The bell rang, but Yui couldn't hear it over the pounding in her ears. She darted into the washroom, clutching her bag to her chest as if it could shield her. Her reflection in the mirror was pale, eyes rimmed red, lips still faintly swollen from Haruto's sudden, humiliating kiss earlier.
Her knees buckled, and she sank against the cold tiles. The murmur of voices seeped in through the open doorway.
"Did you see her face? She acted like she didn't want it, but she's clearly enjoying the attention.""First Riku, now Haruto? What a sly little thing. Shameless.""She's probably playing innocent to make both brothers fight over her."
Yui's throat closed. Their laughter rang against the walls, each syllable another crack in her chest. She pressed her palms over her ears, but the words crawled through anyway.
Shameless. Cheap. Prey.
Her tears spilled before she could stop them, rolling hot down her cheeks. But she bit her lip hard, muffling every sob. Crying here would only make it worse. She forced herself to stand, splashed water on her face, and whispered to her reflection, "Just get through it. Just disappear."
She pushed open the door and walked back to class. Her shoulders hunched, steps small, trying to be invisible. But the whispers followed like shadows.
The torment didn't stop. A group of boys blocked her desk, tossing scraps of paper that read toy and brothers' pet. One even tried to tug at her hair, laughing.
Before she could shrink back, a calm voice cut across the noise.
"That's enough."
It was Riku.
He stood at the doorway, his school jacket neat, his posture commanding without effort. His gaze swept over the bullies, steady and sharp. "If you've got time to throw paper, you've got time to study."
The boys muttered, suddenly sheepish, before dispersing. His tone hadn't been loud, but it carried weight.
Yui froze. She hadn't expected him to step in—not here, not publicly. He bent down slightly, returning one of her scattered notebooks, his hand brushing hers. His voice softened. "Don't let them break you. You're stronger than they think."
Her throat tightened. For a fleeting second, the storm of cruelty eased. Someone had stood between her and the world.
But beneath that fragile comfort lay fear. If Haruto saw this… what would he do?
The answer came sooner than expected.
Lunch break. The corridor was bustling, but Haruto's presence swallowed the noise as he strode through the crowd. His bruise from his father's slap still lingered on his jaw, but it only made him look more dangerous. Students parted, some whispering, others falling silent.
His eyes locked on Yui.
Before she could move, his hand clamped around her wrist. "You," he hissed.
"Haruto—" she gasped, stumbling as he yanked her forward.
He didn't slow. He dragged her through the stairwell, up toward the rooftop. Students watched, murmuring but not daring to intervene. By the time the heavy metal door slammed behind them, her wrist throbbed beneath his grip.
He shoved her against the wall, eyes blazing. "You think my brother can save you?" His voice was low, venom wrapped in silk. "You're already mine. You don't get to run to him."
Yui shook her head, tears trembling in her lashes. "I didn't—Riku just—"
"Don't say his name," Haruto snapped. His fingers pinched her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. They burned with something feral, obsession edging on madness. "Look at me. Look. You're mine. Say it."
Her lips trembled, but no words came. Fear clogged her throat.
He leaned closer, his smirk sharp. "Prey doesn't get to choose, little rabbit."
The rooftop door banged open.
"Haruto."
Riku's voice cut through the charged air. Calm, but laced with steel. He stepped forward, eyes narrowing at the sight of Haruto's grip on Yui.
For the first time, the brothers faced each other openly over her.
Haruto's lips curved upward, mocking. "Here to play the hero, brother?" He tugged Yui closer against him, as if to prove his claim. "You want her, too? That's cute."
"Let her go," Riku said firmly. His eyes, so often gentle, now glinted with quiet fury. "She's not a prize in your sick game."
Yui's breath hitched. She had never seen the brothers like this—Haruto smirking, Riku glaring, both circling each other with her trapped between. The tension crackled, suffocating.
Then it snapped.
Haruto leaned to Yui's ear, voice low enough only she could hear. "Run all you want, little rabbit. The hunt only gets sweeter."
And with a sudden, vicious movement, he swung his fist—straight into Riku's face.
The sound echoed sharp against the rooftop walls. Riku staggered back, blood welling at the corner of his lip. Yui's scream caught in her throat.
Haruto's chest heaved, eyes wild, smirk twisting darker as he stepped forward again. "Stay down, brother. You don't know the rules of my game."
But before he could close the distance, Yui moved.
Her hands trembled, her knees weak, but anger she hadn't known she carried surged through her veins. She darted in front of Riku, arms spread as if her small body could be a barrier.
"Stop!" she cried, voice breaking. "Enough!"
Haruto froze, eyes narrowing at her.
Her chest rose and fell. Her vision blurred with tears. "You think you can treat me however you want… humiliate me… call me prey—" Her voice cracked, but then sharpened. "I'm not your toy, Haruto!"
And with all her suppressed rage, she slapped him.
The sound rang out, sharp and shocking in the still air.
Haruto's head snapped to the side. For a moment, silence reigned. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Yui's hand shook violently, but she didn't pull it back. Her face was pale, streaked with tears, yet her eyes—her soft, timid eyes—were blazing.
Haruto slowly turned his face back toward her. He touched his cheek where the red imprint of her hand burned.
Haruto's gaze locked on her trembling figure, his smile widening."This only makes the game more fun."