A/N: I can't believe this is the last chapter of a three-season series! I started this series back in May of 2019. It's been 1.5 years since then and soooo much has changed. I really hope you enjoy this last chapter! I love you all <3 

--

"Tomorrow is my last day at Horikoshi." Ryosuke regretfully said as he lowered his head. "Mariya won."

Everyone stood in silence after hearing the words the boy uttered. They glanced at each other, hoping that one of them could come up with a last-minute resolution but they also knew very well that a sudden idea was nearly impossible given how complicated the situation had progressed in the last few days.

"Did they say what their reasoning was behind their decision?" Chinen asked, being the first to speak up. "We could possibly argue against that."

"It's not possible, Chii," Ryosuke replied. "They found proof that it was me who sent the article." 

Rio shook her head. "I'm not going to give up on this. There has to be something we can do to change their mind." She said, turning around to head back out to the meeting room. However, she was quickly stopped by her boyfriend.

"It's fine, let it go. Rio." He assured her, pulling her back by grabbing her hand. 

"But..." 

"Our manager is still trying to figure something out. They're not going to solidify their decision until tomorrow at noon anyways. We'll leave it to him."

"Speaking of which, he actually just messaged us." Yuto began, checking his phone. "He wants me and Chii at work now." 

"You two still have work?" Daiki asked with a puzzled expression. "I thought the entire group was on a mandatory week leave."

Chinen shook his head. "Just you and Ryo." He replied, throwing his coat on. "We have to rush over but call us if anything happens." The boy added, taking one last glance at Amu before exiting the room. 

After Chinen and Yuto closed the door behind them, Ryosuke stretched his arms out and yawned audibly, hoping to lift the heavy atmosphere. "We should do something today, as the four of us."

"I don't have my program today but..." Rio began. "...I thought the both of you were required to stay out of the public eye." She commented, shifting her gazes between the two guys in front of her.

"How about my apartment then?" Amu offered, "My cousin is away for work so I have the entire place to myself."

"That's not a bad idea at all," Rio replied, tapping her chin in thought. "Ryosuke, Dai-chan?" 

The two boys exchanged gazes before nodding in agreement. "Give me a second to call for a company driver," Ryosuke announced. "Just in case so that we don't get followed." 

--

It didn't take long for their driver to arrive at Horikoshi, let alone the drive to Amu's apartment. As soon as they arrived at her address, Amu quickly unlocked the door to let her friends in. "None of us has eaten lunch right? I'll go make something." She voiced, heading into the kitchen.

"I can help too." Daiki offered, trailing behind the girl. However, before he could enter the kitchen, he felt a pull on his arm and glanced over to see Ryosuke with a confused expression planted on his face. "You can cook? Since when?" 

"Since yesterday." The older one answered in a proud tone. "I washed the vegetables." 

"Ah," Ryosuke replied firmly. He patted his best friend on the back before pulling up his own sleeves. "I'll go help Amu. You go keep Rio company." He added, knowing very well that if Daiki helped, their meal will take at least five times longer to complete. Not to mention, the four were already starving after skipping out on lunch.

After Ryosuke entered the kitchen, Amu raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I hope you don't feel pressured to help- I'm totally okay on my own."

"Don't worry. I actually enjoy cooking." The latter began. "I realized that Rio isn't too skilled in the kitchen so I want to be able to make her home-cooked meals whenever I can."

Amu smiled after seeing how happy Ryosuke seemed to be when talking about her best friend. "Hey Yama, I'm really sorry for hiding the fact that Rio and I were still in contact. I knew you wanted to talk to her but I didn't want to force her into anything." 

Ryosuke shook his head. "If anything, I should be thanking you. It gave me the time to sort things out on my end." He paused. "I also wanted to ask you, in the event that tomorrow somehow does happen to be my last day at Horikoshi, could you give me updates on Rio in class? I'd ask Chii but he isn't as close to her as you are. As for Yuto, it might complicate things since I think we share mutual feelings towards her."

"I'd be happy to help you but I don't think that's necessary since you'll be staying at Horikoshi anyways" Amu assured him. "If... and I mean, if tomorrow doesn't go the way we want it to, then we'll talk about it then."

The latter lowered his eyes and eventually nodded. "Thanks, Amu-chan." 

Halfway into their preparation, the girl's gaze fell upon Ryosuke's knife cuts and she widened her eyes, seeing how quickly he could prepare the ingredients. "You're really good at cooking." 

"You too- I guess the both of us will be the main cooks in our relationships." He commented and Amu blushed, knowing very well who he was referring to.

--

In the living room, Daiki had his eyes glued to his phone while Rio just couldn't seem to peel her eyes off the television.

When the boy finally glanced up, he noticed Rio's worried expression and could immediately tell that she was worried about her boyfriend.

"It's better not to pay too much attention to the news," Daiki suggested, capturing Rio's attention. "Reporters have a tendency of over-exaggerating everything to get more publicity."

"I know." Rio sighed. "I just can't help it." She took a moment to shake off all the negativity she absorbed from the reporters before turning to her boyfriend's best friend. "Let's change the topic then." She suggested, a grin slowly appearing on her face. 

Daiki instantly recognized the girl's mischievous grin- it was the same grin Ryosuke had given him plenty of times before when it came to the topic of his crush. However, before he could protest, Rio began again but this time in a much lower voice.

"Are you planning on asking Amu-chan out any time soon?"

"You and Ryo just wouldn't quit, huh?" Daiki pouted. "I don't know. What if she isn't interested in me? What if she likes Chii instead?"

"Dai-chan, I don't know how Amu feels towards Chii but I do know that she has feelings towards you," Rio began. "She's the one who thinks you aren't interested in her." 

"What? She really said that? Of course, I'm interested!" 

"Interested in what?" Amu asked, stepping out of the kitchen carrying one of the dishes. 

"N-nothing," Daiki replied, scratching the back of his head nervously. He turned around and caught a glimpse of Rio trying her best to hold in her laughter and couldn't help but to think how terrifyingly similar the YamaRio couple was.

--

After their meal, the four of them spent a couple of extra hours together. They finished up their school work, played a few card games, exchanged stories, and simply enjoyed each other's company. 

As much as they would love to have continued on their day, there were only 24 hours in a day and unfortunately, these 24 hours were coming to an end. While the two boys were putting on their jackets, Rio decided to stay over at Amu's place to save time on commuting to school in the morning. 

"If anything happens, let us know," Ryosuke said, placing a cap on his head. He then reached out to embrace Rio in a tight hug before kissing her forehead. After they parted, he was the first to step out of the door while Rio hurried into the kitchen to give Daiki and Amu some privacy.

Ryosuke's and Rio's actions were obvious enough to the other two in the room who stood close to each other, both mustering the courage to speak first.

"I'm really glad to have been able to see you today," Daiki began once they were alone.

"Me too," Amu replied. "Can you text me when you get home? I mean- so that I know you returned safely!"

"Of course," The latter assured her. "I'll see you okay?"

After Amu nodded, Daiki turned to make his way out the door but stopped only after