“I don’t have time for this”

The soft rustling of leaves above her offered little solace as Lily remained seated on the bench, her hood shielding her from the world. Her mind was elsewhere— on everything but the sound of approaching footsteps.

Hayato wasn't really interested in Rika's sneaky little game or sharps words. Of course, going against her wasn't his intention, but he had taken the Lily phenomenon very personally. And it was clear that, for him, she had to be just his game. Not theirs.

"Oi, princess" a familiar voice called, breaking the fragile bubble of quiet around her.

Lily's jaw clenched. Of course, it was him.

Hayato stood a few feet away, with his stupid smirk, stupid fake—blond hair and stupid golden eyes. His hands stuffed lazily into his pockets, that trademark smirk playing on his lips. He tilted his head slightly, his sharp eyes glinting with mischief as he studied her.

"Where's your little pet today?" he asked, his tone light but laced with that unmistakable edge of mockery. "Lost without your little 'friend', huh? Guess it's hard being alone when all you've got is that pig for company."

Lily didn't respond. She kept her head down, her gaze fixed on the ground in front of her as though willing the earth to swallow her whole. She didn't have the energy for this—not today.

The lack of a reaction made Hayato pause for a moment, his smirk faltering just slightly before returning with even greater intensity. He stepped closer, his sneakers crunching softly against the gravel. "Oi" he said again, his voice louder this time. "I'm talking to you."

Still, Lily refused to look at him.

Hayato's brows furrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. He leaned down, just enough to grab the edge of her hood and pull it back, revealing her long, tousled blonde hair and the dark circles under her green eyes.His eyes lingered on her longer than they should have, the sharpness softening for just a second before his smirk returned.

"You look like you've had a rough night" it wasn't sarcasm on his voice, but a strange curiosity "What kept you up? Thinking about me?"

Lily turned her face away, her jaw tightening. "Why would I?" she said quietly, her voice steady despite the subtle tremor she felt in her chest. "I don't have time for this."

"Oh, but I have."

"Please, just leave me alone."

He straightened up, his hands falling back into his pockets as he looked down at her, a mix of amusement and disbelief flickering across his face. "Leave you alone? Since when do you give the orders around here?"

Lily grabbed her bag and stood abruptly, brushing past him without a glance. She didn't care where she was going—she just needed to get away from him.

But before she could take more than a few steps, she felt it—a firm grip around her wrist, pulling her back with enough force to make her stumble slightly. She turned, her breath catching as Hayato leaned in close, his hand still wrapped around her arm.

Was this becoming a habit or what?

"Not so fast" he murmured, his voice low and dangerously calm." Running away isn't your style."

He tilted his head, his lips curving into a slow, mocking smile as he leaned closer to her ear. "It's not very polite to ignore people when they're talking to you, Lily-chan."

His breath was warm against her skin, and a shiver ran down her spine despite herself. Her free hand clenched into a fist, her nails digging into her palm as she forced herself to meet his gaze.

"Let me go, or you want to hurt me again for the fun of it?" she said, her voice was soft, we japanese soundend cute in his ears.

Actually, he finds her cute in every way.

Hayato didn't move immediately. His golden eyes studied her face, lingering on the subtle tension in her jaw, the way her breathing quickened slightly. She wasn't yelling or panicking—just holding her ground in that quiet, stubborn way that somehow made her even more infuriating. And, much to his frustration, even more captivating. And beautiful.

"Maybe. I like the idea. Should I hurt you again?"

"Why would you say such a thing?"

"Oi, come on, Lily-chan, you can't tell me you don't like a little attention. Especially from someone like me."

"I—"

"Careful on what you say, princess."

Hayato's grip on her wrist remained firm, keeping her close despite her subtle attempts to pull away. Lily's cheeks flushed, a mix of frustration and embarrassment rising within her as she glanced away, trying to maintain her composure. He was too close—his presence overwhelming, his golden eyes watching her every movement with a teasing intensity.

She gave a small tug, her voice soft but steady. "Let me go."

Instead of releasing her, Hayato leaned in slightly, his smirk widening as he tilted his head. "What's the rush, uh? You look like you've had a rough night. Want to talk about it?" His gaze flicked briefly to the dark circles under her eyes, and he chuckled softly. "You're cute you know?"

"I don't understand you" she murmured

"What? What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"Come on! Don't be shy! Not after you called me.. what was it? Pig. You remember, do you?"

Her cheeks reddened further, her free hand coming up to shield her face instinctively. "Yeah, so? I'm not scared of you. I'll say that again. Pig."

She was scared of him.

He looked at her with wide eyes for a few moments until after a few seconds of total silence a genuine laugh came out of that damn mouth. Lily's cheeks turned even more red. "Adorable" he said between one laugh and another "Seriously, you're so cute Lily-chan"

"S-stop it."

"Make me."

His eyes darting down to her wrist where the faint outline of the bandage peeked beneath her sleeve. His thumb brushed lightly against the edge of the fabric, as if testing the waters. "How's the wrist, by the way?" he asked, his voice deceptively light. "Should I hurt you again so you will think of me?"

Lily's head snapped up, her green eyes narrowing, Hayato laughed under his breath, the sound low and almost affectionate.

"Just joking, princess. I would never do such a thing again, unless you want it of course."murmured, his smirk lingering as his fingers relaxed slightly on her wrist but didn't let go.

"I'll tell you again " she said, her voice softening as she glanced at her arm"Please. Let go."

But he wasn't finished. His eyes searched hers, his amusement flickering with something deeper as he leaned in again, his face closer to hers than before. His voice dropped lower, almost a whisper. "You want me to leave you alone? You know what you have to do."

Her brows furrowed in confusion, her lips parting slightly as she processed his words. "What are you—"

"Reply." The word was soft but firm, his eyes gleaming with unspoken meaning as he straightened, his hand finally releasing her wrist.

Lily stumbled back a step, her heart pounding in her chest as she cradled her arm to her side. Her mouth opened, but no words came out—she was too busy trying to decipher the weight of his tone, the way his smirk hadn't quite reached his eyes this time.

Hayato took a step back, stuffing his hands into his pockets as if the moment hadn't just left the air between them charged. "Think about it, princess." he said casually, his voice carrying a hint of finality.

Then, without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away.

The meaning behind his words was clear, even if she didn't want to admit it. And yet, as her gaze followed his retreating figure, she couldn't help but feel the weight of his presence lingering far longer than it should.

(;￣Д￣）

"Arata-kun!" Rika said, her voice sliding between playful and insistent as she brushed a strand of her perfectly styled hair over her shoulder. They had just stepped out of the school gates, the usual throng of students thinning as everyone made their way home. She sidled closer, her arm brushing against his as she tilted her head to catch his attention. "I heard this new place downtown just opened up. Their menu is supposed to be amazing. You should take me."

Arata kept his gaze fixed ahead, his hands stuffed deep into the pockets of his blazer. The faint clinking of his keys echoed with each step he took. He didn't even glance at her as he replied, his voice flat. "If you want to go that badly, ask Hayato. He'd be happy to take you."

Rika's smile faltered for a split second before she caught herself, quick to mask the frustration bubbling beneath her polished exterior. She stepped in front of him, forcing him to stop. "I don't want to go with Hayato," she said, her tone carrying a faint edge. "I want to go with you."

Arata raised an eyebrow, finally looking at her. His sharp eyes betrayed nothing—no amusement, no irritation, just a cool detachment that made Rika's chest tighten. "I'm busy." he said simply, stepping around her without hesitation.

But Rika wasn't about to let him go that easily. She reached out, her fingers wrapping around his wrist in a gesture more desperate than she intended. "Please" she said, her voice softening. "Just one more time. One dinner. That's all I'm asking."

Arata paused, glancing down at her hand gripping his wrist. His jaw tightened slightly, and when he met her gaze, there was no mistaking the weariness in his expression. "Rika." he said, his tone colder now, "you're starting to exhaust me."

Her eyes widened slightly, and for the first time, her usual confidence wavered. "Exhaust you?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

He pulled his hand free gently but firmly, his gaze never leaving hers. "This—" he gestured between them vaguely, "—this game you keep playing. Trying to get my attention, pushing when I've already told you I'm not interested. It's exhausting."

Rika's fingers curled into fists at her sides, her heart pounding. "I'm not playing any games." she said, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and hurt. "I've been nothing but honest with you."

Arata let out a quiet sigh, running a hand through his hair as he looked past her. "Honest?" he repeated, his tone dry. "You've been relentless. There's a difference."

The words hit her harder than she expected, but she refused to back down. She stepped closer, her voice rising slightly. "Why do you always act like this? Like you're above everyone? I just want to spend time with you. Is that really so terrible?"

Arata's gaze flicked back to her, his eyes narrowing slightly. For a moment, there was a flicker of something in his expression—annoyance, maybe, or even pity. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Rika" he said evenly, his voice as unshakable as ever, "I don't owe you anything. Stop trying to force something that isn't there."

Her lips parted, but no words came out. She stood frozen, the weight of his words sinking in as he turned and started walking again.

"Go home." he called over his shoulder, not bothering to look back. "And seriously—ask Hayato. He's more your speed."

Rika stared after him, her chest tight as a mix of emotions swirled inside her—anger, humiliation, and something she didn't want to admit felt a lot like heartbreak. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to keep the tears stinging her eyes from falling.

"It's because I'm not cute for you?"

Rika's voice trembled as she spoke again, louder this time, cutting through the quiet of the street. "It's because I'm not cute enough, isn't it?"

The wind picked up, rustling the cherry blossoms in the distance, carrying their faint scent between them. Her hair whipped across her face, but her dark eyes burned with intensity, refusing to look away from him.

Arata's steps faltered. He stopped, his back still to her.

"Arata-kun" she pressed, her voice cracking. "I'm not pretty enough for you, is that it?"

He didn't turn, his hands still buried deep in his pockets. The silence stretched between them.

"I could be prettier" she continued, her tone growing desperate. "I could improve! If that's what it takes, I'll do it. I'll be beautiful for you. I could be everything for you!"

"Rika." His voice was sharp, cutting through her words like a blade.

But she wasn't finished. She took a step forward, her fists clenched at her sides. "Why won't you see me? I'm right here! I've always been right here!"

Finally, Arata turned, his expression unreadable. His dark eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, there was something almost cold about the way he looked at her. Detached.

"Rika." he said again, his tone low and steady. "I don't have time for this."

Her breath hitched, and she stared at him as if his words had physically struck her. "You… don't have time for this?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Arata exhaled slowly, running a hand through his damp hair. "You don't understand, do you? This—" he gestured vaguely between them, his voice tinged with weariness, "—it's not about you not being pretty enough. It's not about you not being enough at all. It's about me not caring."

Her knees felt weak, but she forced herself to stand tall, her chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. "How can you say that?" she asked, her voice shaking. "How can you act like I mean nothing? After everything—"

"You've built this up in your head" he interrupted, his tone calm but unyielding. "This idea of me. Of who you think I am. You don't know me."

"I do!" she shot back, her voice rising. "I know you better than anyone else in this stupid school!"

Arata's lips curled into something resembling a smirk, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You know the version of me you want to know. That's all."

She opened her mouth to argue, but the weight of his words pressed down on her, leaving her speechless.

"I'm not going to change how I feel." he said, his voice quiet but firm. "So stop wasting your time. And mine."

Rika's throat tightened as she struggled to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

"You're pretty, if that's what you want to hear."

She watched helplessly as Arata turned away from her once more, like that night at the sushi restaurant. Like always.

The wind blew again, carrying the faint scent of rain as her voice finally broke through the silence.

"I'll make you change your mind." she whispered, though she knew he was already too far to hear her.