Her scream echoed off the concrete walls, raw and desperate. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she shoved herself to her feet, staggering between them. "I can't— I can't do this! Just leave me alone!"
She bolted again, this time up the stairs toward the dorms, her sobs trailing behind her.
Kana started after her, but Daika's hand shot out, catching her arm.
Their eyes locked, a silent war flaring between them.
"This isn't over," Daika whispered.
Kana ripped free, her voice low and lethal. "No. It's just beginning."
The stairwell door slammed shut above them, leaving the them in the dark.
And somewhere down the hall, Rika finally collapsed in her room, pressing her face into her pillow, trembling so hard her teeth chattered.
Her secret was unraveling.
Her heart was cracking.
And the storm between Daika and Kana had only just ignited.
It was a new day....
The city air felt different when Kana was the one leading her by the hand.
