(chapter xxxv)

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰

As Yuna walked home, her emotions were a jumbled mess. The entire trip back from school, her facial expression remained unreadable, even though she was feeling a mix of confusion and bewilderment. The words that Tooru had said earlier still echoed in her mind.

"I wish I had never gone to the music room and met her."

The words that had been sharp and painful, leaving her plagued by emptiness. Of course, she understood why the thoughts were causing her pain—she was aware of why the idea tormented her. He was a friend, someone she had sought out with a hope of something...more.

The pain that Yuna felt was difficult to describe. As someone who was accustomed to concealing her emotions, she had a knack for interpreting the feelings of others. However, she knew that Tooru was an anomaly, as she believed that beneath his rough exterior, he had good intentions.

Deep down, Yuna knew that she might have been being overly sensitive, but his words had still stung, regardless of his expression. She had been a victim of her own wishful thinking, believing that he cared for her more than just a friend.

Before she allowed her emotions to get the best of her, Yuna decided it was best to find out the reasons behind his statements, at least then she could decide whether she truly meant something to him.

"Yuna!" Her emotions were conflicted, and Yuna shut her eyes with a heavy sigh. If Tooru truly meant what he had said, why had he called out her name pleadingly?

"You idiot," she mumbled to herself before throwing herself onto the bed," But maybe I'm the idiot, too..."

A sound of laughter filled the room, causing Yuna to turn to her twin brother, who commented sarcastically, "My sister calling herself an idiot, now that's something I never thought I'd hear."

"I don't see the point in demeaning myself without a reason," Yuna replied with a shrug. Her brother simply laughed and shook his head.

"So, should I just walk away and pretend or ask what's going on?" he hummed.

With her brother standing in front of her, Yuna looked at him for a few moments in contemplation before letting out a deep sigh.

"Ko-nii," she began, "if a friend were to say something...hurtful to you, how would you react?"

Her brother responded, "It would depend on what they had said," he clarified, "Why don't you give me an example so that I can consider my answer?"

Yuna sat up on the bed, her twin brother taking the opportunity to sit directly next to her. The bed dipped slightly as he settled in, preparing to listen intently to her words.

Yuna's voice filled the room, and the sorrow in her tone was evident. "If they had said they wished they never met me..."

The anger that flared on her brother's face was immediate, and it was almost palpable. His thoughts became clouded with frustration, and it seemed like any trace of common sense had disappeared. He had always harboured resentment towards those who had hurt his sister in the past, and deep down, he always wished he could have done more to protect her.

However, this situation was different. Hearing about her friend "To-kun" or "Iwaizumi-kun" sparked curiosity and a sense of protectiveness within him.

Koshi's anger only intensified as he visualized the scenes Yuna described—the soft giggles and bright smiles whenever she was on her phone. His eyes darkened with protectiveness, and he felt a strong desire to defend her. Despite recognizing that this time was different, it didn't change the fact that he still wished he could have done more to shield her from harm.

The first time, when Yuna was dressed and the redness on her cheeks hinted at her thoughts swirling around her recent encounter. However, the main reason for his concern was the remark their father had made about "young love."

Koshi's mind flashed back to last year, when he had panicked after discovering her relationship with an older classmate. Their mother's words of cheerfulness about Yuna's persistence in dating despite her past experience also lingered in his memory.

Koshi's father had not only not made any negative remarks about Yuna going on a date but also seemed to perceive it with a romantic view, given his own romantic tendencies.

However, as Koshi thought deeply, he knew he couldn't give a simple response such as "It's not worth it" or "Be angry." The situation was more complicated than that, and he had to consider how it might unfold. After a moment of contemplation, he let out a deep sigh before realizing he couldn't give a hasty answer without knowing more.

"If it's one of those close friends," he began, recalling the details of the conversation he had overheard, "I believe you should have a serious talk with them, but don't approach it feeling like you're at fault."

He took another moment to gather his thoughts before continuing, "You are not the one who should be lowering your head in apology. You are in the right to demand proper answers. If this person tries to brush off the situation, do not become sad or hurt, but rather, get angry. Because you deserve to understand the reason for such hurtful words."

Yuna closed her eyes, absorbing her brother's words, which echoed her own thoughts. She knew that she should not let her emotions control her until she had the answers to her questions. She remained calm and decided to approach the situation with a level head, taking the time to find out the truth before letting her emotions cloud her judgment.

Yuna knew that Tooru meant a lot to her, and walking away without trying to address and fix this problem would deteriorate the trust she had chosen to rebuild.

Yuna walked towards her desk, her fingers instinctively reaching for her mobile device. Taking a few deep breaths, she activated the device to call the name listed in her contacts.

Tooru had been so lost in his thoughts, wrestling with the pain in his leg and the turmoil in his heart, that he failed to check the caller ID when he answered the phone.

The phone's buzzing startled him, bringing his attention back to the present.

The demanding voice of the person he had hurt pierced through the chatter of the bustling streets, drawing his attention immediately. She was determined, and her words carried a hint of warning.

Tooru's heart skipped a beat at the firmness in her voice, and despite his usual wit, he found himself speechless, his mind reeling. The word "okay" was all he managed to say before she ended the call.

Yuna turned to her twin, a look of satisfaction on her face. "Well, that was intense," she said with a small smirk.

Upon hearing the click of the call and the satisfied expression on her face, Koshi chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You always know how to handle things," he teased, his voice filled with a mixture of amusement and awe. "I have to admit, that was a pretty intense way to handle the situation."

He leaned back in his seat, still wearing a small smirk. "I can't say I expected you to be so direct. It actually kind of impressed me."

As Koshi teased her and complimented her handling of the situation, Yuna couldn't help but roll her eyes playfully. "Oh, please, you make it sound like I'm some kind of expert," she retorted with a hint of mock defensiveness.

She let out a small huff, trying to downplay the praise. "It's not like it was a big deal," she mumbled, her cheeks slightly pink.

Koshi stood up and let out a small sigh, a grin still tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I hope everything works out for the both of you," he said, his voice warm with genuine encouragement. "If it doesn't, I'll be more than happy to have a few words with him."

Yuna looked at her brother and rolled her eyes playfully, a small smile tugged at her lips.

"Thanks," she replied, a hint of gratitude in her voice. "But I think I can handle it."

Koshi chuckled softly, clearly enjoying their playful banter. "No problem," he said, his smile still present. "I just want to see you happy, even if I have to resort to my intimidating glare."

He took a step back and patted his pockets, pretending to search for something. "And speaking of being intimidating, I'll probably still be here to scare off any potential suitors."

He paused for a moment, feigning worry, "You know, just in case your 'friend' tries to take advantage of your kind heart."

Yuna rolled her eyes once again, feigning annoyance at his overprotectiveness. "You're ridiculous, you know that?" she retorted a hint of amusement in her voice.

She crossed her arms and leaned back, a small smile playing on her lips. "But thanks for the support," she added, her tone affectionate. "I know you just want the best for me. Even if it means meddling in my love life."