Kaede doesn't like it one bit, but she only dips her head in a small bow before turning on her heel. She's older than Reika, yet not the kind of girl to pick a fight out of sheer prejudice.
And you know what? There's a strange little phenomenon in human attraction: a man's appeal can sharpen the moment a woman discovers he's already wanted by someone else. Psychologists call it mate-choice copying.
And right now, Reika simply feels it. Kaede's presence, her familiarity with Ryoma, the way her hand brushed his bruise, should have made Reika step back. Instead, it gives her a reason to lean forward, or perhaps, to be bolder.
She moves toward the door, half with an excuse of apology, half with the thrill of staking her own claim. But before her hand can reach the handle, the door swings open.
"Think it's time I leave." Aki steps out, bowing slightly toward Ryoma inside. "Thank you for letting me see deeper into a boxer's life."
