It was a typical day at Seigaku High School, with students bustling in the hallways and teachers preparing for their classes. Ryoma and Sakuno had become quite popular in the school after winning the mixed-doubles tennis tournament. Sakuno can felt the students kept watching her from she get into the school gate until she reached the classroom. Ryoma who already got use to that environment, just ignore.

The boys' tennis club was finally starting to attract many new applicants from the first year, which kept the trio busy with tryouts and training, and of course they managed to save the boys tennis club with Ryoma's and Sakuno's help.

During recess, someone came looking for Sakuno in her classroom. It was Ai Enma, the captain of the girls' tennis club.

"Ai-chan. What's wrong?" Sakuno asked.

Tomoka, Sakuno's best friend, was curious about why Ai was looking for her.

After Sakuno done meeting with Ai, she whispered to Tomoka about Ai needing help to find someone. Tomoka, too shocked to keep it quiet, blurted out the reason.

"You want to find Ookami??" Tomoka asked.

Curious, Ryoma overheard the mention of Ookami's name but shrugged it off since he had no idea who Ookami was. He continued on to the cafeteria with the trio.

"I wonder if Ookami is missing again." Asked Katsuo.

Hearing the name Ookami again made Ryoma a bit curious.

"What's wrong with him?" Asked Horio.

"I heard Osakada talking about Ookami and it looks like Ryuzaki want to meet him." Said Katsuo.

Intrigued, Ryoma asked, "who is this Ookami?"

Horio looked at Ryoma, "Ah, you weren't here when Ookami still in our class last year. He is Ookami Heisuke, she used to be Ryuzaki's desk mate."

Then Kachiro continued, "we didn't really had the chance to talk to him since he always sleep in class and he always disappeared somewhere during recess."

"Ryuzaki got into mess rumours since she was the only one who used to talk to him. I'm not sure if it's true or not, but I heard he fought a lot outside of school, and there's one time Ryuzaki involved in it. Started from that, people scared to talk to her because they thought Ryuzaki was his girlfriend." Horio said.

Ryoma just listen. He didn't know that.

"But don't worry, we already know Ryuzaki-san from long time ago. Of course, we didn't ignore her. Osakada was always with her too, so the rumours just disappeared." Said Katsuo.

"Yeah. People sure are scary when they create rumours." Said Horio agreed.

Meanwhile, in the classroom, Sakuno and Tomoka ate lunch together.

Tomoka asked Sakuno, "why suddenly you need to search for Ookami?"

"He had been absent from school for four days without reasons. So Ai-chan want to find out why he hadn't been coming to school. She's the class representative after all." Said Sakuno.

"Do you know where to find him?" Tomoka asked.

"I think I know a place. He used to work part-time there. I will go there with Ai-chan later." Said Sakuno.

Sakuno was worried about Heisuke, as there had been a previous incident where he had disappeared without notice. Tomoka remained silent, lost in her thoughts as she contemplated the situation.

During class, Sakuno couldn't stop thinking about Heisuke, leading to her teacher calling on her. "Ryuzaki, please read the next paragraph."

Ryoma, noticing her distraction, nudged her and quietly scribbled on her notebook which paragraph she needed to read. Sakuno blushed and thanked him as she read aloud.

After class, Sakuno informed Ryoma that she would be going home late. "Ryoma-kun, please tell obaa-chan I will be late today. I have to go somewhere with my captain." Said Sakuno.

"Okay." Said Ryoma, then he headed to the boys' tennis club with the trio.

The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm golden glow over the tennis courts. The members of the club were scattered around, some practicing serves, some working on their backhands, and others just lounging around chatting.

Ryoma was sitting on a bench, bouncing his tennis ball idly with his racket. He looked distracted, his brow furrowed and a deep frown on his face. He sighed heavily, his mind clearly occupied with something else.

Kachiro noticed Ryoma's troubled state and walked over to him. "Are you okay, Ryoma-kun?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Ryoma looked up, his eyes unfocused. "Yeah, I'm fine", he mumbled, shrugging off Kachiro's question. He tried to focus on the tennis ball in his hand, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the same thing – a certain someone named Sakuno.

Unable to shake the thoughts from his mind, Ryoma decided to ask Horio to rally with him. Maybe a good game of tennis would help clear his head. As they played, Ryoma tried to focus on the game, but his mind kept wandering back.

Finally, as the club activities came to an end, Ryoma quickly changed out of his sport attire and into his school uniform. He made his way to the school gate, keeping a low profile as he hid behind a pillar. Soon enough, he spotted Sakuno leaving the school gate. Ryoma's heart skipped a beat as he watched her walk away. Without thinking, he followed her, his feet moving on their own accord.

Ryoma still kept his distance. He stopped when the girls stop outside a bar. Ai opened the door and peeked her face inside. To his surprise, a guy with blonde hair came out of the bar, scolding Sakuno and Ai before retreating back inside. Ai confronted the guy and dragged him to somewhere. Sakuno looked shocked, but she followed Ai without protest.

Ryoma followed them from a distance, watching as Ai and Sakuno tried to reason with the guy. Eventually, the guy walked away, leaving Sakuno and Ai standing on the sidewalk. With sighed, they decided to head home, with Ryoma followed behind Sakuno as she walked back to her house.

Seeing Sakuno looking sad and distressed, Ryoma felt a pang of concern. He followed her all the way to her doorstep, watching as she greeted her grandma.

Sumire greeted her. "You're home late today."

Sakuno replied. "Yes, I went somewhere with my captain. Didn't Ryoma-kun told you?"

"It's weird, I didn't see Ryoma came home yet." Said Sumire.

Sakuno seemed surprised, "Really?"

Ryoma went in from outside, Sakuno and Sumire looked at him.

"Were you going somewhere, Ryoma?" Sumire asked.

Ryoma nonchalantly lied, "I went to sport shop." Then he just went upstairs to his room, without looking at Sakuno and Sumire.

Sakuno accepted his explanation, but Sumire couldn't help but notice the tension in the air.

Next day, Ryoma decided to follow Sakuno once again. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He followed her discreetly, making sure to keep his distance and not draw any attention to himself.

Sakuno walked with purpose, her eyes fixed on a distant point. Ryoma noticed that she was alone this time, he didn't see Ai anywhere.

As he followed Sakuno, they eventually arrived at the same bar as the day before. Ryoma waited outside, watching as she stood hesitantly by the entrance. Suddenly, the door swung open, and out stepped the same guy as yesterday.

That guy didn't spare Sakuno a glance as he walked past her, his steps quick and purposeful. Sakuno called out to him, her voice hesitant but determined. "Ookami-kun", she said, her tone wavering slightly. Just then, Ryoma knew the guy was Ookami Heisuke, the guy from the stories the trio had told him.

Heisuke stopped in his tracks and turned to face Sakuno, his eyes narrow and cold. "Don't follow me", he growled, his voice low and menacing. Ryoma could feel the tension in the air between the two of them, and he knew that trouble was brewing.

Despite Heisuke's warning, Sakuno continued to follow him. Ryoma hesitated for a moment before making a split-second decision to follow them both. He didn't like the idea of Sakuno being alone with Heisuke.

As they walked, Ryoma couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his stomach. He kept his distance, always staying a few steps behind them. Finally, they arrived at a secluded area, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Ryoma watched from a safe distance as Heisuke approached a run-down house and banged on the door. A middle-aged man opened the door and shouted at Heisuke, his voice filled with anger. Heisuke didn't waste a moment as he grabbed the man by the collar and dragged him into the secluded area.

Ryoma could see the fear in Sakuno's eyes as she watched the scene unfold. He didn't feel good, so he close his distance to them. Heisuke pushed the man against the wall, his fists clenched and his eyes filled with rage. "What did you do to my mom?" he snarled, his voice filled with venom.

The man just laughed, a cruel and mocking sound that only served to enrage Heisuke even more. Without a second thought, Heisuke pushed the man to the ground and began to rain down punches on him, each one landing with a sickening thud.

Sakuno couldn't bear to watch any longer. She approached Heisuke and tried to intervene, her voice filled with desperation. "Ookami-kun, stop it", she pleaded, her hands trembling.

Ryoma couldn't stand by and watch any longer. He ran towards Sakuno. But before he could reach her, Heisuke pushed her aside with a forceful shove.

Sakuno stumbled and lost her balance, her head hitting the wall with a sickening thud. Ryoma's heart stopped as he watched her fall, a cry of anguish escaping his lips. He caught her before she hit the ground, his hands shaking as he cradled her in his arm, there's blood on his hand, which the blood came from the back of Sakuno's head.

"Ryuzaki." he whispered, his voice filled with worry and fear.

"Ryoma-kun, stop Ookami-kun." she was still conscious, but he could see the pain in her eyes. He looked up at Heisuke, his own eyes filled with anger and determination. "What have you done?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Heisuke stopped his assault, his eyes widening in shock as he saw the blood on Ryoma's hands. He looked at Ryoma, his expression a mixture of guilt and regret. "I... I didn't mean for this to happen", he stammered, his voice filled with remorse.

But before they could sort out the mess, the sound of sirens filled the air. A police car pulled up to the scene, its red and blue lights flashing in the darkness. The officers quickly intervened, separating Heisuke and the middle-aged man and taking all of them to the police station.

As they sat in the police station, the policeman cleared his throat when he saw the three high schoolers – Heisuke, Sakuno, and Ryoma – sit in front of him and a middle-aged man who was in captivity. Sakuno's head was already bandaged, a visible sign of the confrontation that had taken place. The policeman started to speak, addressing Heisuke, "So, Ookami, why are you doing this again?"

Heisuke looked away, his expression darkening. "He put his dirty hand on my mother. Do you think I can just sit and do nothing?" He replied, his voice filled with anger.

The middle-aged man in captivity laughed and taunted, "That's because your mom worked in a filthy place, young boy."

Heisuke's fists clenched, and he stood up, ready to confront the man once more. "What did you say?" He growled, his eyes blazing with fury.

The police officer quickly intervened, calming Heisuke down before the situation escalated further. Sakuno looked on with worry, fear evident in her eyes.

The police officer raised his voice, addressing the middle-aged man in captivity, "You better shut up. Don't forget I'm still investigating your other dirty deeds as well."

Heisuke sat back down, his jaw clenched in frustration. The police officer turned his attention back to Heisuke. "You need to learn how to control your anger. Now look, you've involved this young miss here", he said, gesturing towards Sakuno.

Sakuno hung her head, guilt and regret etched on her face. Heisuke sighed heavily, "I already told her not to follow me."

Ryoma, who had been silent up until now, spoke up. "If she didn't follow you, you might have done something you regret", he said, his tone serious.

Heisuke bristled at the truth in Ryoma's words, realizing the consequences of his actions. "You've got nothing to do with this", he muttered, refusing to acknowledge the reality of the situation.

Ryoma shot back, "Don't you see? You drag everyone into your problems, even when they don't want to be involved."

Sakuno gasped at Ryoma's words. Before she could interject, Sumire, her grandmother, arrived at the police station. Her face fell as she took in Sakuno's bandaged head.

A young woman in her thirties rushed in, claiming to be Heisuke's mother. The police officer explained the situation to them, and eventually, the high schoolers were allowed to leave.

Outside the police station, Sumire's gaze bore into Heisuke. "I'm disappointed in you. I thought I told you not to involve yourself with my granddaughter", she scolded.

Sakuno intervened, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's not his fault, Grandma. It's me. I was the one looking for him", she confessed, her voice trembling.

Sumire turned her attention to Sakuno, her expression softening. "Tell me, Sakuno. Tell me exactly what you want from him", she urged gently.

Sakuno's tears overflowed, "I just want him to go to school", she admitted quietly, her heart heavy with worry for her friend.

Heisuke looked away, his hands shaking with emotion. "Stop interfering in my life. It's my choice not to go to school. Can't you understand that?" He spat out bitterly.

Sakuno's words echoed in his mind, and he realized the impact of his actions on his friends. As Heisuke grappled with his emotions, his mother spoke through tears, apologizing for the situation.

Sumire's gentle voice broke through the tension, offering wisdom and guidance. "Think about your future and the feelings of those who care about you. Consider what your friends want for you", she advised before ushering Sakuno and Ryoma away.

As they left, Ryoma paused to deliver a final message to Heisuke. "This time, think with your head, not your heart", he said before departing with Sumire and Sakuno.

As the car sped down the long, winding road, the silence was almost suffocating. The only sound that could be heard was the hum of the engine and the gentle whir of the tires against the pavement. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts.