What felt like a nightmare was finally behind them as Kentaro, Yura, and Serica stepped out of the waiting room, still shaken from the embarrassing, life-changing encounter with the man who had unexpectedly flashed them.

"Why… Why did we even say sorry?" Serica muttered, pouting, her cheeks still flushed in humiliation.

Kentaro forced a small smile, though he was just as horrified.

"Because we kind of caused it by messing around and falling over… It's not worth making a scene."

"Yes, Serica," Yura chimed in, tilting her head with a smug grin, ribbons on her head quivering. "We were in the wrong. Isn't that right, Kentaro?"

He noticed the way her ribbons trembled; it was obvious she was begging for a head pat. Kentaro sighed in defeat but smiled as he reached over, gently patting her head.

"Good job, very mature Yura."

"Hehehe, indeed I am very mature…" Yura let out a mischievous chuckle, clearly pleased.

Serica's eyes twitched. She glanced to her right, her lips pressed tight as Kentaro's hand lingered in Yura's hair. The sight made her chest feel heavy, but before she could say anything, they finally exited the building. The streets outside were already bustling, filled with food stalls and the morning rush of Tokyo. Kentaro turned to suggest grabbing something to eat, but Serica had already walked ahead, her steps brisk.

"Hey, Seri-" Kentaro called, but Yura cut him off mid-sentence with a knowing smirk.

"Heehee… Don't bother. She's clearly jealous I got a head pat."

"Hahaha… Maybe," Kentaro admitted with a light chuckle, though his smile was uneasy. "But let's not fight over something so small."

Yura didn't reply, only tightened her grip on his arm.

But Kentaro's gaze followed Serica's retreating, the distance between them widening. He felt his chest tighten.

"Hey! Serica, don't go too far!" He shouted, breaking into a jog with Yura hurrying after him.

Serica's steps faltered. She felt it again, that awful pressure in her chest. She had felt it before, when Kentaro saved Aria, and again when he risked himself for Yura. Each time, the same crushing pain spread through her heart, as though invisible hands were squeezing it. She didn't understand it. She didn't even have a name for it. But every time Kentaro smiled at another girl, every time he seemed happy with someone else, the feeling came back.

And now… When all Kentaro did was praise Yura, when he just patted her head with the same warmth he once gave Serica, the ache in her heart grew unbearable.

Her vision blurred as tears welled up. She quickly wiped them away, ashamed.

"Why am I crying… Over something so stupid?" She whispered, her voice trembling.

But before she could gather herself, a warm hand touched her shoulder.

"Serica," Kentaro's voice cut through the noise of honking cars and rushing pedestrians, clear and steady, "don't go wandering off like that. I can't lose you. Please… What's wrong? Are you okay? You don't usually just walk off like that?"

"K-Kentaro…" Her lips trembled. She turned, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry."

Kentaro's other hand was still caught in Yura's grip, but he didn't hesitate. He wrapped his free arm around Serica, pulling her close against his chest.

"Hey, hey… What's this about? There's nothing for you to be sorry for," he whispered gently.

Serica's sobs grew louder, muffled against his shoulder. Yura's eyes widened, guilt flashing across her face as she stepped forward.

"Serica… I-I didn't mean to make you upset. I'm sorry, okay? Please don't cry, I was only just teasing you."

Serica shook her head violently. "No, it's not your fault. It's me. I… I don't understand this feeling. Every time Kentaro smiles at another girl, or spends time with someone else… My chest hurts. I feel so selfish. He's done so much for me, and yet I feel this ugly, jealous pain. I hate myself for it." Her breaths came in broken gasps, each word raw.

Kentaro and Yura exchanged a glance, the same realisation dawning on them: jealousy. Not cruel, not bitter, just what any human would feel in her situation.

Kentaro smiled softly, raising his hand to rub Serica's head.

"Serica, listen. That feeling… It's completely natural. Everyone gets it. Even me. When I see you or Yura talking to other guys, I feel it too. But you know what helps me push it away?"

Serica's wide, tearful eyes looked up at him.

"Trust," Kentaro said firmly. "Remember when I told you both, I'd never leave you? No matter what?"

Serica nodded faintly, her shoulders shaking.

"Then trust me. No matter how many people I meet, no matter how many Alberlines I help, you and Yura will always be the first ones I want by my side. The ones I'll spend the most time with. Always." His voice was warm, unwavering.

Serica's lips quivered before she broke into a teary smile. She threw her arms around Kentaro and Yura, hugging them both tightly.

"I… I love you guys!"

The word hit like lightning. Both Kentaro and Yura froze, faces burning red.

"W-whoa, that's… strong," Yura stammered, though her hand found Serica's back, rubbing gently. "But… I love you too."

Kentaro's heart pounded. Her words gave him courage, words he had been holding back for far too long. His face was scarlet, but he finally spoke. "You two… you've been with me through so much. And I realised something. My feelings for you aren't just about protecting you. They're… love. I… I love you. Both of you."

Yura and Serica's faces lit up with shock and joy, their tears mixing with laughter as a weight lifted from all of them. They pressed closer, wrapping him in their arms.

In perfect unison, their voices trembled but shone with sincerity.

"We love you too, Kentaro."

*

After the brutal clash with Spire, the pink-haired girl strolled out of the battered building, humming to herself. She wasn't worried. Kentaro could handle things, or at least, she trusted he could. Whether he actually had it under control was another matter entirely.

As she wandered down the quiet street, her eyes flicked upward. She was certain she'd seen Rin somewhere up high, sitting on the ledge of a building, legs dangling against the morning sun. Yet, no matter how many rooftops she scanned, there was no sign of her.

"Ahh, that Rin-rin… She disappears so easily. Could've at least stuck around to chat," she sighed, scratching the back of her head. "Maybe she hopped over to another district?"

Just as she was about to turn back.

GRRRR.

Her stomach growled with a ferocity that echoed down the empty street. She froze, cheeks heating up. It had only been a few hours since she last ate, but for her, that was basically starvation.

"Ugh… Traitor," she muttered, pressing a hand to her belly. She glanced around, relieved no one had heard, and tugged at the mask resting atop her head. She considered pulling it down, but then thought better of it; wearing it too long gave her pimples, and that was a worse crisis than hunger.

Fishing through her dress pockets, she discovered the treasures of her current fortune: three coins, a crumpled tissue, and a bent hairpin. She stared at them with a deadpan expression.

"…Why am I always so broke?"

Her shoulders sagged, but a smile still tugged at her lips. "Well… Just enough for ramen."

The second she accepted that fact, her mood shifted entirely. She began skipping down the street, coins jingling faintly in her pocket, humming a nonsense tune.

"Ramen, ramen, ramen~ I can't wait for ramen, ramen, ramen~!"

Passersby gave her side-eye, muttering under their breaths as she skipped and sang with the enthusiasm of a five-year-old. But she didn't care. Food was on the horizon, and nothing could ruin that.

After ten minutes of joyful skipping, she arrived at a small old-style ramen shop. The curtain flap at the entrance swayed gently in the morning breeze. It wasn't crowded yet; most people were just heading to work. Perfect.

Lifting the cloth aside, she stepped in, only to freeze mid-step.

Three people were already seated inside. A black-haired girl, a boy, and-

The girl in the middle had four empty bowls stacked in front of her. She was already halfway through her fifth, noodles vanishing at a speed that defied human anatomy.

"Another bowl, please, Mister!" The girl cheered, slamming her chopsticks down like a warrior demanding her next weapon.

The pink-haired girl's jaw nearly hit the floor. That voice…

It was her.

The same girl from Spire, the one she had taken over.

But the real shock came when her gaze drifted to the boy beside her.

Her heart skipped.

"K… Kentaro…" She whispered.

Kentaro, in the middle of slurping his ramen, blinked at her. His cheeks were stuffed with noodles, and yet he still attempted to speak.

"Can I… Help you?" he mumbled through a mouthful of broth and noodles.

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