Yuuki and Yui emptied their drinks, ending their short break.
Just as Yuuki began wondering what Lyucifer had next up her sleeve, she suddenly mentioned how Mina must’ve been feeling lonely, so they decided to call it a wrap.
Yui appeared to have heard about the party, asking if Yuuki knew what the surprise was, which he did not.
Yuuki prepared himself to help out with arrangements as they entered his home. He had told Mina countless times to lock the door when she was in, and yet it wasn’t.
Yuuki couldn’t find her shoes, so he thought she probably went out somewhere, only to then spot an unfamiliar pair of nicely lined up sneakers sitting at the front door. He tilted his head, entering into the living room ahead of Yui.
It was awfully quiet, the setting sun streaming into the room.
Yuuki surveyed the room, his eyes stopping at a silhouette sitting at the dining table. Despite the silhouette’s imposing look, its presence felt almost non-existent. It slowly stood up without saying a word, turning in their direction.
“Rio?” Yui surprisedly exclaimed from behind him.
Rio gazed down at the table. “Mina invited me over.” She said in an awfully flat tone.
Cleanly opened sweets and neatly cut boxes of sweets lined the table. Two large juice bottles and three glasses sat beside them. This had to be Rio’s doing; Mina wasn’t capable of such feats.
“Woah!” Yui exclaimed, only to immediately tilt her head in confusion. “Wait a second.” She said, looking Yuuki in the face. “Since when do Rio and Mina know each other?”
“Since she helped Mina study.”
“A-Ahh... good to know. Wait, does that mean she’s been over to your place before?”
“Yes. What about it?”
“No, nothing.“ She said with a stiff look.
Yuuki looked over the room again. “Where’s Mina?” He asked Rio, who was absently staring at the air.
“She ran back to the store. Said she forgot something.”
This isn’t everything? This has to be another one of strange pranks.
Yuuki nonetheless felt a little relieved as the mystery behind Mina’s disappearance had been officially solved.
“Guess we’ll have to wait to find out what the surprise is. There’s... nothing left to set up, so I suppose a little warmup is in order.” Yui said as she walked over to the sofa beside the TV, put her bag down and pulled out a controller. “Cower for today is the day I get my rightful revenge.”
You brought a controller... to a date? Yui came prepared, it would seem. No wonder she didn’t want me seeing the inside of her bag.
Yui grumbled to herself, turning the TV on and booting up Bash Bros. like she owned the place.
Yuuki looked over to Rio as if to ask “what do we do with her?” Rio, however, just stood there, silently staring at the table. Something wasn’t right here. Yuuki looked at her face, wondering if she was perhaps having stomach pains again.
Rio suddenly lifted her gaze, looking him dead in the eye. “Can we talk? There’s something I need to ask.”
Rio said in a firm tone of voice, continuing without waiting for an answer. “Yours and Yui’s stories don’t add up... why is that?”
“Stories?”
“To put it bluntly, you hate me, don’t you? Why else would you make stuff up to keep me in the dark? If you think I’m a bother, feel free to say so.”
Yuuki was taken aback but he kept eye contact and said, “No, no I don’t hate you. Is... something wrong?”
“No. I just remembered something I had once forgotten.” Rio declared, her face even more, nay, the most lifeless it had ever been. She spoke matter of factly, her voice devoid of all emotion. “I think we’ve all had enough. This bother is cutting herself out of your lives. Must be music to your ears, I’d imagine.”
“Uhh, not sure what’s going on, but if it was something I did, sorry.”
“You don’t understand. A simple sorry isn’t going to change anything.”
Yuuki tried calming Rio down, only to fail miserably.
He still had no clue what she was going on about as they both fell silent. Only Bash Bros. noises and the sound of Yui aggressively button mashing filled the room. Yui appeared awfully absorbed, not taking her eyes off the game for even a second.
Rio didn’t so much as look in her direction, continuing to address Yuuki. “You saw it too, didn’t you? The hate, the ridicule I draw... I deserve every bit of it.”
“I don’t think so at all. You’re amazing, Rio. You can do anything you put your mind to.”
“Exactly. I’m strong, I can do anything myself. That’s why I prefer being alone. I’m not a thoughtless loner wandering aimlessly through life like you. Oh, and would you mind leaving my spot alone? I found it; It’s mine and mine alone.”
Her voice was cold, way colder than even the first time they’d met. Her firm, unwavering tone sounded nothing like the girl that felt so vulnerable when talking about Yui.
Yuuki suspected there was some kind of misunderstanding at play, as usual, but Rio’s oppressive air gave no room for pointless questions.
As he failed to think of the right words in the heat of the moment, Rio turned her eyes toward the kitchen.
“I’ll head back home now. Mina bought a cake, it’s in the fridge if you want some.”
“Wait, you’re not staying for the party?”
“Is that a joke? Do you want me to ruin your party as well?” Rio said with a slight grin on her face. “I know you two went out today. What do you need me for?” She blurted out, still facing away. “The seatmate killer and her dense, easygoing companion. You’re perfect for each other.” Rio shot a glance at the sofa before turning her back to Yuuki. “Goodbye.“ She muttered, walking toward the entrance…
Yuuki almost stuck his arm all the way out, only to get second thoughts. She felt volatile, as if picking the wrong words would instantly destroy all they had built, never to be put back together.
I’m strong, I can do anything myself. That’s why I prefer being alone. If that’s how she feels, what right do I have to stop her? But is this really...
“Rio!”
It was then that a piercing scream cut through the air, stopping Rio dead in her tracks. It belonged to none other than Yui.
She got off the sofa, straddled over and stood before Rio’s path.
“Rio.” Yui said her name again, looking right at her.
Rio hung her head, avoiding eye contact.
Yui brought her controller out in front of her. “Take this. You’re not leaving till I win, understand?” Yui grabbed Rio’s unmoving hand, trying to shove the controller into it.
Rio stubbornly fought back, her gaze remaining glued to the floor. “I’m heading back home. I already told Yuuki this but–”
“I heard the entire thing. You were saying some weird stuff back there.”
“W-Weird stuff? Weird stuff?!” Rio shoved Yui’s hand back, the controller falling onto the ground with a cold thunk. Emotion had finally returned to her voice. Rio looked Yui in the eye. “Did you not understand a thing I said?” She said in a firm tone. “I said I won’t bother you anymore, so leave me be.”
“Is this how you rationalize running away? That scared of losing to me, huh?”
“H-Huh? Why would you... stop joking around!” Rio bit down on her lip, shooting Yui a glare. “I-I hate you, Yui! I’ve hated you ever since we became seatmates!” Rio exclaimed, her voice shaking.
Just seconds ago she was composed, cool as ice, only to crumble right before his eyes. Rio was on the attack yet it felt like she was on the backfoot, not Yui.
She shook her head as if to escape Yui’s quiet stare, dropping her gaze. “I enjoy solitude and you took it away from me! I only pretended to get along with you! So please, leave me be! Don’t ever talk to me again!” Rio screamed, clenching her fists, squeezing her eyes shut.
Yui, unfazed, looked her dead in the eye and said, “Now I definitely won’t.”
“W-Why not?”
“Because I’m the sorest loser around.”
“H-huh? So what?!”
“You see, I’m…” She dropped her gaze, her voice trailing off.
Rio knitted her brow, shooting her an intense glare. Yui lifted her head, took her glare head on, and said, “I’m the seatmate killer, after all.” Rio’s eyes shot open. “I capture the hearts of my seatmates. Every single one.” She continued in a firm tone. “You can’t be the only exception, I won’t allow it. You’re not going anywhere until I’m all you can think about, day or night. Thought I’d just let you quit while you’re ahead? I’m afraid you, my seatmate, were sorely mistaken.” She declared.