Rikka's fall drew the attention of countless students, and the gasps and screams from below were incessant.
Meanwhile, Yuta, looking at Rikka so close yet beyond his grasp, felt a surge of anxiety in his heart, but there was nothing else he could do; hearing Nibutani's call, he could only trust her...
Seeing Rikka's face filled with fear and panic, Yuta could only follow Nibutani's instructions.
"Wait for me… Hold on!"
Rikka looked up; it was the first time she had seen such determination on Yuta's face. At that moment, he was the safest shield in Rikka's eyes.
Yuta… With Yuta here, it will surely be okay…
The panic and fear in Rikka's heart inadvertently dissipated a lot. She… trusted Yuta, trusted the person who had been by her side countless times.
So, Rikka watched Yuta run wildly down the stairs. The Yuta of the verdandi was exhibiting unprecedented speed and will. To save the person he loved, he exploded.
He, who was always gentle and unwilling to cause trouble for others, now would only shout for people to get out of the way, even if he bumped into them.
Running wildly along the approximate location, Yuta sprinted past empty classrooms, quickly pulled open the balcony door, rushed outside, and found Rikka's upper body dangling in the air. Without even a moment to catch his breath, he ran over, reached out, and hugged Rikka's thighs, only then letting out a huge sigh of relief.
The students below, seeing Yuta's successful rescue, also erupted in cheers, one by one shouting that Yuta was a true man.
Yuta above paid no attention to the cheers below. He was simply very grateful, grateful that he could catch Rikka, grateful that he had protected her.
"It's okay, it's okay… Rikka, slowly…"
Slowly supporting Rikka's thighs, he let her descend gently, helping her step onto the railing to steady herself. His mind suddenly recalled their first meeting—Yuta was at home watching the moon, but saw Rikka slowly climbing down from the floor above using a rope.
He had once, also caught her like this, exactly like this…
After encircling Rikka with his arms to ensure her safety, Rikka heard Yuta signal that she could let go. Although still a little scared, she obediently released her hands, and then slid down his arms into his embrace.
With Yuta's support, Rikka landed safely, but her heart was anything but safe.
Holding Rikka deeply in his arms, this was the first time the two were so close. Rikka buried her entire head in Yuta's chest, and Yuta completely enveloped Rikka with his arms.
Feeling the warmth that tightly enveloped her and an unprecedented sense of security, Rikka's immense terror finally turned into tears and poured out.
Just as Yuta breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a bit ambiguous between them and wanting to ask about Rikka's condition, he found he couldn't move at all; Rikka was holding him tightly.
With her arms wrapped tightly around Yuta, her head deeply buried in Yuta's chest, Rikka seemed to want to completely sink into Yuta's body, her hands wildly stroking his back, feeling an unparalleled warmth and sense of security…
Rikka finally cried. This warmth, this safety, she had only felt in her father's embrace in the past.
Fang Wuwei below also breathed a deep sigh of relief, his body, which had been tense and ready to act at any moment, began to relax. Fang Wuwei, on the other hand, quickly ran up and found that everything was safe. Seeing the two embracing, she felt greatly relieved…
And Yuta, looking at Rikka sobbing in his arms, had the urge to confess his feelings, but ultimately held his tongue… Confessing now wouldn't be very gentlemanly, would it?
So he finally just smiled slightly, cradled Rikka's head with one hand, and wrapped the other around Rikka's back, gently stroking and comforting her, letting her cry her heart out, even if his chest got wet… What could he do? Spoil her, of course?
"Oi—the banner's here—huh? What happened here?"
"...Give it to me. You guys hurry up and leave."
"Eh?!"
......
The sun had set in the west, twilight had passed, and the bright moon hung in the sky.
Due to Yuta and the others' approved flash mob plan for Club, their work was a bit more extensive and complicated than others, so Yuta was still doing some delicate work at the verdandi.
The empty classroom, with no lights on and no idle people, only Yuta sitting alone on a ladder, holding a black curtain that needed to be hung on the wall.
Tonight's moonlight was even brighter, illuminating the dark classroom. Yuta was feeling the silken texture in his hands, and under the moonlight, he carefully recalled that warm, soft embrace from twilight…
This was his first time embracing a girl. Amidst the soft touch, there was also warmth. Her body was so soft, as if it would break with just a little force, so fragile, so… melancholy, making one want to protect her so much…
Yuta wrapped the curtain around himself, hugging it, and buried his face in it…
"Rikka…"
"Rikka?"
The air suddenly became quiet. Isshiki Makoto appeared, looking completely clueless. He had heard Yuta acting strangely.
Could Yuta tolerate that?!
He kicked him immediately!
"Forget it! Forget it!"
"Ouch! Ouch!!!!"
Watching Isshiki Makoto being beaten, Fang Wuwei quietly peeked his head out from the corner… Good thing he didn't go out first.
Yuta insisted on not telling Isshiki Makoto, but Isshiki Makoto unleashed a killer move:
"If you don't tell me, I'll spread rumors in class!"
As Isshiki Makoto resisted, Yuta finally began to calm down, and Fang Wuwei finally dared to come out.
So Fang Wuwei brought three chairs. Yuta sat in the middle, Isshiki Makoto and he sat on either side, facing the bright moon in the sky. The three swore a Peach Garden… No, the three began a military strategist meeting.
Left: Chancellor Isshiki, Middle: Lord Yuta, Right: Military Advisor Fang.
With the three of us working together, how could there be a single enemy?!
Fang Wuwei, who already knew everything, slowly pulled out three bottles of drinks and handed them out. Everyone got one. He was watching Yuta analyze the current situation for Isshiki Makoto, who didn't know the full story. Although he was a bit speechless about Fang Wuwei popping up everywhere, he didn't refuse; after all, he already knew.
Yuta, who understood his feelings for Rikka, was most conflicted at the verdandi about when to confess.
On this, Fang Wuwei had strong opinions…
"Since you're worried about that, then why the heck didn't you confess when you caught Rikka?!"
"What do you mean 'why'… Rikka was crying then, confessing at that time would be too ungentlemanly, wouldn't it?!"
"Love is war!"
Yuta punched Fang Wuwei, and Fang Wuwei immediately stopped talking.
He silently took a sip of his drink. You little brat… Just you wait.
"So, you now feel about Takanashi-san…"
"Uh… Ah, but it's not because she has a good figure, or is cute, or any other shallow reason like that. How should I put it, although she's a chuunibyo, making it hard to know how to deal with her, she's not just a simple chuunibyo; she also has her own troubles, that… Ah, no, that's not right either!"
Isshiki Makoto looked at Yuta, who was desperately trying to explain himself, frowned, smiled slightly, and extended his hand to interrupt him, striking a very showy pose:
"No need to say more! Liking someone doesn't need a reason!"
The air instantly quieted down…
"That's not for you to say."
"Isshiki, you're a bit cheesy."
"Why?! And don't call me Isshiki! I have long hair!!"