Ren stiffened as the newcomer approached, eyes locked on him with a sharp glare that practically screamed trouble.
Reika looked up, her confident smile faltering for just a moment as she recognized the boy while talking with Ren Flickerd.
"Shun?" Reika said, surprise softening her tone.
The boy—tall, with messy dark hair and an air of casual arrogance—crossed his arms. "I didn't expect to find you here, Reika. And with him." His eyes never left Ren.
Ren's face had a troubled expression. He felt that his being here meant his peaceful lunch time was being disturbed.
Sayuri's calm composure shifted; her eyes narrowed at Shun, calculating the situation Clear that even she was not happy with this person.
Reika stood, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, looking displeased. "Shun, what brings you here? Looking for a fight?"
Shun spoke in a slightly annoying tone. "What are you doing with this unknown boy? Someone of your noble status should only engage with people worthy of you — like me."
Sayuri stepped forward, her tone low and warning. "It would be wise for you to leave. You are not welcome here."
Shun spoke arrogantly, "I am not talking to you, lowly servant. I'm addressing your Lady."
"You!" As Sayuri was about to verbally fight back, Reika gracefully stepped forward.
"Shun, I want to engage with one I want to. You are not the one to decide," She glared at Shun. "And you can't speak to Sayuri like that, or you will be offending me. Better take back your words if you can't afford the consequences."
"You!!!" Shun's voice started to crack. He has known Reika since childhood. their family know each other well. He had liked her for a very long time but she had not given him any chances or interest in him now. But now seeing her chatting with an Unknown Boy, His limit got broken.
He took a step forward, eyes burning. "You dare speak to me like this—for him? Some nobody you barely know?" His voice rose with each word, bitter and trembling. "I've known you since we were children. Our families—our names—are tied by history and loyalty. And this is how you repay it?"
Reika didn't flinch. Her expression turned cold, like frost, completely different from the earlier warm smile when speaking with Ren. "Affection is not something owed, Shun. Nor is loyalty a chain you can use to bind me."
"He's no one, Reika!" Shun spat. "Just a stranger in our land. I won't watch you throw everything away for a passing fancy."
"I know enough," Reika said firmly, her voice steady and controlled. "Enough that i am satisfied. And it is not your place to watch me. I am not yours to guard, nor yours to lose."
Shun's fists shook at his sides. His lips trembled, caught between anger and heartbreak. "You don't mean this," he whispered. "You can't."
Sayuri, silent until now, stepped forward again, her eyes hard. "She means every word. And if you cared for her even a fraction as much as you claim, better leave now."
Shun looked between them—between Reika's unwavering glare and Sayuri's fierce defense. For a moment, something in him collapsed.
He gave a bitter laugh, hollow and short.
As they were talking, suddenly a black colored arrow shot out of nowhere and shot toward Reika.
"Watch out!!!" 'Ren' immediately jumped and moved Sayuri and Reika out of the arrow's path.
The arrow went and pierced the bench they were sitting. It started to corrode the bench and the nearby plants, making that place lifeless.
Another arrow was shot at them.
Sensing this, Shun flicked his hand, and a crimson-colored flame came into his hand. He shot his flame at the incoming arrow attack. The flame burned the arrow into nothing. he shot another flame at the bench, engulfed in black flames.
Ren was not surprised by seeing this. He can understand that Reika and this Shun guy have known each other for way long. So he had some slight thought that he may not be an ordinary person.
Instead, his attention was on the Sky.
"kekke!! I never expected my arrows to be burned easily. Such a delicious meal!!!" A sinister laughter can be heard.
To be continued in Chapter 4…