"Oh, hey Yamai… What's the urgency for?" Chiarai looked up from the desk. He was playing cards with Shinobino and Sonoda.
"Quick, arrange for a meeting. This is important."
"What's the sudden call for though?"
"There's something we need to discuss in detail…"
Soon later, most of the members of the cult had gathered in the room, confused as to why a sudden meeting had been called.
"What's with the sudden call?"
"I thought Yamai-san just had to ask Komi out and that was it?"
Confused murmuring erupted across the room while Yamai was thinking of what to say.
"Sorry for calling all of you over so suddenly, but I have important news…" Yamai started, and the room fell so quiet you could hear a feather float to the floor.
"So, I did ask Komi out, if you guys are wondering." Yamai looked around at the room. People were wondering if Komi had said yes, but her look immediately cast doubt over that possibility.
"Well, she said no, unfortunately." Yamai sighed. The room looked on in confusion.
"Why did she say no?" Ramorou piped up out of curiosity and broke the silence.
"That's why I called you guys here. Komi turned me down, and then she told me that Tadano was the only one she would ever love as a lover."
"Huh?" The room erupted in confusion. They had already broken up, surely Komi would be looking for another partner, right? But of course, they didn't understand Komi as well as Tadano would, so they wouldn't know.
"So, you're telling me, she intends to return to him one day?" Sonoda looked up at Yamai.
"Most probably."
"So, we have to deal with him again?" Shinobino clasped his palms together.
"Yes, we need to. And make sure that this time, he's gone for good."
"So we need a solid plan… Anyone?" Chiarai asked the room. Silence.
"Actually, I have a plan sorted out. I just want all of you to confirm that this is what we're sticking to." Yamai spoke emphatically. Everyone knew that this was probably the plan they were sticking to and they could not argue.
"Oh, so it's not a one-man mission?" Chiarai asked.
"No, given how… past events happened… we will be doing it together…" Yamai glanced over at Ramorou, who fidgeted uncomfortably.
"Sure, we'll do it this way."
"Shouko? May I come in? I just want to talk with you…" Shuuko was knocking on the door of her daughter's room.
She waited.
No response or movement.
"Shouko?" She called out a little louder.
Still no response.
"I'm coming in then…" She gently swung the door open. Shouko was seated by the coffee table, leaning against her bed while tightly hugging her cat plushie.
Shouko looked up at her mom with a look that said 'I didn't allow you to come in'. She just wanted to be alone right now, although secretly she did wish she had someone to tell all her worries and sorrows to.
"What happened, Shouko? I just want to help you feel better."
Shouko fidgeted a little. Should she?
"Do you mind… telling me about the events that happened between you and Tadano-kun?"
She felt reluctant, but in the end, she nodded, grabbing her notebook since she didn't exactly feel like talking a lot.
"What led to… this situation…?" Shuuko asked. Shouko started writing.
'It's because Tadano-kun was getting attacked'
"But what does that have to do with breaking up with him?"
'The man that got him hospitalised from the attack was outside his ward the next day, and when he saw me he just ran.'
"Mhm… go on…"
'I was there, vulnerable and easy to handle. But he just ran.'
"That does sound off…"
'I just concluded that he was against me and Tadano-kun dating, and that he wanted to kill him to end our relationship.'
Shuuko thought for a moment.
"Are you really sure?"
'I saw his face after the first attack. I could barely make it out, but he was stunned, shocked when he had hit me with the weapon. It was an accident, but he seemed to not want to hit me at all. But when he dealt with Tadano-kun, he was smiling.'
"So is that why you broke up with him? For his safety…?"
'Yes.'
"Shouko… did you ever think of the consequences of a break-up?"
Shouko was lost in thought. Slowly, she shook her head.
"Then, why did you do it…?"
'I just wanted him to be safe.'
"You still love him now, don't you?"
Shouko blushed.
'Yes'
"Silly girl…" Shuuko patted her daughter's head. "You really didn't need to break up with him."
'But it's for his safety, for his life.'
"What's the point of it, if this is the state you are in?"
Shouko stopped. She didn't know how to respond.
Mom's right. I felt so happy with him… and now…
"We have never seen you like this at all. Dad, Shousuke and myself, we are all very worried for you, Shouko. And think about it too, would Tadano feel any better?"
She's got a great point… I thought wanting to be with him was selfish… but now that I think about it again… I think breaking up with him was the real selfish move… Tadano-kun… I… I really miss you…
Shouko felt tears spring to her eyes.
Shuuko extended her arms, as her daughter fell into them willingly, tears flowing down her cheeks.
"It's alright… Let it all out… Let it all out…"
"I… I'm… so… s-sorry… for m-making… every… one… w-worried…" She spoke amidst her crying.
"It's alright, no one's blaming you Shouko. We're glad you're back."
She spent the evening in her mom's arms, crying away her sorrows.
She knew what she had to do now.