It started with a text.
Yuna:
> "Not a trap. No flirting. Just meet me. Please."
I stared at it for too long.
Then typed back.
> "Where?"
---
That Night – At the Playground
Same one we all used to hang out at before things got messy.
Yuna sat on the swings.
Didn't look up when I arrived.
> "You came."
"…You asked."
She kicked at the gravel.
Then finally looked at me.
> "I want you to hear this from me.
I'm still in love with you."
I froze.
She kept going.
> "And I'm not going to steal you.
But I'm not disappearing either."
I opened my mouth.
She held up a hand.
> "I told you—no traps. I just needed to say it."
Then she stood.
Brushed herself off.
> "Tell her if she's gonna keep you, she better fight for you."
And walked off.
Just like that.
---
Meanwhile – Riko, Alone in Her Room
Her phone buzzed.
From Reina:
> "You're still in the game.
You just don't know it yet."
She frowned.
Scrolled through her photos.
Stopped at one of her and Kaito.
Then turned her phone off.
Didn't smile.
Didn't cry.
Just stared at the ceiling in silence.
---
The Next Day – Reina's New Bombshell
She stood in the courtyard.
Megaphone in hand.
> "Attention all romantically-involved students.
The council is reopening a one-time event.
The Endgame Challenge.
One week.
Any girl may issue a formal confession again.
Kaito Tenma may respond.
This is the final round."
Everyone stared.
The courtyard exploded with noise.
Yuna? Smiling.
Airi? Watching.
Akari? Silent.
Riko? Gone.
---
That Afternoon – With Riko
I found her by the fence.
Same spot she always went when she didn't want to be found.
She didn't look at me when I spoke.
> "You heard?"
She nodded.
> "I don't want to compete again."
"…You won't have to."
> "Won't I?"
She turned to me.
Eyes softer than usual. But sharper too.
> "You can't stop people from chasing you, Kaito.
But you can stop looking back at them."
I swallowed.
She stepped forward.
Took my hand.
> "So ask yourself something."
She leaned in.
Whispered—
> "Are you still choosing me?
Or are you waiting to be taken again?"
Then she let go.
And walked away.
Leaving me with a question…
I didn't like the answer to.