Chapter Six: ゴンチャでの出会い
The tip of Miyuki’s mechanical pencil snapped with a sharp click. The tiny graphite fragment skittering across the dense lead-smudged grid paper of her practice exam booklet.
She pressed her back hand against her throbbing temple, letting out a faint exhausted breath that barely stirred the soft strands of hair framing her face.
For the past three hours, the world outside the library had ceased to exist. Her reality had narrowed down to the freezing wave of the airconds, the smell of dried ink and papers. As a honor student in school, the pressure is like the Mariana Trench level of pressure. It was to maintain an agonizingly high standard that left zero space for error. Her eyes burned from reading line after line of complex formulas and historical timelines, her muscles tight with tension.
"Just five more pages..."
She told herself, reaching for her eraser. "If I can just master this last set of formula before the day ends—"
Without the slightest warning, an icy cold yet wet sensation slapped softly against her right cheek.
"Eek!"
Miyuki gasped, her body jolting in her chair as a startled yelp escaped her throat before she could catch it. She reflexively clapped a hand to her chilling damp face, her heart hammering against her ribs like a gong.
" Easy there, top student. You might burn down the papers with that kind of stare."
She whipped her head to the right, her eyes wide, only to be met with a familiar, soft smile.
Takumi stood beside her, leaning sideways against the wooden edge with an easy, effortless grace that instantly made the quiet librart feel few degree degrees warmer. In his hands, he held two sweating, frost-dusted aluminum cans.
Before she could process her lingering shock, Takumi leaned down slightly, gently offering one of the cans toward her. It was her favorite: a chilled yellow can of lemon iced tea, glistening under the afternoon light.
"You looked like you were about to turn into stone over those notes." Takumi chuckled softly, his voice low enough so as not to disturb the few nearby students scattered across the room, minding that they're in a library. "I figured the honor student needed an emergency intervention before she could trigger the smoke alarm with her intense thinking."
Miyuki stared at the offered can, then up into his dark, affectionate eyes, a sudden wave of heat rushing straight from her neck to the tips of her ears. The shock of the ice was instantly replaced by a deep, flushed embarrassment.
" Jeez!" she whinned weakly, taking the ice-cold can from his hands to hide the sudden trembling of her fingers. The cool metal pressed against her palms was a welcome relief against her burning face. " We're at library, Takumi-kun!"
" Hehe... sorry." Takumi popping the tab on his own drink with a crisp, satisfying snap. He took a small sip, watching her with an infuriatingly fond expression. " I amazed that you can stay under such cold aircond for who know how long like it was nothing, Miyuki-chan. I know the exams are important, but you need to take a breath."
Miyuki looked down at the lemon iced tea, popping the tab open and taking a slow, refreshing sip. The tart, sweet liquid washed away the dry bitterness in her throat, instantly soothing her frazzled nerves. She glanced up at him through her eyelashes, her face still warm. "Someone has to keep her academy reputation after all." she mumbled softly into the rim of the can, though a tiny, helpless smile tugged at the corner of her lips. " I mean, I was dropped in class rank on exam last time just by one, from first to second, and teachers saw that as dire situation that they even called me to their office, asked me how my rank could dropped."
Takumi’s expression softened completely, his eyes shimmering with a warmth that sent a flutter straight through her chest. " Oh, poor you." he murmured, leaning in just a fraction closer. " No wonder that our hardworking and terrifyingly smart... and way too cute Miyuki-chan looks so worked out."
Miyuki almost choked on her tea, her cheeks turning a bright, brilliant crimson. "T-Takumi! We're still at school!" she hissed in a flustered whisper, quickly holding the icy can against her burning cheek to cool herself down.
Takumi laughed quietly, a rich, melodic sound that made her heart do another treacherous flip.
Unbeknown to them, a pair of eyes watching their sweet moment from five tables apart from their location.
---
The loud chime echoes across the silent area in library, echoes like it was in cave.
Around the room, chairs scraped noisily against the floor as the remaining students began packing their bags, chatting in hushed tones about test preparations and evening plans.
Takumi set his finished drink can on the edge of table they were sitting, his eyes lighting up with a bright, sudden idea. "Well, I guess we can't stay here any longer. Hey, how about we study together at my mom's cafe today?"
Miyuki looked up, her eyes brightening instantly. "At the cafe?"
"Yeah." Takumi smiled, slinging his school bag over one shoulder. "Mom said she baked a fresh batch of berry tarts this morning, and the back corner table is totally free. The cafe usually won't have much customers at the time like this..."
Takumi points his finger to Miyuki. " And maybe I can whip us up some hot tea whenever you need a boost. What do you say?"
The prospect of escaping the gloomy, high-pressure atmosphere of the school building to spend a cozy, quiet evening side-by-side with Takumi at his mother’s warm, sweet-scented cafe was overwhelmingly tempting. Miyuki felt the knot of stress in her shoulders instantly loosen.
"I’d love to!" Miyuki agreed eagerly, her voice dropping all its previous hesitation. She quickly swept her stationery into her pencil case and packed her heavy notebooks into her satchel.
"Awesome. I'll wait for you at the front." Takumi said smoothly, resting a hand briefly on her shoulder before swinging his bag into a comfortable position.
...
Five minutes later, side by side, they walked down the main staircase toward the shoe lockers, the warm afternoon sun painting the glass windows in hues of molten gold and deep amber. Miyuki felt a comfortable, quiet happiness settling into her chest by the simple joy of walking beside Takumi, listening to him talk about the new menu items his mother was testing at the shop.
However, as they crossed the polished floor of the main lobby and approached the glass doors leading out toward the school gate, a tall, sharp figure rounded the corner and stepped directly into their path.
" Tendou. Asahina-san. I'm glad I caught you before you stepped off campus."
Miyuki’s steps came to a sudden halt. Stand in front of them, holding a black leather document folder tightly against her chest, was Tachibana Mio. The Literature Club president looked as immaculately put-together as always. Her posture rigid, her brown hair falling perfectly on her shoulders, and her sharp, dark eyes carrying an unyielding intensity that immediately killed the lighthearted atmosphere.
Takumi blinked, surprised. "Tachibana-senpai? What's going on? You look like you're in a hurry."
"We have an emergency." Mio stated, her voice calm, concise, and utterly devoid of hesitation. She raised the document folder slightly. "The organizing committee for the Regional Youth Literary Anthology just sent an urgent notice. The submission deadline for our club's featured group manuscript has been moved up. Instead of next Friday, it is now due tomorrow morning at nine."
Takumi gasped softly, his eyes widening. "Tomorrow morning?! But we still have two whole chapters that haven't even gone through final proofreading! I thought we had another week!"
"Which is why this is an emergency." Mio replied smoothly, her expression unflinching. "If we do not submit the finalized, cross-edited draft by tonight, our club forfeits its front-page feature in the entire regional publication. I need you in the club room immediately, Tendou."
A sharp knot instantly formed in Miyuki's stomach. She stepped forward instinctively, placing herself slightly between Takumi and Mio, her eyebrows knitting together in immediate protest.
"Wait just a minute, Tachibana-senpai!" Miyuki spoke up, her voice firm, carrying a edge of natural defensiveness. "You can't just demand Takumi-kun to stay like this out of nowhere! Term exams start in less than three days. Studying for these finals is crucial, not just for Takumi-kun, but for everyone! A club project shouldn't take priority over his actual academic grades!"
Mio slowly turned her gaze toward Miyuki. Her eyes were cool, measuring, completely unfazed by Miyuki's rising frustration.
"I fully respect your concern for Tendou's academic standing, Asahina-san." Mio began, her tone laced with a polished, infuriatingly logical sweetness. "However, as the co-author and primary editor of this featured piece, he signed a formal commitment to the club at the beginning of the semester. Academic excellence is vital, indeed, but accountability and honor in one's commitments define a student's true character. If Takumi walks away now, the entire Literature Club’s work over the last six months is going to end in vain. Are you asking him to abandon his responsibility to his peers, simply because the timetable became inconvenient?"
Miyuki froze, the words locking in her throat. She gripped the strap of her bag tightly, her lips trembling slightly. Mio's argument was totally make sense that any further protest from Miyuki would make her look like an selfish, unreasonable girlfriend trying to sabotage Takumi's responsibilities.
*She's doing it again.*
Miyuki thought, a sudden, sharp coldness running through her veins as memory from yesterday rushed back into her mind.
Yesterday's weird, unsettling incident came flooding back... the mysterious message she had received, telling her to come to the club room to meet Mio, only for Miyuki to walk into a silent room where Ren was sitting alone, waiting for her in the shadows...
Miyuki narrowed her eyes, opening her mouth to directly confront the president. "Tachibana-senpai, speaking of the club... yesterday, when you called me over to the club room—"
"Ah, we can't waste anymore time." Mio cut in smoothly, her voice rising just enough to cleanly sever Miyuki's sentence in half before the name *Ren* could even pass Miyuki's lips.
Mio didn't even blink, her expression a masterclass in calm dismissal. "We truly cannot afford to waste another minute lingering here by the shoe lockers discussing past misunderstandings. Tendou, we must begin immediately."
Mio then turned her head slightly back toward Miyuki, her eyes softening into what looked like a warm, considerate smile, though the warmth never quite reached her gaze.
"It’s not as if this emergency revision will keep him until late night, Asahina-san," Mio said gently, her tone dripping with pseudo-empathy.
"However... it will certainly take a few solid hours. It would be dreadful if you're gonna to wait around in an empty school all by yourself. You would get terribly bored sitting here alone, wouldn't you? It really is best if you go back home now or at least find somewhere comfortable to relax."
Takumi looked between Mio's unyielding gaze and Miyuki's tight, stressed face. A heavy, conflicted sigh escaped his lips. He reached out, gently squeezing Miyuki's hand, his expression filled with genuine, lingering guilt.
"I'm so sorry, Miyuki-chan..." Takumi whispered softly, his thumb rubbing over the back of her knuckles. " But... if the deadline got pulled up, I can't just leave senpai to edit twenty pages by herself."
Miyuki felt her heart sink, but looking at Takumi's earnest, responsible face, she couldn't bring herself to be mad at him. He was always like this kind, overly responsible, and incapable of letting people down.
"It's... it's okay, Takumi-kun. I understand," Miyuki murmured softly, forcing a gentle smile onto her face despite the bitter taste in her mouth.
"I promise I'll make it up to you!" Takumi said quickly, his eyes bright with earnest sincerity. "How about tonight? Once we finish editing, I'll head straight over to your place and cook us a special late-night dinner, okay? Whatever you want to eat, I'll make it."
Before Miyuki could even reply, Mio stepped smoothly into the space between them, her hand lightly resting on Takumi's shoulder as she gently but firmly pushed him backward toward the hallway leading to the club wing.
"That sounds like a wonderful promise, Tendou. " Mio said briskly, hurrying his pace. "Now, come along. Every second counts."
"Ah—right! Miyuki-chan, I'll text you as soon as we're done!" Takumi called out over his shoulder, looking reluctant as Mio physically ushered him away down the corridor.
Miyuki stood completely still near the school entrance, watching their retreating backs until Takumi's uniform vanished around the corner of the stairwell.
A long, heavy exhale left her chest. The quiet of the empty entrance hall settled over her like a heavy, suffocation weight.
Suddenly, a light, soft tap touched her left shoulder.
Miyuki startled, turning around instantly. Mio was standing right behind her again, somehow doubled back while Takumi proceeded up the stairs.
"Tachibana-senpai...?" Miyuki asked, her guard instantly shooting back up.
Mio smoothed down the front of her skirt, her posture immaculate. "I noticed you still look rather lost, Asahina-san. Since you are going to be waiting around for him to finish anyway, I thought I might offer a friendly suggestion."
Miyuki stayed silent, her eyes searching Mio's unreadable face.
"Yes." Mio continues anyway, tilting her head slightly with an air of effortless grace. "A few of our fellow Literature Club members are currently hanging out at the Gong Cha tea shop just down the main street from the station. They're taking a short break before their own study sessions tonight. If you wish to kill some time while waiting for your boyfriend, why don't you head over there and join them?"
Miyuki stared at her. Everything about Mio's tone was warm, polite, and seemingly helpful yet deep in her chest, Miyuki's intuition screamed that something about yesterday's odd shenanigans was still terribly off.
Why was Mio suddenly being so considerate? Why was she steering her toward specific club members?
*Was it a trap? Or was she just trying to keep me out of the way so she could have Takumi-kun to herself in that club room?*
Miyuki's grip on her bag strap tightened. She felt a quiet, stubborn resolve forming in her core. She didn't fully trust Mio's motives, but if she went to Gong Cha, she might actually get a chance to figure out what was really going on behind the scenes of Takumi's club. Besides, hanging out nearby was infinitely better than pacing around the school alone.
"Alright." Miyuki said, keeping her voice even and perfectly composed. "Thank you for the suggestion. I think I'll do just that. It'll be nice to pass the time while I wait for my boyfriend."
Miyuki deliberately placed a gentle, clear emphasis on the word *boyfriend*.
For a split second that is so fast that anyone else would have missed it, Mio's polite facade faltered. Her dark eyes narrowed into cold, sharp slits, her lips pressing into a thin, utterly unamused line. The mask slipped just enough to reveal a chilling, bitter indifference underneath.
"Is that so?" Mio said softly, her voice dropping all its warmth, turning flat and dry. "Then enjoy your tea, Asahina-san."
Without another word, Mio turned on her heel and swept away toward the club building, her skirt swishing silently in the corridor shadows.
---
Fifteen minutes later, the gentle bell above the glass door of the Gong Cha shop chimed as Miyuki pushed it open.
The rich, sweet aroma of roasted brown sugar, tapioca pearls, and freshly brewed jasmine tea instantly wrapped around her. The shop was lively and bustling with students from various nearby schools, the gentle hum of pop music blending with the clinking of ice cubes and quiet laughter.
Miyuki paused near the entrance, her sharp eyes scanning the brightly lit seating area.
Over in a cozy, sunlit corner booth near the window, she spotted three female students wearing the exact same high school uniform as hers. They were leaning over a table covered in colorful boba cups, laughter spilling from their corner as they gossiped among them.
*Three girls... It must be the literature club members Tachibana mentioned*
Miyuki concluded silently, taking a calm breath to steady her nerves.
Although Miyuki had known about Takumi's involvement in the Literature Club for quite a long time, she had never actually had a proper chance to interact with the rest of the members outside of brief glances in the hallways. Takumi kept his club life relatively quiet, mostly talking about his writing rather than the people.
*Maybe...*
Miyuki thought as she smoothed down her skirt. *this is my chance to finally learn a thing or two about what actually goes on in that club... and what is that Tachibana's real deal is.*
Adjusting her bag on her shoulder, Miyuki walked smoothly toward their corner table.
"Umm...Excuse me." Miyuki spoke up with a polite, sweet smile as she stopped beside their table. "Are you guys from the Literature Club?"
The three girls stopped talking instantly, turning their heads up toward her. One girl with short brown hair and round glasses blinked in surprise, while other two exchanged curious glances.
"Oh! Yeah we are." the girl with glasses said, offering a warm smile. "Are you looking for someone?"
" Tachibana-senpai mentioned that you guys are hanging out here right now." Miyuki explained smoothly, keeping her demeanor approachable and soft. "She sent me over... I'm Asahina Miyuki. I'm just looking to kill a little time while waiting for my boyfriend to finish up some urgent manuscript work back at school. Mind if I sit with you for a bit?"
The three girls’ eyes lit up almost instantly with dynamic recognition.
"Wait! You're Tendou-san's girlfriend, right?!" the second girl which is a lively teenager with high pigtails exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "The top-ranking honor student from Class 2-A! Oh my gosh, sit down, sit down! Of course you can join us!"
"Yeah, grab a chair!" The third girl chimed in enthusiastically, sliding over to make room on the cushioned bench. "We were just talking about how brutal the revision sessions get when Tachibana-senpai enters her working mode. Poor Tendou-san!"
Miyuki smiled with genuine relief, pulling up a light wooden chair and sliding gracefully into their circle. "Thank you so much. And yeah... Tachibana-senpai seemed really don't play about that deadline."
" Right?!" Pigtails giggled, stirring her boba straw.
" She runs the club like a military unit when submissions are close. But honestly, it’s super cool to finally meet you, Asahina-san! Tendou-san talks about you sometimes, but he always gets super shy and blushes whenever we ask for details!"
Miyuki felt a warm, pleased flush creep up her cheeks at the thought of Takumi blushing while talking about her to his friends. "He does?"
"Totally he is!" Glasses laughed pushing her frames up her nose. "So, come on, spill! How long have you two been dating? Who confessed first? We've been dying to know the real story behind the club's power couple!"
For the next twenty minutes, the initial awkwardness completely dissolved into warm, lively conversation. Miyuki found herself easing up, enjoying the cheerful chatter. She answered their eager, harmless questions about her relationship with Takumi. Gently laughing off their dramatic gasps when she admitted how clumsy Takumi could be at home, and smiling softly when they praised how dedicated he was to making her happy.
In turn, Miyuki carefully steered the conversation toward the club itself, taking mental notes on how the other members viewed Mio, the daily routines, and the general vibe of the group. Everything seemed surprisingly normal, sweet, and ordinary which only made Miyuki's uneasy gut feeling about yesterday's incident with Ren feel all the more perplexing.
"Here come the rest of the drinks!" Glasses suddenly announced, looking past Miyuki's shoulder toward the main service counter. "Ah, it took so long! The line near the register could be categorized as battlefield."
" But at least their drinks are good. It's feel like reward!" Pigtails called out brightly toward the approaching person.
Miyuki smiled politely, instinctively turning in her chair to greet the fourth girl walking back to their table with a tray laden with plastic cups and extra straws.
"Sorry for the wait, guys." a soft, melodious voice spoke up. "The cashier had a trouble for online payments for a minute, so—"
The girl holding the tray stepped into the warm window light, setting the drinks down onto the wooden table with a soft clatter. She looked up, her elegant eyes meeting Miyuki's.
Miyuki’s breath caught completely in her throat. The polite smile froze instantly on her lips, her heart dropping like a stone into the cold depths of her stomach.
Standing right there, holding a drink sleeve in her delicate hand, looking down at Miyuki with a subtle, unreadable expression, was Kyouichiro Yumiko.
Yumiko tilted her head slightly, her heavily lined eyes narrowing as she caught Miyuki staring at her.
"Is there something on my face?" she asked, her tone carrying a light, guarded edge.
Miyuki quickly regained her composure, smoothing down her skirt with a forced, polite smile. "No, nothing at all. I was just surprised for a second. I-I didn't realize you were part of the club group hanging out today."
Yumiko shrugged carelessly, tossing her brown bob back over her shoulder as she set her tray down. " Ah no. I just happened to be so close with them." She replied, sliding into the corner booth next to the other girls.
The atmosphere at the table shifted easily back into full swing. Since the group had already been gossiping about dating and high school romance before Yumiko sat down, the conversation naturally drifted toward Yumiko’s current love life.
Miyuki went completely silent, pulling her iced tea closer as she listened.
The vivid image of Yuri’s warnings under the zelkova tree flashed in her mind, especially the painful history of how Ren had stolen Yumiko away from a man named Arata.
"Honestly, leaving my ex was the best decision I ever made." Yumiko declared loudly, leaning back in her seat with an arrogant, self-satisfied smirk as she pulled out her phone. "Arata was such a toxic, hopeless nerd. All he ever did was complain about his study prep and stress over his stupid grades. He couldn't even take me to nice places."
"Really?" one of the literature club girls asked, her voice sounding a bit hesitant. "I thought Arata-senpai was actually pretty sweet to you back in junior high..."
" Come on. Being sweet and stuff won't buy me good stuff." Yumiko cut in coldly, waving her hand dismissively. "He was a total loser. I'm just lucky someone like Ren came along. Ren is not only incredibly handsome, but he actually has a real future. He can give me anything I want, unlike my ex."
Miyuki felt a cold knot tighten in her chest. Listening to Yumiko trash a boy who had cared for her so deeply, all to justify letting herself be remolded into Ren's flashy, synthetic trophy, was stomach-churning.
Suddenly, Yumiko’s eyes brightened. Her dark, unnatural colored contacts flashed as she locked her gaze onto the glass front of the Gong Cha shop. A sharp, giddy smile spread across her glossy lips.
The bell above the shop entrance let out a bright chime as the front door swung open. Miyuki turned her head, barely hiding her shock as a tall figure with disheveled blonde hair and an unbuttoned blazer stepped inside.
It was Masato Ren.
Yumiko practically scrambled out of her booth seat, running across the tile floor to throw her arms around his neck in a desperate, needy embrace. "Ren! You actually came!"
Ren didn't even wrap his arms fully around her. He casually patted her waist with one hand, his eyes scanning the shop with an aloof, superior detachment that completely ignored the dozen pairs of eyes watching them. Miyuki shifted uncomfortably in her chair, pressing her knees together as she looked away.
Subtle whispers broke out among the three literature club girls at the table.
"Wow... he really is as handsome as Yumiko say." the girl with pigtails whispered under her breath, though her tone sounded distinctly uncertain.
"Yeah, but... isn't that a bit much for public area?" the girl with round glasses murmured quietly, her brow furrowing. "And honestly... I knew Arata-senpai from middle school. He wasn't a bad guy at all. Yumiko's being harsh if anything..."
Before the conversation could go any further, Ren walked over to their table, pulling a chair from an adjacent station and sitting down at the head of the booth. Yumiko immediately attached herself to his arm, leaning her chin on his shoulder like a prize on display.
Within thirty seconds, Ren completely took over the room, steering the entire dialogue toward himself.
"I just got off a call with the head scout from Ryusei University yesterday." Ren announced casually, resting his elbows on the table and leaning forward with a smug, practiced grin. "They invited me to attend their private athletic showcase next month. If I perform at my usual standard, the head coach guaranteed me a full athletic recommendation letter before midterms even finish."
"A recommendation to Ryusei University?!" Pigtails gasped, clapping her hands together. "That’s amazing, Masato-san!"
"See?" Yumiko chirped proudly, beaming at the other girls as if she had earned the achievement herself. "He's getting closer and closer to his dream of becoming a national football player! I told you he's on a totally different level!"
"By the way, Masato-senpai." Glasses asked carefully, her voice polite but strained. "Is it true what people are saying? That your father is running for city mayor in the upcoming local election? And that he owns that huge commercial construction firm downtown?"
Ren let out a smooth, low laugh, running a hand through his blonde hair as he soaked in the attention. "Yeah, that's right. My old man has the election practically wrapped up in his pocket. The current city council is incompetent, so his company is going to be handling the new district redevelopment project anyway. It’s basically a win before fight even begin."
He went on boasting about his family's influence, his high-end connections, and the expensive venues he frequented, his tone thick with subtle arrogance. Miyuki watched the three literature club girls closely; beneath their polite nods and forced chuckles, she could clearly see the quiet discomfort in their eyes.
Ren wasn't sharing joy, he was asserting dominance.
Then, Ren’s sharp, dark gaze drifted across the table, locking directly onto Miyuki.
A slow, calculating smirk curved his lips. "Well, since I'm in such a great mood today, how about I treat everyone? Order whatever you want, it's all on my tab."
He looked straight at Miyuki, his tone dripping with mock generosity. "In fact, you girls should go grab a fresh round right now. Get Miyuki whatever she wants, too."
Ren pulled a thick leather wallet from his jacket, slapped several high-denomination bills onto the center of the table, and gestured toward the counter.
"Oh, thank you, Ren!" Yumiko squealed, snatching up the cash. "Come on, guys, let's go get the special brown sugar slushies!"
The three club girls stood up, clearly eager for an excuse to step away from Ren's overwhelming presence, and followed Yumiko toward the front order register.
Realizing she was suddenly about to be left completely alone with Ren at the table, a sharp panic flared in Miyuki’s chest. She quickly pushed her chair back, standing up. "I... I need to go to washroom—"
"Sit down, Miyuki."
Ren's low voice cut through the air, smooth as silk yet heavy as lead. He didn't raise his voice, but the sudden, cold authority behind it made Miyuki freeze in her tracks.
Ren gestured lazily to the empty seat across from him. "We haven't had a chance to talk properly. Don't be so cold."
Miyuki hesitated, her heart hammering against her ribs, but with the other girls standing in a long line near the noisy front register, making a scene would only invite unwanted drama. She slowly sat back down on the edge of her seat, keeping her body rigid and her hands folded tightly in her lap.
"Look." Ren began, leaning across the table, his dark eyes fixing onto hers with intense, unsettling focus. "I want to apologize for what happened in the Literature Club room yesterday. I realized later that I might have come across a bit too strong. I should have been more sensitive to your situation."
Miyuki kept her face completely neutral. Deep down, she could tell there wasn't a single grain of genuine remorse in his words. It was merely a calculated tactic to lower her guard.
"I don't need an apology, Masato... senpai," Miyuki said coldly.
" But I don't remember allowed you to call me by my name, we're not even know each other that much."
" Come on, who care?" Ren murmured, a sharp, knowing smile touching his lips. "Because I know about the kind of strain you're under, Miyuki. I know about your concerns regarding your relationship."
Miyuki’s eyes narrowed. "What?"
"Your boyfriend... Tendou... Takumi, right?" Ren tilted his head, playing with an empty plastic straw on the table. "He's a very dedicated guy, I'll give that. He’s chasing his writing dream with everything he’s got... just like me chasing mine."
Ren paused, leaning in just a fraction closer, his voice dropping into a dangerous, persuasive whisper that felt like cold poison dripping into her ear.
"But you know how guys like us are when we get obsessed with our goal, don't you? When a man is completely consumed by his ambition, he forgets everything else. He forgets the people standing right beside him. Tell me, Miyuki... haven't you been feeling a little lonely lately? How many times has he canceled your dates because of his precious draft? How many times have you felt like your relationship is sinking into a dull, repetitive routine while he moves forward without you?"
Miyuki felt a sudden, sharp ache in her chest. Ren’s words were carefully targeted, picking precisely at the lingering insecurities that had fed her nightmares over the past few weeks.
"Takumi-kun is not like that." Miyuki whispered defensively, her knuckles turning white.
" You sure?" Ren smirked, leaning back slightly, his eyes sparkling with cruel amuse. "Because from what I heard, Takumi was pretty lively during that Saitama trip yesterday. In fact... he seemed to get along remarkably well with that new transfer student."
" Who, eh?" Ren snapping his fingers few time as he trying to remember something, before his eyes wide opened a bit. "Oh yes. Katsuragi Rin, wasn't it?"
Miyuki’s breath hitched violently.
Ren poked the needle deeper, his tone smooth and sympathetic though Miyuki could feel the sarcasmism behinf it. "I have a few junior friends who were on that exact same trip, you know. They told me he and that transfer student were practically inseparable during the museum research module. He was acting a little *too* friendly with her, don't you think? Giving her his sweater, taking care of her in the rain..." Ren putting his two index fingers together.
"How do you... why would you say that?" Miyuki stammered, a sudden wave of nausea rising in her throat.
"I'm just pointing out the obvious, Miyuki." Ren said softly, his voice striking like a sharp blade. "Maybe that Tendou guy isn't neglecting you because he's busy. Maybe... he's just secretly exhausted of holding your hand. Maybe he feels like your constant need for reassurance is holding his writing career back, so he's naturally drawn to someone who can actually keep up with him."
" I mean..." Ren shrugs his shoulders. " That Katsuragi girl is... you knew she's a basically angel in our school with that what people call her a pridogy. That Tendou dude might be a nerd, but his taste is so high class."
*Holding him back...*
The cruel words echoed loudly inside Miyuki's head. The terrifying memory of yesterday evening flashed before her eyes... Rin standing in the doorway of Hanamichi Cafe, holding Takumi's navy blue sweater in her hands, looking flawless, brilliant, and untouchable.
A cold, suffocating panic threatened to paralyze Miyuki from the inside out. Her mind raced wildly, self-doubt creeping into her thoughts like black ink spilling into clear water.
*What if he is right? What if I really am just a burden to Takumi-kun's dream?*
Her hands began to tremble uncontrollably against her knees.
*Clink.*
*Chime...*
A faint, exceptionally pure bell chime rang out in the quiet space between them.
It was the delicate brass cherry blossom bell attached to the braided silver wristband on her wrist. The simple, rhythmic movement of her trembling hand had set the tiny bell off, its clear, melodic ring cutting through the foggy horror in her mind like a beam of pure light.
Instantly, the fierce, protective words of Yuri rushed back into her heart:
*“Stop letting your insecurities pull you toward trash, and start holding onto the person who actually loves you with everything he has.”*
And right beside it, the intense, noble eyes of Katsuragi Rin echoed in her memory:
*“Tendou-senpai trusts you with his entire heart... Be stronger. Do not give the shadows a single inch of room to hurt him.”*
Miyuki took a long, sharp, stabilizing breath.
The cold terror in her chest shattered like thin glass. The fog vanished, replaced by an overwhelming, crystal-clear conviction. She looked down at the silver wristband Takumi had bought for her with his own hard-earned money, a gift brought back from his trip because his very first thought had been of her.
Miyuki raised her head. She looked Masato Ren dead in the eyes, her expression completely transformed. The hesitation, panic, and vulnerability were entirely gone, replaced by a cold, unwavering resolve.
" You're deadly wrong." Miyuki stated, her voice quiet, firm, and ringing with absolute clarity. " I won't forgive you if you keep trash talk about him any further."
Ren’s smug smirk faltered slightly, his dark eyes blinking in sudden surprise.
"Takumi-kun's dream doesn't pull him away from me." Miyuki said, standing up from her chair and looking down at him with quiet disdain. "And he has never, for a single second, considered me a burden. I have absolute, unshakeable trust in his character, in his dreams, and in the love he has for me."
She unzipped her small purse, pulled out a neat thousand-yen bill, and set it firmly on the table in front of Ren, refusing to take a single cent of his money.
"Thank you for your treat, but I pay for my own drinks," Miyuki added coldly.
Ren stared at the money on the table, a brief flash of genuine irritation crossing his face before he forced a dark, amused scoff. "You're very loyal, Miyuki, it's cute. But I’ve seen plenty of men in my life, and I know their true nature. When a better option comes along, no guy stays—"
"I don't care about the men you know." Miyuki cut him off cleanly, her voice sharp as steel. "I've known my boyfriend for a decade. I know his heart better than anyone in this world, and I know he would never do what you're describing. Don't you ever dare insult him in front of me again, and I'm not permitted you to call me by my name anyway."
Without waiting another second, without giving him a single chance to utter another word, Miyuki turned on her heel and walked straight out of the Gong Cha shop, the glass door chiming softly as she stepped out into the cool evening air.
A minute later, Yumiko and the three literature club members returned to the table carrying a tray of iced drinks.
"Hey, where's Asahina-san?" Pigtails asked, looking around in puzzle. "Did she go to the bathroom?"
Ren sat silently at the head of the booth, staring out the window at the crowded street, his face dark, unreadable, and utterly devoid of his usual arrogance. He didn't say a word.
---
Walking down the brightly lit commercial sidewalk toward the school, Miyuki felt her phone vibrate in her skirt pocket.
She pulled it out. It was a text from Takumi:
*【 Takumi: Hey Miyuki-chan! We just finished with that urgent matter! Senpai let me off early. Are you still around school, or did you're home already? 】*
A soft, genuine smile broke across Miyuki's face. The lingering anger from her confrontation with Ren completely evaporated, replaced by a warm, eager lightness in her step.
Ten minutes later, Miyuki arrived at the front gate of the school. Standing under the warm glow of the gate post lamp was Takumi, adjusting his school bag over his shoulder, looking around anxiously.
"Takumi-kun!" Miyuki called out, quickening her pace toward him.
Takumi turned, his face instantly lighting up with a bright, radiant smile as he trotted forward to meet her. "Miyuki-chan! You're still here!"
Miyuki stopped in front of him, looking up into his soft, brown eyes.
She took a deep breath, deciding right then and there that she was done keeping secrets, done hiding her fears, and done letting misunderstandings breathe in the dark.
"Takumi-kun." Miyuki said earnestly, her voice clear and completely honest. "I need to tell you something. I just ran into Masato Ren at the tea shop down the street."
Takumi blinked, genuine surprise sweeping across his face. "Masato... Ren? You talked to him?"
Miyuki nodded firmly. She didn't hold back a single detail. She told him about how Mio had directed her to Gong Cha, how Yumiko and the other club members were there, how Ren had joined them, and how he had tried to manipulate her insecurities by bringing up Takumi's writing, her potential loneliness, and his interactions with Rin during the Saitama trip. She also told him exactly how she had rejected Ren's games and walked away.
She even revealed to him about the shenanigans yesterday.
"I wanted to tell you right away." Miyuki murmured, looking at him softly. "Because... I know we've both been busy lately, and I don't ever want us to let misunderstandings build up between us. I want us to be completely honest about everything—including our relationship."
Takumi stood in silence for a moment, processing her words.
Naturally, a sudden flash of protective anger had crossed his features when he heard about Ren trying to corner her, but as he looked into Miyuki’s open, courageous eyes, his expression melted into profound warmth and gratitude.
"Miyuki-chan..." Takumi spoke gently, taking both of her hands into his own, holding them firmly against his chest. "Thank you for telling me. Honestly... hearing that a guy like Masato was trying to mess with you makes me furious. But hearing how much you trust me... makes me happier than anything."
He squeezed her hands softly, his eyes shining with absolute sincerity. "I'm so sorry if I made you feel lonely lately with my writing, Miyuki-cham. I promise, no matter how busy I get, you are always my highest priority. You're never holding me back. You're the reason I write in the first place."
Miyuki felt tears of relief prick her eyes, a radiant smile breaking across her face. " I know."
"Come on." Takumi smiled warmly, looping his arm gently around hers. "Let's go home. I still owe you that special late-night dinner I promised."
" Alright!" Miyuki agreed happily, leaning her head affectionately against his shoulder as they turned and began walking down the quiet road together, hand in hand.
High above them, on the second floor of the main school building, a solitary figure stood motionless behind the glass window of the Literature Club room.
Tachibana Mio stood in the darkness of the unlit room, her hands folded neatly in front of her skirt. Her sharp, dark eyes were locked onto the two figures walking away under the streetlamps, watching Takumi and Miyuki share a quiet, intimate laugh in the distance.
The light caught Mio's face, revealing an expression that was terrifyingly cold, utterly unreadable, and filled with a strangely intense, lingering shadows.
