The hallway buzzed with laughter. Yuki and her friends leaned against the lockers, tossing cruel jokes about Yui like they were passing candy.
"She must be proud, right? Being kissed and slapped in the same week.""Haruto's just bored. No way he'd actually want someone like her."
Their giggles tightened around Yui's throat like a rope. Her hands balled into fists at her sides. She could keep running, keep crying… or breathe, and stand.
With a shaky inhale, Yui stepped closer.
The laughter faltered when they saw her. Yuki arched an eyebrow, smirking, waiting for Yui to crumble.
But Yui's voice, though trembling, came sharper than she expected:"If you have that much problem," she said, eyes locked on Yuki, "why don't you go and entertain Haruto yourself? I bet he won't waste a second on your plastic beauty."
The words dropped like a stone in water, silencing the corridor.
Yuki froze, her face paling. "H-How… how do you know about that?"
Yui's lips trembled into a bitter smile. "I don't need to. It shows."
Her gaze flickered to a mop bucket resting nearby. Before doubt could stop her, she grabbed it, and with one swift motion, splashed the contents across Yuki. Water drenched Yuki's perfect curls, smearing her carefully applied makeup.
Gasps echoed. Yui didn't wait—she turned, walking away, her heartbeat hammering louder than the whispers following her.
Behind her, Yuki sputtered in rage, ready to lunge—
But a strong hand caught her wrist.
"Don't," Haruto's low voice rumbled.
Yui froze for half a second, not daring to turn back. She only heard Yuki's gasp of fear as Haruto dragged her away.
At the back of the schoolyard, Haruto shoved Yuki to the ground. She landed with a cry, clutching her wrist.
His eyes were darker than night, his smirk edged with venom. "Didn't I warn you not to touch my girl?"
"Your… your girl?" Yuki stammered, her voice breaking. "You say whatever you want, Haruto, but we both know our parents are planning to engage us—"
Haruto crouched down, his hand pressing against her jaw, forcing her to meet his eyes. His smirk curved wider, devilish.
"You think that matters to me?" he whispered. "I don't make a difference between gender. You want me to show you what that means?"
Yuki's eyes widened in horror. She shook her head rapidly, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Haruto let go, laughing coldly as he stood. "Then keep your filthy hands off what's mine."
He left her crumpled on the ground, sobbing.
By the time Haruto returned to class, the rumor had already spread like wildfire. Students whispered that he had thrown Yuki to the ground. Some pitied her. Others looked at Yui with sharpened envy, muttering about her dangerous luck.
When Haruto entered, the air shifted instantly—like a storm rolling through. His presence swallowed the chatter.
He walked casually to his seat, slouched into the chair, and joked with his gang like nothing had happened.
Yui, sitting stiffly two rows ahead, couldn't stop herself from stealing glances. Was what she heard true? Did he do it… because of her?
Her heart twisted, confused, burning with questions she couldn't afford to ask.
The teacher's chalk smacked loudly against the blackboard. "Nakamura, read the next line."
Yui didn't respond.
Her mind was too busy circling Haruto—his laughter, his smirk, the memory of his hand catching her wrist in that empty classroom.
"Nakamura!"
The next thing she knew, a piece of chalk struck her shoulder. She jolted, her classmates snickering.
"Out of the classroom," the teacher snapped.
Yui quietly stood, gathering her books. She stepped into the hallway, her face flushed with shame. She leaned against the wall, the classroom door still open enough for her to glimpse Haruto.
Not once did he look at her. He didn't even twitch.
The dismissal in his indifference stung worse than his cruelest words.
School finally ended, the halls thinning. Yui tightened her bag straps and walked quickly toward the gate.
The roar of a motorcycle stopped her in her tracks.
Riku.
He parked smoothly in front of her, removing his helmet, his gentle smile easing her panic. "Want a ride home?"
For a moment, Yui's lips parted, tempted. But fear whispered—what if Haruto saw?
"I… I have somewhere else to be," she said softly, bowing her head.
Riku studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Stay safe, Yui."
He revved the engine and drove off.
Unseen from across the street, Haruto's gang drew his attention towards them.
He only smirked, shrugging. "Let the love bloom. In the end, we both know whose she is."
That evening, Yui walked the quiet path to the cemetery. The cool air brushed against her wet lashes as she stopped before two gravestones.
Her parents' names were etched in stone.
"Mom… Dad…" Her voice cracked. "I miss you so much. Living without you… hurts."
Her knees buckled as she knelt before the graves. Tears streamed freely down her face. "If I hadn't been in the car that night… maybe you'd still be here. Maybe…"
Her sobs echoed into the silence.
A gentle touch rested on her shoulder. An older woman, dressed modestly, knelt beside her.
"My poor child," she murmured, pulling Yui into her arms. "Don't say such things. Your parents would never want you to blame yourself."
Yui wept against the woman's chest, her heart trembling at the unfamiliar warmth.
When Yui finally calmed, the woman smiled faintly. "Come with me. I'd like to give you something."
Yui hesitated, then nodded gratefully.
Little did Yui knew that old lady used to work and live in the Kuroya's mansion.
The woman led her through a hidden path that opened into a grand estate.
"Wait here by the pool, dear. I'll be right back." The woman hurried inside.
Yui stood by the water, gazing at her own trembling reflection. The mansion loomed behind her, heavy with secrets, and felt somehow familiar to her.
Her thoughts drifted to Haruto.
Splash.
Her breath hitched—something grabbed her ankles. Before she could scream, she was yanked forward.
The cold water swallowed her whole.