The sun had barely started to rise.
"It feels like late evening," Haruto commented as they walked down the deserted streets, observing the grayish-blue sky and the still-faint sun in the east. He hunched slightly, rubbing his shoulders to ward off the chill, his eyes scanning his surroundings. He was dressed simply in a loose T-shirt, running shorts, and slippers.
"Never been up this early, huh? Your situation's worse than I thought," Yuuto remarked, dressed similarly but standing tall, his backpack bulging with unknown contents. He glanced back at Haruto with a quick tilt of his head.
"If I were, I'd just stay home. It's more accurate to say I've never been active at this hour," Haruto replied.
Yuuto sighed and turned his head forward again. "Let me tell you what's actually accurate. Kyoya Guuji always wakes up this early and trains. Thanks to his disciplined regimen, he's bursting with energy all day—energy enough to fill the emotional and physical void in your mom's life. His vibrant presence keeps her coming back for more of his attention, her days brightened by the dopamine and oxytocin he helps generate. If we don't step in, she'll find herself completely dependent on him, unable to function without his presence. That's his plan, and it's exactly what we need to counter."
Haruto's stomach tightened, and he swallowed hard.
"She'll eventually be unable to live without him?" he asked, his voice tinged with fear.
Yuuto's voice took on a light, almost sing-song tone: "If nothing is done soon? Yep. At that point, reversing your situation would be more or less impossible." He watched Haruto, whose heartbeat pounded loudly in his ears as his pace began to falter.
"Do you... want to make me more miserable or something?" Haruto asked, his hands trembling slightly.
"It's your current situation, whether you like it or not. Do you want me to sugarcoat my words while pretending everything will be okay, no matter what?" Yuuto replied evenly, his voice devoid of pretense.
Haruto looked into the distance, his eyebrows furrowing as he struggled for words, a sniffle breaking through.
"It's... why I'm in this situation, I suppose," he said, his shoulders drooping with each word. "I need to start accepting that I might never have her with me again, don't I?" His voice shook, cracking with emotion.
Yuuto leaned in slightly, trying to grasp the gravity of Haruto's despair.
"What are you even talking about, idiot?" he responded lightly, turning to face him with the rising sun backlighting his figure.
"She's going to get back to you, no matter how much you think you've screwed up."
His gaze fixed intently on Haruto, his words carried a clear, unwavering sincerity.
Haruto's voice trembled, tears glistening in his eyes. "W...What...? How can you be so sure...? E...Even when you said my situation is... bad..."
"I accepted your payment. That's why. What more proof do you need?" Yuuto's words flowed with an effortless confidence, erasing any doubt from Haruto's mind.
A laugh mingled with tears broke from Haruto as he scanned Yuuto's face for any sign of uncertainty, finding none.
"W-well... Haha... Maybe a success story would motivat—"
"Confidential," Yuuto cut him off sharply.
"Of course it is..."
"Until I get more of 'em, that is," Yuuto muttered under his breath.
They arrived at their destination as the clock struck 5:47 a.m.
This was Yuuto's high school swimming pool. They had snuck in, making Haruto an unwitting accomplice to their trespass.
"A... high school swimming pool...?" Haruto's voice wavered, a nervous smile twitching on his lips as he took in the sight of the pool.
"Yep. You're gonna train here every day. We start at 5:30 AM and you're out by 8 AM, before any students or teachers show up. I've planned a set of exercises for you," Yuuto explained as they stood at the pool's edge, having slipped in unnoticed. "Don't worry, the swimming club is barely active; we'll have the place to ourselves."
"W-why swimming of all things!? Couldn't we do some road work or literally anywhere outside of restricted areas?" Haruto's voice climbed with each word, his anxiety palpable as he began to sweat.
"Swimming is the healthiest, least risky—aside from drowning—and one of the most rewarding sports for the human body. If you swim daily and follow my friend's manual diligently, you'll get stronger and build greater stamina," Yuuto explained.
"But... It's starting to get really cold nowadays!"
"Yep. And it's only going to get colder. There might even be a storm at the end of the month."
Haruto sighed heavily, meeting Yuuto's steady gaze.
"We just gotta swim daily, right?"
"Two and a half hours, according to the plan I'll send you. Yes—just you. I've got a life," Yuuto said matter-of-factly.
Haruto looked at him, mouth agape.
"Hey, so do I—"
"..."
"..."
"...Fine."
"That's what I like to hear. I'll send you the plan through your phone. Give me your number."
Haruto and Yuuto exchanged phone numbers, solidifying their arrangement. As Haruto braced himself to jump into the pool, Yuuto slipped away as quietly as he had arrived, then sprinted off, checking the time on his phone.
5:55 AM.
'Insanely behind schedule! Damn it! I'll have to make haste!' Yuuto thought as he disappeared into the early morning.
-----A bit later, at Haruto and Himiko's house----
"Are you ready to go?" Kyoya asked, his voice upbeat as he secured his backpack. He glanced over at Himiko, who had just slipped into her sports bra and short, black tights.
Himiko nodded and walked over to where Kyoya stood by the door, his face lit up with a wide smile.
She blushed, shifting from one foot to the other, her unease subtle yet noticeable as she finally joined Kyoya at the door.
"I still feel like I could have at least told him we're going out... It was like our special bonding time, you know?" she said, a flicker of regret crossing her eyes.
Kyoya let out a relaxed breath, his shoulders relaxing as he turned to face her. "I understand... So let's really get to know this trail so we can bring him along next time. I bet he'll be excited to see you leading the way. I sure am..." His voice trailed off, a mischievous smile curling the corner of his mouth.
Himiko looked down, a warm flush spreading across her neck and collarbone. Her lips slowly curled into a genuine smile.
From Kyoya's direction, a hand stretched out, palm open and inviting. Himiko, still looking downward, lifted her eyes to see his large, toned hand. She met his gaze, searching his eyes.
"Come on... Let's have some fun," he said, his words soft and melodious, drawing her in.
-----------ELSEWHERE-----------------------
*BACKGROUND MUSIC: Maga - ANIMALITY*
Yuuto thought to himself, 'Divide and conquer, the strategy you used against Haruto to take control of Himiko's mind... How typical for a scumbag like you. Lucky for me, I made it just in time.'
------------------------------------------------
As Himiko reached out with a wider smile and deeply blushing cheeks...
-----------------------
Yuuto continued his mental tirade, 'It's a clever strategy, I'll give you that. You've meticulously noted Haruto and Himiko's strengths and weaknesses, exploiting almost every one... You deserve a slow clap, you bastard. But what would you say...'
-----------------------
...her fingers just missed touching his, as Kyoya's phone began to ring.
--------------------
Yuuto mused, 'If someone turned the tables on YOU, Kyoya Guuji?'
--------------------
*RING* *RING* *RING* *RING*
Kyoya halted before opening the door, the sudden ringing pulling his attention away. He glanced apologetically at Himiko as he fished his phone from his pocket.
"Damn, I told them it's my day off... Just a sec, Miko?" His tone was soft, carrying a hint of frustration as he tapped the 'Answer' button.
A gentle smile lingered on Himiko's lips, her head tilting in understanding as Kyoya pressed the phone to his ear.
---------------
Yuuto's thoughts darkened, 'Kyoya Guuji's Numerous Weaknesses. Number 1...'
---------------
[Mr. Guuji! I'm afraid it can't wait! There's an inspector here! He found a dead rat in the gym!]
Kyoya's expression shifted to disbelief, his hand rising to rub his temple as he processed the information.
"WHAT!?" His voice erupted in shock, startling Himiko who immediately sensed his distress.
"Is... everything alright, Kyoya?" Her smile faded, the light in her eyes dimming to unease.
"Y-yeah, Himiko, just give me a sec—" He briefly turned to reassure her before his attention snapped back to the door, his forehead resting against the phone.
Kyoya's heartbeat quickened.
"Just... Just handle it yourselves! I'm off today!" he blurted out, his voice tinged with panic.
[What... What!? Mr. Guuji, I'm afraid it can't wait! He just asked specifically for YOU to come and resolve this or he will close our gym!]
"You can't be serious..." Kyoya muttered, stealing a glance at the increasingly worried Himiko before refocusing on the call.
---------------------------
Yuuto thought, 'You care about your gym. Just as much... Probably even more than Haruto cares about his mommy.'
---------------------------
"I'll be there! Just keep him busy!"
[He also told me to mention his name, just in case there's a need for that... Haruto.]
Kyoya stiffened.
"Haruto!?" His voice boomed, echoing across the space.
Himiko's eyes widened, her hands clapped together as she leaned toward Kyoya's phone as if trying to see Haruto's face in the device.
"Haruto...?! Did something happen to him!?" Her concern spiked, her voice sharp with worry.
[...What..? Haruto Sakurai, he says.]
Kyoya exhaled a sigh of relief, turning back to face Himiko directly.
"Hang on a sec— Not your Haruto... It's an inspector or something." He tried to explain calmly, though his words rushed out.
Himiko's expression and tone fell as quickly as they had brightened. "Oh..."
Kyoya hesitated, his voice carrying a tremor of urgency. "I gotta go... There's trouble at my gym, and I can't just leave them to deal with it alone... Sorry, Himiko." His hand subtly covered the phone's microphone, muffling his words.
"It's alright. It's the gym you love the most, isn't it?" Himiko responded, her smile warm and empathetic, offering silent reassurance that she understood.
Kyoya gently held her hand, giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze before he opened the door and hurried out.
"Alright, I'm on my way," he said into the phone as he hung up, leaving Himiko alone in the quiet of the doorway.