Haruto stood a few steps away, his head bowed, his usual confidence replaced by a raw vulnerability. The sorrow of his sister's death lingered in his eyes, but now it was mingled with something new—guilt, confusion, and an undeniable pull toward Reina. He wanted to speak, to bridge the chasm that had opened between them, but the words felt heavy, trapped in his throat.
Reina took a deep breath, her voice gentle but firm, cutting through the silence. "Haruto, I know you're hurting. I know how much you loved your sister. But… death is inevitable. One day, you'll die. I'll die. Everyone will. You can't carry that pain forever." Her black eyes, framed by her fiery red hair, shimmered with empathy, her words a quiet plea for him to let go, if only for a moment.
Haruto turned slowly, his gaze locking onto hers. The distance between them vanished as he stepped closer, so close she could feel the warmth of his presence. Reina's heart skipped, her voice faltering. "Haruto… why are you standing so close?" Her words were barely a whisper, her pulse quickening as she met his intense, searching eyes.
Without warning, Haruto's hands found hers, his fingers intertwining with her own. In a swift, almost desperate motion, he pressed her against the wall, his grip firm but gentle. Reina's breath caught, her legs trembling beneath her. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it, her face flushing a deep crimson. "Haruto, what… what are you doing?" she stammered, her voice quivering with a mix of shyness and anticipation, her cheeks burning under his gaze.
Haruto's eyes softened, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he studied her. "Reina, you're… beautiful. Your black eyes, like stars in the night. Your red hair—it's different today, softer, like a flame that doesn't burn." His voice was low, almost reverent, as his fingers brushed the side of her neck, tracing a slow, deliberate path to her lips. "And this dress… it makes you look like you belong in a dream."
Reina's thoughts spiraled, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Is he… is he going to kiss me? Her face grew hotter, her body frozen under his touch. She couldn't move, didn't want to move, caught in the gravity of his presence. "Haruto, what are you doing?" she whispered again, her voice so soft it barely reached him, her heart racing with a wild, unspoken hope.
Haruto's thumb grazed her lower lip, his eyes darkening with an intensity that made her breath hitch. "You're blushing, Reina," he murmured, his voice a tender tease. "You're so cute when you blush. It makes me want to kiss you… so badly." His words were a confession, raw and unguarded, his face inches from hers.
Reina's entire face was aflame, her thoughts a chaotic dance of shock and longing. Kiss? He wants to kiss me? Her mind reeled, grappling with the shift from his earlier sorrow to this sudden, overwhelming desire. He was so sad just moments ago, and now he's pinned me against the wall, talking about kissing me. What's wrong with him? She glanced at his face, his sharp features softened by a beauty she'd always noticed but never dared dwell on. Why can't I resist him? Why does my heart feel like it's betraying me?
Haruto leaned closer, his lips hovering just above hers, his breath warm against her skin. Reina's eyes fluttered shut, her body surrendering to the moment. She couldn't move, didn't want to, even as his grip tightened, holding her in place. Her heart whispered that she wanted this, wanted him, despite the chaos of her thoughts. She saw his face in her mind's eye, beautiful and earnest, and let herself fall into the pull of his presence.
But before their lips could meet, a voice shattered the fragile moment. "Hey, Reina! Haruto! Where are you two?" The shout echoed through the room, sharp and intrusive.
Haruto froze, his senses snapping back to reality. He stepped back abruptly, releasing Reina's hands, his face flushing with embarrassment. "Reina, I… I'm so sorry," he stammered, his voice thick with guilt. He glanced at her, her beautiful face flushed and her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and his heart sank. "I didn't mean to… I don't know why I did that."
Reina's legs wobbled, her emotions a tangled mess of relief and disappointment. She couldn't meet his gaze, her hands trembling as she pressed them against her chest. He almost kissed me… and I wanted him to. The thought sent a fresh wave of heat to her cheeks, her heart aching with the nearness of what might have been.
Himari burst into the room, her sharp eyes scanning the scene. "Yuki! Takeshi! They're in Room 411—come quick!" she called over her shoulder, then paused, her brow furrowing as she noticed the tension. Reina's near-tears and Haruto's awkward stance were impossible to miss. "What happened here?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion. "You two are acting… weird."
Reina and Haruto spoke at once, their voices overlapping in a frantic chorus. "Nothing happened! Nothing!" Their synchronized denial only deepened Himari's doubts, her eyes narrowing as she studied them.
Something definitely happened, Himari thought, but before she could press further, Yuki and Takeshi appeared in the doorway, their presence breaking the tension.
Takeshi grinned, his voice teasing. "Haruto, I thought you were gonna do something drastic, but here you are, alive and well!" He clapped Haruto on the shoulder, oblivious to the charged atmosphere.
Haruto shot back, a spark of his usual fire returning. "Why would I die when you're still around, Takeshi? Just shut up." His smile was strained, but the banter felt like a lifeline, pulling him back from the edge of his emotions.
Takeshi laughed, undeterred. "Oh, you think you're better than me just 'cause you've got some fancy abilities?" He flexed his arms, his grin widening. "Why don't we fight right now and see who's stronger?" A surge of divine energy pulsed from him, heavy and oppressive, making the room feel smaller, the air harder to breathe.
Haruto's eyes gleamed with challenge. "Fine by me." He stepped forward, his own energy flaring, the promise of a clash crackling between them.
Before they could collide, Yuki's fist connected with both their heads in a swift, no-nonsense strike. "You two idiots! Use your brains for once—oh, wait, I forgot you don't have any!" Her voice was sharp, but her eyes sparkled with amusement.
Takeshi rubbed his head, grinning despite the pain. "Acting like you've got a brain, Yuki?" he teased, dodging another playful swipe.
Yuki laughed, then paused, her gaze softening as she noticed Reina's discomfort. "Reina, what's wrong? You don't look okay."
Reina forced a smile, her voice unsteady. "I'm fine, Yuki. Nothing happened." The lie felt heavy on her tongue, her heart still racing from Haruto's touch, his words echoing in her mind.
Yuki's eyes narrowed, sensing the deception, but she didn't push. "Alright. Let's head to the practice battlefield—it's our final evaluation stage." Her voice was bright with curiosity, a subtle nudge to move forward.
Reina nodded, her smile faltering. "You guys go. I'll catch up."
Himari's brow arched, her doubts deepening. "Why? What's going on, Reina?"
"I just… need some water," Reina said, her voice barely convincing. "I'll be right there."
The group hesitated, but Yuki ushered them out, her voice firm. "Come on, let's go." Takeshi and Himari followed, casting lingering glances at Reina, but Haruto lingered, his expression heavy with guilt.
The room fell silent again, the air charged with the weight of their unspoken emotions. Reina's heart pounded, her thoughts spiraling. He almost kissed me. Why is he still here? She couldn't look at him, her nerves fraying under the memory of his touch.
Haruto stepped closer, his voice low and earnest. "Reina, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to… to do that. I don't know what came over me." He bowed his head, his face flushed with shame. "Please forgive me."
Reina's chest tightened, her emotions a tangle of forgiveness and longing. "It's fine, Haruto," she said softly, her voice trembling. "Just… leave it. Let's forget it." But she couldn't forget—the warmth of his hands, the intensity of his gaze, the way her heart had betrayed her with its own desire.
Haruto's shoulders relaxed, relief washing over him. "Thank you, Reina. Should we… head to the battlefield?"
Before he could turn away, Reina's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. Her heart raced, a reckless courage surging within her. She didn't know why, didn't understand the fire in her chest, but she couldn't let this moment slip away. In a swift, trembling motion, she pulled him close, her lips finding his in a soft, fleeting kiss.
Time seemed to stop, the world narrowing to the warmth of their connection. Haruto's eyes widened, his breath catching, but he didn't pull away. Reina's heart soared, a mix of fear and exhilaration flooding her senses. The kiss was brief, a fragile spark in the chaos of their lives, but it carried the weight of everything unspoken between them.