after their talk, shu took a certain liking to daina. he couldn't really explain it. he started noticing daina and his movements, his whispers, his blushes, his glances towards ken—

he knew he didn't have a chance. he didn't mind, their friendship was enough. it didn't change the fact that it hurt though. every time daina glanced at ken.

he ran a hand through his hair. it was a habit of his when he won a battle. shu smirked at valt. "ahh i can't believe i lost again!" valt whined. "you have to focus valt!" rantaro scolded as he rubbed valt's shoulders. valt whined again.

"at this rate you're going to get worse." keru said. "we'll help if you put in the effort." besu reassured. daina sighed. shu noticed his glance towards valkyrie.

"you're doing great, valt." shu said patting valt's shoulder. "i'll take my leave now. and i expect some bread by tomorrow."

valt grinned. "i'll make sure to bring lots and lots of spriggan beybread!" he said excitedly. "you battled against valt for beybread?" daina asked. shu felt himself flush.

"that's surprisingly cute." nika said grinning while sticking her tongue out. toko giggled with her. shu sighed.

"wait! i'll walk with you." daina called out when his hand was on the handle. he waved at the others. "bye guys, bye ken."

he felt his ears reddened when daina said, "can i get some beybread too?"

"if you'd like some, sure." shu said nonchalantly. he was like this. he couldn't change his tone just for someone he liked. it was too obvious. the silence afterwards made him feel prickly.

"valt likes you." daina said suddenly. he was looking up at him, his headband casting a shadow over his eyes.

"o-oh?" shus eyes widened. he felt his heartbeat in his ears. "wait. wait what?" shu stopped walking. they were in front of the hospital. daina skidded to a stop.

"um, valt. he likes you." he fiddled with his sleeve. "i just, he wasn't going to tell you. and you know how he is. i figured, i might as well tell you."

"thanks." shu bit his lip. he had no idea valt liked him. he was too preoccupied with his own feelings. and the fact that they would never be reciprocated. he looked at daina. he was awkwardly staring at the doors of the hospital.

"you're here to visit souta right?" shu said. daina nodded. "i'll... see you later then." shu said. he walked towards the park. he felt his heart squeeze. he didn't even hear daina's reply.

for a fleeting moment shu thought daina had been there to confess. as if, he thought. hope never gave him anything.