The first plan had failed.
As Shiki walked down the quiet road toward home, the sun still clung faintly to the horizon, casting an orange glow that hadn't quite surrendered to dusk. But inside, his world felt darker than ever.
He was worried.
Worried about Hikari.
What if she really loved Hanabi?
What if everything between them — the bond he thought was unbreakable — would fade into nothing?
What if the world he once walked through so carefreely would now shut him out without mercy?
A sigh escaped him, heavy with sorrow.
—What am I supposed to do… Hikari-chan?
His thoughts stopped cold as he noticed a familiar figure ahead, leaning against a lamppost, absorbed in her phone.
As he got closer, he realized—
—Hoshino-san…
Immediately, he instinctively stepped to the side of the sidewalk, trying to stay unnoticed.
But her sharp, cunning eyes caught him even as she continued to scroll through her phone.
A chill ran down his spine. He could feel her presence like a blade — Hanabi's aura was unmistakable.
"Hey. Kanzaki."
The silence shattered as her voice, cool and calm, pierced the air. It was quiet, but it hit Shiki like a jolt.
Trying not to panic, he forced a nervous smile and responded.
"Ah—uh, hello Hoshino-san…? Did you need something?"
"Is your house in this direction?"
The question seemed casual, but Shiki couldn't help but be suspicious.
"Yeah, uh… about a hundred meters past that light pole."
"I see."
—"I see"? That's it?
He wasn't sure what her true intentions were, so he stayed guarded.
"Um… may I ask why you're asking?"
"No reason. Just curious."
"Oh… okay…"
Each word from her was like ice, and Shiki could swear the temperature around them dropped with every sentence.
"W-well, I'll be heading off now—"
"Not yet."
He froze mid-step.
"W-what do you mean, 'not yet'?"
"Come with me."
"Huh?! Go with you?!"
His eyes widened. There had to be something behind this.
"W-where exactly are you taking me?!"
"Relax. Just a walk. It's getting dark, and it's not safe to let a girl walk alone, is it?"
Her voice had softened slightly, but her intent remained unreadable.
—Just a walk? Can I really believe that?
"Y-yeah… just a walk, right?"
"Right."
He hesitated… then reluctantly nodded.
"Great. Let's go."
She slipped her phone into her bag and began walking — in the opposite direction of his house.
Hanabi only took a few steps before turning back to him, arms crossed, looking serious.
"Well? Are you coming or not?"
Snapped back to reality, Shiki nodded awkwardly.
"Y-yeah, okay. Let's go."
He walked behind her, keeping a few steps of distance.
As the sky darkened, streetlights flickered on. The chill in the air deepened, and neither of them spoke.
The silence was unnerving — tense and fragile.
"Kanzaki."
"H-huh? You mean me?"
"Yes."
"What's up?"
Her voice once again broke the stillness — but this time, the words hit straight to the heart.
"You like Hikari, don't you?"
Shiki stumbled, face flushing bright red.
"L-like her?! N-no, I mean—"
"You mean?"
She wasn't giving him room to dodge.
"W-we're just close friends, that's all! It's not like I'm into her!"
"Really?"
"I-I mean…"
"Is that the truth—"
"Why are you even asking?! Don't tell me you like her?!"
She paused.
"Oh, me? That's none of your business."
"HUH?!"
Frustrated, Shiki stepped forward, grabbed her shoulders, and forced her to face him.
"Tell me the truth! Do you love Hikari?!"
Taken aback by the sudden touch, Hanabi blushed and looked away, trying to wriggle free.
"H-hey… you're hurting me…"
Realizing, Shiki loosened his grip, but didn't let go entirely.
He leaned in a bit closer, still holding her shoulders, determined to hear her answer — completely unaware of how fast her heart was beating.
"You have to answer me. I told you my feelings… Now it's your turn."
"…Fine."
He waited, eyes fixed on her.
"F-first… can you let go? You're… too close, Kanzaki-san…"
"Oh, sorry…"
He released her, but didn't look away.
Hanabi took a breath, regaining her composure. The cold mask she usually wore returned… though her ears still glowed red.
"You really don't know boundaries, do you? So careless."
"Y-yeah… sorry."
Silence again.
They walked side by side, tension still thick between them.
Then, finally—
"Yes. I love Hikari. So what?"
Her voice wavered — defiant, but tinged with hesitation.
That answer struck Shiki deep.
But instead of faltering… something inside him solidified.
"Then I'll fight for her."
"W-what? But you said… you didn't like her!"
"That was before I knew how you felt.
But now? I see you as my rival."
"…Your rival?"
Her expression darkened.
"Yeah. I'm going to win her back."
"R-right…"
But Shiki noticed something strange in her tone.
"Is something wrong?"
"No… it's nothing. Just… cold, that's all."
"Oh. I see."
"…Yeah."
They kept walking.
Eventually, she stopped in front of a house.
"This is my place. Thanks for the walk."
"No problem. A little walk's good sometimes."
Standing at her door, she looked over her shoulder, gaze sharp but firm.
"I won't lose, Kanzaki-san."
Caught off guard by her determination, Shiki met her eyes with equal resolve.
"I won't either, Hoshino-san."
She gave a small nod… and a faint smile, before stepping inside and closing the door.
—Time to go home.
Shiki turned back the way they'd come.
---
Elsewhere, Hanabi sank into her bathtub, water up to her nose. Her wet hair clung to her skin, her usually sharp eyes clouded with unease.
—Can I really win… Hikari?
She closed her eyes, her thoughts swirling.
—You were right, Hikari…
He's not the type to give up easily…
---
In a different house—
"Shiki!!! Do you have any idea what time it is?!"
"I'm sorry, Mom!!!"
And so, Shiki got scolded for coming home late without telling anyone.
---