Chapter 17 – Start of Misunderstanding

[-Miya-]

The gentle autumn wind rustled the golden leaves around us, filling the cemetery with a soft, melancholic melody. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of earth and flowers—fresh bouquets left behind by visitors just like us.

I knelt before **Ryo's gravestone**, tracing the carved letters of his name with my fingers. It had been a while since I last visited. I swallowed back the guilt that surfaced in my throat.

_"Sorry for not coming sooner."_

I wasn't sure if I said it out loud or just thought it. Either way, the silence was my only answer.

Beside me, **Hayato** stood with his hands tucked into his pockets, gazing at the headstone with a contemplative expression. He had always been quiet on these visits, only speaking when necessary.

After a long pause, he sighed. "Ryo would probably yell at us if he saw us like this."

I let out a small chuckle. "Yeah… He hated it when I got all emotional."

"Exactly." Hayato stretched his arms before shoving his hands back into his pockets again. "So, let's not be too sentimental. Come on, let's go unwind a little. I know a good cinema nearby."

I blinked, surprised. "A movie?"

"Yeah. It's been a while, hasn't it?" He smiled, nudging me lightly. "Besides, I'm sure Ryo would want us to enjoy life instead of just standing here moping."

I hesitated. I wasn't sure if I was in the mood for a movie. But maybe… just **maybe**… it wouldn't hurt to take Hayato's advice.

I glanced at Ryo's gravestone once more before standing. "Alright. Let's go."

---

The movie was good—or at least, it should have been.

I couldn't remember much of it.

My mind had been drifting in and out, caught between old memories and the present. Even when Hayato laughed beside me at a particularly funny scene, my reactions were delayed.

After the credits rolled, we stepped out into the mall, walking past the bustling crowd.

"Seriously, that scene where the guy tried to confess but ended up tripping over his own feet?" Hayato chuckled. "Classic."

I hummed absentmindedly in response, my thoughts still elsewhere.

But then—

I stopped.

Through the large glass walls of a **fine dining restaurant**, I saw **Kei**.

And he wasn't alone.

**Yukino sat across from him, laughing softly, leaning in just enough for it to seem… too intimate.**

Something in my chest tightened.

At first, I told myself it wasn't a big deal. **They were business partners.** I already knew that. I even knew they were finalizing the details of the bathhouse acquisition.

But… why did Yukino **look so comfortable** around him?

And more than that—

Why did Kei **look so at ease with her?**

He was smiling.

My stomach twisted.

I tried to reason with myself. **Kei isn't someone who laughs easily.** I'd seen that firsthand. Even when we spent time together, his smiles were often faint, fleeting, reserved.

But here…

He looked **relaxed**.

As if Yukino's presence wasn't a bother.

As if she meant something to him.

I suddenly felt **stupid** for standing here, staring at him like this.

I had **no right** to feel this way.

Kei and I never talked about what we were.

We never **defined** our relationship.

And yet, **something** in my chest ached.

I quickly looked away, trying to push down the feeling rising inside me.

But before I could take a step—

Hayato reached for my hand.

"H-Hayato?" I glanced at him in surprise.

He grinned. "Let's go. I'm starving, and you still owe me dinner for dragging me out today."

Before I could protest, he lightly pulled me along.

And that was when—

**Kei turned.**

For a moment, our gazes met.

And then his eyes dropped—

To where **Hayato was holding my hand.**

I didn't know why, but my stomach dropped.

Kei's expression shifted instantly.

His **smile vanished**.

His **eyes darkened**, his features hardening into an unreadable mask.

I didn't know why I wanted to say something.

I didn't even know **what** I wanted to say.

But Hayato was already leading me away.

And before I could fully process what had just happened, we were already gone.

Yet, **somehow, I could still feel Kei's gaze burning into my back.**

---

[-Kei-]

I never cared much for formal dining.

But for the sake of business, I tolerated it.

Tonight's meeting with **Yukino** was no exception.

She was smiling too much. Talking too much. Touching my arm too often.

I ignored it.

I focused on some Bussiness Proposal she presents

This was purely **business**. Nothing more.

"…Kei, are you even listening?" Yukino pouted, resting her chin on her hand.

I barely glanced at her. "I heard you."

She let out a small laugh. "Then why aren't you reacting?"

I smile before answering,"I don't find unnecessary chatter amusing."

Yukino sighed dramatically. "You really don't change, do you?"

I didn't respond. I didn't need to.

But then—

Something made me glance toward the glass walls.

And I saw her.

**Miya.**

She was standing outside, looking right at me.

My fingers froze around my glass.

She had **that** look in her eyes.

Like she had seen something she didn't want to see.

Like she was **hurt.**

Why?

I wasn't doing anything wrong.

I wasn't…

But before I could think deeper, Hayato took her hand.

**And my chest tightened.**

My gaze immediately dropped to their hands

It was… strange.

The way something in me immediately felt **wrong**.

My grip on the glass **tightened** slightly.

I feel Irritated

I felt the Jelousy creeping to my heart.

The moment Miya turned away and let Hayato pulled her along—

I felt it.

A dull, irritating ache in my chest.

I didn't realize I was staring at them until Yukino spoke up.

"…Kei?"

I blinked.

She was watching me, her head tilted curiously.

"Tch." I exhaled, looking away, feeling an unfamiliar annoyance settle in my stomach.

**Why does it bother me?**

Miya was free to do what she wanted.

She wasn't mine.

We never defined anything.

**So why the hell do I feel like I was losing something?**

---

[-Hayato-]

The moment Miya's expression fell, I knew I had to get her out of there.

I didn't even think—just grabbed her wrist and pulled her along with me, away from that Place.

"Hayato—?" she started, but I didn't let her finish. I wasn't about to let her spiral into those sad thoughts.

"Come on, Miya. We're going for a ride."

I did not let go of her hands until we reached the parking lot, I opened the passenger door of my car and practically tucked her inside like she was a fragile package. She let me, barely resisting, her movements sluggish—like all the energy had drained out of her.

Damn it, Kei.

I slammed my own door shut and started the engine, gripping the wheel tighter than necessary. I wasn't mad at Miya for feeling this way. I wasn't even mad at Kei for being with someone else—he had the right to do whatever he wanted.

But I hated seeing Miya like this.

She deserved more than this sadness.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to loosen my grip as I pulled onto the road. If I let my own emotions get the best of me, I wouldn't be able to do what I set out to do—cheer her up.

"Where… are we going?" Miya's voice was quiet, distant.

"You'll see," I said, keeping my tone light. "Just trust me."

She didn't respond, only turning her gaze out the window. The city lights flickered past, but her reflection on the glass looked as lifeless as she felt.

I pressed my foot on the gas, eager to get us away from here.

---

Fifteen minutes later, the city noise faded behind us as the open road stretched ahead. The coastline soon came into view, the vast ocean glimmering under the afternoon sun. The sea breeze rolled in through the open windows, carrying the scent of salt and freedom.

Miya still hadn't spoken much, but I caught the way her fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her dress, like she was finally starting to breathe again.

I pulled into a small clearing near the cliffs where the view stretched endlessly into the horizon. The waves below crashed gently against the shore, the rhythmic sound filling the air.

Killing the engine, I turned to her with a grin. "Alright, Miya. We're here."

She blinked. "Here…?"

"Yep. Welcome to 'Hayato's Ultimate Anti-Sadness Healing Spot.'"

That earned me the smallest, tiniest quirk of her lips—but it wasn't enough.

I hopped out of the car and jogged around to her side, opening the door for her with exaggerated effort. "My lady, your chariot has arrived. Please step out and allow me to escort you to this breathtaking sight."

She gave me a look, but still, she followed my lead, stepping out as the wind tousled her hair.

I walked a few steps ahead and turned back dramatically, spreading my arms wide. "Ta-da! Beautiful, right?"

Miya's gaze swept over the ocean, the golden sun reflecting off the waves like tiny fireflies. She nodded slowly. "Yeah… it is."

"Of course it is! I wouldn't bring you anywhere lame," I declared proudly. "I mean, come on. Look at that view. The sea, the sky, and—" I turned to face her with the goofiest face I could make, my lips puckered, eyes crossed, looking absolutely ridiculous. "—this handsome guy right here."

Silence.

Then—

A soft laugh.

It was small, barely a sound, but I caught it.

And that was all the encouragement I needed.

"Oh? Did you just laugh? No way!" I gasped, pretending to be in shock. "Is that… is that Miya smiling? Do my eyes deceive me?"

She shook her head, looking away, but I could see the corner of her lips twitching.

"Wait, wait, I'm not done," I said, stepping back and suddenly throwing myself onto the grass in the most dramatic fall possible. "Oh no! The beautiful princess has been cursed with sadness! Only the legendary technique… of ridiculous dance moves… can save her!"

And just like that, I jumped up and started dancing—terribly. Arms flailing, feet moving in a ridiculous shuffle that would make any respectable dancer cry.

Miya stared at me, eyes wide.

"Hayato—"

"Shh! The spell is breaking!" I spun in a clumsy circle, tripping slightly over a rock but recovering like I meant to do it. "Any moment now, the princess will—"

Miya burst into laughter.

Not just a small chuckle, but real, genuine laughter. The kind that made her eyes crinkle and her shoulders shake.

Victory.

I stopped immediately, straightening up and placing a hand over my heart. "Ahh, there it is. The sound of my hard work paying off."

She was still laughing, covering her mouth, shaking her head. "You're… you're such an idiot."

"Proudly," I said with a grin.

The sun cast a warm glow over us, the wind carrying her laughter into the open sky.

And in that moment, I knew—this was all I ever wanted.

To be the reason Miya smiled.

Even if I had to act like a fool to make it happen.

Even if she never saw me the way I saw her.

As long as I could protect her smile, I didn't care what it took.

For now, this was enough.

And maybe, just maybe… one day, she'd realize that she was special to me in a way that went beyond friendship.

But until then, I'd keep chasing her smile.

Even if I had to make a hundred more dumb faces to see it again.