glance sideways. Taichi's dark green eyes were already on him, steady and possessive, as if he'd heard the gossip too—and liked it.
Yu's blush deepened to full crimson.
'…Oh no.'
Every tick of the clock felt like a spotlight.
Yu's pen scratched across his notes, but his mind wasn't on the lesson. Not when every whispered "princess" floated straight into his ears like a curse.
DK01 softly spoke to Yu.
[It's not a curse, Yu. It's a title. Admiration wrapped in gossip.]
'Admiration?!'
Yu thought, cheeks heating as he tugged self-consciously at his ribbons.
'They're calling me a princess like I'm some character from a fairy tale! That's not admiration—that's embarrassing!'
[You do realize you're flustered exactly like a princess would be, right? It's… fitting.]
Yu thumped his forehead lightly against his desk, groaning. He didn't dare look next to him, because he could feel Taichi's stare boring holes into the side of his head.
'This is going to get worse at lunch, isn't it…'
DK01 exclaims, amused, almost kindly in Yu's head.
[Oh Yu, you have no idea.]
---
At lunch, the doors hadn't even swung all the way open before it began.
"The Princess is here!"
One student whispered too loudly.
"And the Beast! Look, they're together again—so romantic!"
Yu nearly tripped over his own shoes, his tray rattling as he scanned for Fumiko and Sakura like a drowning man spotting land.
But the crowd surged first.
"Yu-chan, is it true you tamed Arifukua?"
"Did he really confess first, or did you?"
"Do you two eat lunch together now?!"
Yu's face went crimson.
'W-why are they asking like I'm in some drama series?'
Before he could answer, a sharp voice cut through the noise.
"Move."
Taichi's single word was enough to scatter the crowd, students stumbling back like pigeons frightened by a cat. He slid in beside Yu, plucking the tray from his hands like it was natural, and led him toward a table.
Yu sat down stiffly, cheeks burning as the stares doubled, trebled. The whispers swirled like storm clouds overhead.
DK01's voice sounded low, teasing.
[Princess and Beast, center stage. Welcome to your lunch performance, Yu.]
Yu buried his face in his hands.
'I can't survive this…'
Next to him, Taichi leaned back, proud smirk tugging his lips, like he was king of the world for having his princess at his side.
Yu sat stiff as a board, tray in front of him untouched. Every time he lifted his chopsticks, he swore another whisper fluttered across the room.
"She's blushing, look—Princess Yu is blushing!"
"And Taichi's watching her like—oh my god, so possessive!"
Yu nearly choked on his rice.
'They're making it sound way worse! Way, way worse!'
[Correction: they're narrating exactly what's happening. Try not to combust, princess.]
Yu groaned into his hands. The only reason he hadn't bolted yet was because Taichi sat beside him, looming, his mere presence warding off overeager classmates like a guard dog with bared teeth. Every time someone edged too close, Taichi's eyes narrowed, and—poof—gone.
It was suffocating and… oddly safe at the same time.
Yu flinched when the cafeteria doors banged open. His head snapped up—Fumiko and Sakura! His heart leapt with relief. He half-stood and waved his arms.
"Fumiko-chan! Sakura-chan! Over here!"
The girls froze mid-step, eyes darting between Yu's glowing smile and the stormcloud beside him. After a beat, they exchanged a silent we can't just abandon him look and made their way over.
As soon as Yu's friends approached, Taichi shifted. He didn't say a word, but his chair scraped against the floor as he dragged it closer—so close his knee bumped Yu's under the table.
Yu blinked at him, startled, but Taichi just kept eating, pretending nothing happened.
Across the table, Fumiko and Sakura watched the subtle movement like hawks.
"…Did he just…"
Sakura whispered under her breath.
"…Move closer, like a toddler clutching their favorite toy,"
Fumiko finished, voice low but edged with disbelief.
They shared a look. A small shift tugged at their expressions—not trust, not yet, but… maybe curiosity.
Yu, oblivious to their silent exchange, grinned at them with palpable relief.
"I thought I was gonna drown in questions if you two didn't show up…"
DK01 warmly mused.
[And here comes your lifeboat. Though, I think Taichi would rather sink with you than share.]
Yu practically beamed when Fumiko and Sakura sat down, his relief so palpable it was almost shining. He launched straight into chatter, talking over the clatter of trays and muffled gossip around them.
"So, I tried the thing you said—using toner before the mask—and it actually didn't sting! I thought my skin was gonna die but it was fine!"
Yu chirped, leaning toward Sakura.
"That's because you actually listened for once."
Sakura said with mock exasperation, but her smile was soft.
"Mmhm! And Fumiko-chan, I made omelets this morning—didn't burn them! And the rice wasn't mushy either!"
Yu puffed out his chest proudly.
Fumiko clapped for him like a proud big sister.
"Yuuuu, look at you! Master chef in the making!"
The three of them carried on like this, laughter and stories bouncing between them. If not for the quiet storm pressed up against Yu's side, it might have been a perfect scene.
Because Taichi… hadn't moved since sliding his chair closer. He sat angled just enough that his arm draped across the back of Yu's chair, his thigh brushing Yu's every time he shifted. He didn't speak. Didn't eat much either. He just watched.
Every now and then, when Yu got too animated, Taichi's hand would tighten—an anchor keeping Yu from drifting too far away.
Fumiko and Sakura pretended not to notice. They didn't glance at the possessive arm, didn't comment on the way Yu was half-leaning into Taichi's space without realizing it. Instead, they smiled and laughed with Yu like everything was normal.
"Hey,"
Sakura said suddenly, seizing the chance to redirect,
"We're on for karaoke like this weekend. Just us. Right?"
Yu's eyes sparkled instantly.
"Karaoke?! Yes, yes, yes!"
He leaned forward, practically bouncing.
"I've never been before!"
Fumiko giggled.
"Oh, you'll love it. We'll show you all the good songs."
"Sounds like fun."
Taichi's low voice cut in for the first time.
The table went still for a beat.
His tone was casual, but the implication hung heavy: If Yu was going, so was he.
Yu blinked up at him, caught off guard, then offered a nervous little smile.
"…Yeah! The more the merrier, right? Taichi can bring his friends too!"
Fumiko and Sakura exchanged another glance. Neither said anything, but both smiled tightly and nodded.
And just like that, the four of them settled into a strange new rhythm: Yu chatting brightly about cooking tips and makeup routines, Fumiko and Sakura chiming in with advice and laughter, and Taichi—silent, immovable, clinging to Yu like a shadow.
---
The buzz from lunch never really faded. Yu sat at his desk, chin propped on his hand, half-listening to the droning lecture while his mind spun happily with the thought of karaoke.
"Karaoke… Fumiko-chan and Sakura-chan will teach me songs… maybe I should look up some classics…"
He thought, doodling little music notes in the corner of his notebook.
DK01's dry voice nudged in.
[Focus, Yu. The system won't reward you for daydreaming.]
Yu pouted inwardly.
'But karaoke! Don't you think that sounds fun, DK?'
A pause.
[...Yes. It sounds… fun.]
DK admitted, tone softer, almost human.
Yu smiled down at his notebook, cheeks warm.
At the desk beside Yu, Taichi was another story. He couldn't stop glancing over, jaw set tight whenever Yu giggled at something Sakura whispered or when Fumiko passed him another set of neat, color-coded notes. Each time Yu beamed gratefully, Taichi's pen dug a little deeper into his paper.
By the time the final bell rang, Taichi was practically vibrating with tension.
---
The end of day came begrudgingly, classes were finally over and students began packing their bags and began to leave.
"Yuuu~!"
Fumiko and Sakura swooped in before Taichi could even push out of his seat. Sakura clung to his arm, Fumiko beaming.
"Wanna go shopping with us? There's a new accessories shop that just opened!"
Yu lit up instantly.
"Of course! That sounds amazing!"
"Good,"
Sakura said brightly.
"We'll show you the best places for cute little things."
Before Yu could gush further, Taichi's voice cut in, low and firm.
"I'm coming too."
The air shifted.
Yu blinked up at him, then smiled shyly.
"Ah, really? That's great! Then we can all go together!"
The girls exchanged a look behind Yu's back—one that promised mischief. Sakura's grin turned sharp.
"Yes. That's perfect. All four of us. A group date."
Yu gasped, face going scarlet.
"G-group date?! W-wait, what—"
"Exactly!"
Fumiko chimed in, smirking.
"We'll make sure it's fun."
Yu's heart fluttered, mistaking their scheming tone for genuine acceptance.
'They're okay with Taichi now! They're really trying!'
He beamed up at them, cheeks pink, while Taichi narrowed his eyes at the girls. He knew they were up to something. But Yu's happiness—the way he looked so bright at the idea of all of them together—kept him silent.
The four of them spilled out of the gates together, the late afternoon sun painting long shadows on the pavement.
Yu, sandwiched between Fumiko and Sakura, was chattering about the new accessories store they were headed toward.
"Do you think they'll have ribbons? I'd like… maybe pink or blue ones…"
Sakura squeezed his arm.
"They'll definitely have plenty. You'll look so cute."
On Yu's other side, Fumiko nodded.
"We'll pick the best ones out for you."
Trailing just behind them, Taichi loomed like a storm cloud. His eyes tracked Yu's every bounce and smile, his hand twitching like he wanted to reach for Yu's waist but couldn't—not with those two girls glued to him.
The girls whispered to each other when Yu wasn't paying attention, their smirks sharp. Their little plan was set.
The moment they stepped inside the bright, bustling store, the games began.
"Wow, Yu-chan, this ribbon is perfect for you!"
Sakura cooed, holding up a delicate silk bow. She placed it in Yu's hands, then turned to Taichi with a sweet smile.
"Since you're the boyfriend, you'll buy it for her, right?"
Yu flushed.
"Eh? Really?"
Taichi, without hesitation, nodded in agreement.
"Yeah."
He slapped the ribbon down at the register before Yu could protest.
Yu blinked, stunned.
'That's… part of the boyfriend role?'
He made a mental note.
From then on, it snowballed.
Every store, every purchase, every snack.
"Taichi-san, can you hold this bag? You're way stronger than us girls."
"And this one too—oh, and this one!"
"Ooh, crepes! Yu-chan, you want strawberry? Taichi-san, get two."
By the time they stopped for drinks, Taichi had a full bouquet of shopping bags dangling from both arms, receipts stuffed into his pocket. His jaw was tight, but his eyes… softened whenever Yu peeked up at him shyly, whispering.
"Thank you, Taichi… I didn't know boyfriends did so much."
He wasn't annoyed at all. No, every purchase, every bag he carried—it was proof. Proof that Yu belonged to him, that everyone could see.
Meanwhile, Yu, sipping his strawberry milk, mused.
'Being a girlfriend isn't so bad. I couldn't hold all those bags… and I don't have that much money, either.'
He sighed in relief.
'I'm glad I got the girlfriend role.'
Fumiko and Sakura traded another look. Their plan hadn't shaken Taichi at all. If anything, he looked more determined. And Yu… was smiling brighter than ever.
They were going to need to step things up.
---
By the time the sun dipped lower, painting the sky orange, Taichi looked like a pack mule. Bags hung from both arms, some even looped around his wrist and elbow. He had a soda straw sticking out of his mouth, and Yu trotted beside him with only a tiny pastel shopping bag of his own, clutching it close like a treasure.
Sakura snapped a photo of Taichi wobbling under the weight.
"Oh my god, you look like a doting dad who spoiled his daughter at the mall!"
Yu squeaked.
"I'm not a daughter—!"
Fumiko smirked.
"No, you're the princess. He's the beast."
Taichi just grunted, adjusting the bags like it was nothing.
"Doesn't matter. Yu's worth it."
Yu flushed crimson. The girls caught it and tried not to squeal at the cuteness.
They strolled down the quieter streets, arms brushing, the chaos behind them. The girls whispered to each other just loud enough for Yu to hear.
"Lucky girl, taming the beast."
Sakura teased.
"I swear, it's like those pitbull rehab videos. Who knew Taichi-san could act like this?"
Fumiko gave Taichi a sidelong glare, though softer than before.
"He better treat you well, Yu. From now until forever. If he hurts you even once, I'll beat the crud out of him."
Yu blinked between them nervously.
"Fumiko-chan, you don't have to—"
"Yes, I do!"
She said firmly.
Sakura chuckled, bumping Yu's shoulder.
"She's such a big sister, isn't she? Her little brother doesn't even know how lucky he is."
Then her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen.
"Ah—work. I've got to run. Don't let Taichi drop all those bags on the way home, okay?"
She waved, darting off down another street.
That left Fumiko, Yu, and Taichi.
Fumiko was quiet for a while as they walked. Finally, she exhaled a sigh, watching Taichi out of the corner of her eye as he clutched Yu's hand with his one free arm.
"…Everyone judges us by how we look."
She murmured, almost to herself.
"They don't even try to know us. And I guess… I've been doing the same thing with Taichi-san. Just going off what people said about him."
Yu tilted his head, curious.
She gave a small shrug.
"But after today—seeing how much he doted on you, how he didn't complain even once… I feel a little guilty. Maybe he isn't all bad. Still…"
Her voice hardened.
"If I see him mess up even once, I'll be there. To save you. Count on it."
Yu's heart swelled. He squeezed her hand, nodding with a smile.
Taichi, pretending he hadn't heard, only tightened his grip on Yu's other hand.