Chapter 24: Reina Made a Love Poll. Now Everyone’s Waiting For Me To Pick.

The Monday after camp was too quiet.

No screaming.

No whipped cream.

No exploding closets.

Just silence.

Until I walked into the classroom and saw a giant poster on the board:

> "WHO SHOULD DATE Kaito Tenma?"

Student Council-Approved Love Poll – Vote Now.

Underneath were four names.

Riko Hanazawa

Yuna Hoshigawa

Airi Yukishiro

Akari Mizuno

And next to them?

A QR code.

I turned to Reina.

"You didn't."

She sipped her tea. "The people deserve entertainment."

---

Riko: Silence & Distance

She sat two rows away.

Didn't look at me once.

Didn't glare.

Didn't speak.

Didn't even sigh.

Just quietly took notes like nothing ever happened.

Which hurt more than yelling would've.

---

Yuna: Smiling Through Rage

Yuna was still smiling.

Too wide.

"Did you vote for me, Kaito?" she asked sweetly.

"I didn't vote at all—"

"That's okay. You still have time."

She handed me a sticker that said TEAM YUNA.

I put it in my pencil case and feared for my life.

---

Airi: Logic and Longing

She sat beside me.

Held up her phone.

"I ran predictive polling models."

"Of course you did."

"Current projections say Akari's winning. But you looked at Riko 38% more this morning."

I stared at her.

She nodded seriously. "Your micro-glances betray your true lean."

"…I think I need therapy."

"I've booked us a joint session. Wednesday."

---

Akari: Confident and Calm

She approached me during break.

Placed a chocolate bar on my desk.

Said nothing.

Just leaned in and whispered—

"I'm not worried. You already know how this ends."

Then walked away.

The scent of her perfume lingered like a memory I forgot I loved.

---

Reina's Public Update – Lunch Break

She tapped the board with her pointer.

> "Current Poll Results:"

1st – Akari

2nd – Riko

3rd – Yuna

4th – Airi

"Also," she added, "Kaito must announce a personal answer by the end of the week."

"WHAT?!"

"No pressure. Just judgment."

---

After School – Kaito's Inner Breakdown

I sat on the rooftop alone.

Staring at the sky like it had answers.

I thought it was fun.

I thought it was harmless.

But now…

I remembered the way Riko almost said "I love you."

The way Yuna clung to me like she'd explode without it.

The way Airi stared like I was a question she couldn't solve.

And Akari—

Akari never stopped believing I was hers.

"…How am I supposed to choose?"

Then I heard footsteps.

I turned.

And Riko stood there.

Hands in her pockets. Eyes low.

"You don't have to say anything."

She walked past me. Sat down beside me.

Just close enough to touch. But didn't.

"…But you better not let her win without a fight."

I didn't know if she meant Akari… or herself.

But my chest hurt either way.