A/N: This chapter takes place directly after the events at the end of the previous chapter. :)

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The rest of the party continued as usual. Ryosuke, Daiki, Rio, and Amu returned to the living room one by one and they tried their best to act normal while avoiding each other. They were only there for two hours but to the four of them, it felt like four hours. 

After the party had finally ended, Amu and Rio walked back to their apartment together, informing each other everything that had happened. When Rio told the younger girl that she accepted Satoko's offer to move to London, Amu broke down, knowing how much she'll miss her best friend. 

Meanwhile, Ryosuke followed Daiki back to his apartment. They told each other what they said to the girls and even made fun of each other but even the laughs weren't enough to heal both of their hearts.

Ryosuke ended up sleeping on the sofa and winced when he woke up the next morning. After noticing the bruise on his face, he attempted to cover it with makeup. He thought that he did a decent job masking the mark but if he glanced closely in the mirror, he could still notice his discolored skin. 

"Ryo, you're awake already?" Daiki suddenly asked, stepping out of his room. "Dude, it's 7am." 

"I barely slept." Ryosuke replied, combing his hair at the living room table. "I kept waking up and falling back asleep." 

"Same here. My thoughts wouldn't leave me alone." Daiki agreed, taking the seat next to him. 

Ryosuke threw his comb back into his bag and stretched his arms. "I checked your fridge just now. Why do you have groceries? I thought you can't cook."

"Oh, Mayu used it a few days ago to make dinner." 

"It still seems fresh. I'll make the both of us some breakfast." 

"Really?! Thanks!" Daiki exclaimed, his expression lighting up. "I haven't eaten since yesterday." 

A couple of minutes after Ryosuke began to cook, the doorbell rang and Daiki groaned as he walked over to see who it was. He peered into the hole on the door and immediately ran back to the latter. 

"it's Satoko..." Daiki said to him quietly. "What should I do?" 

"I got it." He replied, adjusting the fire. "Just keep an eye out on the food. Don't let it burn."

As soon as Ryosuke opened the door, he instantly met Satoko's stressed expression. 

"You didn't come home yesterday." She told him, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. 

"I don't see why I should..." The latter said, tilting his head to the side. 

"Ryosuke, I want to give us another chance. I've been working so hard to be that perfect woman you've always wanted-" 

"Satoko, I never needed a 'perfect woman'." Ryosuke immediately replied, cutting her off. He was tired of explaning himself. The brown-haired boy heavily sighed and glanced at her. "My type of girl doesn't have to be perfect. I prefer someone who is down to earth, funny, stubborn in a good way, and loves her family and friends as much as she loves her lover." 

"Why does it seem like you're talking about her?" Satoko replied in a jealous tone. 

"Because I am."

"You're getting back with her?" 

Ryosuke shook his head. "She had already moved on and it's time for you to move on with your own life too. As for me, I really need to take some time to be by myself. I'm not looking to be in a relationship."

"I see." Satoko replied, bitting her lip. 

"I'll come by the place sometime this week to pick up the rest of my belongings." The boy said, avoiding his gaze with her. "Keep all the furniture and feel free to stay in the apartment until the end of the month. The place is yours for now. I'll terminate the lease then." 

Satoko nodded, staring at her engagement ring. She sighed heavily before taking it off and placing it in Ryosuke's hand. 

"See you." She said, walking off. She wasn't able to get him back but she was fine with it. 

'If I can't have him then neither should Rio.' She thought, walking away from him for good. 'Rio will be gone soon enough, anyways.'

Ryosuke closed the door and stared down at the ring in his hand. Before he was able to recollect his memories of the time he proposed to her, he immediately looked up and glanced at Daiki once he noticed the distinct smell of the burnt food.

"Dai-chan.." He sighed, his eyes staring at the undistinguishable item on the pan. 

"At least it's cooked throughly..." The latter grinned and Ryosuke laughed back. 

-- meanwhile --

Rio sighed for the nth time before throwing the blankets off her. After only getting a few hours of sleep, she made her way to the bathroom to get herself ready for another day of work. She stared at her tired reflection in the mirror and splashed some water on her face. After freshening up, she did her best to cover her dark circles with makeup. 

"Oh, Rio-chan... You're going to work now?" Amu noted as soon as Rio left the bathroom. 

The latter nodded, not feeling up to talking. 

"Hold on a sec.. Take the food I made." Amu said, running to the fridge and pulling a bento o