Rukia Delim leaned against the window, watching the cherry blossoms sway in the morning wind. Her fingers pressed against her chest, where her heartbeat echoed louder than usual.
So this is what it feels like…
She chuckled under her breath, flustered and glowing.
"I'm in love with him… Kaiser."
But the warmth didn't last long. Reality crept in.
He's turned down so many girls… including Shinoa.
What are the chances he'd ever see me that way?
Her smile wavered, anxiety rising in her chest.
Then a strange thought surfaced. A selfless one.
What if… I bring him and Shinoa back together?
Maybe then, Kaiser could find what he needed. Maybe seeing them together again would make things fair—a competition she could live with.
If she had to lose, she wanted to lose to someone strong.
She clenched her fist.
"I'll bring them together… and we'll see where I stand."
---
At the same time, Kaiser Klein stared at the ceiling of his room, his mind clouded.
The guilt still echoed in his chest.
He had pushed Shinoa away, and now… everything felt off.
He didn't want to lead her on. He didn't see her romantically.
But still—he missed her. Her presence. Her words. Her chaos.
Maybe I was wrong to end it the way I did.
He sat up, fingers digging into his bedsheets.
"I'll talk to her. Make things right."
---
The next day, Kaiser searched for her at school. And then—he found her.
Standing beside another boy.
Hikaru Shinji—top athlete, captain of the football team. Charming, charismatic, confident.
And one of the few students who made no secret of disliking Kaiser.
He stood casually beside Shinoa, laughing, a hand brushing his hair back as he spoke.
They looked… comfortable.
Kaiser stopped. His breath caught in his throat.
Did I wait too long?
He turned away, ready to walk off—but something tugged at him.
No. Not again.
He turned back and walked up to them.
"Shinoa," he said firmly.
She turned, surprised. Shinji raised a brow.
Kaiser nodded once. "Can I talk to you? Alone."
Shinoa blinked. "...Sure."
Shinji smirked. "Don't be too long."
Kaiser led her away through the school hallway, the distance between them charged with unspoken emotions.
Then she broke the silence, trying to hide the hurt with sarcasm.
"What is it? Did you miss me or something?"
Kaiser didn't hesitate. "Yeah. I did."
Her eyes widened. The words hit harder than expected. She turned away, flustered.
He gently reached out and touched her cheek, his gaze soft.
"I meant what I said before. I don't see you… that way."
She nodded slowly, bracing herself.
"But that doesn't mean I don't care," he said. "I admire you. I trust you. And I don't want to lose you—not like that."
He stepped closer.
"So… can we start again? As friends?"
Shinoa looked at him for a long moment.
Her eyes shimmered—not with tears, but with something quieter.
Acceptance. Understanding. Strength.
She nodded, a small smile forming on her lips.
"Okay, Kaiser. Let's be friends."
For now, that was enough.
But for how long—neither of them knew.