As Reikou asked his question, they reached the center of a bridge. The rain stopped as if on command, the clouds parting to reveal a golden sun. A sudden wind swept across the water, dancing through their hair.
They stood in a heavy silence. Meiyu’s eyes were wide, reflecting the shimmering light.
"What if I say no?" she asked a question for a question.
Reikou gave a faint, daring smile. "I didn't give you that option."
Meiyu let out a soft, rare laugh and stepped forward. "You can ask."
"Is it true?" Reikou’s voice turned serious. "Is Kaoru Renzhi really going to be your husband?"
The light in Meiyu’s eyes died instantly. "Yes," she whispered. "This is my last year of high school. The audition happened. My family decided he is the one. I am... happy."
She trembled as she said the last word. It was a lie so transparent that the wind seemed to howl in protest.
"Meiyu-san, I hate you," Reikou said suddenly.
Meiyu gasped, her heart skipping a beat. The sun rose higher, bathing them in light.
"I hate you because you never speak your truth," Reikou continued, clenching his fists. "You think because you're Royal and we’re 'normal' that you have to suffer alone? I know what it’s like to be in a spotlight. It’s not a blessing, Meiyu. It’s a curse of eternal loneliness."
"W-What do you mean?"
"You can't have friends, you can't speak your mind, you can't even cry because you’re the 'Spotlight Girl.' But there’s no shame in sharing the weight. If we share the problem, we can find the answer!"
Meiyu stepped back, moving under the shade of a large tree at the edge of the bridge. As the wind caught her hair, Reikou froze.
His mind flashed back to the first day of high school the dream he had of a girl standing under a tree, her face blurred by a silver mist. In that dream, she had whispered two words "Help me."
Now, the mist was gone. The face was clear. The girl in his dreams was and had always been Meiyu Sazanami.
"Help me, Reikou," she whispered, her voice echoing the dream perfectly. "Please... help me."
Reikou gasped, his soul shaking. It was a miracle. The "Ice Queen" was gone in her place was a girl who was completely broken.
"I don't want to marry him. I don't want the spotlight," she sobbed, falling to her knees as tears hit the pavement. "I just want a simple life. I want to meet my friends without guards. My parents force me to be perfect, but I don't want to be perfect! Help me free myself from this curse!"
Reikou stepped forward, his heart swelling with a new, fierce purpose. He reached out and offered his hand. She took it, her fingers trembling against his.
"I'll help you," Reikou said, his smile soft and determined.
Meiyu looked up, her eyes red from crying. "Really? You... you will?"
They stood there, hands locked, the world around them fading away. From a distance, Akihiro-san watched from the car. He wasn't angry. He looked relieved, though a shadow of a secrets
till lingered in his eyes.
"How can you even help me?" Meiyu asked, wiping her face.
"Just leave it to me," Reikou replied confidently.
The beautiful, cinematic moment lasted for exactly three more seconds. Then, Reikou noticed something. A small, shiny bubble of mucus was emerging from Meiyu’s nose as she sniffled.
Reikou tried to be stoic. He really did. But he was Reikou.
"Pfft—hahaha!" He burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing?!" Meiyu snapped, feeling insulted.
"Your—your nose!" He pointed, doubled over.
Meiyu quickly opened her phone camera. When she saw her reflection, her face turned a nuclear shade of red. "YOU DUMBASS!"
WHAM!
She delivered a high-speed strike that sent Reikou flying. He hit the ground and immediately transitioned into his "Scorpion Bow" hips in the air, head on the pavement. The Dumbass of Honor had returned.
"Put your ass down!" Meiyu shouted, but she couldn't help it. A laugh bubbled up in her chest, and soon she was laughing as freely as a child.
In the car, Akihiro smiled. It was the first time he had ever seen Meiyu look truly, undeniably happy.
[End of Chapter 28]
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