Aida felt like he was collapsing.
Was his love life ending before it even began? How could this happen? Serizawa had clearly liked him before. Clearly... So why did someone else suddenly appear and take her away?
Why did Serizawa fall for someone else?
'I can't accept this. I was here first!'
But no matter how much he refused to accept it, no matter how much he questioned and agonized, he couldn't change the facts. Looking at the calm yet firm expression of the black-haired girl before him, he knew it was hopeless.
'Serizawa... won't agree to date me.'
Just as Aida was about to leave in despair, a girl rushed in, sweating. "Xiaoxiao~ Xiaoxiao? Ah—Xiaoxiao!"
Seeing him waiting in the corner, she waved—but Serizawa stopped her. "Sorry, no loud noises in the library."
"Sorry, sorry!" The girl clasped her hands together.
Beautiful red hair, delicate features—on par with Serizawa. Sweat plastered hair to her cheeks, but she radiated youth and vitality.
Sportswear. An athlete.
Obata Yui.
"Xiaoxiao~ Did you wait long?" She approached, about to pounce, but stopped—her clothes were soaked.
He pulled her close anyway.
"Making me wait this long..."
"Sorry! Club activities. I'm a regular on the basketball team." As a second-year, she couldn't just skip.
"Then why not let me come find you?"
"Women's team. No boys allowed. Don't be mad—I came straight from practice. Didn't even change..." She squirmed. "I'm all sweaty. Stop hugging me."
"Tsk, tsk. Sweaty, sure. But cute girls smell good even when they sweat." He meant it. The mix of scent and sweat—
Wild. Alluring.
"Wow, smell good? You little pervert~" She scolded, but inside, she was happy.
Serizawa and Aida watched their intimacy. Yukiha's cheeks puffed.
She knew Yui was Mu-kun's lover. She'd seen them together in the library. But still—uncomfortable. Sour.
Watching them cling together, laughing sweetly—even worse.
Jealousy.
"Serizawa... that guy has a girlfriend? That girl's his lover?" Aida noticed.
She said nothing. Of course she knew.
He clenched his fists. "Why? He already has a girlfriend! Why would you—do you want to be the other woman?"
He couldn't accept it. 'He already has someone—why compete with me for Serizawa?'
"That's my business, Aida. Stop." A rare flash of anger. She knew about Mu-kun's girlfriends. All beautiful.
'What's it to you? "Other woman"? If anything, I'd be number five or six. Maybe seven.'
"We're just friends. My private life isn't your concern."
"Serizawa..."
Mu Xiaoxiao shouldered his bag, walking beside Obata Yui. She held his hand—not hugging. He didn't mind the sweat, but she cared about her image.
Too eager to see him, she hadn't changed.
"Coming to my place?"
"Obviously. If not for you, I'd already be having fun with Chi-chan and the others."
"Then I'll make it up to you. Mom will be there too." A meaningful glance. "We'll make you happy."
"Looking forward to it..."
At the door, he noticed Serizawa watching. "Yukiha, not heading home?"
"Well... Mu-kun. Yui-senpai."
"Huh? You know me?" Yui blinked.
"Mu-kun mentioned you." Yukiha smiled, glancing at him. "He told me about you. Actually, I was just about to head home too. Can I walk with you?"
"Eh?"
Yui paused, studying her. "Sure! What's your name?"
"Serizawa Yukiha. Yui-senpai."
"Just call me Yui. I'll call you Yukiha." She winked playfully. "Yukiha, be honest—are you and Xiaoxiao... that kind of relationship?"
She gestured.
"Ugh... Yui-senpai, don't tease. Mu-kun and I are just friends."
"Liar. I know Xiaoxiao has lots of girls around him. I'll believe that. But a female friend? No way." Yui hooked her arm.
"Well... something did happen..."
"Hehe. Tell me on the way. First, I need to change at the club."
Watching them chat like sisters, Mu Xiaoxiao glanced at the outsider boy. Who was this? Right—the one Serizawa liked?
Classic suffering protagonist face.
'Well, that guy's already done for. Guess he won't suffer the same fate? Wait—I'm a bastard too.'
'Eh, whatever. He won't end up broken. I've destroyed plenty, but my methods are gentle. Not intentional.'
'Just taking women out of love. And to get stronger.'
They left. Three of them.
Serizawa took her bag and walked off with Mu Xiaoxiao and Obata Yui. Aida stood alone, watching. Pale. Desolate.
'Serizawa... why?'
'Why go with a guy who already has a girlfriend instead of me?'
'How can those two girls get along so well?'
'What's wrong with this world?'
'I don't understand.'