Chapter 14 - Yui Part 1
The eyes of a lovely young woman in pajamas flutter open.
She sits up in bed, releases a yawn, and stretches her arms. Then she goes about her morning routine like clockwork. After a quick shower, she blow-dries and brushes her long, black hair. Then she changes into her school uniform, tucking it in properly and smoothing out any wrinkles. When she's ready, she eats a light and balanced breakfast, prioritizing health over beauty; though she'd never admit it nor tries to think about it, she has a very attractive figure, which she owes much to her diet. Afterwards, she collects her bag, puts on her shoes, and heads for the door.
Her name is Yui Kotegawa.
"I'm off," says Yui.
"Hey, wait a second, Yui," says a voice from the living room. Her older brother Yuu appears holding a bento box. "You forgot this," he says.
"Huh?" says Yui, checking her bag. Sure enough, it's empty of any bento boxes. "How strange. Thanks, Yuu," she says, accepting the box.
"It's not like you to forget your lunch. What's the matter? Daydreaming about Rito Yuki again?" he teases.
Yui's face turns rosy red with angry embarrassment. "NO! I'd never daydream about that shameless pervert! Hmph," she says, storming outside and slamming the front door behind her, leaving Yuu in a frightened state.
"Man, that boy Yuki's sure got it rough," he says, rubbing his head.
On the sidewalk, Yui marches whilst talking to herself. "Honestly, he's such a pain. Why can't he be as nice to me as Yuki is to his own sister? Eh? AAAAHHHH! What am I saying? Before long, I really will start daydreaming about him, ugh," she says.
A sudden meow stops Yui in her tracks. She turns to see a stray tabby cat perched on the wall. The adorable feline meows again, and Yui practically melts with joy. "Oooohhhhhh," she says. The cat pounces down onto the ground, approaches Yui and caresses her leg. Yui squeals like a little girl, and gently scratches the tabby's ears. "Aren't you just the most precious and cutest thing ever?" she says. The cat purrs in delight. When a pair of birds fly past them, the cat jumps back onto the wall and bounds after them. Yui watches him go and waves goodbye, "See you around, cutie," she says, and then resumes walking to school with a light bounce in her steps.
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Yui carries on with her usual routine at school. She attends class, eats lunch with Risa and Mio, jogs during PE, lectures a couple of boys for eyeballing a couple of girls, and cheerfully plays with Celine in the outdoor garden. Just another day.
In the student council room, Nana and a dozen other students listen to Yui as she dishes out the details for the upcoming festival, using a whiteboard for visual aid. There's nothing on the whiteboard except the following words: ALIEN APPRECIATION FESTIVAL.
"Then we're all in agreement?" asks Yui. Everyone nods their heads. Yui erases the words ALIEN APPRECIATION, and instead writes SPACE. "Okay, then Space Festival, it is," she says. A knock on the door catches everyone's attention. "Yes?" asks Yui.
The door opens ajar, and Rito sticks his head in through the crack with a sweaty brow and a sheepish smile. "H-hello, everyone," he pants, out of breath. While the others look at him dumbfounded, Nana facepalms herself.
"You're late, Yuki," scowls Yui.
Rito enters, shuts the door and takes his seat next to Nana. "Sorry about that. I, erm, kinda got lost," he says. A few snickers from the other students. "Ow," yelps Rito as Nana stomps on his foot.
"Well, better late than never, I suppose. Moving on, as you're all aware, our Vice President Kato Maki just transferred to a new school overseas. With that said, given the grand scale of this upcoming festival, I think it's time we elect a new VP," says Yui.
"Who'd you have in mind, Kotegawa?" asks Nana.
"Well, it should be someone familiar with council responsibilities," explains Yui.
Rito raises his hand. Everyone appears surprised, misinterpreting the gesture as him volunteering for the role. "In that case, why not elect Nana?" he suggests.
"What?" asks Nana, springing to her feet.
"Think about it. You've been on the council for a while. But more importantly, you know more about alien culture than everyone in this room combined. With your insight and experience, I think you'd be the best one suited for the job, Nana," encourages Rito.
Nana blushes from her secret lover's kind words. "Well, ahem, of course, I'd be. But what do the rest of you think?" she says. Everyone trades silent looks, and then they smile at Nana; that's as good a vote as anything. Nana turns to Yui.
"I hate to admit it, but I actually had the same idea as Yuki. Nana, will you please accept the job?" asks Yui.
"Darn right, I will. Look out, Sainan High. We're gonna throw the best space festival ever!" cheers Nana, pumping her fist into the air. Everyone else applauds her enthusiasm.
Space Festival is a really weird name, but if it makes everyone happy, hehe, thinks Rito. Then he flinches when he notices Yui scowling at him.
Later, Yui fumes down the hallway with Rito tailing behind. "I'm really sorry, Kotegawa," he pleads.
"Honestly, Yuki, how could you be late on your first day? Or was all that talk about 'sharing the load' just talk?" scolds Yui.
Rito darts in front of Yui, and kneels before her. "Of course, it wasn't. I really did just get lost. I promise it won't happen again," he says.
Yui looks around; Rito prostrating himself to her catches the eyes of passing students. She gets embarrassed, and clears her throat. "Stand up already, you big dummy," she says.
"R-right," he says, rising and dusting himself off before continuing down the hall together.
"You know, for a second back there, I thought you were gonna take the VP position yourself, given all your own experience with aliens," she says.
"What? Oh, well, I did consider volunteering. But like you said, I don't know how much time I'd have between that and training with the Kurosaki sisters. That might be biting off more than I can chew," he says.
"I see," she says with a tinge of disappointment.
"But that's okay," he says.
"Huh?" she asks.
"I'll do everything I can to help. After all, this is the first time we've had this kind of festival, and it'll be a great way to show the public how humans and aliens can be good friends. So whatever you need, Kotegawa, I've got your back," he says with a confident smile.
Yui swoons for a moment, then collects herself and hides her blush. "Y-yeah, you better," she says with a tiny smile.
Plus, thinks Rito, on a slightly more selfish note, helping with the festival will give me more time with Kotegawa. I was surprised to see girls like Yami and Rin appear in my dream, but Kotegawa's another story. It's not that I hate her or anything; it's just, she and I are on totally opposite ends of the spectrum. Then again, they do say opposites attract. And I have to admit, she is very attractive, he thinks, remembering her naked body from the hot springs incident. He flushes, and quickly shakes it off before Yui notices.
"And you better not be late next time," says Yui.
"R-right," promises Rito. In any case, he thinks, maybe I do like her more than I know. But could she ever, really, possibly, seriously feel the same way about me? Well, there's only one way to find out.
Unbeknownst to Yui and Rito, from behind the corner of the adjacent hallway, they're being spied on by Nana, Momo, Mea and Neme.
"So, it's Koregama's turn now, fufu," says Neme.
"She's gonna be one tough girl for Rito to charm," says Mea.
"You think so? I mean…he was able to charm me of all people," says Nana with a slight blush.
"Yeah, but you were too easy, Nana, hehe," teases Mea.
"Huh? Don't phrase it like that, Mea," hisses Nana.
"But she's right, Nana. It's a miracle he charmed you into the harem, but I've got a bad feeling about Kotegawa. Something tells me she's gonna be the hardest challenge of all for Rito," says Momo.
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A quick montage of Rito and Yui spending time together as they prepare for the Space Festival.
- In a hallway, the two hang a poster on the wall detailing the upcoming event. Then they move to the next hallway; rinse and repeat.
- In a classroom, the two trade ideas over lunch.
- In the student council room, the two look over a blueprint of the school, mapping out the locations of the food stalls. When they realize how close they are to each other, they both blush with shyness and turn away.
- In an aisle at a local hardware store, Yui walks while checking off supplies on a handwritten list. Behind her, Rito comically struggles to push a shopping cart overfilled with supplies and decorations.
- In the school's outdoor courtyard, all of the student council members work together, building the stalls, hanging up the decorations and gathering a pile of wood in the center. Rito and Nana carry a log towards the pile; Yui watches Rito go, and smiles to herself.
- At the training river, Rito spars with the Kurosaki sisters in mid-air. Having been invited by Rito to come and watch, Yui observes their insane power with wide eyes and a slacked jaw. Afterwards, Yui works up the nerve to offer Rito a water bottle. He graciously accepts it. Yui smiles, and is about to say something, but then Mea and Neme tackle Rito to the grass, and playfully cuddle with him as usual. Dark red auras appear around Yui and Yami, scaring Rito.
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Once again, Rito and Yui walk home together. And once again, he's hilariously apologizing to her. "Come on, Kotegawa. You know that wasn't my fault," he says.
"Those two may have pounced you, Yuki, but that's only because you let them. Haven't you learned by now to keep your guard up around certain girls?" she inquires.
"Well, uh," he says.
"If you keep allowing them to seduce you, then you're just as shameless as they are," she says.
"I'm sorry. I'll try to do better," he says.
Yui acknowledges his genuine apology, and realizes she's being too hard on him. She exhales before continuing. "Look, this may sound random, but I haven't seen you do anything indecent to any girls in a long time. In fact, at first, I was skeptical to work with you preparing for the festival, because I thought you might do something indecent to me. But you haven't, not once. It's almost like your perverted accidents just disappeared without a trace," she says.
"Oh, really? You don't say, hehe," he says. If she ever finds out it's because I've been building a harem, she'll kill me. Though I'll have to tell her that eventually, ugh, he thinks.
"And I know your accidents were really just accidents. You'd never do something so lewd and shameless on your own," she says.
"Kotegawa," he says.
"E-even so, you understand why I'm usually angry or distrustful of you?" she asks.
"Yes," he says.
"Obviously, I'm glad you're doing better. Now I don't have to worry about you groping myself or any other girls," she says.
"Thought as much," he pouts.
"B-But I'm also glad for your sake. I don't know how you cured your perversion, nor will I pressure you into telling me, but I'm relieved you did it. I'm positive your life will be much happier now," she says with a smile.
"Wow. Thank you," he says.
Yui blushes and turns away. "I-I should be the one thanking you. This upcoming festival is a special event for everyone. It's very important to me too, and you've done…well, you've done some good work. So, erm, thanks," she says, still blushing.
"My pleasure," he says, unable to stop looking at her. His eyes wander, as if he's memorizing all the lines in her face. Even though Kotegawa knows what I'm like, she still risked being around me for the sake of the festival, he thinks. And she trusted me enough to help her. She really is...
They walk pass the playground; the same one where they once hid from both the rain and the principal. Yui halts, causing Rito to stop walking.
"Kotegawa?" he asks. She doesn't respond; her wide eyes are fixed on something horrific. Rito follows her gaze, and gasps in disbelief.
The stray tabby cat, the same one Yui met way back, is buried in the dirt up to his head. He meows helplessly as small rocks are thrown at him by the trio of thugs, the same ones Rito met at the hot springs.
Thug 2 winds up and hurls another rock, pelting the ground two inches from the poor cat's face. "Damn, so close," he growls.
Thug 1 shoves him aside, and tosses a rock up and down in his hand. "Watch and learn, dudes," he jokes.
"Ah, yeah, pound that little pussy," says Thug 3.
Rito watches Thug 1 prepare his throw. "Why, those," he says with anger. Before he can blink, Yui drops her bag and storms over to the trio. "Kotegawa?" asks Rito.
"Goodbye, kitty," says Thug 1, ready to throw.
SLAP! – Yui slaps Thug 1 so hard, it echoes like a gunshot. Thug 1 stumbles back a foot, drops his rock and touches his face.
For a second, nothing happens.
The trio look upon Yui with angry eyes. She glares back with a dark gaze that could stop a man's heart. "Leave now, or I'll report you all to the police," she threatens with furious tears streaming down her face.
Suddenly, Thug 1 slaps Yui across the face, and she hits the ground. "Who the hell do you think you are, bitch?" asks Thug 1.
Yui wipes her mouth, and continues to glare. Her defiance wavers into fear as the trio towers over her with malicious intent.
"Let's teach her a lesson," says Thug 2.
"Yeah. I think THIS little pussy is the one that needs pounding," says Thug 3.
As the trio approaches Yui, a thrown school bag strikes Thug 1 in the face, and he hits the ground. "Leave her alone," yells Rito. Yui, Thug 2 and Thug 3 spin to him in bewilderment.
"Oh, you're dead, loser," says Thug 3, charging Rito with his fists.
Okay, Rito, hold back a little, thinks Rito. Otherwise, you'll end up killing them.
Thug 3 throws a punch. Rito blocks, grapples Thug 3's arm, and using his momentum, lifts Thug 3 over his body, and slams him onto the ground, knocking him out.
Thug 2 charges Rito, and throws a round kick. Rito blocks the kick, and sweeps Thug 2's other leg. Once Thug 2 hits the ground, Rito grabs him by the collar and jabs him in the face, knocking him out.
"Yuki!" screams Yui.
Rito looks up and sees Thug 1 holding a pocketknife to Yui's throat. For a split-second, Rito's mind flashes back to when he saw Stem threatening to drop Rin off the building, and then again to when he threatened to kill Mikan with the bomb collar. Afraid of history repeating itself, Rito calms down and raises his hands to talk Thug 1 down.
"Sir…drop the knife, please," begs Rito.
"No, I don't think I will," seethes Thug 1, grabbing Yui's hair with one hand, and the knife to her throat with the other.
"Yuki," weeps Yui.
"Get on the ground now," says Thug 1.
"Okay," complies Rito, slowly lowering himself onto the ground. As he lays down on his front, he notices something in the dirt; it's one of the small rocks the thugs were throwing at the cat. He carefully and subtly snatches it without Thug 1 noticing.
"Now, here's what's gonna happen," says Thug 1, ready to cut Yui.
Rito chambers the rock into his fist, aims for Thug 1's head, and flicks the rock with his thumb; the rock zooms through the air with lightning speed, and nails Thug 1 in the forehead. The force of the impact is so strong that Thug 1 is knocked off his feet, and he goes crashing onto the playground slide; he's out cold. Yui remains frozen in place; everything happened so fast, she's still processing.
"Kotegawa!" yells Rito, rushing to Yui and gripping her shoulders. "Are you alright?" he asks.
"W-What? Oh, yeah, yeah, I'm alright. Thank you," she says, wiping her eyes and backing up a bit, too flustered from Rito touching her shoulders.
"Oh, thank goodness," he says.
They stand in awkward silence for a moment before a meow brings them back to reality. The tabby cat is still buried in the dirt.
"Hang on, you poor thing," says Yui as she and Rito hurry over to dig out the cat.
The second the cat's free, he shakes off the sand from his fur, and darts off towards the sidewalk. Then he jumps onto the wall, and turns around. He meows to Yui and Rito, likes he's saying thanks. Then he scurries away. Yui and Rito trade smiles, relieved he's safe.
Not ten minutes later, police are on the scene. They arrest the trio of thugs, and take Rito and Yui's statements while a paramedic tends to Yui's slapped face.
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As the sun begins to set, Rito and Yui arrive at her house.
"Thanks for walking me home," says Yui.
"Are you sure you're okay?" asks Rito.
"For the last time, Yuki, yes, I'm fine," she says, grateful, but slightly annoyed.
"Okay, I just wanna be sure. I care about you after all," he says. Yui gasps and her cheeks redden. "Guess I'll start heading back. I'll see ya tomorrow," continues Rito as he turns away.
Suddenly, Yui grabs his hand.
"Kotegawa?" asks Rito.
For a moment, Yui doesn't respond. Then she steps closer, and slowly wraps her arms around Rito, embracing him.
Whoa, thinks Rito. Is she…hugging me? I don't think she and I have ever hugged before. Hmm? He feels something big and soft pressing against his chest. Eeep! Yeah, we've definitely never hugged before. I would've remembered…he shakes his head. Dude, what the hell? Now's not the time for such thoughts.
"Thank you…Rito," whispers Yui.
"Huh?" asks Rito. She's definitely never called me that before either, he thinks.
"Thank you," she repeats.
"Kotegawa," he says. He gulps, musters the courage, and lifts his arms to hug her back. But before he can, she breaks off, unaware he was about to hug her.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight," she says, rushing into her house.
"Hey, wait," he calls out, but Yui's already inside. "Goodnight," he says to himself as he starts walking back.
The sky darkens as the last rays of sunlight dip beyond the horizon. Rito feels the cool breeze and stares up at the stars. Kotegawa, he thinks. She's so brave, standing up to those jerks. True, she loves cats, but I think she would've done that even if it was a dog or a hamster. She really is amazing. No, she's more than that. She's mature, being a stickler for the rules, but also childish, given the number of stuffed animals she keeps in her room. She's strict, always lecturing people, but kind and motherly, like when she's with Celine. And she works so hard for others, like with this festival. I've always been afraid of making her mad, and that's why I never took the time to see her for who she really is. I mean, sure, she'd always scold me the second I do something out of line, but that's how anyone would react. But these last few days, I've gotten to see what she's really like when she's not angry. And it's so…beautiful. She really is special.
"Huh?" he says aloud, stopping in his tracks.
Special? he wonders. Yes. Yes, she's special. She's very special. Rito smiles to himself. And to think, the only reason I started hanging out with her was because of that stupid dream. I'm such an idiot. I had a special girl right there, all along, and all I had to do was open my eyes. I didn't need the dream for incentive. And if I'm being honest with myself, ever since we started working on the festival, I completely forgot she was even in the dream until now. Which means I've been spending all this time with her because I want to. Because I...I...he resumes walking.
A cool gust of wind blows through the air.
Kotegawa…Yui…thinks Rito. I think…I think I'm in love with you. Yes. I love you. He looks up at the sky again, and touches his heart. I should wait. Today was a big shock for her, and I don't wanna dump this on her now. That's it! The festival. Yeah, on the night of the festival…I'll tell her. He starts to blush. Gee, I've told so many girls I love them already. Why am I getting so flustered about doing it again with her? Man, this harem stuff sure ain't easy.
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Meanwhile, Yui stands in her bedroom with Yuu pestering her at the door; he heard what occurred at the playground, and worries like a typical, overprotective older brother.
"Warm milk? Cold soda? Anything you want, just let me know," says Yuu.
"Thanks, Yuu. But all I want right now is a good night's rest," says Yui.
"Of course. Well, then, goodnight. Love you, little sis," he says, giving her a quick hug.
"Love you too, big bro. Goodnight," she replies, hugging him back and closing the door.
Yui listens to Yuu walk off down the hall. Then she turns off the lights, but doesn't move. Her bag falls off her arm, and she slides against the door. She tucks her knees to her chest, and starts shaking. "Rito," she says under her breath.
At that moment, all the memories flash before our eyes...
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When they were kids, a cat was stuck in a tree at the old shrine. Yui asked every boy she could to help, but they wouldn't, because it was her asking; the uptight girl who kept telling them to behave. But then, she saw Rito climb the tree and save the cat; Mikan was with him, proudly watching.
At the playground, they hid from the rain and the principal.
When she was sick in bed, he visited her to drop off school paperwork.
On Valentine's Day, she baked and gave him chocolates, which made him happy.
They chased Celine after she drank soda, ran around town, and released pollen that made everyone fall in love with Rito.
At the local pool, when she struggled to inflate her cat floatie, he offered to help. He blew it up, putting his lips on the tube after she just put hers on it; an indirect kiss.
When they walked home together, they were being chased by the principal. Rito took her hand, and led her to safety. Then it started raining. They got to his house, she took a shower, and then wore one of his shirts and nothing else. The power went out, and they ended up on his bed. She put her arms around him, and they nearly kissed.
When she and Haruna were at the maid café, Risa appeared and joked about Rito getting frisky with her at her place. Yui didn't believe her, because he could've done the same thing to her at his place, but he didn't. And when she walked home with Haruna, she thought Rito was special, and perplexingly realized that she was in love with him.
When they rode the train together, the train became crowded, causing Rito to grope Yui on accident. While she was mad, she told him not to be so scared, because she knew he wasn't a bad person.
They chased Run's pet skunk after he turned them into kids.
Her fantasy of being married to Rito, being pregnant with his child, and adopting Celine as their daughter.
When she and Nana were talking to the other girls in the restroom, Yami said Rito might be killed by Stem one day. If that day ever comes, if he's taken away from her, then she should make as many precious memories with him beforehand.
In Mikado's infirmary, Mikado encourages Yui to be honest with herself.
Not five minutes earlier, Rito walked Yui home, and asked if she was alright. Then she hugged him for the first time.
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Yui remains on the floor, sitting against the door. She lifts her head, revealing tears of joy streaming down her face. Then she laughs softly.
Tomorrow, she thinks. Tomorrow, for sure.
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The next day at school. In the student council room, the committee members are all gathered for another meeting.
"I want to thank all of you for your diligent work. This may sound cliché, but I've a feeling this'll be our best festival yet," says Yui, getting everyone to smile.
"Heck yeah, it will be!" cheers Nana, pumping her fist into the air again.
"But that doesn't mean we can slack off just because we're almost done. Only two days left before the Space Festival, so let's buckle down and finish strong," says Yui.
"Right," says everyone in unison.
"Good. And with that, we're adjourned," says Yui. Everyone packs up their things, and start filing out of the room. Yui appears nervous when she sees Rito leaving. "Uh, Yuki, you stay," she says.
"Huh?" asks Rito.
"Oh, great. What'd you do now?" asks Nana.
"Nothing, I swear," panics Rito.
"It's fine, Nana. I just wanna thank him for yesterday," says Yui.
"Oh. Okay, then. I'll leave ya both to it," says Nana, skipping away. But as soon as the door closes behind her, she huddles next to it, eavesdropping. Suddenly, she's joined by Momo, Mea and Neme.
"Good luck, Rito," whispers Momo.
Rito and Yui stand in the room all alone. Gentle sunlight shines through the windows. Awkward silence fills the air.
"You know, Kotegawa, there's no need to thank me. I was happy to help, but I appreciate it," says Rito, sheepishly scratching his cheek.
Yui remains silent. Her face turns red, sweat drips from her brow, and her legs tremble like crazy; it's both funny and adorable.
Rito appears worried. "Uh, Kotegawa?" he asks.
Yui looks Rito right in the eye. "I love you," she says.
A pair of birds fly past the windows. Rito gasps, and his face flushes like a tomato.
"Before you say anything, just hear me out," says Yui. "I know it's hard to believe. Even I couldn't believe it at first, but it's the truth. I'm in love with you, and I have been for a long time. In the beginning, I thought you were nothing but a dense, shameless pervert who was an enemy to all women. But the more time I spent with you, and the more I got to know you, I realized how wrong I was. I became fascinated by you, drawn to your innocent nature and unwavering kindness. I finally understand why Lala and Sairenji like you so much. And I know you're really close to them, but I…I wanna be the one you're closest to! I wanna be your girlfriend. Your one and only. Remember that day we were at your house, and I offered myself to you? You wouldn't take advantage of me, and that's when I realized how different and special you are compared to other boys. And I really meant what I said back then; I'll let you do shameless things to me, and me alone. I'm sorry for how I've treated you in the past, and I'm sorry for just springing all of this on you now. I don't have any experience with boys or romance, so I didn't know how to tell you. Not to mention, your constant perverted clumsiness didn't make it any easier. But yesterday made it all too clear to me. I love you, Rito. I love you more than anything," she says.
Rito stares gobsmacked at Yui. For a second, with the sunlight beaming down on her, and the bright smile radiating off her flushed face, she looks just like an angel. And even though he's been confessed to by girls in the past, for the first time, his eyes become misty after hearing her confess to him.
"Rito?" asks Yui.
Rito quickly wipes his eyes. "Oh, it's nothing," he says. What do I do? he thinks. I mean, I'm really happy, but I only just acknowledged my love for her yesterday, and planned to tell her at the festival. I figured I'd earn her love by then, but it turns out, she's loved me all this time? And she wants me all to herself? Oh, how am I gonna tell her about the harem now? Come on, dude, man up. She just poured her heart and soul out to you. She deserves the truth.
"Kote…Yui," says Rito.
Yui gasps and smiles. That's the first time he's ever called me by my given name. I didn't think I'd enjoy hearing his voice say it so much, she thinks.
"Thank you for saying all that. I'm flattered, honored and happy to know you feel that way. Because the truth is I…well…I love you too," confesses Rito.
Yui's legs nearly give out from what feels like a thunderbolt piercing through her heart. "Rito. Rito!" she says, about to run into his arms. But then, Rito holds up his hand, beckoning her to wait.
"But there's something I need to tell you first," says Rito. Yui stares at him in confusion.
Outside, the four girls are still eavesdropping as students and faculty pass by.
"What's going on?" asks a random male student.
"Something wonderful," says Momo.
"None of your business," hisses Neme.
"Yeah, get lost, pal," says Mea.
"Geesh, alright then," says the male student, walking away.
Back inside the room, Rito finishes explaining everything; marrying Lala, marrying the rest of the harem, and becoming king of Deviluke. "So, yeah, that's how it is," he says.
The sun is blocked out by dark clouds, casting the room in a dull, grey light. Yui stands frozen with a blank expression.
"I really am happy, but…Yui, you can't be my one and only. I know this is a lot to take in, so why don't we go talk to the other girls?" suggests Rito. Instead of answering, Yui clenches her fists. Rito becomes concerned and approaches. "Yui, are you okay?" he asks, reaching out his hand to touch her shoulder.
Suddenly, Yui slaps his hand away, kicks him square in the gut, and he falls onto the floor. Before he gets a moment to recover, Yui pounces him like a ravenous hyena, and seizes him by the collar while angry tears spill from her eyes.
"A harem? You've been building a harem this whole time?" says Yui, her face a mixture of rage, betrayal and heartache. The looks she gives Rito is the same one she gave those thugs for attacking the tabby cat.
This isn't good. I've never seen her this mad before, thinks Rito.
"So all that stuff Yami and Kujou-senpai said? They really did kiss you, and they really do love you? And now even Nana's a part of this too? I knew it. I knew something was going on, but I never thought it'd be this. And you have the gall to say you love me too?" says Yui, her tears becoming more sad than angry.
"Yui, just listen to me," begs Rito.
"Don't call me that! You really are a shameless pervert! And you don't get to say my name ever again," she says.
"I'm sorry," he says.
"Go on and do shameless things with your harem. I want nothing to do with it, or with you. We're done, Yuki," she says, releasing Rito.
Before he can speak, Yui bursts through the door, and runs down the hallway with her face buried in her hands, crying her eyes out and ignoring everyone she passes by. Nana, Momo, Mea and Neme watch her go; they heard everything and trade anxious looks, unsure of what to do. Then they look back inside the room with sorrowful expressions.
Rito is still on the floor, staring up at the ceiling in anguish. "Yui. What have I done?" he mutters.
Author's Note: Yikes! A dramatic cliffhanger; never ended on one of those before. And I figured if anyone was gonna get one, it's Best Girl. Now I'm really revving to write the second part, and I'm hoping to make it my most romantic chapter yet. What is Rito gonna do now?
Now in hindsight, I probably didn't have to split this into two parts. But I wanted to try something new. Not to mention, it feels nice completing a shorter chapter compared to the last few lengthy ones I've written. On a separate note, not to sound bias, but I really think that if the manga had continued, Yui would've been the next girl to confess to Rito after Momo. I thought about her confession a lot, and tried to do my best take of it given her character. Keep your eyes open, and I'll have the next chapter published soon as I can.
P.S.: A friend of mine once said, "Good artists borrow, great artists steal." So yes, I may have borrowed/stolen the cat-playground scene from Parasyte.