Soon after smacking Satoshi, Mitsuru left the room and went upstairs. They were followed by Satoshi and Yuuji. "Hey, Mitsuru! I was just kidding!" said Satoshi. "Whatever" said Mitsuru. They tried to hide and listen to the conversation as they arrived at the rooftop. "What are you three doing here?" asked Akihiko with a shallow voice. He used a voice that has a villainous vibe to startle the two. He enjoyed the reaction of the two.

"H-HAI!!!" yelped the three together as they turned around and saw the laughing Akihiko and Natsumi.

"Father, I see, your pranks work very well until now," said Natsumi. "And who is this gorgeous child?" he asked as he found curiosity in Yuuji. "Mitsuru, Satoshi, and Haruki were the only friends of Izu-kun. I am surprised that he made another friend!" said the amazed Natsumi while checking Yuuji out. Narumi was pissed off and was embarrassed by what his husband was doing, so she smacked him.

"Owww! What was that for, Narumi-chan?" pouted Natsumi. "Can you please stop acting like an idiot! You're so… Ugh!" exclaimed Narumi. "Uhh, It's okay, Narumi-san," refuted Yuuji. "By the way, Natsumi-nii, this guy is a big fan of yours," said Mitsuru as he pointed his thumb to Yuuji. "K-K-Kurosawa-senpai!!" said the mortified Yuuji. "YOU'RE MY FAN! WOW! I THOUGHT I WAS NOT FAMOUS!" said Natsumi with a loud voice. Then, the three noticed that they were lurking behind the stairs.

"You can come out now. It's time for you to say your side, Aki-san," said Ren with a calm voice.

"Well, I guess, let's continue getting acquainted tomorrow, Yuuji-kun! We will be witnessing some rare drama from now," said Natsumi as they advanced to the rooftop.

"WOAH! HE'S SO FRIENDLY, KUROSAWA-SENPAI!!!" said the thrilled Yuuji to Mitsuru. "I know, right?! Now, let's go since we are discovered," said Mitsuru. As they go to the rooftop, Yuuji, Satoshi, and Mitsuru immediately sit beside Izumi and Haruki. As everyone has settled down, Akihiko then started to tell a story.

"You know what? Let me tell you all a story of a boy who lost his lover," said Akihiko. Everyone stayed silent and prepared to listen to the story that Akihiko would tell. "You see, this is a story of struggle, rejection, and acceptance," he added.

"There once lived a boy, who grew up in a stern household like you two. They were a very religious people. This boy was frail and weak. He was bullied often since he was hanging out with girls often," said Akihiko. Then, he heard Mitsuru whisper to Yuuji. "It is similar to Izumi, but my gut tells me that he isn't pertaining to his son," said Mitsuru.

"You're right, Mitsuru-kun. I am not about Izumi. But there are instances that he experienced similar to this boy," replied Akihiko. "Now, as I was saying, he was hanging out with girls often. When he reached middle school, he said to his family that he is gay," while he was telling the story, Izumi noticed the sorrow from his father's tone. His guess that the boy is not accepted by his family was correct when his dad said:

"Well, he was not accepted. He was thrown out from the family. For the rest of his life, he endured all the suffering alone. But then, another boy came into his life. The boy didn't mind him until their classmates started teasing the two. The frail boy fell right into the trap. There was a school project that they need to work on. Since most of them are boys, and there were only two girls, the stronger one said, he wants to be partnered with the frail boy instead of one of the two girls. Everyone was surprised. The frail one strongly refuted and kept insisting that he should be paired with one of the girls. Everyone refuted the idea of the frail one. Thus, they became partners for the project," before continuing, Akihiko made a small laugh, as if he could really relate to the story.

"Neh, Shirogane-senpai, I think this story is similar to you two," said Yuuji. "Yeah, Ishikawa-kun. I got a sense of déjà vu. Don't you think so, Satoshi-kun" asked Izumi. "Yeah," whispered Satoshi.

"There was a part where the couple needs to kiss. The frail one strongly refuted the idea again. The stronger one was silent. Deep inside, he was very hurt. Then, he gathered and his strength and said: 'Let's do it, for our grade's sake.' Then, he kissed the frail one. This was a bold move of the stronger boy. After the performance, the class asked about their relationship. The stronger one then said: 'We're going out.' The simple tease turned into a long-term romantic relationship. Things we're doing well until the family of the frail one found it out. They kept telling him that he is a disgrace from the family and that they should break up. Enraged, the frail one stood for them and instead of being disowned, he abandoned his family. Their pride was hurt and was silent for the time being. Years later, the couple is now working and making a stable income. They planned their marriage, their future. One day, someone called the frail one, who is now buffed up. He picked the phone up while crossing the pedestrian lane. Little did he know that the light was red. Then, he was about to collide with the speeding car, he was saved by the stronger one in exchange for his life," thinking that the story had ended, everyone was tearing up. But Akihiko tried to hold his tears as he continued the story. "Let me use my line of work to deliver this line," said Akihiko as he chuckled. He continued the story, shifting into his voice acting style. With the tone of a young adult, he impersonated the frail boy.

"Why are you here at his funeral? GET OUT NOW!!!! I DO NOT NEED YOUR SYMPATHY! CAN YOU PLEASE GET OUT OF MY LIFE?! I AM BEGGING YOU! YOU ARE THE REASON WHY I ALMOST DIED AND WHY HE LEFT ME!!" said Akihiko while he was crying. Everyone felt the pain in his tone. As if he was not acting at all. As if that he really is the frail boy. Then he switched again into the narrator's perspective.

"His family begged him to forgive them, that they are wrong. But the frail boy never listened to them. He called the guards and threw his family out. After that, he left his country and started life anew. No matter what his decisions are, his boyfriend's family was supportive. Until he got married and had a family," as Akihiko ended the story, he then gave his answer to Izumi. He approached his son and hugged him while saying: "I am proud of you, my son. No matter what path you take, as long as you are not strayed, I will support you," said Akihiko. This made Izumi wail and weep like a child. He then hugged his father.

"T-THANK YOU, DAD! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ACCEPTING ME!" wailed Izumi. As the drama ended, Narumi got curious and asked his father. "But who's story is that dad?" asked the curious Narumi. "It was the story of my best friend, Alejandro de Natividad," said Akihiko with a melancholic voice. "I was there watching his hardships and helped him grow. But he suddenly vanished without a trace after he got married. I couldn't reach him since then," he added.

"Wow, I have been cast to be part of an upcoming BL anime, I guess, I'll make this an inspiration, thanks, dad!" said Natsumi. "Speaking, you want to join us sometime, Yuuji-kun?" asked Natsumi. "I-IT WOULD BE A PLEASURE, NATSUMI-SAN!"

But before going to sleep, Satoshi and Izumi looked at each other and held hands. "I… Also want to inform you that Satoshi and I are dating," Izumi dropped off a powerful bomb. The rest were shocked and congratulated them. "I understand that Mitsuru, Yuuji, and Haruki are not surprised with the revelation. But why dad isn't surprised either?!" asked Natsumi. "Well, I already knew that Satoshi-kun and Izu are dating," said Akihiko as he smirked. Izumi was flustered and asked, "W-when did you know dad?!" Izumi was nervous, and he tightened his grip on Satoshi's hand. "This will be our secret Izu," said Akihiko as he leaned closer to his son. "I heard you doing something fun," whispered Akihiko while holding his laughter. "D-d-d-dad!" exclaimed Izumi. Satoshi was also flustered and could not look directly into everyone's eyes.

Akihiko withdrew himself from his son and laughed hysterically. "I knew it! Well, it's our secret. But I can feel Satoshi's gaze on Izu is different from the rest. I also waited for Izu to confess which he did today. "Okay, it's already 10 in the evening, you have a competition tomorrow, am I wrong?" asked Ren. "Oh, yes, mom!" Then go to sleep then," said Ren.

The following day was the day of the competition.

"Good morning, everyone!!! Rise and shine as today begins the National Qualifiers!" said Natsumi as he woke the four up. "Go eat your breakfast and I will drive you to the venue. We will be also watching your matches so, good luck!" he added. Without further ado, Izumi and the rest prepared for the qualifying rounds. After they ate breakfast, they went to the venue, and Akihiko gave something to Izumi.

"I hope this will bring you luck," said Akihiko as he handed something to his son. "What's this, dad?" asked Izumi. "It is the bracelet that my lover gave me when he was alive. I think it's time for you to have it," said Akihiko. "But, dad—" as Izumi tried to say something, the EMCEE of the event calls all the participants. "Keep it. Now go, we will be watching your fight," said Akihiko. "Thanks, dad!" said Izumi as he hugged his father before going to the hall.

The National Martial Arts Tournament for the college level is also the team captain selection for the Martial Arts Club. The main tournament will take place a year after the qualifying rounds. They have separate matches for all fourth years, so Kenzo won't be able to fight the third-year students.

And so... The preliminary begins. Mayumi, Satoshi, Izumi, Haruki, Mitsuru, and others are separated. Each one of them has different opponents. Mitsuru was defeated in the first round. They were mad at Mitsuru since he is one of the most powerful fighters, but he chose defeat because of a lame reason. The match continued until Satoshi and Izumi were the ones who remained.

"Satoshi-kun, do me a favor," said Izumi. "What is it, Izumi-kun?" asked Satoshi. "Don't hold back," says Izumi. "I won't," said Satoshi as he hugged him.

And so, the match begins. The tension between the two is heavy. Haruki and Yuuji support Izumi while others do not know who's the fighter will they support. Mitsuru stayed silent while watching the match.

Satoshi landed a blow into Izumi's body. He has the upper hand as Izumi completely lost his cool and keeps on defending himself.

Izumi landed a blow on Satoshi's body, swept his foot, and landed a blow on Satoshi's abdomen. The arena was filled with a short silence. As the announcer declared Izumi as the winner, the stadium was shaken by the crowd's cheers.

After Satoshi's defeat, he hugged Izumi and congratulated him. Afterward, he was called by someone. Izumi hurriedly went to his family's side. They were overjoyed. They were proud of him for standing for himself and claiming another achievement. "That's my bro!" said the proud Natsumi. "Congratulations, my dear," said Narumi. "Well, he is my carbon-copy after all," said Akihiko. "Are you sure dad? I think Izu-kun is way more handsome than you," said Narumi as she laughed. "Congratulations, uncle!" said the two kids as they hugged their beloved uncle.

"Thank you, everyone. I'll just go to the changing room. I'll be right back," said Izumi. He hurriedly went to the locker room. His three friends were waiting for him.

"CONGRATULATIONS!!"

The three hugged Izumi. He thanked them for being supportive. Mitsuru eventually broke the mood when he revealed something.

"Minna, I want to say something."

The room was filled with a heavy atmosphere; the tension was rising. Their hearts beat fast. And as for Mitsuru, his heart was about to explode.

"Izumi, I like you. Will you go out with me?"

"What nonsense is this?!" asked Haruki as he tried to punch Mitsuru. "Stop it, Fuchigami-senpai!" exclaimed Yuuji as he defended Mitsuru. "Move aside, Ishikawa-kun!" said Haruki angrily. "I remember saying that if you brought this topic again, our friendship would end!" he added. "Shut up, Haruki! You know nothing! I just want to protect him and love him!" shouted Mitsuru. "Protect him from what?!" replied Haruki as he was fuming with rage. "Stop it, you two!" said Yuuji as he was desperately trying the two to stop from fighting.

Izumi was speechless about the turn of events. He noticed that the red thread appeared again, and it was tied on his pinky finger, connecting it to Mitsuru. "How come it's Mitsuru?" thought Izumi. "I always thought that it was Satoshi. I always thought that he was my fated pair!" he thought again. He also noticed that it started to get tangled. As Izumi was about to say something, the loud bang of the door was heard.