The Truth

Kaito snuck through the mansion, glancing into rooms. The mansion was massive, so finding Rina was taking longer than expected.

“Stupid rich people and their overly large homes,” Kaito thought.

Kaito slowly opened another mansion door, and there she was. Rina was standing alone in a bedroom. The lights were off, and she stood by a window gazing into the sunset.

Kaito admired Rina’s beauty, frozen in place. She wore makeup while her previously straight long hair was curled, and topped with a tiara. She wore a light red ballgown dress with a hooped skirt. The top of the dress was frilled and ran off her shoulders, leading to her lacey gloves.

Suddenly, Rina started fidgeting.

“This dress is way too tight,” she whispered. “Did these things end up growing?”

Rina tried to adjust her breasts, but they weren’t budging. Instead, she opted to loosen her dress by slightly unzipping it.

Kaito realized how blessed this situation was and aimed to get a better look. He slowly entered the room to get closer. With his eyes fixated on Rina, he didn’t realize the side table next to the door and bumped into it.

“Who’s there!” Rina proclaimed, taking off her tiara and throwing it towards the sound.

One end of the tiara stuck into the wall like a dart on a dartboard. Kaito stood by the wall, stunned as the tiara was inches from piercing Kaito’s skull. Without realizing it, Kaito undid his Phase skill.

“Kaito!?” Rina said, surprised. “Y-you can’t be here.”

“We’re here to get you out of here, Rina,” Kaito announced, holding out his hand. “Let’s go!”

Rina looked away. “I-I’m going to keep my promise to my family.”

Kaito was confused. “What do you mean? I can tell from your letter that you don’t want this. Are you telling me you actually want to marry Francis?”

“Of course I don’t!” Rina looked at Kaito with a pained look. “I thought we were partners…”

Kaito was caught off guard, but he tried his best to respond, “But we are par—”

“Back when you summoned Iori…” Rina cut Kaito off. “I didn’t understand why, but I hated it.”

At this point, Kaito finally understood that something was bothering Rina, so he let her vent.

*            *            *

A wish for a girl to like you? To protect?

Was I not a good enough partner for you?

I didn’t understand, and still don’t understand, why you needed to replace me.

I was confused, but it came out as rage, and I regretted it.

I chose not to talk, or even look in your direction, but I wanted the opposite.

You didn’t even try to make up with me…

Why?

Did you always plan to leave me in the end? We weren’t ever partners to begin with, were we…

Is this supposed to be some sort of karma?

The one and only person I started valuing as my partner chose someone else.

I never knew how much it hurt to be left alone, or meet you again…

So, Kaito, please let me go back to being the Lonely Queen.

*            *           *

Rina looked at Kaito. Her face had a mix of hopefulness and sadness.

“Rina…”

Kaito slowly approached Rina to comfort her. He held his hand out to grab her, but Rina smacked it away.

“Don’t!” Rina yelled out. “I don’t want to feel this way anymore, so just let me be!”

Rina stepped back in panic. She lost her balance and started to fall because of her heels. Kaito reacted swiftly and caught Rina mid-fall.

Kaito held Rina as they stared at each other under the now turned night sky. Rina was leaned back into Kaito’s arms with a flustered face. She wanted to escape, but couldn’t.

“Rina. You are my partner, and nobody can replace you, ever,” Kaito stated with an unwavering stare. “I’m sorry.”

Kaito hugged Rina tightly, holding her head in his embrace.

Rina couldn’t hold back her emotions. It was everything she wanted to hear. She started tearing up, prompting her to hug Kaito back. They hugged each other until they could stabilize their emotions.

By the time they were finished getting their fill, they were both sitting on the floor.

“Now let’s ditch this dumb banquet,” said Kaito to lighten the mood. “I got us a ride and everything.”

“Sure,” Rina responded with a smile that stretched from ear to ear.

Kaito sat there and stared as he witnessed Rina’s beautiful smile that glistened under the moonlight. Kaito would never forget this sight.

“Oh… I got some of my makeup on your shirt,” Rina announced, realizing the smudge.

“Huh, really? And right after I put in all this effort for this outfit!?” Kaito panicked, trying to wipe it off with his sleeve.

Rina laughed. She got up and ruffled Kaito’s hair back to normal before lending Kaito a hand to get up. “There, much better, now let’s go!”

Kaito sat on the ground, shocked for a second. Rina was being more expressive than usual, playful even. 

He finally grabbed Rina’s hand and got up. It was time to ditch the banquet.

Leaving the room, the two snuck through the halls, Kaito leading the way. They ran through a courtyard, and there he was.

Francis.

“I was right to wonder at those boonies in the banquet hall.” Francis deduced. “Rina, care to tell me what you are doing?”

“The marriage is off, pretty boy,” Kaito took the lead. “We’re out of this place.”

Francis ignored him once again and walked towards Rina, who stood behind Kaito.

“Need I remind you of the promise you made to both me and your adoptive parents?” Francis announced.

Rina stood there feeling guilty while Francis stretched out his arm to reach for Rina’s face…

SMACK!!!

Kaito slapped Francis’s face so hard that the sound echoed throughout the courtyard. The sound drew the attention of the banquet attendees on the balcony. People started noticing and calling over others to witness the event unfold. Everyone watched as Francis stood there stunned.

“Touch her and I’ll kill you,” Kaito announced, glaring at Francis.

“Is that a challenge, ‘Baron Kaito’?” Francis mockingly acknowledged Kaito.

“Kaito, don’t, let’s just leave,” Rina whispered to calm Kaito down.

“Sorry, Rina,” Katio's eyes stayed locked with Francis’s. “I CHALLENGE YOU OVER CUSTODY OF RINA!!!”