(Y/n)'s POV

Langa had avoided eye contact with me the entire day. Although it had cut like fury's blades, I had done the same. Some of our classmates noticed the subtle rift between us though were smart enough not to comment.

I played with the stray thread that had come undone at the end of my hoodie. Last night, I had gone to my uncle's hideout to have a few duels, needing a distraction from all that had happened. Now, several bruises coated my arms and needed coverage.

I had also asked whether Jun and his father would be continuing their bet. He reassured me that it was indeed still on. I couldn't trust Ruka not to harm Langa's mum. He needed to be able to fight.

"Yo (Y/n), there's some guy waiting for you at the front gate," exclaimed a male student.
"Who?"
"Said his name was Ryota."

An irritated smile graced my face. Looking out the window, I noticed that he was indeed there leaning against a motorbike with a bunch of girls fawning over his charming looks. A sigh left my lips. With my life as it was now, it seemed fate had stripped it of any peace.

"You going with him?" Reki asked.
"Might as well see what he wants."
"(Y/n)-san, come on. I'm curious," said a girl I had identified as Nayu.
"Langa, looks like your princess is about to be taken away by a dark knight," a student teased.
"She's not my princess," Langa muttered.

Nayu eagerly grabbed my arm, already pulling me towards the door. I held back a wince, barely stopping myself from snatching my arm back. Reki noticed but I simply gave a subtle shake of my head.

Within seconds, we were outside and facing Ryota, who sported a casual smirk. His sister was in the crowd, disguised as a student. I raised an eyebrow when he held out a black helmet. Without a word, I turned to walk down the street instead.

"Princess, come on. I promised your brother I would bring you," he exclaimed.
"What did you do to my brother?"
"Nothing, just showed him my hideout."
"And I'm supposed to trust you because?"
"I could've threatened you but I didn't, so please?"
"Reki-"
"My sister will take him there."

Reki's gaze was cautious though he offered a small smile towards me nonetheless. I hesitantly grabbed the helmet and put it on before climbing onto the motorbike behind Ryota. The crowd of students eagerly watched our interaction, the girls still swooning over his appearance, almost more than they did with Langa.

"Hold on tight. Wouldn't want you falling off now, would we?" he teased.

I did as he said, ignoring the dull ache of the bruises as my arms pressed against his hard body. He took off without warning, making me tighten my grip despite the pain that erupted across my skin.

The scenery passed in a flash, the wind blowing against our bodies. The thrill was similar to that of skateboarding though it was lacking the fun. Instead, a calmness washed over me as everything blurred, distorting shapes until one could not distinguish between one building and the next.

My mind let go of its thoughts, allowing the sensation of the wind to block memories of broken relationships and unspoken fears. It wasn't long before we arrived at a secluded forest.

Ryota drove into what seemed like a tunnel but turned out to be a clandestine entrance to an underground base. He parked his motorbike once we were inside and led me towards an elevator. It travelled further down before the doors opened to reveal a room that seemed to belong in a sci-fi movie.

"(Y/n), you're here!" Yuu exclaimed.
"What is all this?"
"It's my base," replied Ryota.

Yuu was currently surrounded by a few of Ryota's men, who were watching my brother tweak some sort of machine. I headed over and looked at the metal contraption. It was almost my full height and somewhat bulky in size.

"Boss, he's upgrading our bullet maker. Now it can make all sorts of bullets using a stronger material," said a man with long, black hair.
"Damn kid, you're pretty good," Ryota complimented.
"I hope I'm getting some sort of compensation for this. You even kidnapped my friend that day," Yuu answered.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I'll see to it that some money's transferred to you."
"Yuu, what kind of shady business are you getting into?" Reki asked as he arrived.

Ria, Ryota's sister, came to her brother's side before I felt Reki's hand in mine. He pressed something into my palm. I looked down to find a (f/f) candy before catching my friend's contagious grin.

He moved forward to plop one into Yuu's mouth. Ryota watched us with a bemused smile, as if the thought of our unyielding trust and friendship was stuff made of fairy tales and empty promises.

Reki and I sat beside Yuu, much to the irritation of Ryota's men, who were watching my brother work in fascination. A small smile lifted the corner of my lips. Yuu was a genius and he would attract attention wherever he went.

"Ryota-nii, Ruka wants to see (Y/n)," Ria exclaimed after hanging up her phone.
"Well, we better get going then," he replied.
"You're not taking my sister anywhere near that witch," Yuu said hotly.
"Sorry kid, orders are orders."
"Why does she need her?" asked Reki.
"That's none of my business. I don't question my clients."
"This is obviously a trap. Don't go," Yuu begged.
"...there's nothing we can do in this situation. I doubt I'll be able to get past Ryota and his men, so let's just go see what the hell she wants."
"Probably to spout nonsense from her big head whilst singing nursery rhymes like a clown without a brain," Reki muttered.

Both Ryota and Ria turned to look at the red-haired make before bursting into laughter. Reki shot me a cheeky grin, mirroring that of my own. He gave a small nod. He was with me and he would never leave my side.