Episode 10 – Shota’s Decision — Choosing Love Through Control

In Front of the Giant Aquarium

The fish glided calmly through the water, a stark contrast to the storm swirling inside Shota’s heart.

(What… do I really want?)

Ryoko’s gaze bore into him.

Akari’s hand clutched his arm.

“Shota-senpai… don’t go back to her.”

Her voice trembled.

She had cherished him so deeply.

She gave him freedom, never pressured him, and simply wanted to be by his side.

It should have been… the ideal relationship.

And yet—

The moment Ryoko’s fingers gently brushed his cheek—

(I was still… hers.)

“Shota-senpai?”

Akari’s voice pulled him back, and he slowly lifted his face.

“Akari… I’m sorry.”

“…What?”

“I… I still… love Ryoko-senpai.”

Akari’s expression went pale in an instant.

“But… but you said being with me made you feel free—”

“I thought so. But… being free didn’t make me feel whole.”

Her hands began to tremble.

“I… I don’t hate being under Ryoko-senpai’s control. In fact… I think I like it.”

The moment he said it, everything clicked into place.

It all made sense.

—I belong to Ryoko.

I always have.

“…That’s so cruel…”

Tears welled in Akari’s eyes.

“I let you go because I wanted you to be happy…”

Shota gently took her hand.

“I really am sorry. But for me… being with Ryoko-senpai, even under her control, makes me happier than being free.”

“That’s not fair… That’s just not fair…!”

“Thank you, Akari. For freeing me. But I… I need her.”

Akari’s hand slipped away from his arm.

Silence fell between them.

Shota turned to face Ryoko.

“You finally came back to me, didn’t you?”

“…Ryoko-senpai.”

“…Hehe.”

Ryoko smiled softly.

“You finally realized it, didn’t you?”

Shota nodded.

“I want to belong to you again.”

Her eyes narrowed, delighted.

“You’ve always been mine.”

Ryoko reached out—

And in that moment, Shota’s body gently rose into the air.

“Whoa!”

“W-What!?” Akari gasped in shock.

Ryoko flicked her fingers, and Shota’s floating form drifted smoothly into her arms.

Like a puppet on invisible strings, he came to rest against her.

“Welcome home, my sweet Shota-kun.”

Ryoko caressed his cheek with a loving smile.

Ah—

(Her control… really is the most comforting thing.)

Freedom had never been what he needed.

—Just being in Ryoko’s hands was enough.

“Shall we go home, Shota-kun?”

“…Yeah.”

Cradled in her arms, Shota felt a deep sense of peace.

This was right.

—This was his happiness.

Akari’s Tears

With one arm around Shota’s shoulder, Ryoko turned her head and looked back.

“Yuki-san, you knew it too, didn’t you?”

Akari clenched her fists tightly.

“…Knew what?”

“Shota-kun chose me on his own.”

“…!”

Ryoko smiled gently.

“You gave him freedom… and he still came back to me.”

—Each word cut deep into Akari’s heart.

“What Shota-kun wanted wasn’t freedom.” “That’s not true…! You brainwashed him!” “…Hehe.”

Ryoko took a step closer to Akari.

“You couldn’t control his heart.” “…!!” “That’s why you lost.”

Akari’s vision blurred.

She had lost.

“I just wanted to save him…”

She whispered through trembling lips.

Ryoko gave her a graceful smile.

“It’s okay, Yuki-san.” “…What?”

“You did what was ‘right’—for him.” “…?”

“But what Shota-kun ‘wanted’—was me.”

Ryoko gently tugged Shota’s arm.

“Goodbye, Yuki-san.”

Then, without looking back, she walked away with Shota.

—That was the difference.

Shota had chosen, all over again—

To be under Ryoko’s control.

“Her control… is my love.”

Shota squeezed her hand.

Ryoko’s lips curled softly.

“…Good boy.”

And just like that, Shota returned to Ryoko.

—That was the happiness he chose.