“Is there something wrong?” Satoko managed to catch up to Ryosuke who recently just excused himself to make a phone call. She eyed his sullen face and almost immediately saw how miserable he looked: his shoulders dropped, his posture somehow reserved and his eyes a little watery. 

“It’s nothing. We should head back and entertain our guests”, he replied and prompted Satoko back inside the room where he knows their business partners are waiting for them to come back. However, Ryosuke’s expression didn’t change. It was obvious that he’s worried about something.

“Come on, just tell me. I know when something’s bothering you”, Satoko fully faced the boy and insisted him to spill whatever’s bothering him. “Is it Rio?”, she boldly asked, even Ryosuke paused after hearing her name. 

Ryosuke’s mind is currently clouded with the thoughts of Rio and the recent phone call he had with her sounded like a message of ‘goodbye’. He wants to go where Rio is and explain everything but the situation is currently stopping him in doing so - he feels useless. 

Trapped. 

“Uhm… how’s your grandfather? Both Dai-chan and I were worried after what happened to him a few days ago. Is he doing well now?” Ryosuke tried his utmost best to defer the subject to at least lessen the awkwardness between him and his so-called ‘fiance’. It’s not that he hates her, no. In fact, Ryosuke considers Tekemitzu as a parent which therefore made him treat Satoko like a sister. 

“He’s feeling much better now. He’s actually more compliant to his medications and more strict to his diet… Thanks to Rio-san”, Satoko updated the older boy. She eyed every features on Ryosuke face and tried to memorise every bit of it. She suddenly realised how the man she loves treasures Rio and felt defeated with that thought, “What can I do to make you forget her? Am I not good enough for you?” The young maiden in front of Ryosuke inched closer and tried to caress his face. The boy had the chance to look into her eyes and felt his insides turn - everything feels wrong. 

Satoko pushed her luck and tiptoed towards Ryosuke’s face, aiming her lips on his. However, the boy slowly shifted his head to his right and avoided the kiss. “I’m sorry…”

“You know you’re stupid for choosing her over me. I’m the richest heiress in Japan, you know,” Satoko gave off a fake chuckle to try and cheer up the boy. She knows for a fact that she already lost Ryosuke… now she has to make a choice: to let him go or keep making his life miserable just to please herself. 

“I know… whoever captures your heart, sure is a lucky man” 

—-

Ryosuke gently closed his bedroom door shut, relieved that a day’s worth of ‘pretending’ is finally over. His hands were itching to call a particular person since an hour ago. He didn’t waste any more time and quickly dialled Rio’s number on his mobile. To his dismay, the girl didn’t answer despite how many times he dials. 

“Come on, Rio… pick up!” he said out of frustration. He dialled Rio’s number a couple more times but to no luck. By now, he knows that Rio saw the report about the engagement going ahead. He then felt himself bury his own face on one of his pillows before hearing a peculiar sound coming from the outside of his window. 

“Pssttt…” Ryosuke ignored it at first but the sound became louder and more persistent.

“PSSSSSSTTT!”, this time, Ryosuke knows that someone is hiding outside his balcony. He quickly opened the double door and saw a familiar face. “Did you call for your knight and shining armour?”, Daiki wiggled his eyebrows and teased the younger boy. 

“How the heck did you manage to get here?” Ryosuke asked after looking at how high his balcony was from the garden just below. It was obvious that he was half amazed at his friend’s ninja skills. “By the way, this really looks like you’re sneaking around just to see your ‘Juliet’, I feel so honoured” 

“First of all, I know I’m awesome. Second of all, I brought beer, and third… you’re welcome” Daiki pushed the younger boy back to his bedroom and made sure no one’s around to see him sneak in. He then clicked the lids from both beer bottles and offered one to his friend. “So… are you planning to stay here and sulk all day?”

“I’m planning to tell everyone, including the reporters that I’m declining the marriage but I don’t really want Satoko to get hurt. I can’t bear hurting Rio, either. I guess until I find a way to get out of this mess, I need to stay here. Besides, I don’t want Rio to get involve anymore. Who knows what my parents will do if I continued staying with her under the same roof. I tried calling her to explain everything but she won’t even talk to me”

“I heard what happened. Rio-chan was a bit upset after seeing the news on TV. They decided to move out this Friday”, Daiki reported before seeing his friend’s shocked face. 

“AND YOU AGREED?!”

“Not at first… but we can’t really stop them from going. We already agreed living together will be temporary. Besides, Amu-chan already gave me their new address so I’m good. I don’t know about you, but she told me I’m always welcome to visit… especially that in a couple of weeks, you’ll officially be Mr and Mrs Yamada Ryosuke”, Daiki mocked before casually taking a sip from his beer bottle. 

“You rascal! GIVE ME THAT ADDRESS!” Ryosuke playfully trapped Daiki’s head underneath his arm and rubbed the surface of his head with his knuckles. The older one flopped like a fish but couldn’t help but to laugh at his friend’s miserable state. He felt Ryosuke’s grasp loosen when he presented a piece of paper from his pocket which Ryosuke assumed the new address of Amu and Rio.

“So what’s your plan?”

Ryosuke eyed the piece of paper on his hand and felt a deep sigh escape his lips. His shoulder slumped down but tried his best to stay positive. “Maa, I’m the great Yamada Ryosuke. There’s nothing I CAN’T do”.

—

Meanwhile...

“There… All packed up!”, Amu grazed both of her palms together to shake off bits of dust from her hands after packing all her stuff. They’ve been arranging and placing a bunch of their possessions inside boxes ready to move out from Ryosuke and Daiki’s apartment. It wasn’t long when her gaze landed on her best friend in a daze, as if intoxicated. “Rio-chan, are you sure about this?”

“Ehh? Uhm…” Rio’s train of thoughts were broken by Amu’s sudden question. “Un… I’m sorry I made you go through all this, but I think it’s for the best. We can’t really live with two boys forever, right?”, she faked a smile then turned to face Amu fully. To be completely honest, she never wanted to move. A part of her wanted to stay and have the chance to see Ryosuke’s face every single day. However, that fantasy disappeared knowing that just in a few hours’ time, he’ll officially be engaged. 

“I still don’t like leaving it this way. You didn’t even have the chance to properly say good bye. Are you sure you don’t want to go to the press conference this afternoon?”, Amu asked, referring to the much awaited Takizaki Corporation press conference where the founder will finally announce his own granddaughter’s engagement and the next heir of the company. The younger girl was about to persuade Rio further but the older one just firmly shook her head.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to go. Besides, Satoko-san will be there and I’m sure she won’t appreciate someone like me snooping around”, Rio tried her best to hide her emotions but it was too late, Amu can indeed read her like a book. She knows when Rio’s upset. Despite all this, the older girl continued to pack her things like everything is okay, “I need to finish boxing all these stuff before my shift today as well. I have lots to do!”

Amu can sense her friend acting tough and in turn, looked at Rio with sympathetic eyes. She gave off her usual encouraging smile that never failed to make Rio energised, “Seriously, Amu-chan. Don’t look at me with your puppy dog eyes! I REALLY AM OKAY! Besides, I’m not really worried about myself. I’m more worried about you. You might miss your Daiki soooo bad!”, Rio tried to break the sullen aura around. She knew she was successful when Amu turned pink just by hearing Daiki’s name. 

—

*4 hours later*

Rio dreaded everything and just forced herself to clock in to her shift. She put on her white coat and headed towards the clinic where she knows her mentor was waiting. She tried her best to forget about Ryosuke but she miserably failed up to a point that she started losing her concentration. 

She went through the patients’ waiting room and found herself stop right in the middle as soon as she heard a familiar v