Monday – 8:42 AM
Yuuki walked through campus with Arisa at his side.
No contracts. No pretending. Just… them.
It was surreal.
Heads turned. Whispers buzzed.
"Is that Arisa Kurozawa?""Wait… she's with him?""No way. Isn't she the one from that—?"
Yuuki didn't care.
Not this time.
Arisa slid her arm through his like it was nothing. But he felt the way her grip tightened every time someone stared too long.
"Still want to do this publicly?" she asked, glancing at him.
"Too late to run now," he said with a crooked smile.
She smirked. "I'd catch you."
Cafeteria – 12:13 PM
He sat beside her, unbothered by the stares. They shared one tray of fries, and Yuuki didn't even pretend he wasn't watching her more than eating.
Then someone pulled up a chair across from them.
A stranger.
Tall. Clean-cut. Confident smirk. Slight tan. Designer cologne.
Arisa froze.
Yuuki's instincts flared.
"Yo," the guy said casually. "Didn't think I'd see you again so soon, Arisa."
Yuuki stiffened. "You know him?"
She nodded. Slowly. Uncomfortably."…This is Hayato."
Hayato leaned forward, ignoring Yuuki completely.
"She used to call me her favorite," he said with a smile. "Back when things were simpler."
Yuuki gritted his teeth. "Things aren't simple anymore."
Hayato finally looked at him. "Yeah, I heard. Guess you're the boyfriend now."
Yuuki didn't blink.
"I'm hers now," he said. Loud enough for the whole table to hear. "Tell that to your friends."
The tension hung in the air like smoke.
Hayato stood.
Smiled.
Then walked off — like he was already planning his next move.
Arisa whispered, "I'm sorry."
Yuuki looked at her, jaw tight.
"Don't be," he said. "But I don't think he's done."