Chapter 19

Ayame’s POV

Hours later in the middle of the night we still didn't have anything. We all started to have a headache, and our eyes were hurting, but no one even tried to suggest that Daichi could be wrong. Still we had our hopes high, just tiredness overwhelmed us, so soon we all fell asleep. At least I was able to convince the hospital’s staff that we have to stay, because the twins ran away once and we had to take care they won't do this again.

I was dreaming and in that dream I heard Ryouta’s voice, so I was sure he must have woken up. However when I opened my eyes my friend was still in a coma, and Shima was watching the video.

“What is this?” he asked, when he noticed I was looking at him.

“The reason for breaking up.”

“Really?” The boy’s voice was full of disapprovement. ‘“It’s obvious that is not my brother in this video.”

“What do you mean?” I started to wake up the rest, this could be the breakthrough we needed.

“The scar on his chin, it’s faint but pretty visible, especially from this close. Also I think his eyes change colour, and somehow he doesn’t seem to even be breathing in this video. Didn't you see it earlier?” Shima was surprised when I started to laugh hysterically and kissed him on his forehead out of pure joy.

“Thank you for your rested brain and eyes.” My happiness was gone as soon as it came. “But why wasn't it so obvious for Shimada?”

“We don’t know all the circumstances in which Katsuo got that. Maybe he already was so emotional that any rational thought couldn’t break through in his mind, if he set it on it being true,” Daichi defended his friend, and even the twin's angry look didn’t leave an impression on him.

When Shima found the first mistake, suddenly the rest was quite easy to spot. We marked everything we could and in every photo there was a detail suggesting someone photoshop them. A few hours later we had everything ready and prepared for confrontation.

“Mission start, let's go, my crew!” I commanded, finally having some positive feeling about everything.

“Where do we find him?”

“I have a pretty good hunch.” I smiled and looked at Ryota once again. I am sorry I sinked the ship right away, but if it has to stay at the bottom it will, if not we will help.

Katsuo's POV

I thought I had a chance to get through a heartbreak, but I couldn't. My mind and heart were filled with Ryota. All the things we went through, every second we spent together, all the words we said, both love bombs, plans, dreams, jokes and teasing. I couldn't erase the feeling that I made a mistake and… I had before my eyes the scene of the accident, my mind projected this all over again. Sleepless night, chaos in my head, not being able to find a place for myself I finally got back to the club room. I wasn't sure why, maybe because we met there for the first time. If I was supposed to forget about him, why was I so worried? Why do I want to run to him? Why do I still love him? Why?! Why?! Why?!

The door opened rapidly, Ayame and the twins went inside. I wasn't sure what they wanted from me, but chose to run away, but Daichi didn't let leave the room.

“Sit and listen to what they are going to say,” he commanded and somehow I just did, like I had to deal with the consequences of my actions finally.

“The photos and video were fabricated.”

Ayame started and showed me the photos with marked things on them. Then the twins gave me a lecture about every detail that suggested someone manipulated with the material. With every other one I was mad at myself for not being able to see it myself. After all, I was looking at that face and listening to that voice for an immeasurable amount of time. What have I done?

“But there has to be a source material,” I whispered, not trying to defend myself, just to understand how Yuki got this.

“I wouldn't be surprised if in the photos originally were you and Ryouta. You know Yuki was able to make people her kind of spies, she is quite impactful.” Daichi suggested this and I felt that he was right.

“What about the video?”

“Photos and a voice sample. Someone could approach him and get closer just to record it.”

“Brother mentioned lately that he has some group projects.” Sakura remembered suddenly, and then everything started to make sense.

Still I couldn't believe that I was tricked so easily. It was so obvious that it wasn't the truth when they pointed it out. Ryouta didn't let me pay for everything or shower him or the twins with gifts, not going for the most expensive stuff when we were out. He was the one who initiated our first kiss and he never pushed me away, when I was being affectionate. He let me meet the twins, his only family, the most important people for him and we spent a lot of time together. And in the end I doubted right away…

The silence was weird, no one knew what to say, everything was clear and the decision should be mine to take. I needed some time, because I also felt a growing anger towards Yuki in me, and I didn't want this to be my fuel. Revenge? What kind of? How to hurt her the most?

I looked around me the most, at my friends who were ready to help, even if it meant just to show me facts and leave the decision to me. The twins who accepted me, however they didn't show me that directly, and their older brother, who tried to raise them properly. I can’t get down to her level. The win won't be hers if we get back together. That will be enough.

“How much are we off the course, captain?” I asked, smiling, hoping they forgive me too sooner or later. I was the one who hurt Ryouta after all.

“I thought we were at the bottom.” Ayame took my hand.

“Can I fix it?” I started to shiver. What if everything is gone? What if I can't?

“You can, vice captain, but we can't help you more.”

“Don't you think, you should be somewhere else already?” Shima brought me back to reality.

“Next time, we won't forgive you.” Sakura added, and her tone was so cold, that I got creeps.

“I promise, it won't be next time.”