Duel for Honor

As the class neared its end, Yuto gathered his belongings, his thoughts drifting to the rest of his day. 

He'd hoped to sneak out quietly, but fate had other plans.

Before he could stand, Alice and Reika pounced.

Alice leaped onto his lap first, followed by Reika, who casually followed suit. 

The room fell silent as both girls kissed him simultaneously, planting kisses on his cheeks before leaning in for a more intimate kiss.

The entire class was stunned.

Alice in a low mutter whispered, "Are you gonna let this go to waste?"

At first, Yuto froze, his mind racing, but then a slow smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. 

The familiar weight of the attention washed over him, but now, something was different. 

The shock of it all faded away, replaced by an unexpected sense of control. 

The rumors had already spiraled out of his control, so why fight it?

With a deep breath, he adjusted his posture, his demeanor shifting in an instant. 

He pulled both girls closer to him, letting their kisses linger. 

His tone changed, darkening, almost as if he had embraced the very image everyone had been labeling him with. 

He didn't bother to hide his smirk. 

"You're right, Alice. Why let it go to waste?" 

Yuto's voice was smooth, cold even, as he looked over the room. 

Let them stare. 

Let them talk. 

At this point, it's all the same.

He leaned into Reika, his hand resting on her waist as he held her close, his eyes now gleaming with confidence. 

"We might as well make the most of it, don't you think?" 

He turned to Alice, his other hand gently tugging her even closer. 

The class was silent, the tension palpable, but Yuto didn't care. 

This new persona, the villain they thought he was, felt oddly fitting. 

Alice blinked in surprise, but her mischievous smile returned soon enough. 

"Well, I guess if you're going to be a villain, you might as well own it"

Reika, too, smirked, clearly amused by the turn of events. 

"I like this side of you, Yuto"

Yuto stood up, effortlessly pulling both girls with him. 

His eyes swept over the students still frozen in place, their whispers now louder but less important to him. 

"Come on," Yuto said, turning toward the door, and pulling Alice and Reika along. 

"Let's go before this gets any more interesting"

As they exited the classroom, the whispers began to grow louder. 

'The academy's villain'

'Three girls, all over him'

'I'm so jealous'

"Yuto Akimitsu!" 

A voice called, its tone was a bit cold, mixed with disappointment. 

It was Professor Hideo. 

He was standing with his arms crossed, a frown on his face. 

Yuto turned to face him, still keeping his nonchalant demeanor. 

"What's up, Professor?"

Hideo's eyes flickered between Yuto, Alice, and Reika, his gaze hardening when it landed on the girls. 

"I see you've been making quite the impression, Yuto," he said, his voice low but stern. 

"But this... behavior... it's not something you should be proud of"

Alice raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. 

"Oh, come on, Professor. What's the problem? We're just having a little fun"

Yuto, sensing the tension, stepped in before things escalated. 

"Professor. It's about time I start living my life the way I want" 

His tone softened just a fraction, but the defiance still lingered. 

"I don't need to be the model student everyone expects me to be"

Hideo's frown deepened, but before he could respond, a loud shout interrupted them.

"Yuto!" A familiar voice called from behind. 

It was Ryo, jogging toward them with a look of excitement on his face. 

"That was amazing back in class! You embraced the villain act, huh?"

Yuto smirked, the look of satisfaction on his face evident. 

"Yeah, seems like it's sticking"

Ryo laughed, clapping him on the back.

Professor Hideo glanced between Yuto and Ryo, clearly frustrated. 

"This isn't a joke, Yuto"

"This behavior, it's not something you should take lightly. You might be 'playing the villain,' but there will be consequences"

Yuto met his gaze, "I'll take whatever consequences come my way"

For a moment, there was silence. 

Hideo didn't say anything, his stern expression remaining in place. 

But after a long pause, he finally sighed and shook his head.

"Do what you want, Yuto," Hideo muttered. 

"Just remember that there are always consequences"

Yuto nodded but didn't say anything more. 

He turned to Alice and Reika, signaling that it was time to go.

This whole thing, the situation he got himself into, it was just another bothersome thing he'd take care of.

As they walked through the courtyard, the usual buzz of whispers followed them. 

"Yo, Yuto!" A student called out, jogging up to him. 

It was Kenta, one of his classmates. 

"Hey man, got a second?" 

Yuto glanced at him. 

"What's up?" 

Kenta hesitated, looking between Alice and Reika before leaning in slightly. 

"I just gotta ask… How'd you pull it off? Like, seriously, is there a trick or something?" 

Alice sighed, crossing her arms. 

"Oh great, another one" 

Reika smirked. 

"At least ask him a better question" 

Yuto shrugged. 

"No trick. It just happened" 

Kenta looked unconvinced but let out a laugh. 

"Man, you are something. Anyway, see you in class" 

He walked off, still shaking his head. 

Before they could take another step, a familiar presence suddenly appeared behind Yuto. 

He barely had time to react before Lilith leaned over his shoulder, her voice playful. 

"Miss me, darling?" 

He exhaled, tilting his head slightly in her direction. 

"Where were you?" 

She held up a cold soda and tapped it against his arm. 

"Buying this for you. You need to stay hydrated, don't you?" 

Yuto took the drink without question and cracked it open. 

"Ah… thank you" 

Reika raised an eyebrow. 

"That's surprisingly thoughtful of you" 

Lilith smirked. 

"What can I say? I take care of what's mine" 

Alice rolled her eyes but didn't argue, and the group continued walking toward the training grounds. 

As they reached the large open area, students were already gathering in groups, some stretching, others sparring. 

Their instructor, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a heavy presence, was waiting at the front with his arms crossed. 

"Alright, listen up!" 

His voice boomed over the chatter. 

"Today's session will be different. No pairings. Instead, we're testing your combat awareness"

"Situational battles. You won't know what you're up against until you're in the ring" 

A few students groaned while others looked excited. 

Yuto simply took another sip of his soda, already knowing how this was going to go. 

"Names will be called randomly," the instructor continued. 

"So stay ready" 

Yuto glanced at his group.

Alice seemed eager, Reika was stretching, and Lilith… Well, she just looked entertained. 

He sighed as the instructor began calling names.

Students stepped into the ring one by one to face unknown opponents. 

Some fought illusions conjured by the instructors, others faced summoned creatures or even each other. 

Yuto stayed on the sidelines, finishing his soda as he casually observed. 

Alice's fight was against an elemental construct, a swirling mass of fire and wind. 

She handled it well, weaving spells together to counter its attacks before blasting it into nothing. 

Reika, on the other hand, had to fight against an instructor. 

It was a tough match, but she held her ground, her swordplay surprisingly refined despite being a magic specialist. 

She managed to land a decisive blow before the match was called in her favor. 

Lilith? 

She wasn't even called. 

When questioned, she merely smiled and said, "I don't think they'd like the outcome if I took part" 

Yuto didn't press further. 

Then, his name was finally called. 

"Yuto Akimitsu, step forward!" 

He sighed, setting his empty can down before stepping into the ring. 

The instructor looked at him for a moment, then smirked. 

"Let's make this interesting" 

With a clap of his hands, a summoning circle formed at the center of the ring. 

A moment later, a towering armored knight emerged, its body radiating sheer pressure. 

It wielded a greatsword nearly twice Yuto's size. 

"Your opponent is a Phantom Knight. This should test your adaptability" 

The instructor's tone was filled with amusement. 

'This fucker is looking down on me…'

Yuto exhaled through his nose. 

He stretched his shoulders, rolling his neck before settling into a stance. 

"Begin!" 

The knight moved first, its speed unnatural for something so large. 

Yuto dodged to the side as the massive sword slammed into the ground, shattering the stone beneath it. 

Dust kicked up, obscuring vision, but Yuto didn't need to see for he could sense it. 

"Flash Step"

He closed the gap instantly. 

His palm crackled with energy as he thrust it toward the knight's chest. 

"Thunder Palm"

Electricity surged on impact, forcing the knight back a few steps. 

The students watching murmured. 

Yuto using magic still felt strange to them. 

The knight recovered and swung again. 

Yuto ducked, stepping forward into its guard. 

His fist shot upward.

"Dragon Fang Strike"

A shockwave rang out as his punch connected, cracking the knight's chest plate. 

The instructor raised an eyebrow. 

"He's holding back" 

The knight, undeterred, released a burst of dark energy, pushing Yuto back. 

Its greatsword ignited with flames as it lunged. 

Yuto clicked his tongue. 

"Alright" 

He raised his hand. 

Mana surged. 

The air around him distorted as he whispered, "Storm Breaker" 

Lightning and wind erupted together, forming a massive spear of crackling energy. 

The moment the knight moved to strike, Yuto launched it forward. 

The impact was instant. 

A deafening boom echoed across the training grounds as the spear pierced through the knight's chest. 

Energy surged outward in a controlled explosion, dispelling the summon completely. 

Silence followed. 

Then, the instructor let out a chuckle. 

"Well… I suppose that settles it" 

Yuto dusted off his uniform and stretched. 

"Are we done?" 

The instructor shook his head, amused. 

"Yeah. You pass" 

As Yuto walked off, Alice, Reika, and Lilith were waiting. 

Alice grinned, arms crossed. 

"Showoff" 

Reika sighed. 

"I guess I lost to a monster" 

Lilith smirked. 

"Darling, you could have ended that in one move. You like putting on a show, don't you?" 

Yuto just sighed. 

"I was just trying to get it over with" 

They didn't believe him. 

And just like that, the Academy's so-called 'villain' continued to make even more waves.

Lunch Hour

As Yuto sat down, his tray filled with food, he barely had time to pick up his chopsticks before Alice, Reika, and Lilith surrounded him. 

Alice, holding a piece of grilled meat with her chopsticks, brought it to his mouth. 

"Here, say ahh~" she teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously. 

Before he could respond, Reika slid in from the other side, holding a spoonful of rice. 

"You shouldn't just eat meat, balance is important," she said matter-of-factly, her tone firm but affectionate. 

Lilith, watching from across the table, smirked before holding up a grape between her fingers. 

"I suppose I'll just have to feed you something sweet then," she purred, her eyes twinkling with amusement. 

Yuto sighed, "You guys do realize I have hands, right?" he said, eyebrow twitching. 

Alice giggled. 

"Oh, we know. But this is more fun" 

Reika nodded, a rare playful smile forming. 

Yuto rolled his eyes but opened his mouth, letting Alice pop the meat in. 

As he chewed, he caught the envious stares of his classmates.

Five Minutes Later

He calmly ate his meal, ignoring the suffocating tension in the cafeteria, Lilith suddenly leaned in and, without hesitation, pressed her lips against his. 

The entire room erupted. 

"WHAT?!" 

A chorus of outraged voices from the male students filled the air, chairs screeching against the floor as some stood up in shock. 

Yuto, still mid-chew, barely had time to process before Alice grabbed his collar and pulled him into another kiss, her face burning red but her determination unwavering. 

More gasps. 

More outrage. 

Watching the chaos unfold, Reika sighed before leaning in as well. 

Her lips met his in a much softer, more reserved kiss. 

Silence. 

Then— 

"He's not just a villain… he's the FINAL BOSS!" 

Yuto, now free from their lips, exhaled and rubbed his temples. 

"You three realize I still need to finish my food, right?" 

Lilith smirked. 

"Oh? Was that too much for you, darling?" 

Alice huffed, arms crossed. 

"If we didn't do it, someone else might have tried" 

Reika, touching her lips, remained silent but flustered. 

Meanwhile, half the cafeteria was either screaming in disbelief or mourning their shattered pride. 

Then, as things seemed to settle, a chair screeched against the floor. 

A tall upperclassman stood up and glared at Yuto. 

His hand gripped the hilt of his sword. 

"Yuto Akimitsu… I challenge you to a duel!"

Yuto sighed, setting his chopsticks down. 

"Really? Over a kiss?" 

The upperclassman's jaw clenched. 

"This is about honor! About proving you don't deserve—" 

Lilith cut in with a chuckle, resting her chin on her hands. 

"Jealousy is such an ugly thing" 

Alice rolled her eyes. 

"He's just mad Yuto's cooler than him" 

Reika, still red-faced, quietly sipped her drink but nodded in agreement. 

The upperclassman turned even redder. 

"You—! Stop hiding behind them and fight me!" 

Yuto pinched the bridge of his nose. 

"You're not going to let me finish my lunch, huh?" 

The cafeteria watched in suspense. 

Yuto stood up, rolling his shoulders. 

"Fine. Let's get this over with" 

A group of students quickly rushed to the training field to spectate as word spread like wildfire.

Yuto Akimitsu, the so-called 'Academy's Villain,' was about to fight. 

As they stepped onto the field, the instructor overseeing the area gave them both a tired look. 

"No killing each other. And if you destroy school property, you're paying for it" 

The upperclassman drew his sword, electricity crackling around the blade. 

"You may have won the tournament, but you haven't fought me yet!" 

Yuto stretched his arms, yawning. 

"Yeah, yeah, let's get this done" 

The instructor raised his hand. 

"Begin!" 

The moment the instructor's hand dropped, Daigo lunged forward. 

His sword crackled with electricity, a signature of his Stormfang Style, as he aimed a lightning-fast strike at Yuto's torso. 

CLANG!

Yuto barely managed to sidestep, his blade intercepting the attack. 

Sparks flew as the force of the blow sent a shockwave through the field. 

Students gasped as Yuto skidded back, his arms stinging from the impact. 

Daigo smirked, flipping his sword effortlessly in his grip. 

"Not bad, fourth-year. But let's see how long you last" 

Yuto exhaled through his nose, shaking off the numbness creeping into his fingers. 

"I just thought someone from the Elite Five would hit harder" 

Daigo's expression darkened. 

With a low growl, he dashed forward again, his blade flickering with arcs of lightning. 

He unleashed a flurry of slashes, each one precise and relentless. 

Yuto ducked, parried, and weaved between the attacks, his instincts keeping him just a hair's breadth away from getting fried. 

Then—ZAP! 

Yuto barely managed to twist his body, but the lightning-infused blade grazed his side, burning through his uniform. 

He hissed, stepping back to check the damage. 

The wound wasn't deep, but the searing pain let him know the fight had officially begun. 

From the stands, Alice gripped the railing. 

"Yuto!" 

Reika frowned, her fingers twitching near her staff. 

"That guy's fast. Even Yuto's struggling a little" 

Lilith, however, smirked. 

"Struggling? No. He's just getting started" 

Back on the field, Yuto rolled his shoulders, flexing his fingers. 

"Alright, my turn" 

BOOM!

In an instant, Yuto closed the distance. 

He wasn't just fast—he was a blur. 

His first strike knocked Daigo's sword upward, breaking his stance. 

His second came in low, forcing Daigo to leap back. 

But Yuto didn't let up. 

He dashed forward again.

Daigo barely had time to react before Yuto was upon him again. 

The sheer speed at which Yuto moved was unnatural, he wasn't just fast, he was overwhelming. 

CLANG! 

CLANG! 

CLANG! 

Each clash of their swords sent shockwaves through the training field. 

Daigo gritted his teeth, his lightning-infused blade meeting Yuto's relentless strikes. 

Despite being an upperclassman, despite his years of training, he was being pushed back. 

Yuto's expression was calm, composed, and utterly focused. 

Every step, every movement was deliberate. 

He dodged Daigo's counterattacks by mere inches like he already knew where they were coming from. 

Daigo growled, frustration creeping in. 

"You little—" 

CRACK!

Suddenly, a massive surge of electricity erupted from his sword. 

The air itself crackled as arcs of lightning shot out in all directions. 

"Stormfang: Thunderous Howl!" 

The ground trembled as a deafening shockwave tore through the arena. 

The moment Yuto saw the buildup, he moved. 

WHOOSH!

He didn't just dodge, he vanished. 

Gasps erupted from the crowd. 

Even Alice and Reika's eyes widened in shock. 

Lilith, however, simply smirked. 

Then, in the blink of an eye— 

SWISH! 

Yuto reappeared behind Daigo, his blade just inches from his neck. 

The world seemed to freeze. 

Daigo's eyes widened in horror. 

His sword arm trembled, the last remnants of his attack fizzling out. 

He hadn't even seen when Yuto had moved. 

Yuto exhaled, resting his blade on his shoulder. 

"You're open" 

Daigo's fingers twitched around his sword hilt, but he didn't move. 

He couldn't. 

The instructor, who had been watching intently, stepped forward. 

"Match over! Yuto Akimitsu wins!"  

The crowd erupted. 

Some cheered, others murmured in shock. 

The rumors about Yuto being the 'Academy's Villain' no longer mattered; he had just defeated an Elite Five member. 

Daigo clenched his jaw, then sighed, lowering his blade. 

"I hate to admit it, but… you're strong" 

He glanced at Yuto, then smirked. 

"Next time, I won't hold back" 

Yuto nodded, slipping his sword back into its sheath. 

"Looking forward to it" 

As he turned to leave, Alice and Reika were already making their way toward him, both looking half-impressed, half-annoyed. 

Lilith, however, merely leaned against the railing, her smirk widening. 

"Oh, my darling… You're getting way too interesting."

Alice crossed her arms. 

"You know, you could have ended that fight sooner" 

Reika sighed, rubbing her forehead. 

"And you could have fought more defensively instead of making my heart race every time you dodged by an inch" 

Yuto smirked, his arms wrapping around Alice, Reika, and Lilith as he pulled them in close. 

The cool evening air brushed past them, the sounds of distant training and clanging metal filling the background. 

"Where's the fun in that?" he repeated, his voice carrying a teasing edge. 

Alice let out an exasperated sigh but didn't pull away, her fingers lightly tapping against his chest. 

"You're impossible, you know that?" 

Reika, standing beside him, crossed her arms, an eyebrow raised. 

"You're leaning into this whole 'villain' act, huh?" 

Lilith's lips curled into a mischievous grin. 

"Oh, darling, if you keep this up, people will start thinking you enjoy it" 

Yuto chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. 

"Maybe I do" 

He leaned closer to Alice, his breath hot against her ear. 

"Should we give them something to talk about?" 

Alice's face flushed, but she didn't shy away. 

"You wouldn't dare" 

Yuto's smirk deepened. 

"Wouldn't I?" 

Before she could react, he tilted her chin up and kissed her, slow, deliberate, a promise lingering in the touch. 

The distant sounds of sparring stopped for a brief moment, whispers circulating among the students watching the spectacle unfold.

Lilith laughed softly, her voice a melodic tease. 

"Oh, now you're just being cruel" 

Reika, shaking her head but not looking away, sighed deeply. 

"Yuto…" 

He pulled away from Alice, his grin widening as he observed the chaos around them. 

"What? You said I should own it" 

Alice, flustered and trying to regain her composure, buried her face in his chest. 

"I did not mean here, in front of everyone!" 

Reika rolled her eyes. 

"Too late now" 

Lilith, clearly entertained, crossed her arms. 

"This is getting good" 

30 Minutes Later

Yuto closed the door behind him with a soft click, the atmosphere in his room now thick with a different kind of tension. 

He glanced over at Alice, her face still a shade of crimson from what had just transpired.

"Better?" he asked, his voice playful but laced with genuine concern.

Alice was fidgeting with the hem of her dress, avoiding his gaze. 

"You like making things... complicated, don't you?" 

Her voice was soft, but there was a teasing edge to it.

Yuto chuckled and leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. 

"Where's the fun in doing things the easy way?" 

He winked, though his eyes softened slightly when he saw how uncomfortable she seemed.

His room was dimly lit, only the soft glow of the lamp beside his desk casting shadows on the walls. 

His bed, neatly made, sat off to one side, with a few stray clothes tossed about. 

There was something oddly intimate about the space now, the silence hanging between them.

"I... I didn't think you'd actually—" 

Alice stopped herself, clearly unsure of how to phrase the rest of her thoughts. 

She cleared her throat, standing a little taller as she finally met his eyes. 

"Do that, I mean."

Yuto took a step forward, his usual smirk replaced by a more earnest expression. 

"I don't do things halfway, Alice. You should know that by now."

He moved closer, but this time he didn't invade her personal space. 

He gave her room to breathe, waiting for her to make the next move. 

Alice hesitated for a moment, biting her lip before stepping closer. 

"I know you don't, but..." 

She trailed off again, her breath shaky. 

Yuto tilted his head, his eyes softening. 

"It's okay. I get it" 

He paused, letting the words sink in. 

"You don't have to act like you're ready for it. I won't push you"

Alice looked up at him, her expression still uncertain but searching. 

"Do you mean that?"

He nodded, his expression now more serious than it had been before. 

"I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything you're not ready for""

She studied him for a long moment as if trying to see through his usual bravado. 

Then, Alice took a step forward, closing the gap between them. 

"You're frustrating, you know that?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Yuto's smirk returned, though there was a softness to it now. 

"I know"

Alice shook her head with a small laugh, finally letting the tension ease from her shoulders. 

"I don't know what I'm doing with you. You confuse me so much"

He placed a hand gently on her shoulder, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. 

"I think you're just as complicated as I am, Alice. And honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way"

Her eyes flickered to his hand, and for a moment, she just looked at it, as if contemplating the space between them. 

"I guess... I guess that's why I keep coming back"

His gaze softened, and he reached up to gently tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. 

"I'm glad you do"

Alice paused, then took a breath. 

"But... what do you feel, Yuto? About me? About the others?"

He blinked, taken aback by the question, but the sincerity in her eyes made him think carefully before he answered. 

"I care about all of you," he said, his voice steady. 

"I feel something different with each of you, but it's real, all of it" 

He paused, gathering his thoughts. 

"And if you all wanted... I'd love to be with all of you. A relationship, all of us, if that's what you all wished for"

Alice's cheeks flushed, but she looked at him with an expression that bordered on disbelief. 

"All of us?" she repeated, almost quietly, as if weighing the possibility.

Before Yuto could respond, there was a sudden knock at the door. 

He turned just as it swung open, revealing Lilith and Reika.

"Did we interrupt something?" 

Lilith said with a grin, but her eyes flickered to Alice and Yuto, sensing the tension in the room. 

Reika's gaze darted between the two, and she smiled softly. 

"We just wanted to check-in. Is everything alright?"

Yuto glanced at Alice before answering, his expression turning casual once more. 

"Yeah, everything's fine. Just talking"

Lilith stepped fully into the room, her bright, mischievous smile never faltering as she playfully leaned against the doorframe. 

"Well, it's good to see you two aren't glaring at each other anymore," she said with a wink. 

"That's progress, right?"

Reika, always the more observant one, moved further in, her eyes softening as she looked at Alice. 

"Are you okay, Alice? You look like you're deep in thought"

Alice hesitated before nodding, her expression still a little conflicted. 

"I'm... fine. Just thinking"

Lilith turned her attention to Yuto, a sly grin playing at the corner of her lips. 

"So," she began, her voice teasing, "are you planning on telling us what you two were talking about?"

"Or should we just assume you were having one of your heart-to-heart moments?"

Reika shot Lilith a playful warning glance. 

"Don't tease them, Lilith"

"Well, if you're asking..." 

He crossed his arms and leaned casually against his desk, looking between them both. 

"I was just telling Alice that, if it's something she wants, I'd be open to being in a relationship with all of you"

"I mean, we've been spending so much time together already, haven't we?"

The words hung in the air for a moment before Lilith burst into a fit of laughter. 

"I knew it!" she exclaimed, pointing at him with a triumphant grin. 

"I knew you couldn't resist. You do have a soft spot for us all, don't you, darling?"

Reika's expression was more measured, but her eyes held a certain warmth. 

"You mean that don't you?" she asked softly, her tone far more serious now.

He met her gaze with a calm nod. 

"I do. I think all of you are important to me, in different ways"

"And if you all felt the same way, I'd want to try... to make it work. I don't know what that would look like, but I'd like to try"

Lilith stepped closer to Yuto. 

"You know, for all your cockiness, you're pretty sincere when it counts" 

She raised an eyebrow. 

"But are you sure you can handle all of us? I mean, we're a handful"

Yuto chuckled, a slight blush creeping up his neck.

"I think I've got it under control... for now"

Reika, who had been silent for a moment, suddenly spoke up. 

"I can't speak for everyone, but I think... I think we should talk about this. Talk about what this would mean, and how we feel about it" 

Her voice was soft but firm as if she were guiding the others to approach this with caution.

Yuto nodded. 

"Yeah, I get that. We don't need to rush into anything. But I wanted to say it because I don't want anyone to feel like I'm hiding anything or that I'm not serious about this"

Lilith, sensing the tension in the air, leaned back with a grin. 

"Looks like the conversation's only just begun, huh?"

Reika placed a hand on Alice's shoulder gently. 

"We don't have to decide anything right now. But I think it's important to understand each other's feelings before we take the next step"

"We're all in this together, so let's make sure we're all on the same page"

Alice nodded.

"Yeah," she murmured. 

"We should talk"

Yuto chuckled. 

"Alright. Then let's take our time. We don't need to rush into anything, but I just wanted to be honest"

With a few more playful exchanges, the atmosphere in the room lightened, though the weight of their conversation still lingered in the air. 

…

…

…

Meanwhile…

In a dark cave, a glowing stone started to move and shake.

And finally—

CRACK!