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Chapter 9: "The One Who Waited"
Rei floats back to her perch, legs swinging like a child watching a play.
> "Time for something… softer.
Or perhaps… the quietest heartbreak of all."
She waves a finger. The orb glows pale blue.
It floats to Suzune #1 — the first to slap someone, the first to step forward when chaos began…
But in her world… the last to ever be seen by Ayanokoji as a woman.
Her hands tremble as she grips the orb.
> "I never even had him.
But I loved him… from the moment he called me 'troublesome.'"
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💭 Memory Orb: The Quiet Years
Scene: The Advanced Nurturing High School rooftop.
Suzune leans on the railing. Watching Ayanokoji from afar.
He's training alone. Cold, perfect, untouchable.
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Suzune (voiceover):
> "At first, I hated him.
He was arrogant. Emotionless. Too smart. Too perfect."
Cut to: Her eyes slowly lingering on him in class. His answers. His control. His silence.
Suzune:
> "Then I realized… I didn't hate him."
"I was scared of how easily I could fall."
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Scene: Her apartment.
She looks in the mirror, brushing her hair.
On her table? A photo of Class D. He's in the corner, not even looking at the camera.
But it's the only photo she keeps.
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Scene: The school trip. Everyone's asleep on the bus.
She leans her head against the window, whispering to herself.
> "I know you'll never look my way.
But if you ever do…
I'll be right here.
Waiting."
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🌧️ Back to Present:
Suzune #1 holds the orb like it's a memory she never wanted to share.
She doesn't cry.
She just lowers her head and whispers:
> "I never got to tell him.
Never got to stand beside him.
But I learned everything he loved.
I trained myself to be someone he could rely on."
Then looks at this Ayanokoji.
> "Even if you're not mine…
I just want you to know—
There was a version of me… who loved you from the shadows.
And never stopped."
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Ayanokoji's eyes flicker.
He doesn't speak.
But for the briefest second…
…he looks guilty.
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Rei exhales softly.
For once, no jokes. No smirks.
> "Three down."
"Each story more painful than the last."
"Do you still think, Ayanokoji, that logic will help you choose?"
Ayanokoji closes his eyes.
Says nothing.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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