The YOYO Team and the Scorpion’s Honor

The weekend had finally arrived.

Reikou lay sprawled across his bed like a starfish, basking in the glorious silence. No school. No Yinglan-sensei. No late-slip anxiety. Today was the first true weekend of his high school life, and it felt like a gift from the gods.

Ding!

A notification shattered the peace. Reikou groaned, reaching for his phone.

"What is this... YOYO TEAM?"

It was a group chat created by Kiyoshi. Reikou scrolled through the member list.Ryuuto, Shiori, Yueko, Kiyoshi, and his heart nearly stopped—Meiyu Sazanami.

‘She actually joined?!’ He whispered, his eyes wide with a mix of joy and terror.

[YOYO TEAM GROUP CHAT]

Kiyoshi: Yo! Minna! (Everyone!) It’s Kiyoshi! I made this group so we can stay connected 24/7! We talk, we play, we conquer!

[Attached: A selfie of Kiyoshi flashing that high-voltage, creepy toothy smile.]

Ryuuto: Nice! Great idea, Captain.

Shiori: Heehee, for real!

Yueko: Kiyoshi-kun... was the dental commercial photo really necessary?

Kiyoshi: HEE—HEE—HEE! [Sends a second, identical photo.]

Ryuuto: LMAO!

‘This is real fun,’ Reikou thought, a warm feeling spreading in his chest. ‘Our friendship is actually... happening.’

Reikou: HELLO! SORRY FOR THE LATE RESPONSE.

He tossed the phone onto the table, but before he could sink back into his pillows

DING-DONG!

"COMING!" Reikou shouted, scrambling to the door.

He swung it open and immediately turned into a statue. His heart hammered against his ribs like a drum. Standing on his doorstep, dressed with effortless elegance, was Meiyu Sazanami.

"Me-Meiyu... you?" Reikou’s jaw hit the floor.

‘OMG, he’s making that scary face again,’ Meiyu thought, though her face remained an emotionless mask. "When a guest arrives, you are supposed to invite them in instead of staring at them like a gargoyle," she said coldly.

"Oh—Gomen! (Sorry!)"

Reikou immediately went into a deep bow. "Please! Enter my humble abode!"

He kept his head down until she walked in and sat politely on the sofa. As soon as she was settled, Reikou took his hospitality to a terrifying level. He performed a Dogeza head pressed to the floor, but with his hips high in the air in a ridiculous "Scorpion" pose.

"HOW CAN I SERVE YOU, MY LADY?!"

"AHHHH! What are you doing?!" Meiyu shrieked, jumping back and maintaining a strict 5-meter distance this time.

"Would you like tea, coffee, a cold drink, or the finest spring water?" Reikou asked like a professional waiter, his rear end swaying rhythmically from left to right in the air.

"No thanks," she snapped. "And... PUT YOUR REAR END DOWN!"

For the first time, Meiyu’s mask cracked. She had lost her composure. Reikou snapped into a standing position, suddenly noticing she was alone. ‘Where is Akihiro-san? Is she... unescorted?’

"I didn't come here to waste time," Meiyu said, smoothing her skirt.

"Then... why?" Reikou asked, squinting like a detective. "Wait! How did you find my house?! Did you track my GPS? Are you stalking me, Meiyu-san?!"

SMACK!

She swung her bag and connected with his shoulder. "SHUT UP!"

For the second time today, she had lost her cool. Reikou tumbled to the ground, landing in a perfect scorpion-arch again.

"I got your location from the YOYO Team profile," she explained, her face flushing. "And I didn't come here to hit you... though you make it very tempting."

The room went silent for a beat. Meiyu looked at the floor, then at the wall, her cheeks turning a deep, sunset pink.

"Tha-Thank you, Reikou-kun."

She thrust the bag toward him. "This is for you. For... helping me yesterday. Thanks... again."

Reikou stared at the bag in shock. ‘She said thanks? And brought a gift?!’

Meiyu’s eyes darted around the room. It was a mess laundry on chairs, gaming consoles scattered, half-empty snack bags. But then, her eyes landed on a painting on the wall. Her breath caught.

‘Wait... that looks like the modern piece in my father’s gallery. The one worth ¥400 Million? No, it must be a cheap fake. Look at this guy... he’s a total fool.’ She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of victory.

"Why are you staring at me like you've never seen a girl before?" Meiyu said, making a weird, blinking face.

"Ah sorry," Reikou rubbed his neck.

"Anyway... thanks for the present! What's inside?"

"Fruits," she replied.

"Fruits? Ehh..." Reikou’s shoulders slumped. "I thought it would be cake... or maybe luxury pastries..."

Seeing her annoyed look, Reikou immediately slammed his head back to the floor in a bow. "OH! OF COURSE! You knew that sweets would be bad for my health! You brought me life-giving fruit because you care so much! You are so kind, My Lady!"

‘If I stay here any longer, I’ll have nightmares for a week,’ Meiyu thought, her eye twitching.

"Okay, bye."

She didn't wait. She turned, opened the door, and vanished.

"Hey wait! I was kidding! Don't be mad!" Reikou rolled on the ground like a newborn baby before crawling to the door to look outside.

She was gone. But on the table sat a bag of the most expensive-looking apples Reikou had ever seen.

[End of Chapter 9]