The minutes melt away in a kind of quiet glow. Mei insists on pouring tea from a small porcelain set on the bedside tray, her frail hands steady in spite of everything. The fragrance of chamomile fills the room.
Yu sits primly in the chair beside her bed, back straight, hands folded over his lap after helping set the cups. His red eyes shine with focus, hanging on Mei's every word.
"So, Yu…"
Mei begins, her voice smooth despite her weakness.
"Do you cook every day?"
Yu nods quickly.
"Yes, I… I like to. I try to make things cute, too—like with shapes or colors. I want people to feel happy when they eat what I make."
Mei's lips curve knowingly.
"And sewing? Housekeeping? Are you good with small details?"
Yu blinks but answers honestly.
"Mm-hm. I've been practicing a lot, and now I'm learning crochet too! Haruka from my club said I should start early if I want to make something warm for winter. I've been working on some projects and doing more advanced stitches…"
He trails off, cheeks coloring.
Mei hides her smile behind her teacup.
'Housewife material… and such a natural answer too, almost like she doesn't know how to lie.'
Across from them, Isuke nearly chokes on his tea. His face flushes crimson, the polished "school prince" demeanor crumbling fast.
"M-Mother, really, this is—!"
But Mei only hushes him with a glance, eyes twinkling as she continues casually.
"And Yu, what about patience? Are you forgiving? Gentle with others?"
Yu tilts his head, not catching the undertone.
"I don't like fighting. It scares me. I think… it's better to talk things out."
Mei clasps her thin hands together, satisfied.
"Lovely. Absolutely lovely."
Isuke looks away, ears burning, his chest a confusing storm of pride, longing, and envy. For a fleeting moment, the room feels almost… homely. As though this little table, this fragile woman, and this shy, blushing boy could form a family picture.
Yu, oblivious, only smiles faintly, sipping his tea.
The visit winds down with warmth. Yu stands and bows deeply.
"Thank you for letting me visit, Mrs. Sasaki. Please, take care of yourself."
Mei clasps his hand briefly.
"Thank you, dear. You've brought me joy today."
When the door shuts softly behind them, the air in the hallway feels cooler, heavier. Yu clutches the strap of his bag, his chest trembling. Suddenly, his ruby eyes well up, and tears spill down his cheeks.
Isuke startles, stepping toward him.
"Yu? What's wrong?"
Yu hiccups, his voice breaking.
"It's tragic! She's such a wonderful and bright woman and yet she has to leave so early… I just don't understand it. How can a human be so strong and beautiful yet so fragile and weak? I don't understand any of it—wuwuwu…"
The raw grief in his voice pierces Isuke straight through. His own eyes sting, but before he can raise a comforting hand to Yu's shoulder—
"Yu!!"
Taichi barrels down the hall, arms full of packaged food from the corner store. He sees Yu crying, sees Isuke leaning close, and without hesitation he throws the bag under one arm and sweeps Yu into a crushing embrace.
"You bastard!"
Taichi snarls at Isuke, eyes blazing.
"What the hell did you do to him? Why is he crying?!"
Isuke flinches, jaw tightening, but before words can spark—
Yu pinches Taichi's side hard.
"You dummy! Isuke didn't make me cry. And stop yelling! There are sick people trying to rest!"
Taichi flinches then freezes, blinking down at him as Yu sniffles against his chest.
Yu turns his head, giving a watery smile toward Isuke.
"I'm sorry, Isuke. We'll leave now. Take care."
And just like that, Yu takes the bag of food, still tucked under Taichi's arm, and guides him firmly down the hall. Taichi doesn't resist—he just keeps an arm wrapped tightly around Yu's shoulders, glaring daggers back at Isuke with every step.
Isuke remains standing in the sterile hallway, his fists curling tight at his sides. His chest aches with the sight of Yu clinging to Taichi's arm, their backs retreating together.
He bites down hard on his lip, gripping his hand until his knuckles pale.
'Why is it always him?'
The hallway feels hollow once Yu and Taichi vanish. The packaged food smell lingers faintly, mocking him with its domestic intimacy.
Isuke leans against the wall, shoulders trembling. He drags a hand over his face, as if trying to rub away the heat burning in his chest. Yu's tears echo in his ears, the way he spoke of Mei with awe, as if her fragility was beautiful instead of tragic.
He'd wanted—needed—to be the one holding Yu in that moment. But it was Taichi. Always Taichi.
"Damn it…"
He mutters under his breath, gripping his wrist until it hurts.
After a long pause, he forces himself back into his mother's room.
Mei looks up, still radiant in her frailty, her eyes immediately scanning his face. She doesn't ask what happened. She knows.
Her smile is gentle, but her words sharp in their softness.
"Yu is… remarkable. Don't you see, Isuke? She carries light with her. The kind that comforts others without even realizing it."
Isuke stiffens, his throat tightening.
"…I know."
Mei's gaze sharpens, piercing right through his polished mask.
"But you can't hold light by caging it. If you try, it will only slip away faster."
Her voice is kind, but it strikes him like a blade. He looks away, jaw clenched, fists stuffed into his pockets.
"…Yu shouldn't be with him."
Isuke finally mutters.
Mei sighs, her hand brushing over her blanket.
"Then prove it with kindness, not cruelty. How do you think I won your father's heart even though he was still married? Come, I will give you some ideas to help win Yu. I want grandchildren before I leave."
Isuke doesn't respond but his ears turn red as he makes his way over to the stool Yu had just been using. His silence is its own storm.
---
Outside, the evening is warm, cicadas buzzing in the dusky light. Yu clings to Taichi's arm as they walk, the bag of snacks swinging in his other hand.
Taichi's scowl hasn't faded.
"That guy… I swear, if he ever—"
Yu cuts him off softly, tugging on his sleeve.
"Taichi. Enough. It's not like that."
Taichi grumbles but glances down at Yu's still-pink eyes, his heart softening instantly.
"…Sorry. I just hate seeing you cry. Makes me feel useless."
Yu shakes his head quickly.
"You're not useless. You're… warm. Like… I don't know, a blanket I can always wrap up in."
That melts Taichi on the spot. He stares at Yu, then bursts out laughing, tugging him into a side hug so tight Yu squeaks.
"You're too much, baby. A blanket, huh? Guess I'll keep you wrapped up forever then."
Yu pouts, face glowing, but doesn't let go of his arm the whole way home.
---
Later that evening, their apartment smells like basil and sizzling steak after they've settled inside. Yu insists on cooking, even though Taichi offers to do it for him, hovering stubbornly in the kitchen doorway until Yu finally shoos him to the couch.
Still, Taichi sneaks up behind him anyway, chin resting on Yu's shoulder as he watches the steaks brown to perfection.
"You really don't have to."
He mumbles, voice muffled against Yu's neck.
Yu huffs softly, cheeks warming.
"I want to. Besides… it helps me calm down."
When they finally sit down together, the plates are cute and colorful—plum slices cut like hearts, potatoes shaped into clumsy stars. Taichi digs in with unabashed joy, groaning dramatically at the first bite.
"Marry me, baby. Seriously. I'll sign the papers right now."
Yu flusters so hard he nearly drops his chopsticks.
"…D-don't say weird things while you're eating!"
Afterward, they curl up together on the couch, a fan humming in the background. Taichi sprawls half over Yu, head pillowed on his chest while Yu threads his fingers through Taichi's hair without thinking, half-distracted by the manga open in his lap.
The cicadas drone on outside. Yu's eyelids grow heavy, but Taichi's breathing evens out first, leaving Yu smiling faintly as he whispers.
"Dummy… always falling asleep on me."
He doesn't move, though. Doesn't want to.
It's one of those nights where the silence feels like a promise.
---
And just like that, summer melts away.
September air carries a faint crispness, the lingering cicadas replaced with the first notes of autumn. The first day back at school feels both familiar and brand new.
The biggest change: new uniforms.
When Yu steps out of his apartment in the updated style—blazer crisp and neat, skirt pleated sharper, ribbon tied in a perfect bow—he looks breathtakingly cute.
His long white hair, freshly brushed, sways like silk, his plump lips a shade of cherry pink, eyeliner heightened his soft double eyelids and the new cut of the uniform frames his small figure in a way that makes heads turn the moment he steps closer towards the school gates.
Usually Taichi would be right beside him, but Yu convinced him to go ahead first. With the new uniforms having been sent out, he wanted to surprise Taichi with his new look and it worked.
Taichi nearly drops his bag at the sight, his mouth going dry.
"…You're seriously trying to kill me, huh?"
Yu blinks innocently, tugging at the hem of his blazer.
"Eh? Is it too much? I thought the uniform was really cute…"
"Never too much. It's perfect."
Taichi throws his jacket around Yu's shoulders before anyone else can stare too long, muttering.
"Be careful. The weather is getting cold."
The new term begins with gossip louder than cicadas, a fresh wave of whispers chasing behind Princess Yu and the Beast who refuses to let go of his hand.
---
Inside the classroom, students and classmates buzz with post-summer chatter. Friends exchange souvenirs from trips, the air tinged with sunscreen and pencil shavings.
And then Yu walks in.
Heads swivel. The new uniform fits him too perfectly—neat blazer, pleated skirt, ribbon tied like it belongs in a magazine, light lip gloss and eyeliner brighten his features. His pale complexion makes his ruby eyes gleam even brighter, and the sun through the windows sets his long white hair glowing like spun silver.
"Princess got an upgrade…"
Someone mutters in awe.
"Too cute—unfair."
"Wait—how is it even allowed to be that cute!?"
Yu flushes immediately, ducking into his seat as whispers ripple like wildfire.
Taichi, sitting beside him, leans over and tugs lightly at Yu's ribbon.
"Careful. You're gonna break the school with that look."
Yu swats his hand away, cheeks burning.
"Stop teasing me…"
"Not teasing. Just stating facts."
Taichi grins lazily, but his arm rests across the back of Yu's chair like a warning sign to everyone else.
During break, classmates circle Yu—girls gushing over how "cute and delicate" he looks, boys daring to edge close until Taichi's shadow looms large enough to scatter them.
"See, I told you you'd stand out…"
Taichi murmurs later, poking at Yu's cheek while Yu sulks.
"Guess I'll have to watch you even closer this term."
Yu pouts.
"I don't want people staring…"
"Too late. You're mine anyway, so let 'em look."
The banter feels warm, normal, like they've carved out a little safe space in the middle of the school chaos.
But across the room, Isuke watches in silence.
He's the picture of composure—back straight, uniform immaculate, expression unreadable. And yet his pen hasn't moved on his notebook in minutes.
His gaze stays fixed on Yu—smiling shyly as Taichi teases him, hands fidgeting with the hem of his skirt.
The warmth of the hospital visit lingers in Isuke's chest, Mei's words echoing faintly.
"She's a good one. Hold onto her, Isuke. Don't let yourself be too late."
But then he sees Taichi leaning too close, Yu laughing despite himself, and a quiet fury stirs.
He taps his pen once, twice, before finally jotting something down—a plan beginning to take shape, neat and precise as always.
The next stirrings of conflict are seeded in silence.
---
The day winds down with chatter echoing through the halls, students streaming toward clubs and buses. Yu lingers by his locker, carefully tucking his notebooks away, humming under his breath.
Taichi leans against the wall nearby, lazily flipping through his phone—though everyone knows he's only keeping watch.
Isuke chooses this moment.
"Yu."
Yu startles at the calm, velvet tone. Turning, he sees Isuke standing just a little too close, his bag already slung over one shoulder. His school-prince smile doesn't reach his eyes.
"Good to see you back in uniform, even if it's the girl's uniform."
Isuke says smoothly.
"It suits you… though, I suppose you hear that enough already."
Yu shifts uncomfortably, fingers clutching the strap of his bag.
"Ah—thank you. Um… excuse me, I—"
Isuke's hand moves—not touching, but hovering just near Yu's ribbon, as if to fix it.
"Ah, it's a little crooked. You should be more careful. It's very pretty…just like you."
Before Yu can react, Taichi's voice cuts through the air like steel.
"Hands. Off."
Isuke withdraws, unruffled, though his smirk sharpens.
"Ah. Taichi. Always so protective. I was only trying to help."
"Don't."
Taichi's eyes narrow.
"Yu doesn't need your help."
The tension is palpable—Yu caught between them, pulse racing. Isuke tilts his head, gaze sliding back to Yu with a softness that feels almost… intimate.
"Yu knows I mean well…"
He says, his tone smooth as honey.
"Don't you?"
Yu bites his lip, hesitates, then blurts.
"I—I have to go. Taichi, let's—"
He grabs Taichi's sleeve, tugging him down the hall before the air can snap in two.
Behind them, Isuke watches, expression unreadable. He doesn't chase. Instead, he pulls out his phone, scrolling until he finds something—a photo from the hospital visit. Yu in soft light, holding a tray of food, smiling faintly.
His thumb brushes the screen, a private claim.
'Mother…will this really work? Can I… No, I will have him.'
---
For the next week, it's all whispers and near-misses.
Yu finds little folded notes slipped inside his locker—blank except for a pressed flower, dried and delicate.
Passing in the hall, Isuke brushes too close, murmuring only for Yu.
"You looked beautiful in red that night."
At Harmony Life Club, Yu spots Isuke watching from the doorway, expression impossible to read, before he disappears again.
Yu doesn't tell Taichi. He doesn't want to stir the pot. But DK01 hums in his mind.
[Warning: pattern indicates possessive escalation. Seems somehow, Isuke has become completely smitten and is now determined to chase you, though his going about it borders on stalking. Recommend caution. This could turn dangerous.]
Yu swallows hard and pretends to focus on his crochet.
---
It happens on a Tuesday morning.
Class is buzzing—autumn sunlight pouring through the windows, chatter bouncing off the walls as everyone exchanges notes before homeroom.
Yu is bent over his desk, sketching something small in the corner of his notebook—a koi fish ribbon idea. Taichi sits backwards in his chair beside him, chin propped on his arms, watching with quiet affection.
Then—Isuke moves.
He strides up to Yu's desk, princely smile in place. Without asking, he sets down a small lacquered bento box, the lid tied with a crisp ribbon.
"I noticed you didn't bring lunch today."
He says smoothly, loud enough for the entire class to hear.
"You should eat properly. I made this myself."
The class gasps—
"Isuke Sasaki, cooking?"
"Offering it to the Princess Yu?"
"The school Prince must really like Princess Yu! Omg!"
Yu freezes, wide-eyed.
"W–what? Ah, no, you don't have to—"
Isuke leans down, voice velvet but clear enough for everyone nearby.
"It would make me very happy if you accepted."
The air goes electric. Students whisper furiously—rumors already sparking like wildfire.
Taichi's chair screeches as he stands, pushing it out of his way. His glare is pure fire.
"Take it back."
Isuke doesn't even look at him, only gazes at Yu expectantly, waiting.
Yu stammers, hands trembling on the edge of his desk. Everyone is staring.
That's when Taichi slams his palm flat on the desk, making Yu jump.
"He said no."
For a heartbeat, silence reigns. Then, the whispers roar louder than ever.
Isuke finally straightens, smile unfading.
"Hmm. Perhaps another time."
He picks up the bento, but his eyes linger on Yu—sharp, unreadable, claiming. Then he turns and walks away, leaving behind a room full of buzzing speculation.
Yu can barely breathe. Taichi crouches beside him, voice low but shaking with heat.
"You're mine—I mean, we're together. Don't ever forget that."
Yu grips his sleeve tightly, cheeks pink, torn between comfort and fear.
The bell rings for break, but Yu and Taichi don't leave their desks.
Taichi has dragged his chair back closer, looming protectively. Yu sits with his head ducked, hands fidgeting in his lap.
Taichi finally breaks the silence, voice low and tight.
"…You didn't want that, right?"
Yu flinches.
"…Of course not. We were planning on getting cafeteria food today anyway."
"Then say it."
Yu peeks up at him, ruby eyes trembling.
"…I didn't want it."
That's all Taichi needs. He exhales hard, running a frustrated hand through his messy hair before leaning forward, pressing his forehead to Yu's.
"I swear, if he ever—"
Yu presses a finger to his lips, cutting him off.
"…Don't. You'll just make it worse."
Taichi freezes, then growls, muffled against Yu's touch.
"…He did it on purpose. In front of everyone. He wants to make you look like—"
Yu pulls back sharply.
"Stop."
His voice is shaky but firm.
"Taichi… I don't care what he wants. I only care about you."
That softens him instantly. Taichi grips Yu's hand under the desk, squeezing it tight.
"…Then promise me something."
Yu tilts his head.
"Don't keep it in when he corners you. Don't hide. You tell me. Every time. Got it?"
Yu hesitates—then nods.
"…Got it."
Taichi leans in closer, his whisper nearly a growl.
"Good boy."
Yu's cheeks flare crimson, but the knot in his chest eases just a little.