Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Entwined Fates
Morning arrived with the gentle caress of light filtering through Minori's curtains. She lay nestled beneath her sheets, reluctant to part from the warmth of her bed. Her mind was a canvas painted with fragments of the previous day's events, particularly the unexpected encounters with Ryu and Shou.
As the day stretched out lazily before her, Minori allowed herself a moment to revel in the comfortable solitude of her room. She lingered in the embrace of her thoughts, contemplating the shifting dynamics with Shou and Ryu.
Her phone chimed, interrupting the tranquility. A message from Ryu appeared on the screen, a simple inquiry about her well-being. Minori, draped in her sleeping shirt, chuckled as she responded with a playful remark about her hunger, relishing the teasing rapport they had developed.
Ryu's text conversation dwindled suddenly, leaving Minori to wonder. Time drifted by until the doorbell echoed through her apartment. Surprised and clad only in her shirt, she hastily greeted the unexpected visitor.
To her delightful shock, it was Ryu standing at her door, carrying the food she had jokingly requested. Flustered and embarrassed by her attire, Minori hurriedly retreated to change before inviting him in.
Their time together was light-hearted and pleasant, filled with shared laughter and enjoyable banter.
"You really brought it!" Minori laughed, accepting the food from Ryu.
"Well, I couldn't let you starve now, could I?" Ryu chuckled, a playful glint in his eye.
As the evening descended, Ryu graciously accepted Minori's invitation for dinner, fostering an atmosphere akin to an intimate connection, an unspoken harmony resonating between them.
However, an unforeseen interruption disrupted their blossoming camaraderie. Shou's unexpected appearance at Minori's door introduced an air of tension. His displeasure at finding Ryu there was palpable, instigating a wave of mixed feelings within Minori.
The dinner that ensued carried an undercurrent of awkwardness, with Ryu, Shou, and Minori seated together.
"I must say, Minori, this is delicious!" Ryu complimented on Minori's cooking irked Shou, who, after a moment's hesitation, started eating too, bragging about always enjoying her food.
As the dinner drew to a close, Ryu offered to help with the dishes. Minori, feeling a sense of closeness, agreed, and they stood side by side, their fingers brushing occasionally as they washed.
"It's nice to have someone to share the load with," Ryu smiled softly, stealing glances at Minori.
"Yeah, it makes it easier," Minori replied, her heart racing with an inexplicable joy.
But amidst their closeness, Shou sat in the living room, a simmering envy evident in his gaze, watching Minori and Ryu.
Time passed swiftly, and Ryu realized he had to leave for work preparations. At the doorstep, Minori blushed, a mix of emotions flooding her.
"Can I come again?" Ryu's eyes sparkled with hope.
"Of course!" Minori's face lit up, her shyness melting away.
As Ryu left, Shou's envy transformed into a heartfelt longing. "Is there something between you and Ryu?" His words hung in the air.
Minori's smile wavered. "I don't think so, Shou," she replied softly, her heart feeling heavy.
With a promise of a future, Shou pleaded, "Give me time, after graduation, I'll be the one for you." Minori's silence spoke volumes.
Changing the subject, she mentioned Shou's parents, sensing his discomfort, and he left abruptly.
In the quiet of midnight, Minori received a text from Ryu, thanking her for the delightful evening. Her cheeks flushed with happiness as she replied, apologizing needlessly.
Lying in bed, her thoughts swirled between Ryu and Shou, uncertainty clouding her mind as she drifted into slumber.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone