"Yuma-kun..."

Behind school building C was something like that of a special place amongst a handful of students in Inarizaki High. It was spacious enough to gather secret meetings, quiet enough to exchange confidential information, deserted enough to go hide yourself at.

Standing on this soil was a beautiful woman with curly hair and an equally good-looking man. At an angle, some might mistake them as people who're about to exchange good feelings.

But in this case, reality was different.

"Stay away from Shuuya." The young man almost growls at her, on which she flinched at but managed her best to keep her legs from shaking in fear.

"Why do you care so much about her?" she dares to ask. Even if this was the last question she'd ask in her life, it doesn't matter—at least she could rest in peace.

The two of them were perfect for each other. Ayane and Yuma were both popular and good-looking. While they don't really know each other's personality well, they can make it up through knowing their bodies well. They were very compatible in that aspect.

So what was the reason why he refused to be official with her?

What was the reason why that girl named Shuuya, that average bug, was instead given favor by him? What does she have that Ayane doesn't?

Is Yuma-kun blind or what?

He was silent for a moment. But before Ayane could even stock another complaint, he cuts her off.

"She's a family member." he says.

"..." she was absolutely not expecting this.

"You're dating a family member?" She had a disgusted expression on her face, to which he quickly shakes his head at.

"You're misunderstanding something. We're just related."

At this, she frowns. "Why didn't she tell me earlier?"

"...she doesn't know."

"What?" At this, Ayane's invisible dog ears perked in interest. There's a family drama she doesn't know?

"It's a long story." Yuma couldn't help but sigh. "Just... don't bully her. Stay away from her or else,"

"I'm not even bullying her!" Ayane exclaimed. "And you're right, it's a misunderstanding."

If I had known earlier, I won't even dare raise my voice against her! Ayane sweatdrops. She really does have to apologize later in order to get into her good books. She's Yuma's family afterall!

"...good." Having nothing else to say, Yuma was about to leave, but was blocked by Ayane.

"We're not finished yet," She stares at him with aggrieved eyes. "What about us?"

Yuma looks at her, face void of emotions.

In his previous life, Ayane was taken advantage of by him. Since she was so inlove with him, she doesn't even mind being unofficial with him as long as he doesn't publicly mess with other girls, but he still did behind her back, all while accepting her feelings and service.

When they finally cut their toxic relationship, only then did Ayane achieve true happiness. She found a good man who treated her right, she'd married and became a proud mom of two.

Honestly, she was better off without him.

"I'm sorry, but I think this should be the end of us." And before she could even complain, he walked pass her.

"I don't deserve your love."

Ayane was left dumbfounded for a long time behind the deserted school building.

***

From now on, I'll refuse him!

Shuuya made up her mind. She had been thinking about it ever since the encounter earlier, and she was certain that more bad luck would come if she keeps getting involved with that senpai.

When she arrived at the schoolgates, she found him standing there, as silent as a tall tree.

"As expected, you're still waiting for me,"

Once he heard the voice he's been expecting to hear since earlier, he looks up in glee and immediately goes near. Like an excited dog at the sight of its master.

"Shuuya,"

"Maeda-senpai." she starts with a serious tone. Yuma couldn't help but be worried at her dark expression.

"...Shuuya, if this is about Ayane—"

"—not about her." She cuts him off. "It's about you."

"..?"

"I don't know about your true intentions, but I realized that I don't really care. I don't like how I'm being forced to go to school with you. Nor how I go home with you like this. From now on, I'm going to run away from you."

I...did it! Shuuya almost clapped at herself on the spot for her boldness and bravery. She looked like a proud chick puffing her chest out, others nearby couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

Yuma was dumbfounded at this conclusion. "Shuuya."

"Goodbye."

Before she could runaway, however, a mature-looking lady approached them both.

"Yuma..?"

The young man's handsome face showed brief surprise. "Mom,"

Wait, that's your mom? The lady was so pretty Shuuya thought that she was only 30! She would be less surprised if the lady was just his sister.

"And this young lady is..?" The lady turns to look at her with kind eyes, and Shuuya couldn't help but smile back.

"Ah, I'm—"

"Sister-in-law!"

A loud voice comes from behind and they all turned to see a familiar face.

Soma puts an arm around both Shuuya and Yuma. "You two lovebirds never get tired with each other I see~"

Sister-in-law? Lovebirds? What the hell is he talking about!? Shuuya gawked.

"Ma'am, this guy is spouting nons—"

"So you're Yuma's girlfriend Soma has been talking about," the other woman grasps both of her hands in glee. "I'm glad to have finally met you."

"Mom—"Yuma was about to clear the misunderstanding, but was cut off once again.

"My, don't be too shy." Mrs. Maeda gently hit him on the shoulder with a laugh. "You're actually leaving your mother out like this,"

"But—" Both Yuma and Shuuya wasn't given the chance to explain themselves.

"Now that we're all here, why don't we invite your girlfriend to dinner?"

D-Dinner!?

"Ma'am, there's really no need to," Shuuya shakes her head, even her hands in refusal, but was still given the deaf ear.

"The car's parked not too far away from here. Actually, it's their grandma's birthday today, so we're eating out tonight. Are you okay eating at a ramenshop?"

"..." If she were to refuse now, would she even be taken seriously?

She could only sigh, before forcing out an answer. "Yes ma'am, anything will do."

Even as they mounted the car, with her sitting at the backseat with Yuma, she could only search for his eyes to communicate words she couldn't really say.

'Hey, how am I gonna get out of this?'

'Are we seriously doing this?'

'You're not even gonna help me?'

But amidst all her complaining, Yuma could only give her a sympathetic stare.

He's known his family for decades.

His persistence and stubborness, where else would he inherent from?

He could only light a candle¹symbolizes light in the darkness of life. Candles are more often lit in times of death. for Shuuya in his head, and one for him as well.

---

author's note: for readers worried if shuuya and yuma are blood related, no, they are not. This isn't an incest story. Yuma's ambiguous reasoning were only to calm Ayane down and not make her target Shuuya.