[SLOW UPDATES]
＊✿❀❀✿＊＊✿❀❀✿＊＊✿❀❀✿＊＊✿❀❀✿＊
In denial, in perplexity. She didn't know
how to deal with these strange feelings
and emotions budding within her as she
spent time with her six male friends.
Growing up surrounded by men her
entire life, she...
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Back to the ballroom..
Third Person's POV
(Y/n) turned to approach Rui. Before she could take another step, a gentle yet firm grip enveloped her hand. Startled, she turned to find Rindou clutching her fingers.
"(Y/n)..."
She couldn't bear to meet his gaze. Her chest tightened with the ache of unspoken apologies and a lingering sense of betrayal. Without a word, she attempted to pull her hand away, but he didn't let go.
"Please," Rindou murmured, his tone pleading. "I get it now. You were right."
That stopped her. Slowly, she turned her head. He exhaled a shaky breath, his hand rubbing hers as if trying to convey words that felt too heavy to say aloud. "For once," he admitted with a wry, bittersweet smile, "I chose to go against him. Against Ran."
The surprise was evident in her widened eyes. "Rindou... are you serious?"
He nodded, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. "Yeah. Ran... he's lost in his own head, and I know it's no excuse for what he said. Or what he's done. But someone needs to wake him up. I don't know if I'll ever get through to him, but I can't just sit back anymore."
His gaze softened as he brought her hand closer, lowering his head. (Y/n)'s breath caught in her throat as his lips brushed against her knuckles.
"I'm sorry. For him. For all of it. You didn't deserve that."
(Y/n) felt the dam of her emotions crack. Her vision blurred as tears pricked her eyes. She didn't know whether to cry, or to pull him closer—but her body chose for her.
She surged forward, wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you."
His arms came around her. He rested his chin lightly on her head as he whispered, "It's the least I can do."
As (Y/n) and Rindou lingered in their embrace, a soft shuffle of footsteps pulled them apart. Rui stood a few feet away, her hands clasped together, her eyes darting between them. The younger girl hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers, as if debating whether she should say anything at all.
Behind her, Wisteria appeared. She leaned in to pat Rui on the back. "Go ahead and ask," she encouraged with a light chuckle.
Rui swallowed hard, stealing a glance at her older brother before speaking. "Do you..." she paused, glancing at Wisteria for reassurance, who gave her a supportive nod. Rui took a deep breath, her courage finding her at last. "Do you want to cut the cake with me?"
The question caught Rindou off guard. His brows raised as surprise flickered across his face. Before he could respond, Rui turned her attention to (Y/n), her voice a little louder now, filled with hope. "(Y/n)-nee, you too. Wanna join us?"
Her lips curved into a warm smile. "Of course."
Rui's face lit up instantly. She turned her hopeful gaze back to Rindou, awaiting his answer with bated breath. He hesitated for a moment, his lips parting as if the words were stuck. But then, he softened, the edges of his mouth tugging into a small, genuine smile. "Yeah, I do."
