Ryosuke walked in a steady pace but still minding the girl trailing behind him. He felt his head pounding continuously, not knowing what to do or say to the latter. She’s been gone for more than eight months and now, she’s back here like nothing happened. 

“Yama-chan…” He heard Mariya say, tugging the bottom of his shirt ever so lightly to gain his attention. The girl guided him at a park bench near Ryosuke’s neighbourhood where they usually hang out before - just like old times. “It seems like you’re doing well without me, especially with that ‘Rio-chan’ around” she remarked; Ryosuke noticed how her tone changed.

“Why did you come back?” Ryosuke said straightforwardly and positioned himself a few inches away from her before hearing the girl sigh in depression.

“Well, a company offered me a new drama to star in and the casting director thought you’ll be the perfect one to play my love interest. They said we have a lot of chemistry when they saw us together last year. It’ll be good exposure for the both of us!” Mariya excitedly mentioned her news to Ryosuke and expected him to be delighted. However, Yamada just turned to her with an empty expression. 

“Is that the only reason why you came back? To ask me a favour? Just to star in your up coming drama?” Ryosuke replied, almost in disgust. He’s been missing this girl for months and now she came back just to ask him something for her job, “Is that all I am to you?”

Both of them stayed quiet for awhile, but then, the girl spoke. 

“Of course, I missed you. The past eight months had been hell. You know why I left, right?” The girl replied but saw Ryosuke not even looking at her, “I left because I wanted to focus on my career. You and I became too serious and it was making me distracted at work. But I never stopped loving you”

Ryosuke remained silent. He looked down at his feet and just listened to the girl intently. “About Kiriyama-san, I never dated him. Those were just rumours. Please believe me” 

After hearing this, Ryosuke felt a slight tinge of annoyance at what she said. She’s not the only one that had a hellish eight months. He couldn’t deny the fact that he missed her too… but it’s not that easy to accept her again. The boy then stood up without leaving any word and tried to walk away from the latter. Yet, before he can even make a step, Mariya hugged him tightly from behind as if never wanting to let go. 

He felt Mariya sobbing on his back and heaved heavily, “I don’t know what to do for you to forgive me” The girl cried continuously, making Ryosuke feel a tint of sympathy. He looked down at Mariya’s arms wrapped around him and thought how everything feels… wrong. 

All this time, all he wanted was for her to come back, but now that she is, everything seems blurry - he’s somehow unhappy. Ryosuke turned around to face the girl but her arms refused to leave his body. He felt Mariya’s head on his chest while still sobbing like a little child. Ryosuke is always weak when it comes to crying girls - especially towards Mariya. This is the first time he saw her like this… so vulnerable. 

Involuntarily, his hand patted the girl’s head as if comforting the latter. Mariya then looked up, tears flowing down her plump cheeks. “Can I have you back?” she whispered in between her sniffles, almost begging. “O-Or even just friends… for now. Please!” 

Seeing his ex-girlfriend’s tears, Ryosuke gently nodded his head and agreed to being “just friends”. In his mind, he’s not intending to get back together with her. They can just stay friends… just friends… or so he thought, as Mariya has something different in mind. 

—

Inoo guided Rio inside his studio apartment and showed her its interior. Like Ryosuke’s apartment, his is also massive! The girl had O-shaped while all of the JUMP members behind her carried the bag of ingredients to the kitchen, “Make yourself at home” 

“I’m gonna start decorating!” Rio jumped excitedly and pulled all sorts of fandagles out from her paper bag. She then hummed whilst sticking random ornaments around Kei’s living room which made all the boys look at her peculiarly. They couldn’t help but to chuckle after seeing her passionately decorating the room. 

“You really don’t have to do this, Rio-chan. It’s just us. No one else is coming” Kei patted the younger one’s shoulder.

“I’m not very good at cooking so this is the only thing I can do. Besides, this will be good for pictures!” The girl giggled in excitement before scanning around the room and looked for two missing people: Ryosuke and Yuto. “Where are the others?”

“You mean your two lovers?” Hikaru teased, somehow danced to what he said. “Not sure about Yama-chan. But Yuto said he’ll be late as he has some family business to attend to” the older one explained. 

After hearing this, Rio just couldn’t help but to reminisce what happened the other day: Ryosuke leaving with Mariya. She haven't seen Ryosuke since then but the constant thoughts of the boy lingered inside her head. Did they get back together? This thought is somehow making Rio feel uneasy. 

—

The bunch allocated themselves to different tasks to prepare for the party. Yuya and Hikaru are in charge of the barbecue in Inoo’s balcony, while Daiki and Keito stayed inside and cooked other dishes. Yabu was in charge of the drinks and Chinen helped setting up Rio’s decorations.

“I bought some elixir for tonight!” Yabu grinned and lifted a box of alcoholic drinks for the party. Yuya and Hikaru cheered and thanked the older one - high-fiving each other like complete idiots. “Rio-chan! You’re old enough to drink right?”

“I am… But my alcohol tolerance is very very very low! Ask Yuto-kun. I’m sure he’ll agree” Rio replied, making Yuya give a thumbs down gesture and pulled out his raspberry tongue which made the girl chuckle in return.

Rio was about to counter his comment when she heard the front door opening which revealed two individuals: Ryosuke and Mariya. 

“Good evening!” Mariya trailed behind Ryosuke with both her hands on his bicep, trying her best not to lose her balance while removing her shoes. Rio’s gaze landed on the couple and couldn’t help but think how good they look together, making her heart sink down her chest cavity. “I brought some dessert! Here, happy birthday Inoo-kun” The girl placed a big box on the table which the group assumed contained a cake. 

All of the boys looked at them peculiarly, some of them actually grinding their teeth at Mariya - especially Chinen Yuri (the human chihuahua). Who can blame them? She broke Ryosuke’s heart and now, she’s acting like nothing happened. Everything feels so wrong… besides, everyone knows Ryosuke likes Rio. The boy never admitted it h