(Diving into Itsuki a bit.. very important..)
In Daiki's living room, Itsuki lay sprawled across the couch, controller in hand, his face glowing from the television.
Itsuki (yelling at the screen, frustrated):
"Bro, are you kidding me!? What a cheap shot! I swear you're hacking—!"
Daiki (calling from the kitchen, irritated):
"HEY! Are you going to help me make dinner, or just curse at twelve-year-olds online?"
Itsuki ripped his headphones off, spinning around like a guilty child caught in the act.
Itsuki (grinning, sheepish):
"Alright, alright! What are we cooking?"
Daiki (flatly, stirring a pot):
"Seaweed soup."
Itsuki (groaning, rolling his eyes):
"Shion hates seaweed."
Daiki: (leaning over with a smirk):
"Yeah but Mumu doesn't, and I'm making it for her. Not Shion."
Itsuki casually lifts up a brow in a teasing but seductively way, leaned across the counter, scrolling through his phone. His playful smirk vanished, replaced by a bitter scowl.
Itsuki (muttering darkly):
"Ugh. Mom's complaining again. Says debt collectors showed up."
Daiki (frowning, confused):
"You guys just paid them off. Why are they there again?"
Itsuki (snapping, frustrated):
"You'd think she'd learn, but nope. She borrowed from the same people AGAIN. This time— for a damn purse."
Daiki shook his head, pity crossing his face.
Daiki (blunt, sighing):
"Sorry to say it, bro, but... she's actually stupid. Who can be so materialistic like that?"
Itsuki smacked him on the shoulder, forcing out a laugh that didn't reach his eyes. His phone buzzed again. This time, his face hardened.
Itsuki (low, serious):
"I have to go. I'll be back later."
The text:
"I know who killed your dad.."
Itsuki's breath hitched. His hands trembled so violently the phone slipped and hit the pavement. Snatching it up again, he typed furiously.
Itsuki (voice cracking as he typed):
"Who are you..?"
The reply flashed too quickly. Panic surged. A scream tore from his throat as he hurled the phone down, smashing it against the concrete over and over until glass splintered across the driveway.
The front door creaked. Daiki stepped outside, his eyes wide.
Daiki (startled, muttering):
"What the—"
Itsuki:
"I'm going home Daiki I will see you later."
Daiki:
"Itsuki what the hell? you can't just throw your phone like this and leave, it's dangerous.
Itsuki (walking backwards, playful smile):
"I'm fine Daiki I promise! I can take care of my self."
Daiki walks up to the phone picking it up and shaking his head at the damage, he laughs in disbelief and walks back in the house, gazing in front of him while looking back at the damaged phone.
Daiki (sheepish):
"This guy is... questionable.."
Back in the classroom, Shion leaned her cheek against her palm, her gaze drifting toward Toru. Her eyes lingered, studying him.
His profile was sharp, lit by the glow of the window. His jaw clenched whenever the teacher called on him, the faint roll of his eyes almost imperceptible, but there. Even the way his lashes flickered when he blinked was distracting. He looked innocent, mysterious, like someone you could lose yourself in. Dangerous. A heartbreaker disguised as a boy who didn't care.
Toru stiffened, finally snapping under the weight of her stare.
Toru (whispering sharply):
"Could you stop watching me?"
Her voice slipped out before she could catch it— soft, dazed, almost a thought escaping into the air.
Shion (dreamlike, without realizing):
"What would it take... to make you fall in love with me, Toru?"
His head snapped toward her, disbelief and irritation flashing across his face.
Toru (shaking his head, disgusted):
"What? Dude, what?"
Shion (slowly lifting her head up):
"Dude..?"
The loud scrape of his desk against the tile made the whole class turn. Whispers rippled instantly.
Ms Endo (shouting, looking over, concerned):
"Is everything okay?"
Students (hushed, gossiping):
"Why's he moving away?"
"Is she trying to seduce him?"
"Toru doesn't even date."
Shion's cheeks burned. Heat climbed up her neck until her entire face was flushed crimson.
Ms Endo:
"Why did you move your desk in the middle of me teaching?"
Toru says nothing.
The whispers cut into her, each one making her feel like the old version of herself—the one who had been humiliated, discarded, left behind.
Toru gaze flickered to her again, his brows furrowing at the sight of her shame. Something in her expression struck him, something that felt... familiar. With a heavy sigh, he dragged his desk back to where it was.
Toru (gruff, dismissive):
"There was a fly. Everything's fine."
Shion blinked at him, stunned. Her throat tightened, words caught somewhere between gratitude and humiliation. She turned quickly back to the window, her reflection staring back at her— half the girl she used to be, half the girl who wanted revenge.
Her thoughts tangled, sharp and dangerous.
(Should I seduce him? Is this how I break him the way he broke me?)
A sudden snap of finger broke her haze.
Toru (awkwardly):
"Hey. You gonna flip to the right page, or do you need help?"
She jolted. startled.
Shion (snapping, embarrassed):
"Worry about yourself."
Toru smirked faintly, tilting his head like he'd won something, before dropping his gaze back to his paper. Shion flipped her book open, her cheeks still warm, her heart pounding.
The lesson droned on, but the tension between them refused to die.
Finally, Shion tilted her head and tapped his arm. He turned, impatient, tugging off one side of his headphones.
Shion (low, defensive):
"What's with the attitude..?"
Her voice faltered at the end. It broke her heart to sit next to him like all of this was nothing. A year ago, he's shattered her— and now he treated like she was just another classmate. As if he hadn't missed her at all. But of course, he wouldn't. She wasn't Hana anymore.
Toru's gaze softened unexpectedly.
Toru (concerned, whisper):
"I hope I didn't hurt your feelings though.. I always say stupid things and but don't take it to heart, deal?"
Shion thinks back to the past, how he laughed at her when she asked if he would marry her.. did he mean it? When he said she wasn't her type, what went through his head?
Shion (stammering):
"Oh... of course not— no. Why would—"
He cut her off with a small chuckle, quiet but real.
Toru (chuckling, whispering):
"I used to know someone like you. Same class, same seat. Awkward. She wasn't as pretty as you, but... without her glasses, she was."
Shion's blood ran cold. Her heart hammed in her chest, panic twisting her insides.
Shion (serious, voice cracking):
"Did you... did you like her back—?"
Before she could finish, Ms. Endo's voice sliced through the tension.
Ms Endo (gentle but stern):
"Did I make a mistake putting you with Asagiri, Toru?"
Toru & Shion (in unison, flustered):
"Oh, no, no!"
Students (gossiping again):
"Are they getting along now?"
"He's definitely being harassed by her."
Shion throat tightens at the gossip, gripping her skirt again looking out the window. Toru gazes at her nervous reaction and looks around him, the classmates chattering about one girl, like they used to a year ago. Toru clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes at the chatter, and ducked his head back to his work.
Ms. Endo (snapping, voice like thunder):
"I SAID SETTLE DOWN!"
The class went silent. Even Shion stiffened at the weight of her teacher's voice.
Shion, still restless, reached for a sticky note on Toru's textbook. His head shot up, snatching it back.
Shion (hissing, under her breath):
"Relax. No one's watching."
He glared, but gave up, exhaling through his nose. Shion scribbled furiously, slide the note across.
On the sticky note:
"Did you like her back?"
Toru eyes scanned the words. His jaw tightened. Without hesitation, he crumpled the note and let it drop to the floor.
Shion's chest ached. She bit the inside of her cheek, deciding not to push farther— for now.
Her thoughts spiraled, sharp and venomous.
(I need advice on how to seduce a boy... And how dare he talk about my dead body like that? Why would he dump me and then reminisce about Hana as if he really cared?)
Toru thoughts tangled too.
(Who is this girl? She reminds me of Hana in ways I can't explain... she barely knows me, and yet she looks at me like that. Daydreaming, obsessed. Maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe it's none of her business what I felt for Hana... I think I overly spilled for a second.)
The silence between them was heavy—thicker than the lesson. The air itself seemed to bend around the weight of what they weren't saying.
_____________________________________
The front door creaks open, then slams. Itsuki stumbles in, shoes half slipping off, his jacket sliding off one shoulder. The hall light flickers across his face, pale and tired, his eyes glassy with drink.
From the kitchen, the sizzle of oil and the smell of fish and something delicious that you can't quite figure what it is but it fills the house. Keiko turns, knife in hand, her brows furrowing the second she sees him sway.
Keiko (snapping, voice sharp but trembling):
"You're drunk again. How many times have I told you— I hate when you drink!"
Itsuki winces, pressing his palm against his temple as if her voice is drilling into his skull.
Itsuki (slurred, low):
"I had a lot... on my mind. Just let me go to my room."
He doesn't wait for her response, dragging his feet down the narrow hall. Keiko's lips press into a hard line, her voice dying in her throat as she watches him disappear.
Itsuki flops onto his bed, the springs creaking under his weight. He reaches blindly toward the dresser, pulling out a second phone—cheap, scratched on the edges. His thumb hovers before tapping Shion's name.
Text messages
Suki Suki 😛
Hey when are you out of school?
Shion 🌹🖤
Pretty soon, why? Is something the matter?
Suki Suki 😛
I just miss you guys. I hate that I have to get on the train now just to see you and Daiki :(
Shion 🌹🖤
Yeah I miss you and Mumu already.. but when I'm out of school and.. I finish business here, I will come stay there again.
Suki Suki😛
Should we just run away?
Shion🌹🖤
Run away..? I can't.
Suki Suki 😛
What's stopping you? are you happy where you are?
Shion🌹🖤
No. I hate this place.
Suki Suki😛
Then leave.
Shion 🌹🖤
Are you crazy? I cant just walk out of class to leave and see you guys.
Suki Suki 😛
Not just "us guys" but me and you.
Seen
Suki Suki 😛
Never mind then🙄.
Seen
_____________________________________
Itsuki sighs, shutting the phone off. The screen flashes for a moment with his wallpaper— him, Mumu, Daiki, and Shion all grinning in a blurry photo.

He stares at it longer than he means to. His lips twitch into a sad smile.
Itsuki (softly, voice cracking):
"You guys.. you're the only reason I keep going."
The door suddenly slams open, banging against the wall. Keiko stands there, arms crossed, her shadow long and sharp in the hallway light. Her face is carved in fury.
Keiko (snapping, voice raised):
"I'm tired of this, Itsuki! Tired of you bumming around all day! Get up—find a part-time job, anything! You can't live off me forever!"
Itsuki groans, rolling onto his side with his back to her. Burying his face into the pillow.
Itsuki (muttering, bitter):
"Here we go again..."
Keiko (cutting over him, her voice rising);
"And you're not getting any younger! You should be married by now— give me a daughter-in-law, a family! Something to be proud of!"
Itsuki lets out a harsh laugh, rolling back over to face her with red-rimmed eyes.
Itsuki (mocking,cruelly)
"Oh yeah? You want a grandson you can scream at too? Teach him how to hate coming home?"
Keiko breath catches, her face twisting. She storms forward, grabbing his ear roughly like he's still a child.
Keiko (furious):
"Don't you dare talk to me like that!"
She yanks, but Itsuki reacts on instinct—shoving her away. His reflex is too sharp, and she stumbles, hitting the floor with a painful thud.
Itsuki's eyes widen instantly. He stumbles back, hands raised in panic.
Itsuki (frantic):
"Mom—wait, I didn't mean to—"
Keiko (screaming from the floor, pointing at the door):
"JUST LEAVE! GO!"
The words pierce deeper than any blade. Itsuki freezes, his chest rising and falling, eyes brimming with tears. He swallows hard, voice breaking as he looks away.
Itsuki (quiet, trembling):
"...Today's Dad birthday."
For a moment, the room is silent except for the hum of the kitchen stove down the hall. Keiko's expression hardens again—anger covering the grief in her eyes.
Keiko (snapping, voice cracking):
"LEAVE, ITSUKI!"
Itsuki scoffs bitterly, tears finally spilling over as he grabs his jacket. He storms toward the door, hissing under his breath.
Itsuki (shouting, voice raw, loud enough for the whole block to hear):
"THIS IS WHY I HATE YOU!"
The door slams behind him, rattling the frame.
_____________________________________
The courtyard buzzed with life. Laughter, chatter, bicycle bells ringing. Students spilled out the school gates one after another, each one heading home—arms linked with friends, climbing into cars, hopping onto bikes.
Shion stood still among them, her uniform neat bit but her figure small, shrinking against the tide of people. Her hands gripped the straps of her bag tightly. Every smile she saw around her twisted like a knife in her chest. Everyone seemed to belong to someone. Everyone but her.
The roar of an engine snapped her from her faze. A sleek car rolled up to the curb, windows sliding down as voices called out.
Tokami (grinning, leaning out, shouting):
"Toru! Hurry up!"
Maki leaned over from the driver's side, his arm draped casually against the wheel. His sharp Aries energy was written all over his smirk.
Shion's breath hitched. Her eyes widened. Recognition slammed into her chest. Memories clawed their way up, uninvited—laughter, voices, fragments of nights long ago. The faces of Tokami and Maki blurred with the weight of the past.
Her vision shimmered. She didn't even realize the tears falling down her cheeks until Tokami whispered, frowning.
Tokami (lowering voice to Maki):
"Why is that girl staring at us like that? ... She's crying."
Maki (yelling out the window):
"HEY! Are you okay?"
Shion froze, tears spilling faster. Her lips trembled but no sound left her mouth
The school doors burst open. Toru came flying out, blazer half-off, tie loose, panic etched into every line of his face.
Toru (yelling, frantic):
"GO! HURRY! That crazy girl is chasing me again!"
He dove into the car, slamming the door shut.
Maki, blinked, confused, before spotting another girl sprinting toward them—clutching a pink envelope in her hand. He cursed under his breath.
Maki (cursing under his breath):
"Shit."
and floored the gas.
Shion flinched as the car screeched away, wind tugging at her hair. She whipped her head around and spotted the girl slowing to a stop behind her, clutching the love letter against her chest. The girl's shoulders sagged, her head bowing as if the rejection had crushed her heart into dust.
Shion's own chest caved. Her tears blurred the world. She looked at the girl with pity, then hung her head, wiping her face roughly with her sleeve. Step by step, she forced herself to walk home, her feet heavy, her throat tight.
In the car with the boys..
The music blared, bass shaking the seats. Toru slumped in the back, catching his breath, trying to act unbothered. Maki adjusted the rearview, his eyes narrowing.
He turned the volume down, his voice cutting through the quiet.
Maki (calm, curious):
"Hey... who was that pretty girl outside? The one crying and staring at us."
Toru blinked, confused
Toru:
"She's the crazy girl who's been chasing after me with love letters for the past few weeks, I told you about."
Tokami twisted in his seat, leaning back to glance at him.
Tokami: "The new girl at school. You seriously didn't see her?"
Toru tilted his head, squinting. Then it hit him. His whole body jerked.
Toru (shouting, panicked):
"Wait! Go back!"
Maki frowned, his brows knitting together.
Maki: "Why? What for?"
Toru (desperate):
"What if she—I just.. I don't want her to cry like that, okay?"
Tokami's sharp gaze softened instantly. Guilt flickered across his face. He leaned forward, his voice gentle.
Tokami (quiet):
"Turn around."
Maki scoffed, rolling his eyes, but his grip on the wheel tightened.
Maki (mocking):
"What's with you guys, huh? Acting like heroes all of a sudden?"
Toru (snapping):
"It's suicide prevention month."
Tokami sighed through his nose, sinking into his seat, guilt weighing him down. Maki huffed, shaking his head, but eventually swung the car into a U-turn.
Maki (grumbling):
"She was just crying. Crying doesn't mean dying. Why are you acting like this? I still have to pick up
your sister."
Toru (cold, dismissive):
"She can walk."
Maki frowned, his voice softening with genuine curiosity now.
Maki:
"Bu the way... has Hana moved away since I've been gone?"
The name landed like a gunshot.
Toru and Tokami stiffened instantly. The car filled with silence so heavy it pressed against their throats.
Maki (confused, glancing at them):"
"...Hello? Am I talking to myself?"
Toru lips parted, his voice cracking.
Toru:
"She's de—"
Tokami (cutting sharply, firm):
"She moved away."
Toru's eyes shot to Tokami, stunned by the lie. Tokami stared straight ahead, his jaw clenched.
Maki (shrugging, sighing):
"Ah. That's a shame."
Before Toru could argue—his eyes widened. He slammed his hand against the window.
Toru (yelling):
"STOP! That's her!"
Maki hits the brakes hard, tires screeching. Toru flung the door open before the car had fully stopped. He sprinted, his hand closing around Shion's arm.
Shion gasped, jerking back. Her hand flew to her bag instinctively, ready to defend herself—until she saw his face. Toru.
Her eyes widened, tears still glistening.
Toru (out of breath, voice shaking with concern):
"Are you okay? Do you...do you need a ride?"
Shion froze, words caught in her throat. Her lips parted but nothing came out.
And then—
Flashback- A year Ago..
Rain hammered down, relentless, soaking her hair, her uniform. Hana walked aimlessly through the streets, her tears indistinguishable from the rain. Her mother's last words still echoed: "Dont come tonight."
Her knees buckled. She started to fall—
—But a hand caught her.
She blinked through the rain. A boy stood above her. Cross earrings glinting, jawline sharp, curly hair plastered to his forehead wearing a black-tshirt with a band plastered on it. His eyes—terrified. but kind.
Toru (voice trembling, scared):
"Hey... why are you out here alone like this?"
Hana (whispering, as if staring at an angel):
"Who...are you?"
Toru (gentle, trying to smile):
"I'm your classmate. Toru Kanzaki."
Her breath hitched. She never thought he'd even noticed her. She rubbed her arm sheepishly, unable to meet his eyes.
Toru (softer, coaxing):
"Come on. Get in the car with us. We'll take you home."
Hana (snapping, broken):
"I DONT WANT TO GO HOME!"
Her scream ripped through the storm. Toru stiffened, his chest tightening. He glanced back at the car, then back at her.
Slowly, he nodded.
Toru (softer smile):
Okay... okay. We were about to grab food anyway. Come with us. My treat."
For the first time that night, Hana's lips curved into a small smile. She nodded eagerly.
He led her to the car, opening the car door. She bowed awkwardly to Tokami and Maki in the front, smoke filling the car as rock music plays.
Hana (quiet, shy laugh):
"It smells... good in here.. hello."
Maki immediately leaned over the seat, his grin wide but devious, eyes gleaming with that reckless Aries energy.
Maki (grinning, teasing):
"Careful. Don't breathe in too much. It's marijuana."
Hana eyes went wide, her whole body stiffening.
Hana (panicking):
"But you can't—! You'll be arrested! We'll all—"
Toru burst out laughing, slapping the seat making Maki immediately turn around again, holding his head dramatically.
Maki (snapping, rubbing the back of his head):
"HEY!"
Toru (still laughing):
"It's fine, it's night time. Relax. Hana. No one's out here checking."
Tokami (deadpan, adjusting the mirror):
"You two are idiots. You're scaring her on her first day."
Maki (leaning back smugly):
"If she can't hang with the bad boys, maybe she should get out."
Hana clutched her bag tighter, caught between fear and the tiniest smile.
Hana (softly):
"I don't... I don't want to go home."
Toru's laughter faded into something gentler. He reached behind the back seat for, pulling out his jacket that was laying beside the back window, and carefully draped it around her shoulders.
Toru (warmly):
"Then don't. You're with us now."
Hana blinked rapidly, her fingers fidgeting against the coat.
Maki presses on the gas, pulling off. The night time sky following them as rain pours down on the window.
Tokami (snickering):
"Bro, roll down the windows before she gets high and stupid."
Toru (mock-serious towards Maki, rolling his eyes):
"LET THE WINDOWS DOWN!"
Maki (sighing, muttering under his breath):
"Wasting the weed, wasting the air... you're all insane."
The windows slid down, cold night air rushed in, rain rushed in as everyone gets wet mixing with warm laughter.
Hana chest tightened. Her nerves snapped like wires, and before she could stop herself she blurted out:
Hana (shouting):
"I THINK I'M HIGH!"
The went silent for a single beat—then exploded into laughter again.
Maki howled, pounding the steering wheel so hard the car swerved.
Maki (crying with laughter):
"GUYS SHES GONE! WE LOST HER!"
Toru leaned over, wheezing as he tried to breathe.
Toru (teasing but gentle):
"Hana, you're fine. I promise. You just... you just cracked your first joke without meaning to."
Tokami pressed his palm to his face, but even he cracked a smile in the mirror.
Tokami (shaking his head):
"Unbelievable. You three are going to get us all killed."
Maki pointed suddenly out the windshield, gasping dramatically.
Maki (panicked):
"WHAT'S THAT IN THE ROAD?!"
Hana screamed, jerking forward—only to see... a stop sign.
Toru (snorting, then serious):
"It's just a stop sign idiot. WAIT WAIT YOU'RE ABOUT TO PASS THE-"
Hana jerks up but the whole car turns into laughter so hard everyone forgets to breathe, their laugh was so contagious that even Hana found herself giggling and covering her mouth.
They stayed laughing hard, Toru swaying over near Hana, gripping his stomach to breathe trying to hold on to her as if he was dying. She laughs harder this time to the point she couldn't breathe.
Tokami (hitting Maki, laughing hard, weak voice from laughing):
"Fucking dumbass."
Toru laugh in the back blasts like a bass even louder as Maki sits in the front like an idiot while laughing, his eyes low and red.
And in that moment, Hana laughter mixed with their's, she didn't feel like the lonely girl abandoned in the rain anymore. She felt like she belonged.
End of flashback...
______________________________________
End of chapter 6