Yuuta… why are you acting like you don't know anything?"
Subaru's voice trembled with rage, his clenched fists shaking at his sides.
"I—I don't understand…" Yuuta's voice cracked as he stepped back instinctively. "What are you talking about…? Why are you so angry…?"
"You piece of scum!" Subaru shouted, his patience shattering. "Stop pretending! Stop acting like you're innocent!"
Without warning, Subaru lunged at him, fist drawn back to strike.
But—
Thwack.
A hand caught Subaru's arm mid-swing.
Yuuta's eyes widened.
"Stop it, Subaru," a calm yet stern voice said.
"Wha—!?"
Yuuta's gaze followed the voice and froze. His mind went blank.
Renji Kazehaya.
The name echoed in his head like a forgotten memory shaking loose. His middle school best friend—gone without a word when he transferred to another school. They hadn't spoken in years.
"Renji…? What are you doing here…?"
Subaru growled, "Tch. What happened to you now? You don't even recognize your best friend?"
Yuuta looked between them in confusion.
"Renji, why… why did you stop him?" he asked.
Renji didn't even look at Yuuta as he replied to Subaru, "Beating him won't fix anything. It'll only make things worse."
Subaru glared silently before shoving past them both and storming down the hallway, his footsteps echoing with fury.
Yuuta's legs felt heavy. His heart beat out of sync with reality.
Why was Renji here? Why was Subaru so furious? What was happening?
Renji finally looked at him—anger burning behind his usually calm eyes.
"…What happened to you, Yuuta?" he asked quietly. "What happened to the guy I used to know? Why… why did you break up with Airi?"
"I—What?" Yuuta took a step back. "I didn't! I swear I didn't… what are you even talking about?!"
"I thought you were better than this," Renji muttered. "But the things you said to her… the way you humiliated her… I still can't believe it was you."
Yuuta's stomach turned. "Wait—no, that wasn't me! It was Subaru! I… I don't remember doing anything like that…"
"You don't remember?" Renji narrowed his eyes. "You don't even realize what you've done?"
He stepped forward, his voice shaking now. "You don't know… how much you've hurt her…!"
Just as Renji was about to continue, the school bell rang, breaking the tension in the hallway.
Renji looked away, sighing. "We'll talk after class. But if you still have nothing to say then…"
He paused.
"…Then don't call me your friend anymore."
Without waiting for a response, he walked away.
Yuuta stood there, frozen.
What is happening…?
Everything felt like a bad dream.
No—a nightmare.
Are they all playing some prank on me?
Did I fall into some weird alternate reality?
Is this… the same world I woke up in yesterday?
The thought of going to class made him sick. If he walked in now, he'd have to face Airi—and everyone else. He knew it wouldn't go well.
But still, with trembling legs, he stepped into the classroom.
Silence.
Every head turned toward him. Whispers fluttered like cold wind against his skin.
He avoided eye contact—until his gaze met Airi's.
She was sitting at her desk, her hands folded in her lap, her long hair casting shadows over her pale face. Her eyes—usually warm and bright—were now gloomy, hollow.
When their eyes met, she looked away immediately, turning toward the window.
"…Airi…" Yuuta whispered under his breath.
"I didn't do anything… So why…? What's happening…?"
He took his seat, his body shaking, his mind spiraling.
What is this world turning into…?
What you think is happeninh to yuuta?