"You seem to be looking forward to it?"
Mu Xiaoxiao squinted.
His eyes fell on her fair, delicate cheeks. Watched the blush spread across her smooth skin. She grew flustered.
"What—what are you talking about? How could I be looking forward to it!"
She'd never admit she'd imagined it—being pushed down, bullied like her mother. Dreamed about it, even.
Obviously, she could never admit that!
"Really?" He didn't believe her, but didn't push. Just chuckled. "You're close with Yukiha? Worried about her?"
Yuna turned away. Quiet. "After yesterday... we're close now. Chat in class. I can tell... she..."
"Oh? She what?"
"...Don't play dumb. Yukiha likes you."
"Oh." He noticed her sneaking glances. Smiled. "I do like innocent girls like Serizawa."
Yuna exhaled.
Then felt sour. Uncomfortable.
'Yesterday wasn't just Yukiha in danger—I was too. But he didn't take advantage... No, what am I thinking!'
"And you, Tsubakihara Yuna."
"Ah? What about me?" Nervous.
"You came alone just to say this? Not afraid of me?" He leaned closer. Watched her face redden.
"Who—who's afraid of you? I'm not!" Brave words, then hesitation. She bit her lip. "It's not just that..."
"I came to thank you. For yesterday." Mosquito voice. "I was so scared. Thank you for saving me."
"Oh—I didn't come for you yesterday. Came for Yukiha. You were just incidental."
"..."
Her face fell.
"But you saw how Yukiha thanked me. Just saying thanks? Not very sincere." He lifted her chin. Fingers traced. "Isn't your thanks lacking?"
Slap.
She knocked his hand away. Eyes flashing. Complex. "You said I was just incidental. What thanks do I owe? What sincerity do you want?"
"Mad?"
"No."
"Jealous?"
"...No!"
'Mad? Jealous? For this guy? Absolutely not!' Gritting her teeth, denying—but remembering yesterday's fear, his words—
Her nose stung. Eyes reddened.
Grievance welled up.
"Then why cry?" Surprised, he reached out. Touched her cheek. Traced her lashes, her eyes. Gentle.
She didn't push him away.
"Fine. Joking. Even without Yukiha, I'd save you." Before she could feel happy, he added, "You're my property. Can't let others touch my things."
"...Not yours. I'm not." Conflicted. 'Should be mad. But why... happy?'
'Crazy. Definitely crazy.'
"Say that all you want. Won't make me happy."
Stubborn. He didn't mind. Fun to tease. "Right, right. Unhappy. But Yuna—your thanks..."
His hand slid down her chin. Lifted her face. Forced her to meet his eyes. She understood.
Heart racing. 'What's he going to do?'
Like in her dreams? Like with Mom?
Glancing around—empty corridor. Just them. Close. She could smell him.
Faces near. Breath mingling. She slowly closed her eyes. Chest rising. Waiting.
Nothing. Only teasing laughter.
"Closing your eyes? What for?"
"Ah—!"
Eyes flew open. She shoved him. Face burning. "Mu Xiaoxiao! You—you bastard! Idiot!!"
She fled.
'That villain! Teasing me on purpose? Hateful!'
Down the stairs. Emotions tangled.
Bam—
Collision.
"... Nina?!"
Glasses girl stared. Held her sister. Eyes strange behind lenses.
"Nina, why—what did you see?"
"...Saw. Not about me." Complicated. Never expected her sister with him. "What's going on? Why were you talking to him?"
Silence. Neither knew how to explain.
A figure rushed past. Furious. Stick raised.
"What did you do to Yuna?!!"
"Yuuji?"
Tsubakihara Yuuji had seen.
"Wait! Yuuji, what are you doing?!" Too late. Stick swinging at Mu Xiaoxiao's head.
Yuuji, already broken over Mira, now saw Yuna being toyed with. Couldn't hold back.
The suffering protagonist's wrath. Wrong manga, though. No power of friendship here. No power of love.
Yuna's breath caught. Watching in horror. Maybe—she wasn't worried about Yuuji.
She was worried about Mu Xiaoxiao.
He caught Yuuji's wrist. Like iron pliers. Immobilized. Expressionless, he kicked.
Bam—!!!
Crash—!!!
Yuuji hit the door. Eyes rolling. Almost unconscious.
"Hoo... ugh—"
Curled on the ground. Clutching stomach. Couldn't rise.
The suffering protagonist failed to defeat the demon king.