Chapter 50

"Kiyoya, how did you know Saori would be there...?"

"Dummy. Your shoes gave you away."

...

The changing room was silent. Through the door, the sharp crack of bamboo swords echoed in, each strike clear to the three of them inside.

Shiratori Kiyoya noticed their stares and frowned. He wrapped his sleeve around his arm, hiding the scar as best he could. He didn't even like seeing it himself—proof of a failure he'd never forgive.

He didn't regret saving Hasegawa Saori. If he had to do it again—ten times, a hundred times—he'd still jump without hesitation. Money could buy almost anything in this world, but it couldn't buy back Saori's life.

Had he put too much pressure on her?

During those long weeks in the hospital, he'd had plenty of time to second-guess himself. He'd been careless, hadn't considered Saori's personality. Haste makes waste.

At least the lesson had sunk in deep. When he'd started training Shione afterward, he'd made sure to check in with her constantly, giving her whatever she needed as long as it wasn't unreasonable...

His thoughts scattered as he pulled himself back to the present. The situation before him was far more complicated. Kiyoya looked from one girl to the other.

Hasegawa Saori stood frozen, looking guilty as ever. She kept inching toward the corner, as if pressing herself against the wall might make her invisible.

Beside her, Takahashi Mio's eyes glistened with unshed tears, equally stunned by the sight of the scar.

Kiyoya sighed inwardly. Mio finding out didn't really matter—eventually, she would've learned the truth anyway. But that wasn't the real problem.

Too many pieces didn't fit.

Especially what Saori had said moments ago, and that sword thrust toward Mio...

She'd deliberately missed, but the threat...

He hadn't realized she still felt this strongly. When they'd broken up, it had seemed so clean—so smooth he'd wondered if she'd ever understood what love was. Maybe she'd just thought of him as a close friend.

But now...

This battlefield had erupted too suddenly. Someone must have told her something, pushed her over the edge.

Saori had mentioned Kitajo Shione. Kiyoya's expression darkened.

"Sorry..."

Saori's voice cut through his thoughts. At first, it sounded like she was apologizing to Mio. But when Kiyoya looked up, Saori was biting her lip, staring at him like an abandoned puppy.

Before he could speak, Mio stepped aside, wiping her eyes. "It's okay." Her voice was soft. "I didn't know you two... knew each other. I shouldn't have interrupted..."

She forced a smile, glanced at Kiyoya with wounded eyes, then started to bow to Saori.

"Enough."

Kiyoya stopped her, hand on her shoulder. "I've got questions that need answers. I'll explain everything."

"Alright."

Mio nodded, her mind racing. She'd crouched outside the door, listening. Between that and what Shione had told her, she had the full picture.

If she hadn't walked in when she did...

She nearly laughed at the memory. She hadn't planned to interfere—digging into Kiyoya's past would only push him away.

But that scene? No guy could handle that. Her boyfriend of less than a month rekindling things with his first love? Unacceptable.

Now she understood why Shione had emphasized that detail. The girl had used her as a weapon. Clever little manipulator...

Yet she couldn't bring herself to be angry. Without Shione's warning, things might've gone much worse.

Actually, they had gone badly. She'd never imagined someone would swing a sword at her in the 21st century. The terror had been real—even if she'd exaggerated the tears for Kiyoya's sympathy.

This lunatic didn't care if Kiyoya hated her for it.

Mio's gaze drifted to Kiyoya's left arm. What had he gone through to get a scar like that?

He was becoming more mysterious by the day.

She'd learned enough for one day. Push too hard and she might lose him. They had time.

She smiled sweetly at Kiyoya. "I'm fine. You two talk..."

A knock interrupted them.

Tap tap tap.

"Saori? Are you in there?" a woman's voice called from outside.

Saori wiped her eyes and looked at Kiyoya for permission.

"I'll get it."

He moved the chair aside and opened the door. It was the girl from earlier.

Yokoyama Miyu blinked in surprise when she saw Kiyoya. "Saori's not here?"

"She is." He stepped aside.

Miyu peeked in, first at Saori's red-rimmed eyes, then at the other girl. She fell silent.

Definitely a battlefield...

She'd wanted to give Saori space when she'd learned about her feelings. But when another beautiful woman had walked in...

Fujiyama had told her the truth—that woman was Kiyoya's girlfriend.

Seriously? Falling for a taken man?

Saori, you idiot...

The tension was suffocating.

Miyu sighed inwardly, glanced at Kiyoya, then took Saori's hand. "Come on, Saori. We've got that lunch gathering..."