Part 1: The New Arrangement
The morning sun cast a warm glow upon the lawns of Neotokyo Academy. Takuto Himura wore his white school uniform, his face a mixture of unresolved tension and anxiety.
Walking beside him, Ayano Daichi followed in silence. Her violet eyes now shone brightly, yet she seemed perpetually vigilant of potential security threats. While she was delighted to have the privilege of refuge beside Takuto, she couldn't forget the cold watchfulness of Kaori.
Kaori did not intervene between Ayano and Takuto, but watched from the edge of another class area with a sharp gaze.
Ayano broke Takuto's silent discipline. Determined to rebuild the warmth of the past, she decided to restart their relationship as friends.
Ayano: (Walking next to Takuto, her voice attempting to sound normal and warm) "Takuto-kun! The weather is really nice today, isn't it? The air in this campus feels so much freer than being indoors."
Takuto: (Not looking at her, his expression slightly strained) "Don't forget, Ayano Senpai, that freedom is hiding behind a lie. We are only friends now. Don't say too much."
Ayano: (Chuckling softly) "Still so tense, just like before. But... we are in the same class, right? Doesn't that give us permission to act as close as we used to?"
Ayano behaved in the familiar, close manner of their past friendship. Her cheerfulness was a direct challenge to Takuto's cold aura.
Takuto had lived for years as a loner in the school campus. His life had only consisted of silence and a lack of attention. Now, the close companionship of Ayano Daichi (the school's most beautiful and most secretive student) suddenly thrust him into the spotlight of social pressure.
The whispers of students spread throughout the hallway.
Student (A): "Look... Himura really is with Ayano. How did he pull that off?"
Student (B): "Is our Ice Prince suddenly having a social life? This must be Ayano's trick."
Takuto's face felt a rise in temperature. The tips of his ears turned red as he tried to hide his discomfort. The sudden attention, after a life without friends, felt suffocating.
Ayano: (Seeing Takuto's reddening face, she giggled delightedly under her breath) "It seems like... there will be a lot of ways for Takuto-kun to make new friends. You won't be able to be lonely like before."
Though Ayano's intention was affection, her actions transformed Takuto's cool life into an amusing predicament.
When class ended and it was time for lunch, Takuto, as was his habit, headed towards his old corner in the library. He only desired cold silence.
Takuto: "Finally, I can be alone in peace... Oh no... There goes my tranquil life..."
Ayano was already there, arriving before Takuto. She pretended to be reading a book, just like in the past, and greeted him with a warm smile.
Ayano: (Looking up from her book) "You're late, Takuto-kun! I was waiting for us to have lunch together here."
Takuto: (Surprised. Normally, he was the only one in this corner) "You... Why are you here? People are watching us, Senpai!"
Ayano: (Shrugging) "Let them watch. They used to watch before, too. Now we are officially friends."
Ayano opened her Bento Box (lunch box). Takuto noticed that besides her regular food, there was an excessive amount of Tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), which was Takuto's favorite.
Takuto: (Frowning with suspicion) "Are you... trying to poison me?"
Ayano: (Laughing) "Heaven forbid! No! Kaori-san only allowed me to eat it after having it tested in the lab. Don't worry. I'm just acting like a friend who knows your favorite food."
Hearing about Kaori's excessive surveillance made Takuto sigh. He sat down next to Ayano. The quiet old corner of the library, thanks to Ayano's warmth, gave him the same feeling it did in the past.
They ate lunch in silence, without talking. Ayano respected the silence, and Takuto was content with the lack of attention. This was the essence of their past friendship.
Takuto: (Quietly, while eating) "Why... are you so cheerful?"
Ayano: (Opening her eyes innocently) "Because... I finally got the first warmth back in my cold life. And... because I didn't lose my first friend."
When Takuto heard Ayano's words, a warm feeling slowly began to override the pain in his heart. Although he still couldn't completely trust Ayano, being with her as a friend was already a peaceful part of his life.
When school was dismissed, Kaori instantly arrived at the entrance of Ayano and Takuto's classroom. Her intention was to prevent Ayano from distracting Takuto even for a moment.
Kaori: (Looking at Ayano expressionlessly) "Ayano Daichi. It is time. We have to go back now."
Ayano: (Nodding to Kaori) "I understand, Kaori-san."
Ayano did not want to violate Kaori's rule. She did not want to lose the privilege of being near Takuto.
Takuto slung his backpack over his shoulder and silently departed, walking beside Kaori and Ayano.
Takuto, Ayano, and Kaori walked in line on the street.
Kaori walked close to Ayano, watching her with a sharp gaze like a security guard.
Takuto walked in the lead. His mind was focused on the Shadow Syndicate's next move. Although he still couldn't fully trust Ayano, he couldn't ignore the information she provided.
Ayano: (As soon as she had a little freedom from Kaori's watch, she spoke softly from behind Takuto) "Takuto-kun... Thank you. For letting me get through today at school normally."
Takuto: (Without turning back, his voice serious) "We are watching your every move, Senpai. We are checking the information you provided. If you lie..."
Kaori: (Instantly intervening and standing closer to Ayano) "Stop talking, Ayano. You are under my charge now."
Ayano silently bowed her head due to Kaori's intense aura.
Thus, Takuto, Ayano, and Kaori returned together to the secret house of Crimson Aegis, under an atmosphere filled with suspicion, hope, and insecurity.
Part 2: The Warm Welcome
Kaori opened the door with a secret code and allowed Ayano to enter the house first. Kaori followed closely behind Ayano, constantly reminding her of the security rules.
In the living room, Aoi Mizuka was reading on the sofa and stood up happily to greet them. Aoi's warm and innocent aura instantly softened the tense atmosphere between Kaori and Ayano.
Aoi: (Smiling brightly) "Nii-san! Kaori-san! You're back! Ayano-san, are you doing well?"
Ayano: (Sensing Aoi's warmth, she bowed her head) "I'm doing well, Aoi-chan."
Kaori: (Pushing Ayano slightly) "Okay. Ayano. You must go to your room. Don't try to come out before the meeting starts."
Kaori strictly watched Ayano and led her upstairs. Takuto sighed, watching the scene.
Aoi: (Holding Takuto's arm) "Nii-san, were you very tired today? Was Ayano-san too close at school?"
Takuto: (Shrugging) "Don't ask, Aoi. It's too complicated."
Takuto smiled at Aoi and headed towards his room. Having to balance the danger of the Shadow Syndicate, Ayano's warmth, and Kaori's pressure all day long had exhausted him greatly.
After closing the room door, Takuto threw his backpack aside. Then he collapsed onto the bed.
Takuto: (Muttering softly while hugging the pillow) "Today was... quite an exhausting day. Ayano Senpai suddenly shook up my solitary life. Is she a liar? Or... does she genuinely want to be friends..."
Takuto closed his eyes and enjoyed the silence for a moment.
Suddenly remembering something, Takuto quickly sat up from the bed.
Takuto: "Ah... that's right!"
He took his backpack back and opened the innermost compartment of the bag. He remembered a small item he had bought for Aoi a few days ago, when he went out before the fight with Toki and his group.
It was a cute rabbit toy shaped like a white bear, which Aoi adored. He had forgotten to give it to her due to his worry after Aoi was injured.
Takuto: "I... haven't given this to Aoi yet. I should make her happier."
Takuto carefully took the cute rabbit toy out of the backpack. The toy was shaped like a white bear and wore a tiny shirt mixed with pink and blue.
Takuto: (Smiling while holding the toy) "She'll be happy when she sees this."
He was filled with the warm feelings of a family-loving brother, not a cold soldier.
Takuto opened the room door and went down to the living room where Aoi was. Aoi was still reading on the sofa.
Takuto: "Aoi."
Aoi: (Instantly looking up) "Nii-san? Aren't you resting?"
Takuto didn't speak, but extended the rabbit toy towards Aoi.
Aoi: (When she saw the toy, her eyes widened with surprise and joy) "Oh... Nii-san! This... this is..."
Takuto: (Scratching his head with a slightly shy expression) "I bought it the last time I went out. I forgot to give it to you when you got injured. I... was worried about you, Aoi."
Aoi gently accepted the rabbit toy and immediately hugged it to her chest. Then, she decided to do something more important than the toy.
Aoi: (Her eyes shining, her smile incredibly sweet) "Thank you, Nii-san!"
Aoi quickly jumped up from the sofa and warmly ran to hug Takuto.
Aoi: (Leaning on Takuto's chest, softly) "Nii-san must be tired worrying about Ayano-san. But I know Nii-san always cares for me. You are my most beloved brother!"
Takuto was suddenly hugged, but his stiff body instantly relaxed. A warm feeling arose on his face, and he hugged Aoi back on her back. The intense day of the Phoenix Eye owner was momentarily calmed by the affection of a sister, even if she wasn't his biological one.
Part 3: The Tussle
From that day on, a few weeks passed quietly between the Crimson Aegis house and Neotokyo Academy. Although Ayano obeyed Kaori's strict surveillance, she never stopped acting intimately as a friend whenever she was with Takuto at school.
Takuto's solitary life was stirred up by Ayano's warm push, and he became the center of attention among the students.
One day after school, Ayano stood next to Takuto, laughing as she discussed a book about a cold soldier. Her close posture and happy laughter made them look like a couple.
Watching the scene from a distance, Kaori frowned with anger. Her guardian instinct saw Ayano's uncontrollable behavior as a danger.
Kaori quickly walked over and sharply grabbed Takuto's right arm.
Kaori: (With a harsh voice, looking directly at Ayano) "Ayano Daichi. Takuto-kun is not your charge. He must return now. Don't impose your close behavior on him."
Takuto lost his balance due to the sudden pull.
Ayano: (Instantly counter-attacking. Her face was still smiling, but there was possessiveness in her eyes) "Just a moment, Kaori-san. We are restarting as friends. Shouldn't friends go back together?"
Ayano also tightly grabbed Takuto's left arm and pulled him towards her.
Takuto: (Feeling like he was a human tug-of-war toy) "Hey... Let me go! I can walk by myself!"
Kaori pulled from the right. Ayano pulled from the left. Takuto's body shook tensely between the two of them.
The students who saw this amusing and tense scene began to whisper in surprise.
Student (C): "Oh my god... Are those two fighting over Takuto-kun?"
Student (D): "What did Himura do? To be able to hold Ayano and Kaori-san at the same time... He's truly popular with girls."
Student (E): (With envy) "What a lucky guy. Why does a cold, book-reading guy get this special treatment?"
For the first time in his life, Takuto was caught in the middle between two people and felt the envy of his schoolmates. He only had one desire: to return to his solitary life.
Kaori from the right, and Ayano from the left, fiercely pulled Takuto's arms. Both of them stared intensely at each other, competing over Takuto's questionable intentions.
Takuto: (His body swinging left and right) "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please let me go! My arms... they are going to break!"
Takuto's uncontrolled emotions reached their peak. In his mind, the campus was like an intense battleground, full of loud noises and bright lights.
Takuto: (Actual tears streaming from his eyes, his voice heightened in a cartoonish manner, he screamed)
"AHH!!! I want my peaceful life back! Who took away my life of reading alone and being silent! I can't handle these overly affectionate problems!"
Kaori and Ayano were surprised by Takuto's sudden wailing and screaming, and momentarily loosened their grip on him.
Seeing Takuto's emotional breakdown, a hint of regret appeared on Ayano's face. However, Kaori still assumed it was just Ayano's acting.
Ayano: (Gently holding Takuto's hand again) "I'm sorry, Takuto-kun. But... I think we need to get closer as friends."
Kaori: (Instantly countering) "No need to get closer! He will never be under your control."
Kaori violently pulled Takuto's arm again.
Part 4: 💥 The Room Tug-of-War
Soon, the four of them arrived at the front of Takuto's main house, which had been damaged by the Shadow Syndicate's attack but was now fully repaired.
Takuto: (A deep sense of relief visible on his face) "Finally... I'm home."
Kaori: (Opening the door with the security system, she instantly switched to a worried guardian mode) "Wait! Ayano Daichi, why are you here? Your refuge is my secret house."
Ayano: (Looking at Kaori with a smirk) "But... Takuto-kun's home is safer and larger, Kaori-san. And... shouldn't good friends live together?"
Ayano started to tease Kaori. Kaori's face tightened with anger, and Ayano took the opportunity to run into the house.
Kaori: "Hey! Stop it! I won't allow your rule-breaking!"
Kaori, furious, followed behind Ayano. Aoi, with a happy smile, followed them both in.
Takuto: (Shaking his head to himself) "Unfortunately... my quiet life is ruined."
However, a faint smile appeared on his lips, and he also entered the house.
Inside the house, Kaori and Ayano were already starting the second round of their fight.
Kaori: (Covering the room door next to Takuto's room with her hand) "This room is where I keep my supplies, so you can't stay here, Ayano. Your refuge is the basement!"
Ayano: (Pushing the door) "No, Kaori-san. This is the Guest Room. I should stay near Takuto-kun! So I can help him immediately if any danger arises!"
Kaori: "I know that's not your intention."
Takuto stood with his arms crossed, watching a scene that had never happened in his weekly solitary life. Two girls were amusingly fighting over being close to him and watching over him.
Aoi stood next to Takuto, looking up and smiling.
Aoi: "Nii-san's house is finally lively now."
Takuto saw Ayano's warm desire, Kaori's protective spirit, and Aoi's innocent love, and he discovered a feeling in his chest.
Takuto: (A quiet smile appearing on his face) "I..."
He looked at Kaori and Ayano in turn. His Phoenix Eyes were now free of coldness and filled with warm understanding.
Takuto: "I've always been alone in my life. In cold silence. But... now... there are noises, arguments in my house."
He looked at the chaotic situation around him and took a deep breath.
Takuto: "Finally... I don't feel lonely anymore. I feel... happy to be alive."
Takuto's cold life truly ended at this moment. Despite the dangers, affection and friendship were giving him the strength to live.
[END OF CHAPTER 18]