The evening air in the park felt unusually still.
Hina’s face was gently held between Ryu’s hands.
His palms were warm against her cheeks.
They were far too close—
Close enough for Hina to hear his breathing.
Close enough for Ryu to notice every tiny detail on her face.
And then—
Ryu realized it.
Wait… I’m way too close.
His eyes widened.
Almost instantly, he pulled his hands away from Hina’s face.
Too fast.
So fast that he stumbled backward.
“Ryu!”
Hina quickly grabbed his wrist to steady him.
“Are you okay?”
Ryu froze.
Her hand… was holding his wrist.
His face turned bright red.
“Y-Yeah… I’m fine.”
Unable to let her see his blush—
He turned his face away.
That moment had been… intense.
Too intense.
Without looking at her, Ryu said softly.
“Don’t worry about that stalker thing.”
His voice became firm.
“I’ll protect you.
Always.”
Hina smiled.
“Yeah… Haku said the same thing.”
Silence.
The moment Haku’s name left her lips—
Something changed in Ryu’s expression.
A tiny crack.
A tiny ache.
“Oh…”
he murmured.
“So… you told Haku too.”
Hina nodded.
“Yeah.
I told him earlier.”
Ryu finally looked at her.
Their eyes met.
Immediately, Hina sensed his emotions.
Sadness.
Insecurity.
Jealousy.
A deep ache buried beneath his calm words.
Hina blinked.
Why is he feeling like this…?
Ryu forced a small smile.
“That’s good.”
He looked away.
“He’s your friend.”
Hina tilted her head.
“Ryu… what happened?”
“Nothing.”
But Hina knew.
There was definitely something.
Still, she didn’t push him.
A while later, Ryu walked her home.
When they reached the gate, Hina turned toward Ryu.
Their eyes met.
His emotions entered her senses.
Protectiveness.
Hina smiled warmly.
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Ryu smiled softly.
“Yeah.
Tomorrow.”
Hina entered the house.
But Ryu didn’t leave.
He stood outside.
Waiting.
Silent.
Watching the second-floor window.
Only after the light in Hina’s room turned on did he finally relax.
A long breath escaped his lips.
“She’s safe…”
Then he turned and walked away.
But after he disappeared into the darkness—
Another figure emerged.
White hair.
Blue eyes.
Haku.
He had been standing nearby the entire time.
Hidden.
Watching.
He stared at Hina’s house.
His expression softened.
“If that stalker thing is real… I can’t take risks.”
He stayed there a little longer, making sure everything was safe.
Only then did he leave.
But even after Haku disappeared—
Someone else stepped out from the shadows.
Tall.
Black hair.
Dark red eyes behind glasses.
Reiji.
His cold gaze remained fixed on Hina’s house.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
“So, you finally told them.”
His voice was low.
Quiet.
Unsettling.
“I expected that.”
His smile deepened.
“You did well noticing that someone was following you.”
His red eyes gleamed behind the glasses.
“Unfortunately…”
He adjusted his glasses.
“From now on, I’ll make sure you never notice again.”
Then he disappeared into the darkness.
The next morning—
Sunlight streamed into the classroom.
Students chatted noisily.
Hina sat beside Haku.
Yui and Itsuki were talking in front of them.
A few seats away sat Reiji.
Quietly observing.
Especially Hina.
And Haku.
Nobody noticed.
Not even once.
Soon, the teacher entered.
“Good morning, everyone.”
“Good morning, Sensei!”
The teacher smiled.
“I have an announcement.
Our annual sports competition is coming soon.”
The class exploded.
“Seriously?!”
“No way!”
“Finally!”
Hina immediately looked worried.
“I’m doomed.”
Yui laughed.
“What?”
“I’m terrible at sports.”
Yui proudly puffed out her chest.
“I’ll participate.”
Hina’s eyes met Yui’s.
Proud.
Hina looked impressed.
“Really?”
Itsuki burst out laughing.
“She’s joking.”
Yui glared.
“HEY!”
“She’s awful at sports too.”
Itsuki added.
Hina giggled.
“Then let’s do cheerleading together.”
Yui gasped.
“Yes!”
Beside Hina, Haku silently listened.
Cheerleading…?
That means Hina will cheer for someone else…
He narrowed his eyes.
She’ll be cheering for me.
He raised his hand.
“I’ll participate.”
Everyone turned.
Itsuki blinked.
“Huh?
You?”
The teacher nodded.
“In what?”
“Basketball.”
The teacher wrote his name.
“Anything else?”
Haku thought.
“Running too.”
The teacher nodded.
“Alright.”
Yui stared at him.
“I’ve never seen you participate before.”
Haku smirked.
“You can say this is my first time after my rebirth.”
Hina blinked.
“Rebirth?”
Haku grinned.
“It’s a secret.”
Her eyes met his.
Possessiveness.
But why…?
Hina couldn’t really understand.
Hina sighed.
“I don’t understand you.”
Yui laughed.
“Honestly, same.”
Soon, Itsuki also registered for basketball and running.
Then—
Reiji raised his hand.
“I’ll participate in running.”
Hina looked surprised.
Even Reiji….?
By lunchtime, the five sat together in the cafeteria.
Reiji quietly ate while observing Hina and Haku without making it obvious.
Then another familiar figure arrived.
Ryu.
He sat across from Hina and Haku.
Yui smiled.
“Ryu senpai, are you participating in the sports competition too?”
Ryu nodded.
“Yeah.”
“In what?”
“Basketball.”
Haku paused.
Then—
Ryu added calmly—
“And running.”
Silence.
Haku slowly looked up.
Ryu met his gaze.
Instant tension.
Ryu smiled.
“So we’ll be competing.”
Haku smirked.
“Oh?”
He leaned back.
“Then this’ll be easy.”
Ryu raised an eyebrow.
“Easy?”
Haku grinned mischievously.
“I mean…”
He folded his arms.
“You’re kind of old, Senpai.”
Yui facepalmed.
Here we go.
Haku continued.
“Won’t your knees hurt?”
Itsuki nearly choked on his water.
Hina panicked.
“Haku—!”
Ryu smiled.
But it wasn’t a warm smile.
“Oh?”
He leaned forward slightly.
“You talk big for someone whom no one has ever seen play sports.”
Haku clicked his tongue.
“At least I have young knees.”
Ryu replied instantly.
“At least I have skill.”
Electric tension filled the table.
Hina looked between them.
Hina’s eyes met the eyes of those two.
Jealousy.
Irritation.
Annoyance.
Toward each other.
Why are they fighting again…?
Beside them—
Reiji quietly observed.
His red eyes sharpened behind his glasses.
A cold thought crossed his mind.
Interesting…
Very interesting…
Because one thing had become crystal clear to him.
Both boys had chosen the competition for the same reason.
Hina.
And soon—
Only one would be able to stand at the top.
The sports festival had not even begun.
Yet the battle already had.
End of Chapter 20.