Satoshi entered the room and saved Mitsuru from Haruki. Then he kissed him. "This feeling… Couldn't it be?" As Mitsuru snaps and breaks the kiss, he immediately punches Satoshi. He was horrified. His eyes contracted, and his body began to tremble. The trembling is not because he is afraid but rather pent-up anger that was forcefully released. Izumi and Yuuji were there. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. As Mitsuru is about to deliver another punch to Satoshi, Yuuji snaps. He decided to stop the three from fighting. Haruki overpowered Yuuji and insulted Satoshi.
"I am so disappointed with you, Satoshi. I thought you were a caring and gentle person. Oh, you are not gentle. You are a parasite from the very beginning! You cannot accept the fact that Mitsuru only fooled you! How does it feel that from the shadows of the tall buildings, you watch the person who fooled you hang out with his beloved person?! You've gone too low!" said the furious Haruki.
"Beloved Person? What does Haruki mean? Mitsuru? Am I dense or what?" Izumi was completely lost as he was thinking about the shocks that he had encountered at that moment.
"Stop butting in, Haruki. It's none of your business! It's time for me to make amends with Mitsuru!" said Satoshi while laughing hysterically
"Amends? You have gone mad. Izumi is your boyfriend, doesn't he?! What's with your twisted logic?!" Haruki cannot contain his anger any further. His vision went blank, and he attacked Satoshi. The two had a fierce fight. Yuuji cannot meddle with the brawl, but he tries to stop them. Mitsuru is standing at the corner, staring at a blank space while chaos is happening in front of him.
Meanwhile, Izumi is still in shock. As soon as he heard Yuuji's cry, his senses went back and stopped the fight. As Mayumi was about to check the locker room. She was terrified at what she saw. She immediately helped Izumi stop the brawl. After the fight, they were summoned to the club room.
"I am so disappointed at the three of you! For now, you are suspended until the new semester comes after winter break. I will sort things out." Akihiko was mad and immediately suspended the three. Afterward, He summoned Izumi and Yuuji. Yuuji explained what happened. Akihiko was startled and surprised.
"For that lame reason? And wait, what? Did Satoshi kiss Mitsuru despite having a relationship with Izumi? Make amends with him? Ugh! My head hurts. There won't be an upcoming martial arts event, so I advise that you two will also rest. I am not suspending you, but you must be also shocked. Especially Izumi. Just focus on your studies first. That's all."
"Akihiko-sensei, I am not fit to be the team captain. Satoshi is not fit to be the captain too," said Izumi with a monotonous tone, and his face was lifeless, and he continued to stare at nothingness.
"Why? You helped stop the fight and you won the competition," insisted Akihiko.
"You heard Yuuji right? You must be disgusted just like the other people. I am sorry sensei. But I would like to step down as the upcoming team captain." said Izumi with remorse in his voice.
"There's nothing wrong with who you are, Izumi. And most importantly, I am not disgusted. If you say that I am disgusted, yes. But it is only towards Satoshi. If that's what you insist, who will be the most fitting team captain?" said Akihiko reassuringly.
"Akabane Mayumi. I have known her since high school. I believe she can carry the responsibilities."
"Very well. Let me call Mayumi first."
Akihiko summoned Kenzo and Mayumi.
"EHHHH?!!! ME?! THE TEAM CAPTAIN?! IZUMI WON! SO WHY ME?!" exclaimed Mayumi.
"Yeah sensei! Why her? From my perspective, she is such a gorilla, an ugly--" as Kenzo was protesting Mayumi, she punched his stomach. "SHUT UP, KENZOO!!!" she added.
Izumi and the others laughed.
"Well, I am counting on you, team captain," said Akihiko.
"Wait, why?" asked Mayumi.
Akihiko explained the situation. Mayumi accepted the role, and she is ready to work next term. The other club members are curious about the brawl between the three. Since Yuuji is tight-lipped, no information was leaked. Kenzo tried to approach the four to ask what happened, but Akihiko stopped him. Izumi told his family that he would join them for dinner later as he dealt with things at the dorm. After arriving at their dorm, Haruki and Yuuji left the two to talk.
"I am sorry about what happened," said Mitsuru. Izumi remained silent. His face was pale as if he was nervous about something. He observes the red thread, and it is still tangled. Then he broke the silence. "So, you have been seeing Satoshi this whole time?" asked Izumi. He is trying to divert the topic.
"N-no! T-that's--" Mitsuru stopped for a second and admitted something. "It was in the middle school, but now, I don't have feelings for him. No, from the start, I only played with him," explained Mitsuru.
"Is that so?" asked Izumi. He let off a deep and heavy sigh while saying something explosive and went in front of the window while leaving Mitsuru sitting on the bed. "I need time to think. I won't be returning to the dorm for a while. I will not go home too," said Izumi with a lifeless voice. "I'll tell my decision to my family after this," he added. "But—" as Mitsuru's eyes dilated, he was worried as if he was about to lose something important. As he was about to say something, Izumi cut him off. "I'm baffled right now. I don't know if I should get angry for betraying me, or should I focus on what I have discovered?" said Izumi. "Since you said that you played Satoshi in middle school, better make amends with him. It hurts but you are the one who deserves him the most," said Izumi once more as tears dropped from his eyes, and he smiled back at Mitsuru with sorrow and pain within. "Argh! I am so conflicted right now! I shouldn't let Mitsuru see it," thought Izumi. With that, he left their room without glancing at Yuuji and Haruki. Yuuji immediately followed Izumi while Haruki went to check Mitsuru.
Mitsuru froze and didn't know what to say. His face became pale, and his hands were cold and trembling. And then, he sobbed. His knees collapsed, and he wailed at Haruki.
"It seems you got a very nice scolding from him," said Haruki. "I-I love him! I love him so much! I am such an idiot! Ever since we were kids, I loved him! I was waiting for this opportunity but all of it became ashes! AHHHHH!! This is so frustrating!!" cried Mitsuru in between sobs. His heart was burning with pain and regret. Tears fall continuously from his alluring round, slanted, and brown eyes.
Haruki felt pity towards him. Mitsuru went to bed with a heavy feeling. Meanwhile, Haruki is keeping track of Izumi together with Yuuji.
"So this is how betrayal feels..." thought Izumi as he was walking at the dark alley where the light of the sunset couldn't reach. "Yes, I do have feelings for Mitsuru, but that was when we were kids. He is straight! I didn't know he dated Satoshi! I feel so frustrated," thought Izumi. He stopped for a moment and let off a sigh filled with disappointment and acceptance. "Hah... Who would believe that red thread superstition? Mitsuru? My fated pair? He is way off better with Satoshi!" said the annoyed Izumi. Soon, his knees trembled and collapsed, causing him to kneel. Soon, tears flowed from his eyes, reminiscing all the events he had encountered.
"I made a grave mistake. I should've been the one who betrayed them, I shouldn't be the one here crying and agonizing. This is why I hate people. They just use each other for their benefit! From now on, I'll never trust anyone again." said Izumi furiously while clenching his fist. Then, his eyes dilated as he saw Yuuji following him. "Ishikawa-kun's following me all this time? Why? Just when I said I'll never trust anyone again...," thought Izumi as he cried even more. "Why do people always appear so trustworthy when there is an unspoken and despicable truth lurking behind them?" he asked further. "Hah... For this last time... I'll trust you. I just hope that the way you show your affection to me will never change..." thought Izumi once more as he clenched his heart while sobbing. As Yuuji was catching up to Izumi, a person appeared out of nowhere. He was terrified when the person spoke.
"Well, well, what do we have here? Izumi-kun is crying? Who made him cry?" said Satoshi, followed by a dangerous cackle as he wrapped his arms in Izumi's shoulder. "You creep! Get away from senpai!" shouted Yuuji. "Shut up, pest!" said Satoshi. "I'm sorry Izumi-kun, I used you for getting closer to Mitsuru again," said Satoshi. Yuuji was shocked upon hearing those statements from Satoshi.
"W-What did you say?!" stuttered Yuuji. "I said, stop meddling, Ishikawa!" said the furious Satoshi. "It's only natural for him to get angry! After all, he treated me like his own brother! Lay a hand on him and I'll make your life a living hell!" said Izumi. Upon hearing this, Yuuji almost cried as he witnessed the caring side of his senpai. "Woah, you don't have to be aggressive!" said Satoshi as he cackled.
"So what? I didn't know that you dated Mitsuru back when we were middle school students," said Izumi as he shoved Satoshi's arm off his shoulder. "What you did to me, it hurts like hell," said Izumi. "And yet you act like it was nothing. You cried and now you're energetic," asked the puzzled Satoshi. "Luckily I was saved by something. And I am not obliged to tell you about it!" taunted Izumi. "Oh, I'm glad I can win Mitsuru back again. So sad. The media might know that you're GAY." said Satoshi with a dangerous cackle as he walked away. "I DON'T CARE! JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE CHALLENGING, HUH?!" shouted Izumi. Then, after he was gone, Izumi hurried to a place, and Yuuji was still catching up to him.
"S-SENPAI! WAIT!" begged Yuuji. "Max out your endurance, Ishikawa-kun! We're almost there!" said Izumi. As the two arrive at a secluded place, they go to a house, and after they reach the doorstep, Ren opens the door.
"Mom, where's dad and Natsumi-nii? I need to talk to them!" exclaimed Izumi. "They're at the dining room, we are waiting for you though. Wait, why is Ishikawa-kun here?" asked Ren curiously. "Kindly take care of Ishikawa-kun, mom," said Izumi as he sprinted to the dining room. "What's gotten into him?" asked Ren, "I also don't know Auntie, something happened earlier, I think it's best when senpai explains it to you," said Yuuji. "Well, since you're here, you might as well join us for dinner. Don't tell Haruki-kun, and Mitsuru-kun though," said Ren as she chuckles. As they went to the dining room, they were shocked by what they heard.
"Seriously, Izu-kun? In front of our food?" said Natsumi as he tried to suppress his laughter. "So that explains why Satoshi-kun isn't here, but rather Ishikawa-kun!" he added. "Don't laugh Natsumi-nii!" said the irritated Izumi. "Now, calm down, Izumi. I am also enraged by what Satoshi did. But you should handle this matter. It's up to us to deal with the media if something about you comes out. Those kinds of people are not to be trusted. We must be always alert since our image is at stake. As much as I hate saying that statement, we need to maintain our privacy," said Akihiko. "But if you will decide to let Satoshi enter your life again, YOU SHALL RECEIVE A DIVINE PUNISHMENT!" he added as he shifted in his voice acting style. Natsumi and Akihiko were laughing hard, and Narumi stayed silent.
"Mummy, what are they talking about?" asked Yuuma. "Well, it's none of our business. Let them deal with this," explained Narumi to his son.
"Oh, they're at it again. Laughing at a serious situation," said Ren. Yuuji just chuckled and was amazed at how carefree Izumi's family is. "So that's why you're leaving the dorm and won't be returning for a while?" asked Akihiko. "Yes, dad. I am so sorry for what I did," said Izumi. "Well, you're a grown-up person now, at least you knew the consequence of what you have done. I don't care about my reputation, but our privacy does, so I'll deal with the media. If the media goes after you, I shall send this address, am I right?" asked Akihiko. "Yes dad," said Izumi. "Now let's eat. Come here, Ishikawa-kun, thank you for accompanying my son," said Akihiko. "Thank you, uncle," said Yuuji
After the dinner, Izumi parted ways from his family. Of course, Yuuji is still tagging with Izumi. "Are your parents aware that you're with me, Ishikawa-kun?" asked Izumi. "They don't care where I sleep, senpai. Sadly. In fact, I envy your family so much," said Yuuji sadly. "Well, you're an adult now, so it's fine. Want to be my younger brother?" asked Izumi as he chuckled. "S-Senpai?" asked the puzzled Yuuji. "Well, you're welcome to this house," said Izumi as they entered the house he bought. Well, the room is now ready. Luckily it has two rooms. You can have your own… Ahem!" said Izumi as he tried to suppress his laughter. "Oh, now I know where you got that trait. From uncle," said Yuuji as they laughed. With that, they went to sleep, and the next day, Izumi called Haruki to come into his house.
"OJAMASHIMASU!!! Hey, whose house is this?" asked Haruki as he barges inside Izumi's temporary house.
"Seriously, HARUKI! CAN YOU STOP BARGING INTO MY PLACE AS YOU OWN IT?! YOU DO THIS EVERY TIME!" Izumi yelled at Haruki with a slight annoyance in his tone.
"Eh? How can you afford this place? Is your bank book still with you?" curiously asked Haruki. "Nope, I left it at the house. Besides, I have my own bank account now," responded Izumi. "When did you start working part-time?" asked Haruki. "Dumbass, do you think a part-time job can afford this place? I am a stockholder of a major manga publisher and an animation studio!" revealed Izumi.
"HAAAAAAAAAA?!?!" exclaimed the two.
"I became interested and started investing stocks when I was 16. I figured out that there is a possibility that my family will cast me out when I come out. So, the worst-case scenario never happened but another problem came out. At least I can now live my own life without relying on them." Izumi added.
The two are in awe. After a short silence, Yuuji excitedly asked Izumi.
"Senpai!!! Can you teach me how to invest in stocks? I want to learn about it!" said Yuuji. "Yeah, me too! No wonder you have those limited edition mangas and the uncensored ones!" said Haruki.
Haruki burst into laughter while saying that. Izumi agreed that he would teach them. It was a clear day, and the wind was restless. As the three were eating, the media came as Izumi expected. Haruki went to look outside to check the commotion.
"Woah, we have a company Izu-chan! Why are the media here? Didn't uncle never expose you and Narumi-nee to the media?" asked the astonished Haruki. "Well, that idiot involved me in a scandal. I just saw a photo of us, kissing," said the irritated Izumi. "Let me handle this one. If you want to accompany me outside, do what you want. I will never let you speak in front of them though," said the brave Izumi as he went out to face the media.