A/N: Prepare yourself, Rio-chan! 

--

Daiki was the second person to arrive in JUMP's lounge that evening. After closing the door behind him, he dropped his school-bag on a chair before sighing at his best friend. 

"Ryo, I told you not to even think about it." Daiki said, his two hands placed firmly on the table, leaning on them to convey his message. "Sacrificing your career isn't going to bring Rio back." 

"But it could save hers," Ryosuke replied, his arms folded against his chest as he leaned back in his chair. "I heard them today, Dai-chan. I heard Mariya and Rei talking about their plans. Rei was the one who messed with you and Amu. As for Mariya... well, she was the one who got into Rio's mind."

Daiki paused for a moment to take in the sudden news. He angled his head in confusion, blinking away until it sounded clear to him. "So you're telling me that both of our exes are conspiring against us?" He asked. "There's no way..."

"Well, you better believe it because I think Rei has plans to mess with Amu's mind tomorrow too." The younger one replied. He took a deep breath and stood up from his seat before shoving his hands in his pockets. "Mariya, on the other hand, wants to get Rio kicked out of Horikoshi. So by publishing our 'scandal', I could possibly get Mariya to leave instead." 

"Are you sure?" Daiki replied, raising an eyebrow. "I mean it's not that guaranteed that Mariya will leave, especially with her situation and all..." 

"She lied," Ryosuke explained. "I stopped by her family's house before coming here and I saw both of her parents. They're alive and well."

"Oh, well that changes everything." The older one replied, scratching the back of his head. The two stood in silence for a brief moment before Daiki began again. "I have my decision meeting tomorrow. They're deciding on who will take the blame by expelling either me or Rei." He shrugged. "Just wanted to give you a heads up because your's might be coming shortly after."

Ryosuke lifted his head and glanced at his friend. "Are you nervous?"

The latter shook his head. "We've both experienced worse." He said, knowing that the younger knew what he meant. "Besides, all I'm worried about right now is making sure that the girls stay safe until our decision meetings."

"Dai-chan, you visited Amu today right? Are the two of you together again?"

"We never started dating, to begin with," Daiki replied, diverting his gaze into a different direction. "... and no. We're just friends."

"Seriously?!" Ryosuke chuckled. "Dude, you had two chances already." 

The older one rolled his eyes playfully. "You know, I actually felt bad for you that I bought you a snack from the vending machine," Daiki pouted, pulling a bag of chips from his bag. "I guess it's mine now."

Ryosuke was quick to grab the bag from his friend. However, before he opened it, he thought about how to phrase the thought he had, given that it was a sensitive topic. "I have an idea that can keep Amu and Rio safe but it has to do with Chinen."

"I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe," Daiki replied. "Even if it decreases my chances to be with her."

Before Ryosuke could reply, their lounge door opened and two additional members came walking in. "Speaking of which." He said, gesturing Chinen and Yuto to the table. 

"We saw the news." Chinen said, "How did they get that information?"

"I gave it to them." 

"HUH?" Yuto exclaimed, tilting his head in an angle. "Ryosuke, uhm not to be rude or anything but are you okay?" 

"Before we explain..." Ryosuke said, exchanging glances with Daiki. The latter nodded and he continued on. 

"We have a favor to ask the both of you..."

--

The next morning, Rio passed the East Wing gate on her way to the West entrance. A flood of reporters jammed the gate, all of them wanting to catch pictures of two distinct members of the band she knew.

Rio remembered passing by the entrance yesterday. When Daiki's 'scandal' was made public, reporters flooded the gates. However, yesterday's event seemed almost nothing compared to the number today. It seemed as if all of Japan had shown up to catch a glimpse of Ryosuke. 

'I hope he's okay.' She thought to herself, unconsciously finding herself waiting in the group to also catch a view of him. 

Rio thought she had enough courage to stay- but all the courage she had left was gone by the time she saw the four familiar guys step out of their company's van.

Almost instantly, Ryosuke locked glances with Rio. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to run to her and to tell her how much he loved her. However, he was quickly snapped back to reality when Daiki patted his back to nudge him along. 

"Not now," Daiki whispered. "There are too many reporters. You'll get your chance later."

Ryosuke frowned as he continued on into the school with his friends. 'I miss you, Rio.' He thought, pushing all of his emotions back down to his heart. 

--

Rio walked into her classroom and took a seat at her table. Although she was an hour early, half the classroom was already filled with students. 

Intimidated by everyone's focus on their own studies, Rio opened her books and began to study her notes as well. However, she couldn't manage to concentrate for more than 10 minutes when she overheard a comment from one of her classmates to another.

"Did you hear about Yamada Ryosuke?"

"I can't believe he and Mariya were together."

"Maybe I should stop being his fan."

"He doesn't deserve my support anymore."

Annoyed by the mean comments she was hearing, Rio rolled her eyes and slammed on her table before standing up in frustration. "Celebrities have their own lives to live, you know?"

The entire class grew quiet until one girl clicked her tongue. "Hey new girl, I hope you know that standing up for him won't get his attention."

"It may not get Ryo's attention but it sure caught mine." A voice called from the door. Following the boy's statement was a series of gasps and whispers, as well as a stunned expression from the girl he wanted to see. 

"Yuto..." Rio uttered softly.

"Yamada-san, do you have a second?" Yuto asked, cautiously using her last name to avoid any suspicions.

Rio hesitated for a brief moment but eventually nodded and gave in to his wish. After grabbing all of her belongings, she could feel everyone's glares against her back as she left the classroom with him.  

--

"How did you get into this wing? I thought only the student council is allowed on both sides." Rio asked as soon as the two stepped out onto the rooftop.

"Well..." Yuto began, digging into his pocket. He pulled out an ID card with Chinen's name on it and smiled. "I do happen to be friends with one of them."

Yuto's eyes fell upon a nearby bench and decided to take one of the empty seats. As soon as he sat down, he patted the empty spot next to him and Rio followed suit before asking the question she had been eager to know the answer to. 

"How is Ryosuke?" 

"Heartbroken for sure." Yuto paused. "You left out of nowhere... what happened?" 

Rio lowered her shoulders. "I guess I just realized that I'm not the person that Ryosuke needs." 

"Did Mariya tell you that?" He asked, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. 

"How did you know?" 

"Ryosuke overheard Mariya and Rei's conversation. They're working together against you and Amu."

"Eh?!" Rio exclaimed. "Is Amu okay?" 

"Chinen is watching over her... per Dai-chan's request." The boy explained. "But furthermore, Rio, you should really think about yourself too!" Yuto chuckled. "From what I heard, Mariya wants to get you kicked out of Horikoshi."

The girl lowered her eyelashes. "I'm fine with anyone that's against me but if they do anything to hurt my friends, that's a different story." 

Yuto chuckled. "How can you and Ryo be so different, yet so similar?" He pondered out loud as Rio glanced at him in curiosity. "He was the one who published his own article." 

Rio stared at Yuto in confusion. She even blinked a couple of times before raising an eyebrow. "Sorry, Yuto- I think I may have heard you wrong. Are you saying that he put his career at stake on purpose?" 

Yuto nodded. "You heard me right, Rio