The gym buzzed with noise as practice continued.
Basketballs bounced rhythmically against the polished floor while voices echoed from every corner.
On one side of the gym, the basketball team continued practicing.
On the other side, Hina and Yui were focused on cheerleading.
At least, Hina was focused.
Yui clearly was not.
Hina noticed it almost immediately.
Every few seconds, Yui’s eyes drifted toward the basketball court.
More specifically—toward Haku.
He was practicing with effortless confidence, moving with natural athleticism as he dribbled and passed the ball.
Even from a distance, his presence stood out.
Hina tilted her head.
“Yui… where are you looking?”
Yui flinched.
“H-Huh?”
“Your mind is somewhere else.”
Hina narrowed her eyes.
“What are you staring at?”
Yui hesitated before slowly glancing toward Haku again.
Then, unexpectedly, she sighed.
“Seriously… doesn’t Haku look really good today?”
Hina froze.
“…What?”
Yui’s cheeks turned pink.
“No, I mean it.
Look at him.
He’s handsome, hot, cute, and… kind of cool too.”
Her voice grew softer.
“Oh my God… how can someone look that good?”
Hina stared at her.
For a moment, it felt as though all sound had disappeared.
When their eyes met, Hina instinctively sensed Yui’s emotions.
Warmth.
Nervous excitement.
Embarrassment.
Affection.
And something fluttering… something dangerously close to romantic attraction.
Hina’s eyes widened.
Affection…?
For whom?
Her gaze slowly shifted toward Haku.
No way…
Her mind struggled to process what she had just sensed.
Yui continued rambling, completely unaware of Hina’s internal chaos.
“I don’t think anyone could dislike him.”
She pressed both hands against her cheeks.
“If he ever smiles at me, I might actually die.”
Hina felt as though her brain had stopped functioning.
What did I just hear…?
She forced herself to stay calm.
“…Yui.”
“Yes?”
“Are you okay?”
Yui blinked.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Hina opened her mouth.
Then closed it again.
No…
I can’t ask her directly.
Before she could say anything else, practice ended.
Students began packing their things and talking among themselves.
Usually, Itsuki always left with Yui.
Always.
But today was different.
Without saying a single word to anyone, Itsuki silently walked out of the gym.
His movements were stiff.
Cold.
Detached.
Hina frowned.
“That’s strange.”
Yui turned.
“Itsuki?”
She immediately started walking after him.
By then, Haku had already joined Hina.
The three of them headed toward the classroom.
When they entered, they saw Itsuki stuffing books into his bag.
Fast.
Almost aggressively.
He looked as though he wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Yui stepped forward.
“Itsuki?”
No response.
“Itsuki, wait—”
Still nothing.
He zipped his bag shut and walked straight toward the door.
He passed right beside Yui.
Without looking at her.
Without stopping.
Without saying a word.
Yui froze.
Her expression fell.
“Itsuki…?”
But he kept walking.
Gone.
Just like that.
Silence settled.
Hina and Haku exchanged glances.
Yui forced a weak smile.
“I… should go too.”
Her voice lacked its usual energy.
She picked up her bag.
“See you tomorrow.”
Then she quietly left.
Hina watched her leave, concern filling her chest.
Something is wrong with Itsuki…
Very wrong.
Soon, Hina and Haku also began walking home together.
The evening breeze felt cool against their skin.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then Haku finally broke the silence.
“Don’t think too much about what happened today.”
Hina looked at him.
Their eyes met.
She sensed his emotions.
Concern.
Protectiveness.
Warmth.
And a strange possessive tension he himself did not seem fully aware of.
Hina gave him a small smile and nodded.
“I’ll try.”
Haku shoved his hands into his pockets.
“I told you before.
I never liked that red-eyed monkey.”
Hina blinked.
“Red-eyed monkey?”
Haku looked confused.
“Yeah.”
“Who?”
“Reiji.”
Hina burst into laughter.
“You call him that?”
Haku frowned.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“You seriously give everyone weird nicknames.”
She counted on her fingers.
“You call Ryu old man, me shorty, and now Reiji red-eyed monkey.”
Haku shrugged.
“My nicknames are accurate.”
“Accurate?”
“Yes.”
He pointed dramatically.
“Ryu is basically an old man.”
Hina laughed.
“What?”
“I’m serious.
His knees probably hurt.”
Hina laughed harder.
Haku continued.
“And you’re short.”
Hina pouted.
“I am not.”
“You are.”
Then Haku smirked.
“And red-eyed monkey literally looks like a monkey.”
Hina shook her head.
“You’re impossible.”
Then she grinned.
“Fine.
I’ll give you a nickname too.”
Haku instantly straightened.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“You can’t stop me.”
Before Haku could argue further, footsteps approached from behind.
Both Hina and Haku turned.
It was Ryu.
Ryu stopped in front of them.
“We were all supposed to get off from school at the same time today, so why didn’t you wait for me?”
Hina blinked.
“Oh…”
She scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“I forgot.”
Haku stayed silent.
Very silent.
When Hina glanced at him, he deliberately looked away so she wouldn’t read his emotions.
But she already knew.
Annoyance.
Jealousy.
Mild irritation.
Ryu noticed too.
His eyes briefly shifted toward Haku.
Hina quickly changed the topic.
“Ryu, help me.”
“With what?”
“Haku gives everyone weird nicknames.”
Ryu raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
“What nickname suits him?”
Ryu stared at Haku.
Then a slow smile appeared.
“Pig.”
Silence.
Hina blinked.
Then burst out laughing.
Haku looked horrified.
“Excuse me?”
Ryu remained calm.
“He acts like one.”
Hina shook her head.
“No, no… pig doesn’t suit him.”
She studied Haku carefully.
His eyes.
His expressions.
His reactions.
Then she smiled brightly.
“Cat.”
Haku froze.
Ryu blinked.
Hina pointed at him.
“Yes.
Cat suits you.”
Ryu smirked.
“I agree.”
Haku looked offended.
“Absolutely not.”
Hina grinned.
“Your features match.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Cats aren’t this handsome.”
Hina giggled.
“See?
That confidence is exactly why you’re a cat.”
Haku groaned.
“What is this disaster…”
He turned his face slightly away.
Neither Hina nor Ryu noticed the faint smile forming at the corner of his lips.
Or the light blush creeping onto his ears.
Somehow…
He did not hate the nickname.
Because Hina gave it to him.
A few steps behind them, Reiji quietly observed.
His dark red eyes gleamed behind his glasses.
Sharp.
Calculating.
Watching.
Always watching.
As though he were silently arranging pieces on a chessboard.
And somewhere deep inside, he had already begun planning his next move.
End of Chapter 25.