But for Yui, none of it made sense.

Her pen hovered above the paper, trembling. The words in front of her swam and blurred, twisting into a jumble of nonsense. She knew she had studied. She had filled notebooks, quizzed herself until dawn. But now? Her mind was a battlefield—between midterm questions, Louis’s venomous words, Haruka, Yuki and the confusing article she had read at night.

The echo of it gnawed at her ribs.

When the bell finally rang, Yui stumbled out of the classroom, clutching her books to her chest. The crisp air outside did little to cool her burning cheeks.

Haruka, smiling too sweetly as she brushed past Yui. “Yui-chan, can we talk?”

The students dispersed reluctantly, but not without snickering. Yui stopped, gripping her books, her heartbeat steady. She knew this moment had been coming.

Haruka , sweetly but laced with turned around. “I just wanted to say… it must be hard, being caught between two people. Louis’ confession, Yuki’s reputation… it doesn’t suit someone like you, does it?”

Yui inhaled slowly, forcing down the sting of the whispers. Then, she lifted her gaze—clear, unwavering.

“Hard? No. What’s hard is people like you pretending to be angels when they’re really just stirring poison. You wanted to make a scene, didn’t you?"

Haruka’s eyes flickered, her mask slipping for a heartbeat before she recovered with a coy smile.

“Oh my, you’re sharper than I thought. But really, Yui-chan… do you honestly believe Yuki would ever choose you? You’ll only drag him down.”

The words stung, but this time Yui didn’t waver. She stepped forward, her voice low, firm.

“Then let him choose for himself.Stop circling like a vulture. It doesnt concern you anyways. Or does it?”

A flicker of genuine surprise crossed Haruka’s face.Yui saw the cracks in her flawless facade. The silence thickened.

Yui brushed past her, her footsteps strong, her back straight. For once, she had fought back.

Behind her, Haruka’s nails dug into her palm, her smile gone.

Haruka muttered to herself. “We’ll see about that.”

------

Later that evening, she found herself at the quiet café near the station.

Louis was waiting. Like he knew she’d come.

He pulled her inside a dark alley, backing her against the wall.

Louis smirked. “I was wondering when you’d come looking for answers. Or perhaps… for me?”

Yui with a sharp gaze. “Stop playing games. Why did you confess in front of everyone? Do you realize what you’ve done?”

His voice calm, almost too calm.“I only spoke the truth. I like you, Yui. That much isn’t a lie.”

Her breath hitched, but before she could reply, his tone darkened, eyes narrowing.

“But it wasn’t just about you. It was about him. About the Sanada name he carries so proudly.”

Yui froze. The shift in his words—it wasn’t just dislike. It was hatred.

“You… know something.”

Louis tilted his head, eyes glittering.

“I know enough. Enough to say that your perfect little arrangement with Yuki isn’t as secret as you think. Or do you really believe no one has noticed that ring you keep hiding?”

Her stomach dropped.

“How—”

He interrupted with a crooked smile. “Don’t look so shocked. Secrets always have a way of slipping out. And Yui…” His voice lowered, almost conspiratorial. “Tell your dear husband to stay alert.”

Before she could demand more, His expression shifted—mocking composure cracking for the briefest second.

Yui looked over his shoulder . A shadow lingered outside the café window, watching. Someone was keeping an eye on Louis.

Louis backed his hand away. “We’ll finish this another time. If we survive long enough.”

And then he was gone.

Yui’s heart thundered. What was he hiding? And why did it feel like danger was inching?

----------

That night, back at the mansion, she didn’t expect Yuki to be waiting. But there he was, leaning against the wall of her room, eyes shadowed.

Yuki quiet, almost broken. “ You are back. I thought you will be staying at your parent's house again.So it’s true.... You and Kisaragi have a relationship I don’t know about.”

Yui flinched. His voice wasn’t cold—it was hurt.

“No—it's just-”

“Just what? You never told me. Since the beginning. You kept it all to yourself.” He stepped closer, his expression caught between anger and despair. “Do you even trust me at all?”

Her lips trembled. She thought of Louis’s words, of his burning hatred for the Sanadas, and of the secret Yuki had never asked her to carry.

“I—”

Yuki cut her off, his voice hoarse.“If you really want to be free of me… I’ll let you go.”

The words pierced deeper than any rumor, any gossip.

“Just say it, Yui. If you don’t want this marriage… if you don’t want me… I’ll end it. I won’t chain you. I know you were forced into this relationship. Maybe it's time. We really can't live together after all...”

Her chest tightened painfully. She thought of their argument days ago, when she had run to her family’s house instead of facing him. She thought of how he had looked at her then—pride masking hurt—and now, that pride was gone, replaced with raw honesty.

"Yui....he took my name for the first time...and in a conversation like this..." The words caught up in her throat.

Yuki. softer, desperate, eyes searching hers, “Answer me one thing. Do you want me to let you go?”

The silence that followed was unbearable.

Yui couldn’t answer. Not because she wanted freedom… but because her heart hurt at the thought of it.

---------

Meanwhile, at a mansion inside a dark, dim and gloomy room.

“You’re late,” the mysterious figure murmured, eyes fixed on the shadows below.

A figure detached itself from the darkness. Their face was hidden beneath a hood, voice low and sharp.

“You’ve been reckless.”

Louis chuckled, flicking ash into the wind. “Ah, you mean the roses? I thought they added a nice touch. Don’t you think?”

The figure stepped closer. “This isn’t a game. You were told to disrupt, not expose yourself.”

“Expose?” Louis tilted his head, his smile curving with a strange edge. “All I did was tell the truth—that I like her. That I’d take her away if given the chance. What’s so dangerous about honesty?”

The shadow’s silence pressed heavy, then came the hissed reply:

“Your job isn’t to like her. It’s to pull the Sanada heir apart from within. Do it properly—or you’ll regret it.”

For a fleeting second, Louis’s mask faltered. His eyes hardened, expression cooling.

“…I don’t take well to threats.”

“And I don’t take well to failures.”

The words lingered in the air like frost.

Later outside the mansion.

Louis exhaled slowly, crushing the cigarette beneath his heel. His smile returned, but it no longer reached his eyes.

“Do it properly, huh?” he whispered to himself. “Don’t worry. I always finish what I start. Its up to you now Yuki Sanada. I have given you a chance to survive.”

He glanced up toward the windows, where faint lights still glowed in the distance.