Chapter 452: Weakness

"Well… don't worry about where the gem came from. My old man gave it to me. As for the design—it's a replica of a pendant my mom always wore."

Rinji had made the brooch himself.

The red gem had come from his father.

Inside it was a being known as a "god" from the heavens.

The design of the brooch was modeled after the pendant his mother always wore, which was said to have been a gift from his father.

"It's just… I couldn't really think of anything else to give."

Anything else Rinji could think of felt too cliché, and Hayasaka wasn't like Karura, who had regular covert missions—giving her a weapon was definitely out of the question.

After much thought, this was the only idea he came up with.

"Thank you."

Gently holding the brooch Rinji handed her, Hayasaka smiled.

She looked up at him and asked, "Can you help me put it on?"

"Of course."

Rinji nodded, took the brooch from her hand, and pinned it to her chest.

This kind of accessory didn't make someone more beautiful, but it did add a sense of elegance—and on a girl as beautiful as Hayasaka, the effect was no different.

"I'll treasure this gift."

Hayasaka smiled and lightly pressed her hand to the brooch pinned to her chest.

With the gift exchange over, it was time for games.

In Karura and Fusui's clan, the Kure Clan, parties typically included games too.

Those games? Group brawls.

Fusui generally didn't take part in such "games," and Karura was always protected by her great-grandfather, so she wasn't allowed to participate either.

And with Hayasaka here, there was obviously no way they'd play such violent games tonight.

So instead, Rinji simply brought out UNO. All three girls—Hayasaka, Karura, and Fusui—had a great time. Since there was no gambling involved, Rinji had no reason to cheat.

Time passed gradually. After Rinji played his last card, he glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

9:30 PM.

"Sorry, you all go ahead and keep playing—I need to head out for a bit."

"Huh? Rinji, something urgent?" Karura asked curiously.

"Kind of. Someone asked me to meet them tonight, so I need to get there before ten."

"Okay~ Be sure to come back soon~" Karura said with a smile.

"No problem."

With that, Rinji put on his coat and stepped out of the house.

…

Rinji made his way to Shuchiin Academy.

Since it was the holiday break, the school gates were already locked.

After scaling the gates, Kai walked directly into the school building and headed for the rooftop.

A full moon hung in the night sky, casting its glow over the scene. Standing on the rooftop under the moonlight was a beautiful girl.

The breeze gently brushed her hair, adding a touch of elegance to the image.

"Momo-senpai, that melancholic literary-girl aura doesn't suit your character."

"You came all this way just to insult me?"

"No, just speaking from the heart." Rinji smiled. "After all, we've known each other since childhood. I understand some things about you."

"Tch. The things you should've understood, you never did."

Momo sighed and sat down on the inflatable mat she'd set up.

There were a few snacks laid out in front of her, probably for a light late-night meal.

Rinji walked over and sat down cross-legged in front of her with a smile.

"Just like we agreed. I came at ten."

"You're late."

"Sorry, sorry."

"Forget it. You came, that's what matters."

She reached into the snack pile beside her and tossed a bottle of coffee to Rinji.

After opening it and taking a sip, Rinji smiled and said, "I usually don't bother celebrating Christmas, but this kind of night's pretty nice once in a while."

"So, you had a Christmas Eve party at home too?"

"Well, I've got a girlfriend now. Can't be as carefree as I used to. Gotta treasure these rare happy times."

"Is that so?"

A smirk tugged at Momo's lips.

"Spending Christmas Eve with two girlfriends and then coming to see me at this hour… you've grown a lot in these four years, huh?"

"Feels like there's more to your words, senpai."

"Yeah, I'm saying I never thought you had the potential to be a two-timer."

"Neither did I."

Rinji sipped his coffee, his gaze turning vacant.

"Ah… now that I think about it, I used to believe I was totally devoted to Karura. But after Ai showed up again and confessed to me, it completely shook me. To fall so easily like that… I guess I'm not thinking straight these days."

"Hayasaka… you mentioned that name before. Isn't she the one who rejected your confession four years ago?"

"It wasn't even a rejection—I didn't even get the chance to be rejected."

"…"

At that moment, Momo suddenly recalled something.

It was what Atenbo Yume had told her during the Hoshin Festival.

Something about someone breaking Rinji's restraints on the final night of the festival.

"…Can I ask when exactly you ended up with two girlfriends?"

"The last night of the Hoshin Festival."

"Knew it."

So everything really did play out just as Atenbo had predicted.

And according to that prediction, once Rinji's restraints were broken, she would have her chance…

"By the way, Momo-senpai."

While Momo was still thinking, Rinji suddenly extended a hand toward her.

"Do you have a Christmas gift for me?"

"Hah? You're actually asking a girl for a gift?"

"I don't know the exact process for Christmas, but I figured you'd definitely have one for me."

"…You win."

Momo scratched her head and pulled a gift box out from behind her back, handing it to Rinji.

"I just grabbed it from the clubroom. It's nothing fancy, so don't get your hopes up."

"Even just having a gift is great."

Rinji accepted the box, weighed it a bit—it felt like it was probably a model kit or something like that.

He tucked it away and then pulled out a gift box of his own from his pocket, handing it to Momo.

"This is for you. Merry Christmas."

"Oh?"

Momo took the gift and immediately tore off the wrapping.

Inside the box was a black bullet.

"What is this?"

"It's a bullet I got shot with when I was little," Rinji said with a smile. "Luckily, it didn't hit anything vital, so I survived. It's probably the only real injury I've ever had. I kept the bullet and have always carried it with me. It represents my weakness."

"Oho? Are you sure it's wise to hand your weakness over to me?" Momo asked with a grin.

"Of course. Because you're Momo-senpai."

"…"