I never should have fallen for him.

"My name is Rindou Ranmaru!" I yelled. "Come and get me if you think you can!"

Boys from all over challenged me right away. Meh. Too easy.

"So she's fi~nally back to her usual self, isn't she?" I hear Nadeshiko say.

"Tsk," I mutter, flipping some guy over my shoulder. "You wish."

Suddenly, there's a guy in front of me with spiky brown hair... Dog god?

On instinct, I throw him hard on the ground.

"Ow," he winces, placing a hand on his side as he stands up.

On closer inspection, he's not Momou. His large eyes are pale, and his eyelashes are a lot longer than mine. He almost looks like a girl.

"Dude, you okay?" someone asks him. "She threw you way harder than the others."

The boy smiles reassuringly at the other boy. "I'm fine," he says.

"Ah! I'm sorry!" I tell him. "I got caught up in the moment..."

"It's okay!" he says. "I'm happy Rindou-san noticed me!"

"You... were in line," I answer blankly.

Then the bell rings. Oh, time for class.

I sit down and stare out the window. Memories seem to fill my head.

Momou fighting me on the bridge when Momiji turned girly. Momou and I training together. The letter Momou left me...

"...dou," I hear faintly. "Rindou!"

I jump up. "What?"

The teacher looks at me. "I was asking you a question..."

"Oh, sorry..." I say.

"Ranmaru, are you okay?" Ichiko asks.

"You're spacing out a lot," Nadeshiko adds.

I nod. "Just a little tired," I answer. "Don't worry."

I never should have fallen for him.

"I wonder when he'll master masochism," I ponder. "Will I even be alive?"

I'm going through training in the woods. At least, I was supposed to, but...

"Why do I keep thinking about dog god?!" I yell, punching a tree. It topples over. Oops.

I sigh and sit on the damp dirt.

"Isn't he already a master at masochism?!" I yell at no one in particular. "What kind of training does he even need?!"

I sob and bury my face into my arms.

"Why can't he just come back?!"

"Ah," a voice says. "We sure do think alike."

My eyes widen. No way...

"Anyway, look at me, won't you?"

My arms are pulled away from my face. It's a wonder I can see through all my tears, but I do. I see him.

"Momou!" I yell happily.