Willow Ran crossed her arms, a smile on her face. If not for her twitching eyebrows, I might have thought she was in a good mood.

"I’ve tried everything to get your attention! ‘Come here,’ ‘Look at me,’ even dancing like a fool—I attempted every trick!"

Damn, the dark aura foretelling tragedy thickened.

"I didn’t care if they called me an idiot! Even the waiter ‘kindly’ asked if I needed an ambulance—"

A mysterious pressure soaked my back with sweat.

"How I believed you’d never forget me, that you’d definitely glance my way—"

Willow Ran jabbed a finger straight at my nose. "But you, you bastard? You ran eagerly to Yao Star-Yan’s table, completely forgetting I existed!"

"T-this was just to get closer to Yao Star-Yan! It’s all for my new work!"

"...Gah... E-even if you say that, do you think I’ll believe you?"

Mentioning her precious new work only shook her slightly. Time to use my natural good looks and drop a bombshell!

I swiftly closed in, grabbing her hand. My brow exuded a handsome man’s gentle charm.

Willow Ran’s lingering anger flushed her cheeks. After a pause, she slowly said:

"O-okay... S-since it’s for the new work, I’ll let you off... Besides, Yao Star-Yan can’t know about us. She’d ignore my advice otherwise."

"Mhm, exactly! I’m so glad you understand!"

I was nearly crying with relief.

I’d feared Willow Ran might blurt out my true intentions with Yao Star-Yan in anger.

"Truly, Willow Ran, you look incredibly charming today, like you’ve got a protagonist’s aura."

"G-get lost! Stop flattering me! That’s so fake. Gale Splendor, you sound disgustingly fake!"

I knew it was true, but her blunt words stung.

Whatever, I’d let it slide.

My bond with Yao Star-Yan owed much to Willow Ran’s help. I had to thank her.

"So, Willow Ran, which do you want—my body or my heart?"

"Get lost! Pervert!"

Willow Ran yanked her hand away.

"Haa~"

She took a deep breath, calming herself.

"So, what did you talk about?"

"Nothing important. Just how I can actually cook."

"Just that?"

Willow Ran frowned, anger flaring again.

"You forgot me over such pointless questions, you bastard?"

Ahh, no good! Her primordial fury was about to erupt.

"N-no, not exactly... Ah! She asked a weird question too."

"Spill it!"

Her glare screamed, "Another useless answer, and you’re dead." Yep, Willow Ran was scarier than Yao Star-Yan.

"She seemed to say... ‘Gale Splendor... what exactly... do you... to me...’ something like that."

"Hm?"

Willow Ran’s frown deepened. I hurriedly added, "B-because you kept glaring, I didn’t catch the whole sentence..."

Nice blame shift. Even she couldn’t fault me now.

"...Ah, but Yao Star-Yan seemed so sharp. Who knew she’d ask such nonsense? Hahaha..."

My laughter died under her glare.

"...Idiot..."

"Huh?"

"I didn’t expect you to come over now."

"Uh... I came because of you! Change that tone like I’m hopeless."

"Even if I stayed, I might not know how to answer. It’s such a confusing question."

"None of that matters. I left suddenly—she’ll ask later. If you know the question, tell me."

"Do you think I’m Doraemon?"

"Aren’t you my savior? This should be easy."

"I don’t know!"

"Eh?! Don’t be cold! You’re her friend—you should get her thoughts!"

"I’m not a mind reader."

"Uh, even a worm would’ve been digested by Yao Star-Yan’s enhanced system by now."

Our bickering continued. My sudden exit was just a minor mistake—I’d fix it later.

"If you run out of topics, leave. Dragging it out makes you seem boring to Xingyan."

"Huh? Are you in a hurry?"

"My sister wants me home early, but my bag’s still at your place."

"I see..."

I’d chat with Yao Star-Yan more later. If her question wasn’t urgent, I’d head back.

However, at that moment, I didn’t know—

...

After Yao Star-Yan finished her sandwich, Gale Splendor still hadn’t returned.

"Bathroom breaks don’t take this long!"

Her gaze fixed on the restroom door.

So boring... Sitting alone, she lost her appetite. This was rare for her.

I’ll check outside—not worried, just curious! She shook her head.

Then, just as she neared the restroom—

"—my bag’s still at your place."

Yao Star-Yan recognized that voice.

Hearing their familiar chatter, Willow Ran trusted Gale Splendor deeply. She even showed her arrogant side—a side Yao Star-Yan had never seen.

Their intimate talk—at least to an outsider—made Yao Star-Yan’s body heat up. Her heart raced.

This heavy feeling in her chest... what was it?

Pain?

Pain from their closeness? Pain because they hid their bond?

Yao Star-Yan didn’t know.

All she knew was to escape this feeling, she had to—

Run away!