In Shouto's arms is Aoi's black-haired opponent. She is unconscious and full of cuts and bruises. His eyes were glaring at Aoi.

"What have you done, Aoi?" Shouto asked with an icy tone.

Those eyes were the same eyes Shouto showed to Aoi twelve years ago. It never changed. Why hasn't it changed?

"You won't answer? Very well. It doesn't matter. But let me tell you this."

Why is Shouto so angry at Aoi?

"Win." Shout said with his clenched teeth. "Win Aoi. Win the upcoming battles so I can defeat you."

She didn't respond. Aoi turned around and flew out of the ring and into the exit. As she entered the dark hallway, she lost her balance and fell on her knees.

All Aoi did was to train in order to protect Shouto. Everything is for Shouto. Is Yaoyorozu right after all?

Her head is throbbing in pain so badly but her chest is way more painful. She couldn't breathe. Her irises are glowing on and off, like flickering light of a broken light bulb.

Was all of it for nothing?

Aoi shook her head.

No. It wasn't for nothing. She will protect Shouto even if he hates her for the rest of his life. Shouto was the one who saved her. It was him who gave her warmth. It was him who she couldn't save before.

Her eyes stopped glowing and she gained control once again. She got up from her knees and started walking.

~*~

"Lay her down here." Recovery Girl said and Shouto laid Yaoyorozu on the clinic bed.

The hero in charge of the clinic sighed. "That girl does not show any mercy."

Her lips stretched and she kissed the girl's forehead. Her wounds healed. But she's still unconscious. "She'll feel better. When she wakes up, give her these gummies."

She handed a little container to Shouto with gummy bear candies that has healing properties.

"Thank you."

"Now, I'll be tending other patients. You can watch over her in the meantime."

He sat at the side of the bed, watching her. A rush of relief filled his heart. His glad that she'll wake up soon.

Shouto recalled what happened. He remembered the moment when he caught Yaoyorozu just in time before she hits the ground. The image of Aoi floating above the ring. The light of the sun behind her. The dust and wind blowing. And those eyes.

Those sunlight glowing eyes as cold as ice. It reminded him of his father back then. Those ruthless eyes that are determined to get what they want no matter the cost.

They weren't like that before. Her eyes were gentle, warm and kind.

What changed her? What changed Aoi? Why is he pushing herself to him? Why does she want this engagement so badly? Why did she follow his father's way when his father himself discarded that way?

Now, in front of Shouto is a victim. Yaoyorozu is not supposed to be a part of this. She wasn't supposed to get hurt like this. But because of him...

"Oh, the prince is here!"

Shouto turned around and saw a young man sitting on his bed with legs crossed and his arms and chin resting on the foot rail of the bed. Shouto felt his mood turning worse when he saw the young man's silver eyes filled with mischievousness.

That's right. He's here at the infirmary as well because he received injuries. But he looks fine right now. Is he not leaving only to annoy Shouto?

"What's with that look? Are you angry at me?" Shin asked. "Wait no. You're angry at Aoi for hurting your love? Or should I say fa--"

"Kuroiwa." Shouto called out with an icy voice.

"Oh~ I'm so scared!" Shin held his cheeks, acting like a scared child. "Your love is oh so hurt because of Aoi and you want to take revenge. And now you saw me, Aoi's best friend, you're gonna hurt me as well. I'm so scared! Hahahaha"

Shin laughed heartily. Shouto clenched his fists.

Then as if a switch was flipped, Shin stopped laughing and looked at Shouto seriously with his cold metallic eyes.

"How pathetic of you to pass the blame to someone else."

Shouto frowned, but Shin still continued.

"If you only accepted Aoi, it wouldn't be like this. If only you didn't abandon her."

"I never abandoned her. She's making me distance herself away from her because of her desire for the engage--"

Shin scoffed mockingly. "Oh you think  I'm talking about the engagement?"

Shouto is confused. What else would Aoi do this if not for the engagement? She clearly stated that she wants to be engaged with him.

"Wow. You really think that Aoi is very selfish. You really think that it's her only goal. And you're blaming that selfishness for Momo's situation. You're passing the blame to someone else. You're passing you're anger to someone else. To lessen that guilt of yours."

Shouto glared furiously at Shin. But it only made the black-haired guy more amused.

"Is Aoi really the selfish one here?"

Then Shouto snapped.

In a blink of an eye, Shouto was already grabbing Shin's collar. His right fist was received by Shin's left hand.

"What?" Shin smirked. "You're going to pass your anger in me as well? Or are you offended because of the truth I said?"

"No." Shouto said, gritting his teeth. "I'm going to break that mouth of yours that spouts nothing but lies..!"

"Who is lying? Me? Did you forget who you abandoned thirteen years ago for that revenge of yours? Did you forget the person who embraced you as you cry in pain? You forgot her, your very first friend..."

The image of a little girl with pale blue hair appeared in Shouto's mind. Her warm smile in front of an abandoned temple. And the painful look on her face as he pushed her away.

Shin's eyes were cold as a blade when he saw those images in Shouto's mind.

"You can just ask her the real reason of her actions. Ask her to be honest with you. Ask her to not be afraid because you've already changed. Instead of creating this situation where you have to include someone who has nothing to do with your problem."

Then he held Shouto's hand and pulled it away from the collar of his black shirt. He then step out of the bed. Shouto's right fist uncoiled and rested on his side.

Shin took wore his black shoes. "What made Aoi change?" Then he stood up. "It was you, Shouto."