Night fell, blanketing the land in darkness—even the island nation of Neon was no exception.
In the heart of Neon's capital, Tokyo Tower pierced the sky, its lights twinkling defiantly against the black.
At the base of an apartment building not far from the tower, a few men stood facing each other, deep in hushed discussion.
Kashika Masaru glared at Yamano Yuta, who was dragging his feet. "You're already here, dumbass. Hurry up and go find your Natsuka-nee! For all you know, Shinonomiya's already getting it on with Rai Hikaru up there!"
Yamano Yuta hesitated. "I trust Natsuka-nee wouldn't do that. Besides, showing up out of nowhere like this might scare her. Especially since I've got all you guys with me."
He glanced nervously at Kashika Masaru gripping an iron pipe, flanked by his gang of punks, and felt a pang of doubt.
Kashika had goaded him into bringing the whole crew to confront Shinonomiya Natsuka, but now that some clarity was creeping back into his head, he remembered Kashika was a notorious delinquent with a shitty reputation.
Bringing him to Natsuka-nee's place… wasn't that inviting the wolf inside?
Kashika seemed to read his worry and grinned. "What're you scared of, you little pussy?"
"I brought backup and weapons to help you catch them in the act. Think about it—if Rai Hikaru really is up there banging Shinonomiya, you gonna take him alone?"
"That guy's no joke. I'm doing this for you."
"If you're still worried, we won't go up with you."
"Here's the plan: you head up solo. If you need us, just yell. Me and the boys will rush up and back you up. Deal?"
Hearing Kashika's promise, Yamano Yuta broke into a relieved grin. "Alright, Masaru-nii. I'm heading up!"
Kashika had been buddy-buddy with him since they met, which Yuta had found weird at first.
But this show of loyalty? Calling him "Masaru-nii" felt right now.
"See? Your bro's got your back," Kashika said, slapping Yuta's shoulder with a laugh.
Yuta nodded vigorously. "Totally! Masaru-nii's the real deal—my true bro!"
"Not like that bastard Rai Hikaru. I trusted him to look after my girl, and he's got ulterior motives!"
"Daring to go after Natsuka-nee? Pisses me off. She's his bro's girl!"
"Good thing Masaru-nii tipped me off, or I'd still be in the dark!"
Kashika smirked. "Go on up. Holler if you need me."
Yamano Yuta waved gratefully and headed into the apartment stairwell.
What he didn't realize was that he and Shinonomiya Natsuka weren't even officially dating yet—just a vague promise.
Maybe it was his long-held inferiority complex, jealousy, and suspicion toward Rai Hikaru, who was way handsomer than him. Whatever the case, Kashika's words had hooked him instantly.
Once Yuta was out of sight, one of Kashika's punks snickered. "Pfft, what a fucking moron. Falls for whatever you say, Masaru-nii. Hilarious!"
Kashika waved him off irritably. "Shut your trap. Move—follow him up. Let's see where Shinonomiya lives."
"That bitch is the hottest I've ever seen. Tonight, she's mine—and you guys get a taste too!"
One punk trailed him up the stairs, voicing a concern. "Masaru-nii, that Yamano kid seems… off in the head."
"You talked him in circles. Rai Hikaru's his friend—the one he asked to protect Shinonomiya. And you're the one who wants to bang her."
"A guy that dumb… you think Shinonomiya will even open the door for him? Let us sneak in after?"
Kashika chuckled. "That's where you're wrong. The kid's her childhood friend. She'll open up for him, no question. Relax."
…
Shinonomiya Natsuka, fretting alone in her apartment, suddenly heard a knock.
Knock knock knock!
She jumped up from the sofa and peered through the peephole.
A familiar face stared back.
"Natsuka-nee, open up!" Yamano Yuta called loudly from outside.
"Oh, it's you, Yuta," Shinonomiya Natsuka said, exhaling in relief.
She reached for the door handle on instinct—childhood friend and all.
But as her fingers closed around it, Rai Hikaru's warning from earlier flashed in her mind.
Don't open the door for anyone but me. Could be dangerous.
Even with Yuta on the other side—someone she knew—his words planted a seed of unease.
"Yuta," she called through the door. "Did you bring anyone with you?"
"W-What? No, it's just me, Natsuka-nee!"
Yuta had nearly blurted out the truth but caught himself, remembering Kashika's instructions.
At the same time, the thought that Rai Hikaru might be inside right now ignited a spark of rage. He pressed harder. "C'mon, Natsuka-nee, I came all this way to see you. Why're you taking forever to open up?"
"Is someone else in there? Hiding a guy? That why you won't let me in?!"
"No!" Shinonomiya Natsuka hurried to explain. "I'm just… home alone, and it feels unsafe to open the door randomly."
Yuta snapped, "What's unsafe about me? Open up, Natsuka-nee!"
She paused. Fair point—he was Yuta. She knew him inside out.
After a moment's hesitation, she unlocked and opened the door.
She was about to greet him with a smile when Yuta shoved past her, rummaging through her apartment like a man possessed.
At first, Shinonomiya Natsuka thought he was just being his usual shy self. Yuta had always been bashful growing up—they'd never even held hands.
But his frantic searching set off alarm bells.
"Yuta, what are you looking for? Do you really think I've got a guy hidden here?!" Shinonomiya Natsuka's voice sharpened with anger.
Yuta rummaged a bit longer, then turned with an awkward grin. "Uh… n-not that I don't trust you, Natsuka-nee. Just… worried you might've been duped. City's full of scams…"
Her face darkened at the confirmation he was actually suspicious. "And? Did you find any evidence of a man in my apartment?!"
"I—"
Footsteps echoed from the doorway.
Kashika Masaru strode in, flashing a grin at the stunned Shinonomiya Natsuka. "Yo, if it isn't the goddess herself, Shinonomiya. Long time no see."
Her eyes widened in shock. "You?! How are you here? How do you even know where I live?!"
Kashika chuckled darkly. "Tailed your precious childhood friend here. Thanks for the assist, Yuta."
Yuta gaped at him. "Masaru-nii?! What the hell—you weren't supposed to come up unless I called for backup to catch them cheating!"
"Why'd you barge in?! I'm gonna get mad!!!"