After everything that happened in the Murakami Tech building, life became calmer for those who had to deal with Tatsuma.
Masaru, the head of the Murakami family, said that Tatsuma killed himself, he didn't want his name to be dirty after killing people.
Masaru and Saeko spend some time taking care of what happened at the Murakami Tech building.
And they spoke to the public that their building was attacked by another company that was jealous of their achievements and they didn't mention which company it was.
Masaru then erased all traces of the Kurotora-gumi, and made it seem as if they had never existed in the first place.
There is not a single piece of information left, including their boss Tatsuma.
His subordinates were taken to a mental hospital and everything they said was considered a lie.
And they're just crazy.
A month had slipped by since the incident at Murakami Tech. In all that time, neither Chisato nor Takina had caught even a glimpse of Ryoma.
Not once had he shown up at LycoReco, despite his promise that day.
Whenever they reached out, his reply never changed:
"I'm busy, sorry. Let's meet another time."
Chisato puffed out her cheeks like a sulking child, twirling her straw in her drink with dramatic flair.
"Busy, busy, busy... that's all he ever says! What is he, the Prime Minister or something?"
Takina, sitting across from her, gave a flat look. "Then stop bothering him. Why are you so desperate to see him anyway?"
"It's not like I want to see him, okay? I just—" Chisato flailed her hands, fumbling for an excuse before cutting herself off with a groan. "Ugh, forget it!"
Though her sigh was heavy, her usual sparkle betrayed that her irritation wasn't entirely genuine.
"Maybe he really is busy," Takina reasoned, calm as always. "He does run a whole company."
From behind the counter, Mika added in his gentle tone, "Takina's right, Chisato. That boy has a future loaded with responsibility."
"I knooow..." Chisato groaned, leaning so far back in her chair she nearly tipped it over. Then, in a petulant whine, "But still! He could drop by once in a while, right? It's been a whole month."
Mizuki smirked over her coffee. "If you're that eager, why not visit him at home?"
Chisato pouted, sticking out her lip. "And risk him tossing me out with another boring excuse? No thanks!"
"Then surprise him," Takina said simply with a shrug. "Show up unannounced. He won't have time to think of an excuse."
Chisato froze, then slowly tapped her chin. A mischievous gleam lit up her crimson eyes. "Ooh... that actually sounds fun!"
"Back to Takina question," a sly voice chimed in. Kurumi peeked out from her corner, grinning like a cat with its prey. "Why do you want to see him so badly, hmm?"
"Wha—?! I-I told you, I don't!" Chisato flailed, cheeks turning pink before she masked it with a laugh. "I'm just curious, that's all! Curiosity is healthy, you know!"
Her dazzling smile remained, but the blush painting her cheeks betrayed the truth she so desperately tried to hide.
Mika and Mizuki exchanged knowing glances, both fighting back laughter at Chisato's poor attempt to conceal her feelings.
Chisato's hand froze in midair the instant her phone began to buzz across the table.
The vibration seemed oddly loud against the quiet hum of the café. She blinked once, twice, then cautiously tilted the screen toward herself.
And the moment her crimson eyes caught the name glowing there, they widened, glittering like a child discovering a hidden present.
Ryoma Murakami.
"Ehh—?! R-Ryoma?!"
Her fingers fumbled so clumsily she nearly dropped the device, clutching it against her chest at the last second.
Heat rushed to her cheeks as a ridiculously giddy smile spread across her face—betraying weeks' worth of mock sulking and exaggerated complaints.
From across the table, Takina arched a brow. "...You're not going to answer?"
"W-wait, wait! Gimme a second!" Chisato flailed her free hand as if to calm the frantic beating in her chest.
"Do I sound too excited? No, no, calm down, Chisato Nishikigi... just be casual. Casual, casual…"
She puffed her cheeks, drew in a long breath, and then—click.
"Ryoma~? Long time no see! I was just talking about you, you know~?" she chimed in a sugary singsong, though her tapping foot beneath the table betrayed her jittery nerves.
"Chisato? Are you free by any chance?" came Ryoma's voice, low and steady.
"Ah, of course! I'm free right now, actually." She answered without hesitation, her excitement bubbling to the surface no matter how hard she tried to contain it.
Thank goodness he couldn't see her flushed cheeks or the silly grin stretching from ear to ear.
"So, Ryoma," she teased, leaning forward with a mischievous spark in her crimson eyes, "are you finally done being 'busy, busy, busy'? Or is this one of those rare emergencies where you actually need me?"
"Sorry," Ryoma replied, his tone unusually serious. "I'll explain what I've been doing all this time. But more importantly…"
He paused.
"I want to ask you out on a date. Would you like to?"
The world seemed to stop. Chisato jolted so hard her chair nearly tipped backward. Her eyes went wide as her breath caught in her throat—words escaping her for once.
For a heartbeat, she could only sit there frozen, phone pressed tightly against her ear, mind scrambling to catch up with reality.
"E-EHHH?!"
The cry was so loud Takina flinched and Mizuki nearly spat out her drink.
Around them, several customers turned their heads, startled by the sudden outburst.
Chisato slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide as if trying to physically stop the squeal building in her throat.
"W-wait, wait, wait—did I hear that right? Ryoma, you… you're asking me… out on a d-d-date?"
Her voice climbed an octave at the end, wavering between disbelief and nervous laughter.
Beneath the table, her legs kicked restlessly like a flustered teenager. Her cheeks flushed a vivid pink that only deepened as the seconds ticked by.
"Geez! You can't just drop a bomb like that out of nowhere!" she whined, half hiding behind her hand.
"What happened to warming a girl up with, you know, 'How are you?' or 'Nice weather today'?!"
Her tone was teasing, but the sparkle lighting up her crimson eyes betrayed her excitement.
After a breath to steady herself, she pressed the phone closer, voice softening, almost trembling.
"...If you're serious, then… yeah. I'd love to."
On the other end, Ryoma's reply was calm, steady. "I'm glad to hear that. I'll pick you up in ten minutes. Are you at your apartment or the café?"
Chisato blinked, snapping out of her dreamy daze. "I'm at the café, actually…"
She risked a glance across the table. Takina was watching her with a knowing stare, arms crossed, while Mizuki had her hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking with laughter.
Chisato forced herself to straighten, clearing her throat as though that could disguise her giddy smile. "I'll be waiting~"
"See you later then." Click.
Silence.
Then—
"H-he hung up! He actually hung up!" Chisato squeaked, tossing her phone onto the table like it had suddenly turned into a live grenade.
She shot upright so fast her chair nearly toppled over. "Ten minutes?! TEN MINUTES?! That's not enough time to get ready!"
"Chisato, you're being noisy," Kurumi groaned from behind her laptop. "You're disturbing the customers who actually came here to relax."
That only made Mizuki burst out laughing. She doubled over, wiping tears from her eyes. "Unbelievable! Chisato Nishikigi—panicking more over a boy than bullets flying at her."
"Bullets I can dodge! THIS I can't!" Chisato wailed, already tearing through her bag like a whirlwind.
"What do I wear?! Is casual okay? Should I go for something cute? Ugh, I knew I should've worn my red dress today!"
Takina let out a long, unimpressed sigh, arms folded tight. "You've been sulking for a whole month waiting for him to call. And now you're freaking out because you only have ten minutes?"
"Takinaaa, save me!" Chisato cried dramatically, grabbing her partner's wrist and dragging her toward the back.
Inside the changing room, chaos exploded instantly. Clothes flew left and right as Chisato pulled outfits from the rack with lightning speed. "Quick, pick one! I don't have time!"
Takina frowned, her voice flat. "Why me?"
"Because you and Ryoma are basically the same type—quiet, stoic, serious!" Chisato said, already striking a pose in a completely different outfit. "If you think it looks good, then he will too!"
Takina pinched the bridge of her nose. "That logic makes no sense."
"Shhh! Fashion emergencies don't need logic!" Chisato shot back, grinning cheekily before twirling once more in front of the mirror.
After what felt like an eternity, Chisato finally emerged from the changing room in the outfit Takina had picked.
With a dramatic flourish, she spread her arms wide, crimson eyes sparkling. "So~ how do I look?"
Takina, sipping her coffee without so much as a blink, answered flatly. "...Fine. As usual."
Chisato slumped like a balloon losing air. "Ugh! Can't you put even a little effort into complimenting your best friend for once?"
Before Takina could retort, the low rumble of an engine drifted in from outside. Through the café window, they saw a sleek car pull up.
A tall young man with sky-blue hair and glasses stepped out, sunlight catching on his frames.
"He's here…" Chisato whispered, her crimson eyes widening.
Mizuki smirked, giving Chisato a playful shove toward the door. "Stop gawking and go greet your prince."
"Why aren't you moving, Chisato?" Kurumi deadpanned from her seat, while Mika chuckled warmly in the corner.
Heat flared across Chisato's cheeks as she snapped out of her daze. "Geez, you guys…" She tossed them a mock glare, trying desperately to mask her nerves.
The bell above the café door chimed as she stepped outside. And there he was—Ryoma Murakami—waiting for her, leaning casually against his car.
The way he carried himself, it was no wonder people once mistook him for a magazine model.
"Good morning," Ryoma greeted, voice calm and steady.
"Morning?" Chisato arched a brow, before breaking into a grin. "It's almost noon, you know!"
Ryoma chuckled softly, pushing off the car with that half-smile that always seemed just a little smug. "Right. My mistake."
Just then, the passenger door opened. A young woman stepped out—maid uniform pristine, brown hair neatly tied, green eyes steady.
Chisato's heart skipped. She knew that face.
"A-Ayaka?!" She rushed forward, grasping the woman's shoulders. They were solid, real. "It's really you?! Did you… did you wake up from your coma?"
Before Ayaka could answer, Ryoma stepped in. "I'll explain later in the car. For now—Ayaka, take a break. Rest. You've earned it."
"But Ryoma, with this body I can never really get tired," Ayaka protested, a gentle smile on her lips.
"This is a request… from your little brother," Ryoma said firmly.
Ayaka blinked, surprised. Then, slowly, she nodded. "...Understood."
Ryoma turned toward Mika. Without hesitation, he bowed deeply. "Sir, I'd like to ask your permission to take your daughter on a date."
Mika regarded him for a moment, then chuckled softly. "Yes. I'll allow it. Please take care of her—and be careful, alright?"
"I will," Ryoma replied, his tone steady. He no longer sounded like a boy who relied only on intellect. There was something weightier in his voice now.
Turning back, Ryoma opened the car door with a graceful motion. "After you."
Chisato placed her hands on her hips, grinning cheekily. "Only if you promise not to drive like a maniac this time~!"
"I promise," Ryoma said with a faint smile, waiting until she slid into the passenger seat before closing the door. He rounded to the driver's side and got in beside her.
Chisato twisted to wave enthusiastically at everyone still gathered by the café entrance. "Bye bye!"
Ryoma glanced at her, amused, before lifting his own hand in a polite wave. "Bye bye."
With a soft hum, the car windows sealed shut, muffling the voices outside and enclosing the two of them in the quiet, intimate space of the car.
Chisato eased into the passenger seat, the jittery excitement that had been dancing in her stomach finally settling into a hum—with a curious twitch at the edges.
The city blurred past as the car pulled away; the hum of the engine filled the silence between them.
She glanced at Ryoma. He sat rigidly behind the wheel, eyes on the road, expression unreadable.
"Soooo—" she began, elongating the syllables like she always did when trying to pry out secrets.
"—About Ayaka?" Ryoma cut in, voice flat and calm, as if the topic had been planned for weeks.
Chisato sank back and crossed her arms. He knew her too well. Of course he did.
"Yeah," she said, lowering her voice. "I thought she was still in a coma. Like—completely out of it."
Ryoma's fingers tapped the steering wheel, a metronome to his words. "Short version: for the last month I've been building humanoid robots that are indistinguishable from people."
"Skin, voice, micro-expressions—the whole package." His tone made the impossible sound routine.
"I replicated Ayaka's physical form down to the smallest scar. Then I migrated her AI into the body. She has a body again."
Chisato blinked. A slow, incredulous laugh slipped out of her. "You did all that… in a month?"
"Yeah." He shrugged with a faint smile. "Her real body is kept in Murakami Tech's secret lab under tight security."
Stunned silence wrapped around Chisato for a beat as the magnitude of his words sank in.
The genius—aloof, unbearably precise Ryoma—had done something that felt like science fiction. Without telling anyone. Again.
"Ryoma," she said, wonder softening her voice. "I don't know whether to be impressed or terrified."
He let out a short, honest chuckle. "Both are acceptable reactions."
Chisato's grin returned, brighter and a touch wicked. "So is there literally anything you can't do?"
"I plan to build a giant robot—Gundam or Eva-level." He answered like it was a grocery list item. "For now, it's just a plan."
Chisato threw her head back and laughed, a bell-like sound that made the car feel lighter. "Of course you would say that. Only you would go from resurrecting someone to casually plotting a mecha."
She leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Promise me one thing—when you build it, I get to pilot it first."
Ryoma's lips curved into a faint, rarely-seen smile. "You'll be first on the roster—if you can pass the systems test without screaming."
Chisato shifted in her seat, the playful spark in her eyes dimming as guilt tugged at her.
She had spent weeks grumbling—half complaints, half wounded pride—over Ryoma never showing up at LycoReco or even dropping her a single message.
Beside her, Ryoma drove in silence. His eyes stayed locked on the road, but he was no stranger to the subtle shifts in her energy.
Excitement had ebbed into something quieter, more thoughtful. He didn't need to ask to know. He already knew.
Still, after a pause, his voice cut softly through the hum of the engine. "Something on your mind?"
Chisato blinked, caught off guard. The gentle tone pulled her back, and she let out a small, sheepish laugh as her hand rose to rub at the back of her neck.
"…Heh, guess I wasn't hiding it very well, huh?"
Her smile wasn't her usual beam—smaller, almost like a confession. "I've been whining for weeks about you not showing up at the café," she admitted with a tiny shrug, as though embarrassed to say it aloud.
For a moment her eyes softened, colored with relief and something warmer. "And now, here you are… doing something I didn't expect at all."
She drew in a breath, then released it with a light chuckle, shaking her head. "Sorry for doubting you. I should've trusted you had your reasons."
But she couldn't resist tacking on a grin. "Still, don't think you're off the hook. You owe me a visit, mister."
Ryoma's lips curved faintly. "Don't worry. I'll stop by at least once a week."
Then his gaze stayed forward, and he added with blunt simplicity, "But… why complain about me not coming to the café? What does it matter if I don't?"
Chisato froze, startled by his flat honesty. For just a second, it almost stung—but then her cheeks puffed out in mock indignation, her voice bursting out louder than intended.
"Whaaat? Seriously, Ryoma? That's your big line after vanishing for a whole month? Not even a 'Chisatooo, I missed you sooo much!' or 'I'm soooo sorry for making you worry'? Nothing? C'mon, throw me a bone here!"
She crossed her arms with a dramatic huff, puffing herself up like a sulky child. But her lips betrayed her, curving into a grin that slipped through almost immediately.
The playful sparkle in Chisato's eyes made it obvious she wasn't truly mad.
"It's the principle of the thing, y'know? You vanish for a month without so much as a postcard!" She leaned closer, narrowing her eyes as if scolding him.
Ryoma let out a small laugh. "Yeah, that makes sense."
Then, almost offhandedly, he added, "I did miss you."
The words slipped out before he realized. His mouth closed immediately after, and for the first time in a long while, a faint color touched his cheeks.
Chisato froze, eyes widening in surprise—only for a mischievous grin to bloom a heartbeat later.
"Eeeeh? Did I just hear that right? Ryoma actually missed me?" she teased, leaning closer, her eyes gleaming. "Wow, that's a rare confession~!"
She clasped her hands to her chest with mock dramatics, letting out an exaggerated gasp. "Oh no, if I had a real heart, it totally would've skipped a beat just now!"
Then, with a sly smile, she tapped her chest lightly. "Lucky for me, it's artificial—so no embarrassing thump-thump sounds for you to hear."
Ryoma chuckled under his breath, the tension loosening from his shoulders. The atmosphere felt lighter—easier.
"I want to take you to different places," he said after a moment, his voice steady again. "Where do you want to go first?"
"Oh? And what sort of places are we talking about?" Chisato tilted her head with a mischievous smile.
Ryoma began listing names—luxurious, extravagant, even foreign destinations that didn't sound remotely local.
Chisato's jaw slowly dropped as if he'd just casually proposed a vacation on Mars.
When he finally asked, "So, which one do you want to visit first?" she could only gape at him.
"Uh… hello? I was thinking more like, you know, a café downtown. Or maybe the arcade." She flailed her hands, cheeks puffing. "Do you realize my wallet would literally explode just hearing those names?"
She slumped forward with a dramatic groan. "I can already hear Mizuki yelling at me about the credit card bill."
Ryoma blinked, startled by her reaction, then lowered his gaze slightly. "…Sorry. I'm still not used to this kind of thing."
He paused, then glanced at her again, expression unusually earnest. "You seem better at finding places. It's a little embarrassing, but—I'd like you to choose." He handed her a slim map tablet.
For a brief second, Chisato just stared at him. His blunt honesty, the unexpected shift of responsibility—it left her speechless. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a grin that was pure mischief.
Taking the tablet, her fingers danced quickly across the screen. "You know, for a genius billionaire, you're surprisingly clueless."
Her eyes sparkled as she shot him a sideways glance. "Lucky for you, I'm the Queen of finding cool spots."
Ryoma allowed a small smile. He didn't mind being teased by her—not at all. A moment later, the car's dashboard screen displayed a route.
"Oh? I wonder where this is headed," Ryoma muttered.
"You'll see~," Chisato chimed, her grin widening as she tapped in the final details.
"First stop: a hidden ramen stall behind the station. Best chashu in town—totally off the luxury travel radar."
She winked at him. "And don't worry, I'll go easy on your wallet. Maybe."
Ryoma stared at her for a beat, then laughed—low and warm, shaking his head. "I guess I'm in good hands."
After the ramen stall, they drifted from one spot to another—every destination chosen by Chisato.
Ryoma never complained. He simply followed, letting her lead him into a world of experiences he'd never bothered to discover on his own.
For once, the genius was the student, and the day unfolded with an unfamiliar, almost dizzying freshness.
By the time they returned to the car, the sun had dipped into a lazy afternoon glow.
The roof was open, letting the breeze weave through Chisato's golden hair as she stretched against the seat with a satisfied sigh.
"Haa~ What a perfect day," she breathed, arms raised high into the open sky.
Turning her head, she caught sight of Ryoma's faint smile as he drove—quiet, subtle, and completely unguarded.
"You're not bored, are you?" she teased lightly. "No five-star hotels, no private jets… just me dragging you around like some tourist guide."
Ryoma's gaze stayed on the road, but his reply was softer than usual—tinged with something warmer.
"This was better."
Chisato blinked, taken aback. Then slowly, her lips curved into a gentler smile. "…Yeah? Better than all those fancy places you wanted to take me?"
For a fleeting second, Ryoma glanced at her. Just long enough for her cheeks to color faintly.
"Because it was with you," he said simply. "That's why it was better."
The breeze caught his words, carrying them straight into her chest. No room for teasing, no way to hide from the warmth spreading across her face.
She didn't answer right away. Instead, she let her eyes flutter shut, her smile small but genuine as she let the silence settle between them—peaceful, comfortable.
"…Then… we'll do this again," she murmured at last. "Just like this."
Ryoma gave a single nod. But when Chisato's gaze drifted toward the navigation screen, her brows furrowed.
"…Wait. This isn't the way back to the café." She leaned forward, double-checking the glowing route. "Where are we going?"
Ryoma's lips quirked upward into a rare grin. "It's my turn now. My ego's too big to let you be the only one choosing."
Chisato folded her arms behind her head, letting the wind play with her hair.
"Oh? Fine by me! But don't think you're gonna win me over with some fancy observatory or rooftop lounge—"
Ryoma chuckled under his breath. "No towers. No labs."
He glanced at her briefly, the afternoon sun catching the edge of his glasses. "Just somewhere… quiet."
Chisato arched a brow, suspicion flickering across her face—but curiosity tugged at her all the same. Ryoma wasn't exactly a man prone to surprises.
"Somewhere quiet, huh?" she echoed, trying to fish for meaning. But all she got was a low chuckle from him.
"You're not gonna give me a hint?" she pressed, but Ryoma only smirked, his eyes fixed on the road.
Chisato puffed her cheeks in defeat, then leaned back with a small grin of her own. "Alright then. Play your cards, Mr. Genius."
The drive stretched on until the car slowed to a stop before a tall iron gate. Chisato blinked, leaning forward in her seat.
"…A flower garden?"
The words slipped out before she could stop them. Her eyes darted between the gate and Ryoma, disbelief painted across her face. "You brought me… to a flower garden?"
Ryoma cut the engine, his expression calm but softened with the faintest smile. He stepped out of the car, opening her door without hesitation. "Yes. Come on."
Still baffled, Chisato climbed out, her steps quick to match his. When Ryoma pushed the gate open, a wave of color met her eyes.
The world beyond was an ocean of blossoms—rows upon rows, swaying gently in the late afternoon breeze. The sweet scent filled the air, wrapping her senses in something almost too perfect to be real.
"Whoa…" Chisato whispered, breath catching as her gaze swept across the vibrant expanse. Her earlier confusion melted into something softer, almost childlike.
It was gorgeous. Peaceful. Quiet in a way that made her chest feel strangely light.
She turned to Ryoma with wide eyes, a disbelieving smile tugging at her lips. "How did you even find this place?"
Ryoma's reply came as naturally as breathing. "…I didn't find it. I made it."
Chisato stopped in her tracks. "…You… made this?"
Her eyes darted over every detail—the balanced spread of colors, the deliberate harmony of shapes, the way the breeze seemed to carry the fragrance just so.
This wasn't some wild patch of land. It was meticulous. Crafted.
"To be precise," Ryoma said as they walked deeper into the garden, "I designed the soil composition, the irrigation system… and used precision drones to plant each flower."
He paused, then gestured toward a patch of red lilies blooming by the stone path. His voice softened. "But those… I planted by hand."
Chisato froze mid-step. Slowly, she knelt before the lilies as if they carried a hidden message meant only for her.
"…You really did all this?" Her voice was quiet, almost fragile.
They stood surrounded by blossoms, the late sunlight gilding every petal.
"Every second. Every detail." Ryoma's tone was steady, but there was something beneath it—something uncharacteristically vulnerable. "…It was for you."
He drew in a breath before continuing, his words deliberate. "I wanted to thank you—for what you've done. For taking care of me all this time."
His gaze shifted slightly, as though recalling someone's advice. "I didn't know how to express it properly. Ayaka said money alone wouldn't be enough. She thought you might even find it boring. So… I made this."
For a moment, Chisato felt her chest tighten, her heart nearly skipping despite its artificial core. The sincerity in his voice, paired with the quiet grandeur around them, was overwhelming.
Then, as if refusing to let the moment swallow her whole, she burst out laughing and nudged him lightly with her elbow.
"Eh? Seriously, Ryoma, what are you even saying?" Her smile lit up like the flowers around them. "You're so silly!"
Her eyes softened, warmth brimming behind her teasing tone. "I didn't do all that for money, dummy. I helped you because I wanted to. Because it's you."
Then, with her trademark grin, she added, "Though I won't deny, the cash was a nice bonus~"
Ryoma blinked at her, speechless for once. But before he could reply, Chisato's eyes darted past him—and widened.
"Whoa, look, look! Ryoma!"
Without hesitation, she grabbed his shoulders and spun him toward the horizon.
The sky was ablaze with orange and pink, the sun sinking low behind the sea of flowers.
"See? Isn't it beautiful?" she whispered, standing right beside him, her expression glowing as brightly as the sunset itself.
A quiet stillness settled over them, broken only by the soft rustle of petals in the evening breeze.
Neither spoke—just two silhouettes against the burning horizon, watching the sun sink into a sea of blossoms.
Chisato stole a glance at Ryoma. He was silent, eyes fixed on the sunset, his expression unreadable yet strangely gentle.
Her chest tightened, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. Even now, she couldn't quite believe he had gone this far—built all of this—just for her.
Her fingers inched closer to his, hesitant, trembling with a courage she didn't quite have. But before she could touch him—
"Chisato," Ryoma said suddenly, his voice cutting through the hush.
She jumped, her heart leaping to her throat. "Y-Yes?"
He turned to face her fully, the glow of the fading sun painting his glasses with firelight. His gaze was steady—too steady—and it made her knees feel weak.
"I've hardly had any friends all my life," he began, his tone deliberate, almost fragile. "And for the longest time, I thought I didn't need any."
Chisato blinked, caught off guard by the rare openness in his voice.
"But then… I met you. And I realized being with someone—being with someone I can call a friend—actually feels… wonderful."
His lips curved into the faintest, almost self-mocking smile. "At first, I thought you were too noisy, too restless. But somehow… your voice became like a song I couldn't stop hearing."
Her breath hitched.
"And when I found out you were the one who saved me back then… I couldn't stop thinking about you. I wanted to know more. Needed to know more."
He exhaled, his words slowing, as if they weighed heavily on him. "Over time, every moment with you started to feel… different. Strange."
"I thought something was wrong with me. I even asked Ayaka—" His ears flushed red. "I thought maybe I had some kind of illness."
Chisato's eyes widened in disbelief.
"But she just laughed… and told me what it really was." His voice dropped to a whisper, but every word landed with startling clarity.
"I'm in love with you, Chisato Nishikigi."
The world seemed to fall silent.
Chisato's mouth fell open, but no words came out. Her face burned crimson as her heart hammered wildly, too fast, too loud.
She stared at him, eyes wide, unable to process if this was real—or if she was simply dreaming amidst the glow of the sunset.
All she could do was meet his gaze, blue eyes locking with hers, as if the entire garden had been made to witness this moment alone.
Ryoma averted his gaze, his voice low and uncertain. "Sorry… I just needed to say it out loud. To feel relieved, at least."
He turned, forcing a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "…Let's go home, shall we?"
He had barely taken a step before Chisato caught up to him. Her hand shot out, clasping his tightly, refusing to let go.
Ryoma froze, startled, but Chisato only tightened her grip.
Memories of him flooded her mind in a rush—the quiet warmth of his rare smiles, the way his stiff, awkward honesty always made her laugh, the stubborn innocence that somehow made her want to tease him endlessly.
She remembered the emptiness she felt whenever he wasn't around, how her annoyance was only ever a disguise for missing him.
She had denied it again and again, but in this moment, she couldn't anymore.
If she had a real heart, it would've been racing out of control right now. But she didn't need that to know the truth.
Her eyes softened as she looked at him.
"…I love you too, Ryoma Murakami," she whispered.
His breath caught. Slowly, he turned back to her, their eyes meeting—emerald and crimson, both burning with unspoken emotions. Their cheeks flushed, their lips trembled, but neither looked away.
The gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers around them, the last light of the sunset painting the garden in hues of gold and rose.
But even without the sky's blessing, they knew this moment would never fade.
Because this was where it began—
The love story between the strongest Lycoris and the sharpest Murakami.
Obstacles would come, hardships would test them, but hand in hand, they knew—
They could face it all.
Together.
— The End —