Lunch on the rooftop had become sacred. Four people, one blanket, and the comfortable silence that only true friends could share.
Today, that silence was shattered by a pink envelope.
Kaito pulled it from his pocket, examining it with the same detached curiosity he might give a mildly interesting scientific specimen.
Yuki's eyes widened. "Wait. Wait wait wait. You're going to open it? Right now? In front of us?"
"Yes."
"Kaito-san, that's someone's FEELINGS you're holding! You can't just—"
Kaito's fingers moved toward the seal.
"BASTARD!"
Yuki lunged.
Kaito moved—a fluid, practiced dodge that sent Yuki stumbling past him. She caught herself on the rooftop railing, spinning around with outrage blazing in her eyes.
He didn't even look up from the envelope. "My martial arts training finally has practical applications. Next time you attack, I will counterattack."
Yuki gaped. "You—I—that's—"
Hikari snorted. Actually snorted. The sound was so unexpected that even Kaito glanced up.
Riko pressed her lips together, fighting a smile.
Yuki recovered quickly, stomping back to her spot. "Fine! Open it! Violate that poor girl's privacy in front of an audience!"
Kaito opened it.
His eyes moved across the page. Once. Twice. Then he folded it and tucked it away.
"Well?" Yuki demanded. "What does it say?"
"She wants to meet. Behind the school. After classes end."
Silence.
Yuki leaned forward. "And? How are you going to reply?"
Kaito's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes—memory, maybe. Or reluctance. "Last time I got a letter like this, I rejected her directly. She cried. Her parents had to come to calm her down. It became... a mess."
Riko's heart clenched. She didn't know why.
"So this time," Kaito continued calmly, "I'll make an excuse. Something that won't hurt as much."
The words hung in the air.
Riko heard herself speak before her brain caught up. "So you're going to accept? Just so she doesn't cry?"
Her voice was sharper than she intended. More urgent.
Everyone looked at her.
Kaito met her gaze. "No."
Just that. Simple. Final.
Riko's face heated. She looked away, pretending to focus on her lunch.
The conversation moved on. Yuki launched into a dramatic reenactment of her failed attack. Hikari offered deadpan commentary. Kaito ate in silence.
But Riko heard none of it.
Her mind replayed those three seconds over and over.
Why did I jump in?
Why did my voice sound like that?
Why do I care if he accepts or rejects some girl I've never met?
The questions circled like vultures.
Was I... scared?
The thought landed like a stone in still water.
Was I scared of losing him?
She glanced at Kaito. He was listening to Yuki, his head tilted slightly, the corner of his mouth almost—almost—curved upward.
Her heart stuttered.
Oh.
Oh no.
The realization didn't crash over her. It crept. Insidious. Unavoidable.
I like him.
I actually like him.
She looked away quickly, before anyone could notice.
But across the blanket, Hikari was watching. And in Hikari's eyes, something similar flickered—recognition, maybe. Or fear.
Two girls. One boy. And a love letter that had just changed everything.
(End of Chapter 69)