"It's actually Ryiyou Kagasaki… our university friend. You can't recognize him since you've been studying in London," Rika said, her voice light but with an edge that made my stomach twist.
I froze mid-step, a necklace slipping from my fingers and clattering back into the display case. Ryiyou… The name tugged faintly at my memory, oddly familiar yet distant. I hadn't met him properly, yet somehow curiosity burned hotter than logic allowed. The thought of someone starting a whole new life after university stirred something… restless, unpredictable, inside me.
Miyako leaned in, brushing her sleek hair back with a smirk tugging at her lips. "Yeah, he's brilliant, like you… but unlike you, he's bold, straightforward… in one sentence—"
She snapped her fingers right under my eyes, making me blink reflexively. The others chuckled at her theatrical flair. "…he's shameless. He could—"
Before she could finish, Rika pinched her cheek sharply. Miyako yelped, swatting at her hand. "Stop spoiling things! We're at the mall, remember?"
The others erupted into laughter.
"Poor Miyako~ couldn't even finish her girlish words," Kanji teased.
"Shut it!" Miyako growled, cheeks puffing like a cornered cat.
But then she leaned in again, lowering her voice conspiratorially, her playful grin refusing to die. "Listen, the film hasn't ended yet."
We all unconsciously leaned closer, the bustling Sakura Mall blurring into a hum of footsteps and chatter as the circle tightened around Miyako.
"That… partner of Ryiyou… is actually… a guy!!"
Her words cracked the air like thunder.
I gasped, my throat locking up.
"No way!" Takeshi whispered excitedly, his voice cracking like a teenager's.
"It's like a real BL drama, girl!" Miyako bit her fist, cheeks flushed red.
Kanji whistled low, grinning wickedly. "I really wanna see them together."
And me? My brain short-circuited. Why me again?! Why does the universe keep traumatizing me with this nonsense?!
"Shhhhhh!" Rika hissed, glaring at us. "Do you want the entire Sakura Mall to hear you?"
We all shook our heads like scolded schoolkids, but muffled giggles still slipped through. Rika sighed, rubbing her temple.
"Do you know who the guy is?" Kanji asked suddenly.
Rika shook her head. "No…"
"What?! Then is this even real or just gossip?" Miyako demanded, frowning. The group's mood dipped slightly.
"He kept it private. He said he'll tell when everything is safe." Rika's tone grew firm, like a teacher lecturing us.
"Safe?" Takeshi leaned forward, frowning. "What are we, lover eating monsters?"
"Idiot." Rika smacked his arm lightly. "He has his reasons. He barely even tells me about his business. He's publicly popular, and he doesn't want to lose anything. If people find out too soon, it could ruin him."
Miyako raised her hand like a student in class. "Question."
"Yes?~" Rika arched a brow.
"How do you know he's keeping things private?" Miyako asked with exaggerated suspicion.
Rika sighed. "Because he accidentally let it slip. Then he begged me to keep it between us. We're his only family more than friends—so he trusted me. That's it."
Their chatter circled, but I'd already had enough. My stomach churned like I'd swallowed an amusement park ride. My chest burned, my composure crumbling.
"I… I need a moment," I muttered, forcing a smile at Hiroshi and the others. My hands shook slightly as I shoved them into my pockets.
"Where are you going?" Miyako called, too amused for her own good.
"Uh… restroom." I bolted before they could pry further.
The restroom door slammed behind me, echoing loud in the tiled silence. I leaned against the cold wall, chest heaving.
"Why… why do they have to marry guys?! Why is everything like this?!" My whisper turned to a growl, fists curling against the sink. "Why not me?! Why not anyone normal?!"
I slammed the faucet open, cold water splashing, my reflection trembling in the ripples.
"I'm not gay! Trust me! I'm just—cursing them! The world, the stupid trends, the cursed universe!" I barked at the mirror like a lunatic. "And for the record— I'm saving myself. My virginity, okay? For my future girlfriend, my wife! Not— not for some random guy!"
A voice snickered.
"Uh… he's really craving a guy, huh?"
I froze.
Two young men stood at the sink nearby, drying their hands. Their eyes darted nervously at me.
The smaller one stammered, "We… we're trying to save ourselves… so don't come near us, okay?"
My jaw dropped. "WHAT?! No—!" I slapped my forehead. "Why am I always the unlucky one?! I'm. Not . Trying to do anything ! "
Then the other one moved.
He stepped forward, taller, broader, effortlessly commanding. A suit clung perfectly to his frame, expensive and sharp. His black hair fell just so, his dark eyes glinting with a dangerous amusement. The air seemed heavier around him, charged, like the room itself tilted in his direction.
"Hmph…" His voice rolled out low, smooth as velvet but edged like steel. "These days… children. Who knows why they think they have to be such a gay? Some of us don't even try to dominate the room. The room just bends."
His smirk deepened as his gaze cut through me. "You… look like you've had a rough morning."
I gulped, stumbling back a step. My heart raced. My brain screamed Run. My body refused.
The stranger's eyes lingered, sharp and assessing. "Relax… but don't think that being nervous makes you safe. Energy like yours…" He let the pause stretch, thick and heavy. "…can be tempting."
My stomach flipped. I wanted to throw up. Or die. Preferably both.
The younger one raised his hands quickly. "Alright, little brother, we get it. You're not… you know…"
"Yes, YES!" I snapped, flailing my hands. "I'm not! Save yourselves if you must, but LEAVE me out of this circus!"
The tall man chuckled darkly. The sound slithered down my spine, rich and unnerving. One glance told me this wasn't a man you argued with. He carried himself like the whole world was his chessboard— and I was a pawn misplaced in his game.
I splashed water over my face again, gripping the sink hard. Hiroshi… why is the world like this? And why is it always ME?
"Relax, little brother." Hiroshi's voice suddenly came from the doorway, casual, grounding. "You survived Pavilion Eight last night—you can survive this."
I glared at him. "Normal?! This—this isn't normal!"
Hiroshi grinned. "Is it the guys' fault for being too handsome? Too irresistible?"
My blush betrayed me. "Wh—what are you saying? Are YOU—?!"
I laughed, awkward, waving it off. "B..but seriously, who's your fiancé? Male or female?"
"Female! 100% female!" He barked, glaring. "And I've got proof. Let's go meet her."
When I finally shoved the restroom door open, the mall's light felt blinding, mocking. Couples strolled, kids tugged at balloons, shop windows glittered. Normalcy at its peak.
"Hiroshi," I muttered, still rattled. "Promise me… no more surprises today. My brain can't handle this chaos."
He slung an arm casually over my shoulders, smirking. "No guarantees, little brother. But hey—you survived worse."
And as we walked toward the restaurant where my fiancé waited, my stomach twisted again. Some days the world tested you more than you ever asked for. Some days, laughter and Hiroshi were all I had to cling to.
Yet beneath it all, something else stirred— a thrill. Uneasy. Spicy. Dangerous.
And I felt... with a shiver...
Was..this...only the.. beginning ?