(chapter xxiv)

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Kurai Okami held a significant place in Yuna's life, a presence that loomed large despite her attempts to deny it. It had been that one time when she allowed herself to lower her defenses, placing her trust in him as though he were different from those who had hurt her in the past.

From the start, it was a naïve idea, but at the time, Yuna had genuinely believed that everything was perfectly fine. To truly comprehend the depth of the history between them, one thing had to be acknowledged: Yuna was utterly unaware of the impending havoc that would invade her life upon inviting this male into her existence.

She could easily dismiss it as yet another cliche event that everyone seemed to experience at some point. In her case, it was the familiar trope of "He seems like a nice guy," an idea that now seemed beyond the threshold of naivety.

Generally speaking, Yuna was quite perceptive, but when her focus shifted to music, her surroundings blurred into the background. It was almost as if she entered a state of oblivion, unaware of the world beyond the notes and melodies that filled her mind.

Kurai Okami had a natural inclination to observe those around him, and in his repertoire of skills, he was fortunate enough to possess a talent for music. Yet, with this gift came a downside—he seemed to lack the finesse to conceal the sounds that left Yuna silently wishing she had never heard them.

His plans hit a snag when Yuna bluntly expressed her disdain for his performance. As it turned out, he shared a fondness for the same instrument as her—the piano. Her unfiltered opinion on his sound must have come as a surprise, to say the least.

It must have come as a shock to Kurai Okami to hear her blunt criticism of his performance, especially considering they shared a common passion for the piano. She had made it clear that she wasn't impressed with his sound, leaving him momentarily surprised at her directness.

While Kurai was initially tempted to cave in to the embarrassment, he instead chose to be fueled by the fire in her eyes and the challenge it presented. Thus, he switched his approach, dedicating himself to making her life a living torment.

Kurai was a truly wicked individual by nature, even surpassing Oikawa in his malevolent demeanor. He had an innate lack of empathy for his actions, deriving pleasure from the pain he inflicted upon others, particularly Yuna.

While Kurai refrained from physically harming her, he devised a different approach. His intention was to undermine her confidence and vindicate himself, even if music had never been an area he pursued wholeheartedly like others. His actions were driven by his ego, and he was unwilling to be perceived as inferior.

Despite his lack of genuine passion for music, Kurai Okami had a singular goal: to assert his superiority over her. He aimed to chip away at her confidence, using any means necessary to prove his worth in her eyes. The pursuit was as much about his own pride as it was about humbling her for her harsh critique.

She crossed her arms tightly and spoke with a flat tone, "So, you've finally decided to show your face again. I admit, I thought you'd come back sooner, but I guess you managed to hold on longer than I expected." Her words were tinged with a hint of disappointment, and she shook her head in disbelief.

A sly smile tugged at Kurai's lips as he clicked his tongue in a dangerous manner. His words dripped with condescension, "So, I was correct in my assumption that you losing in the competition was intentional." He fixed his gaze on the smaller female, his eyes narrowing in mock disapproval.

Yuna let out a weary sigh and shook her head, her voice laced with a mix of irritation and resignation. "I'm not foolish enough to lose a competition deliberately," she clarified. "If I had the opportunity to best you, I would have, but my passion for playing is not rooted in winning or impressing others. I play because I find joy in it."

Her eyes drifted to the floor as she admitted, "I loathe your music, but I understand that not everyone shares my sentiment." She then added with a hint of regret, "If I had known the consequences of voicing my honest critique all those years ago, I would have just kept my mouth shut"

Kurai unleashed a mocking cackle, his body leaning forward as his gaze remained laser-focused on her. His voice oozed with disdain as he declared, "Oh, you think it's over just like that? Fat chance."

For a few tense moments that seemed to stretch on indefinitely, Yuna closed her eyes, creating an eerie silence. Kurai couldn't help but shift uneasily, the stillness weighing heavily on them both. Just as he was about to break the quiet, he felt a chilling sensation crawl up his spine as her eyes slowly opened.

A powerful intensity emanated from her gaze, forcing Kurai to swallow the nervous lump that had formed in his throat. Despite his efforts to maintain composure, he found himself growing increasingly anxious under the weight of her penetrating stare.

The longer Kurai held her gaze, the more his confidence seemed to wane. Despite her petite frame, there was something undeniably powerful about her presence that sent a chill down his spine. It was as if a sense of inevitability hung in the air, as though Kurai was aware that he had underestimated her.

Yuna's voice took on an air of command as she stepped closer to the towering male. "Back then, I approached the competition with nonchalance and a carefree mindset," she began, her words gaining fervor. "But now, I've come to truly understand the value of music and my determination to hold sway over it." She paused, her eyes burning with newfound resolve. "Last time, I lost without even being given a fair chance, but this time, things will be different—"

Unbeknownst to Yuna, a confident smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth as she fixed her gaze firmly on Kurai. "Mark my words, Kurai Okami," she declared with unwavering determination. "I won't let you continue to treat this as a mere game. I will compose a piece that will leave you utterly speechless, and that's a promise I intend to keep."

Kurai responded with a derisive chuckle, his head tilting slightly in a patronizing manner. "I'm afraid I must correct you," he said, a hint of smirk in his voice. "It seems you've forgotten that I have moved on from the lower ranks. My presence is now in the big leagues."

"The nationals are what I meant," Yuna said, lifting her gaze to meet his eyes. "I have to make it to the nationals this year and once I do, I'll be able to compete in Japan's championship in my final year, and I'm expecting you to participate as well, correct?"

Kurai let out an exasperated sigh, his eyes rolling in disbelief. "If you can even manage to reach the nationals," he repeated, his tone infused with skepticism. "Though I wouldn't be surprised if you failed. After all, you have a tendency to disappoint, don't you?"

Yuna spoke with firm conviction, her voice resolute as she took a defiant step forward, standing a mere few inches away from him. "Mark my words," she declared, her eyes blazing with determination, "I will make it to the nationals, and once I'm there, I will give my all to prove you wrong. You underestimate me at your own risk."

Kurai chuckled softly, a sly smirk playing on his lips as he leaned in closer to her. "Very well," he said, his voice tinged with challenge. "You've got yourself a deal, Yuna Sugawara. I'll be eagerly anticipating your performance at the nationals."

Yuna met his gaze with unwavering determination. "You can count on it," she replied confidently, before turning and walking away, leaving Kurai standing there with a mix of skepticism and anticipation.

Kurai stood motionless, his mind momentarily consumed by a pang of jealousy. There was something about the girl who had initially seemed like a doll, devoid of emotions, that now appeared more human than he had anticipated. It rankled him that it was not his influence that had brought about this transformation but something altogether different.

Kurai clenched his fists, his gaze narrowing as unwelcome thoughts filled his mind. He remained alone in the hall, his frustration growing with each passing moment. The scenarios he imagined only served to irritate him further, fueling his sense of annoyance.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, his irritation mounting with each passing moment.

Forced to stand alone in the empty hall, he allowed his mind to wander into territories that only served to exacerbate his annoyance.