"And what way is that, exactly?"
"The way to destroy Reina," Saki said over the phone, eyes narrowing.
"Can we even trust it?" Shun asked from the other end, voice low and curious.
"Yes, brother. We can. He'll give Reina what she's always wanted. And in return, we'll give him what he wants," Saki replied, her voice dripping with certainty.
"Fine. I'll leave the rest to you. You've always been clever when it comes to dirty tricks," Shun chuckled. "Don't disappoint me, little sister."
The call ended.
Saki's gaze fell on Takahashi Rio, who stood stiff and quiet at the edge of the rooftop. His mind was clearly elsewhere—burdened. The lawyer handling his mother's murder case had demanded payment by the end of the week. On top of that, his school tuition was overdue.
"Hey, Takahashi," Saki called out, walking toward him with a smirk.
He turned, eyes heavy. "Hey. You enjoyed the cake?"
"Yeah. Best birthday I've had," she smiled sweetly. "But... your mom's case. Still going on?"
He nodded with a sigh. "I need to pay the lawyer. But I also have my school fees piling up."
"Tough life," she muttered. "But what if I help you?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Help always comes with a price. What do you want me to do?"
"I want you to make someone fall in love with you."
Takahashi blinked. Then laughed. "You're joking, right?"
"I'm dead serious."
"Who?"
"My stepsister. Reina Aizawa."
His face froze. "No."
"C'mon, Takahashi. If you do this, I'll cover your school fees for the whole year. And I'll get you the best lawyer in the city. Think about your mom."
"Why me? You could use Daiki—he flirts with anything that breathes."
"Because Reina would never fall for someone like him," Saki said firmly. "But you? You're smart. Quiet. Honest. She'll never see you coming."
"Still… no," Takahashi said flatly, turning to leave.
"You'll come back to me, Takahashi. Because you need the money," she shouted behind him.
He didn't look back. Just walked away, jaw clenched.
"I know you will," Saki whispered to herself.
---
Later that day, down in the school courtyard...
A crowd had gathered around Reina Aizawa, the most unreachable girl in school.
"Reina! I like you! Please go out with me!"
—
Takahashi walked across campus when he heard the loud murmur of a crowd.
A boy stood on one knee with flowers, right in front of Reina Aizawa.
Takahashi stopped. Even he held his breath, waiting for her answer.
Reina didn't speak. She simply walked past the boy like he didn't exist. Cold. Unshaken.
Gasps echoed. Whispers flew.
"She didn't even answer him…"
"Poor guy… what was he thinking?"
"She really looks down on everyone."
The boy dropped the flowers, eyes tearing up as his friends tried to console him.
Takahashi watched in silence.
There's no way I could ever make that girl fall for me...
He checked his phone. "Damn. I'm late for work."
---
That Evening
Reina sat in the backseat of her car, staring silently out the window. Her expression was blank, but her eyes… distant. Hollow.
The car pulled into the driveway of a massive estate—like a mansion from another world.
She stepped out and walked toward the entrance. Waiting at the door was her stepmother.
"Reina," the woman called, forcing a smile.
"Yes, Stepmother?" Reina replied, voice icy.
"You've become rude. Maybe I should've taught you better," her stepmother said, approaching her with fake kindness.
Reina smiled coldly. "You think I'm still the little girl you used to beat?"
The smile on her stepmother's face twisted into disgust.
"Filthy blood always shows its color. I should've killed you when I had the chance."
Reina's eyes darkened. She shoved her stepmother back.
The woman snarled and slapped Reina—once, twice, three times—then grabbed her by the hair.
"Know your place, girl," she hissed.
At that moment, the front door opened. Reina's father entered.
"What's going on here?"
"Nothing, dear. Just mother-daughter talk," her stepmother lied with a perfect smile.
"Reina, is everything alright?"
"…Yes, Dad," Reina said quietly, not meeting his eyes. "I'm going for a walk."
He nodded and went upstairs, unaware of what just happened.
Reina stepped outside, heart pounding, but face perfectly calm.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city...
Takahashi stood in the backroom of his part-time job, facing his boss.
"I'm sorry, Takahashi. I can't pay your salary this month."
—
"What?! No, please… I need that money for my lawyer and school fees—please, there must be something—"
"I'm sorry, Takahashi. There's nothing I can do."
His boss walked away, leaving Takahashi frozen.
"Why… Why does this always happen to me?"
He thought of Saki's offer.
No. I can't. I'll find another way.
First, I need to go home. She's waiting for dinner.
---
After work, as the sky darkened into evening...
Takahashi walked to the bus stop, backpack slung over his shoulder.
"Oi, Takahashi!"
It was Daiki, waving and jogging up to himand
They walked side by side until Daiki suddenly stopped.
"Crap! I forgot to buy groceries! Wait here, I'll be right back!"
Daiki dashed off.
Takahashi sat alone, glancing at the sky. It was dark already.
That's when he saw her.
A girl crying alone on a bench near the bus stop.
He squinted.
"Wait… is that… Reina Aizawa?"
Why was she crying? At night? In public?
Takahashi slowly walked toward her, heart beating faster.
He hesitated, "He slowly reached out his hand, drawing closer."