So life goes on for . Still, she would attend the orchestra as normal, between her and Tsukimori was still the cold silences, and there never was a conversation unless necessary. Yunoki still did not appear to watch the practice, yet, it bothered that disconnection between them did not seem to take away the strong memory had of that night.
The positive thing was, Kaji still treated her with the same friendliness and care. He would make every opportunity to come visit her after school. On top of that, the precious friendship she had with Hihara returned after those few days of working intensely together. They could talk normally again, share views, spend time together without anymore awkwardness.
Just when thought her life had returned to normal, and no big drama would happen, she received a phone call that threw her normal life routine out of its path again.
“? It’s me.”
“Tsuchiura-kun? It’s a surprise that you would call me out of your busy schedule.” With the unexpected call from an old friend, teased.
“Stop teasing me already, I really need your help.” With a sigh Tsuchiura said.
“My help?”
“Yeah, are you free on Christmas Eve?”
“Let me see…” Looking through her calendar replied. “The Christmas party Amou-chan organised is on Christmas Day, so I guess I am free.”
“Great, can I please ask you for a favour?” Pausing, Tsuchiura’s voice lowered slightly in embarrassment. “Would you be able to attend the Annual Music Award’s night with me?”
“Annual Music Award’s night?”
“Yeah, I have been nominated for an award…”
“Oh wow, congratulations!” said immediately when she heard the good news.
“Thanks,” Tsuchiura replied as he continued to explain. “But as kind of a policy, it is required that I bring a partner along…” For some reason Tsuchiura mumbled through the last few words of his sentence.
“Sorry, that you what…?” asked obviously found it hard to catch the last few words.
With a long sigh, Tsuchiura finally repeated after he cleared his throat. “That I bring along a partner.”
“Oh…” finally understood why Tsuchiura made the call.
In haste Tsuchiura added quickly. “I know it might be an awkward request, but look at it this way, as a music student, this would be a wonderful opportunity for you to widen you view and most of all get a free meal…”
burst out laughing with what Tsuchiura said, “Alright, if you put it that way, and of course with the fact that I am probably the only woman you know other than your mother…”
“…” Tsuchiura groaned in complaint when he heard ’s tease.
“Just kidding,” laughed. “Alright, what time does it start?”
---
was really impressed when she arrived at the venue with Tsuchiura. There was literally red carpets and news crew set up, just like the Oscars! No wonder Tsuchiura was dressed in a tuxedo and he reminded her to wear an evening gown, for this indeed was the type of events that gathers all the famous celebrities.
“It’s nice to see you, Tsuchiura-kun and -kun.” Upon the elegant voice that greeted them, turned around quickly and to her surprise, she saw Hamai Misa standing there, and next to her was her son, Tsukimori Len.
“Nice, nice to see you again!” gave a bow quickly in nervousness and embarrassment for the last time she saw Hamai Misa was three years ago at the Tsukimori residence, when she was once Tsukimori’s girlfriend.
“Thank you for nominating me for the award,” Joining in the respectful bow was Tsuchiura as he thanked Hamai Misa, his inspiration.
“No need to thank me, Tsuchiura-kun. I know you deserve the award, and your work and performance tonight will prove it to everyone present.” Hamai Misa gave Tsuchiura a smile of praise.
“Performance?” In curiosity, turned to Tsuchiura.
“Yeah, I will be performing two pieces tonight, and also from time to time there will be other performances throughout the night.” Tsuchiura explained as he turned to Tsukimori. “I guess that was one of the reasons you were here too?”
“Yes,” Tsukimori replied mildly, his facial expression had not changed even when he saw . “I will be performing a violin piece with my mother and another ensemble piece with other musicians.”
Hamai Misa smiled secretly to herself when she saw how hard her son tried to act cold and unmoved upon ’s appearance. Such an act only seemed rather unnatural to Hamai Misa. Knowing her son like no one else, she knew the colder Len appeared, the more it meant he was trying hard to not let his feelings for show.
“Well, I guess we better go to our tables,” Hamai Misa said as she gave both and Tsuchiura a nod. “Good luck tonight and enjoy yourselves.”
After the Tsukimori family left, whispered in admiration. “She is still so beautiful and elegant; I can’t wait to hear her perform tonight.”
“I know,” Tsuchiura agreed with wholeheartedly. “Luckily I would have gotten mine over and done with before her turn, or else I would really be embarrassed to play after her wonderful performance.”
“Oh, when will you be performing?” asked as the two walked towards their assigned table.
“Here is the program for tonight,” Tsuchiura said and passed a pamphlet to . “You might recognise a few names on the program. They are all famous musicians.”
“Wow…you are right,” exclaimed when she read through the program. “Who organised this event? This is like the gathering of all the famous music celebrities you could think of.”
Pulling out the chair for at their table, Tsuchiura replied. “It’s the Urahara Group. They are very closely linked with many famous musicians.”
“Urahara Group…” tilted her head when she thought the name sounded familiar.
“Good evening, Tsuchiura-san.” While was thinking, she heard a sweet voice greeted. Looking up, saw a beautiful elegant lady that looked very familiar. However did not need time to remember who the lady was when she saw the face of the gentleman that stood by and escorted the beautiful lady.
“Yu…Yunoki senpai?” stood up from her seat immediately in surprise.
“Good evening, -san.” Unlike her, Yunoki was still composed as he greeted with class.
For a moment there, thought the time had stopped. It was rather odd for her to ever feel that way towards Yunoki. Maybe because it had been so long since they last met, or maybe because it was the first time they finally see each other face to face after that passionate kiss. Whatever it was, realised, for some reason, she could not move her eyes away from Yunoki...
Noticing ’s fixed focus on Yunoki, the lady next to Yunoki gave a smile as she greeted. “I believe you are -san? We have met once.”
As if finally realised how rude she was, quickly pulling her focus away from Yunoki greeted the beautiful lady. “Good evening, Urahara-san.” The moment spoke her name, a strange, uncomfortable feeling whirled up inside her, reminding her of something she had actually forgotten…
Yunoki Azuma is engaged.
Yes, that is right, Yunoki already has a beautiful fiancée, and therefore, it confused and bothered even more as to why Yunoki kissed her that night. Although she should have figured it out by now, it still daunt on that to Yunoki, the kiss never contained any feeling.
“I have wondered who you would bring as your partner for the Annual Awards Night,” Urahara Miyako turned to Tsuchiura and smiled in tease. “I should have known that you would bring -san.”
Blushing, Tsuchiura justified. “It was your company policy that I have to bring a partner. and I have known each other for years and we are great friends. So this is the kind of time when we have to help each other out.”
Giggling to Tsuchiura’s answer, Urahara Miyako said. “You don’t need to try that hard to justify, Tsuchiura-san. I was just joking.” Stopping Miyako took a look at Yunoki as she added with a hidden meaning. “I know there is nothing between you and -san.”
Unmoved with Miyako’s words, Yunoki reminded with a calm smile. “Shall we return to our tables soon? The first performance is about to start.”
“I will see you around then,” Miyako nodded and gave Tsuchiura a warm smile. “Good luck on your awards and performance tonight.”
felt her heart in such a big mess when her eyes followed the beautiful couple as they return to their table. She saw how Yunoki kindly pulled out the chair for his attractive future wife, and how he escorted her so well, and most of all, acted as if he had no memory of what he did to that night, felt a pressing pain against her chest.
The miserable depressing thoughts of how something so intimate to her meant nothing to Yunoki continued to bother throughout the night. She could not concentrate on any of the performances, and even when Tsuchiura conversed with her from time to time, realised she could not focus.
“, ,”
It was not until felt Tsuchiura tapping her did she quickly woke from her gloomy thoughts. “Yes…yes?”
“I am going backstage now to prepare for my performance. Do you want to come along, or do you want to stay here?” Tsuchiura asked.
Taking another look at the beautiful couple that sat in the other table, replied. “I will come with you.” If she could, she hoped she would not have to take another look at them, unfortunately, she found that was exactly what she had been doing all night.
“Tsuchiura-sama, you will be on after the next award has been announced. Meanwhile, please wait at the staffroom there.” After and Tsuchiura arrived at backstage, one of the staff indicated politely to Tsuchiura.
When the two entered the staffroom, they saw Tsukimori also waiting inside. The frown immediately came onto both Tsukimori and Tsuchiura’s faces. After so many years, these two super gifted musicians still acted like worst enemies.
“I thought it is not yet your turn, how come you are already here?” Tsuchiura asked.
Calmly placing his violin case onto the table, Tsukimori replied coldly. “I prefer to remain at backstage and do some practice before the actual act.”
With his arms crossed, Tsuchiura mocked. “You have not changed one bit, still a paranoid elite.”
“There is nothing wrong with being careful.” Not bothering to look at Tsuchiura, Tsukimori argued back.
smiled bitterly to the scene before her, she kind of understood what it meant when you can’t have two geniuses exist at the same time. On the other hand, knew only they understood each other perfectly. Their sincere attitude towards music, the same kind of passion they inherit.
Luckily before the two boys engage into further argument, the staff came to announce that it was Tsuchiura’s turn. With that, the three followed the staff to backstage.
“Good luck!” gave Tsuchiura the thumbs up.
“Thanks,” Winking back with a confident smile Tsuchiura waved before he went on stage.
felt her entire soul captivated the moment such magical music was produced from Tsuchiura’s fingers. Knowing already Tsuchiura to be a very gifted musician from back in their high school days, it was spectacular how much more Tsuchiura had improved and progressed in the past three years. With the thought, took a look at Tsukimori and found a confirming and approved look on his face. It must have pleased Tsukimori somehow to know his long time rival had also successfully pursued music into a deeper and higher level just like him. With a smile, ’s eyes moved back onto the stage and felt somewhat envious of how the two musicians who were once her ensemble companions have grown so much compared to her.
“,”
To ’s surprise, before Tsuchiura start to perform his second song, Tsukimori suddenly called from beside her. Turning to him, found a most concerned look on Tsukimori’s handsome face as he looked straight into her eyes. “Did something happen between you and Yunoki senpai?”
’s whole body jumped as if she was electrocuted with Tsukimori’s absurd and arbitrary question. Immediately her mind shut down and all the blood in her body started to flow in reverse order. “No…nothing!! I mean, why anything would…no, of course nothing! Why...I mean, it’s not like, no wait…what, what do you mean?!”
Tsukimori did not respond when he saw the state of panic and confusion was suffering from. Upon such reaction, Tsukimori knew the answer to his own question. Ever since he accidentally saw the photograph Urahara Miyako dropped, he had been bothered by the odd and ‘unhealthy’ relationship has with Yunoki. Most of all, Tsukimori noticed throughout the evening, ’s eyes continued to look over at Yunoki and Miyako, there was such lost, hurt expressions showing through her eyes.
Noticing how Tsukimori’s eyes had not looked away, and for the first time ever since his return from Vienna, Tsukimori finally openly displayed his care and concern for her. In shame, exhaled deeply and apologised. “I am sorry, I was not making any sense…”
“Its fine,” Tsukimori said. “I know I did mention before that I no longer have the right to interfere with your personal life, but I wanted you to have genuine happiness, because you deserve that.”
“Len…”
“I do want you to rethink what you are doing,” Tsukimori gave a sigh. “Yunoki senpai is an engaged man. Falling in love with him will only bring you more sorrow.”
Not expecting Tsukimori to say that, lifted her head. “Fall in love with Yunoki senpai…?” could not believe what Tsukimori was telling her. “No, no way! I couldn’t possibly fall in love with him, I know he is engaged! There is no way anything can ever happen between us!” stopped all of a sudden when she heard those words coming out of her own mouth.
In that case, why was she so annoyed that the kiss meant nothing to Yunoki?
Biting her lower lip in frustration, realised it was because that kiss had a deeper meaning to her. It frustrated to know that something that meant nothing more than a cruel joke to Yunoki caused her to lose control over her emotions for so long, yet it did not even remain in Yunoki’s memory.
Seeing that same lost, perturbed expression appearing on ’s face again as it had throughout the entire night whenever would look at Yunoki, Tsukimori felt his heart constricted in pain. Slowly reaching out his hand, he overlapped it with ’s soft tiny hands. “…” Holding it tightly in his own, Tsukimori whispered tenderly the name that he told that he should no longer use. “If you were to fall in love again, I wish it was not Yunoki senpai...”
Not expecting that, lifted her head and when her eyes met up with Tsukimori’s magical beautiful hazel eyes, she could not look away again. How long has it been since she felt this close to Tsukimori? Why was Tsukimori suddenly so tender tonight? With a sad lonely smile, whispered. “If was I was to fall in love again, it would be…”
“Tsukimori-sama!”
Suddenly one of the staff approached the two in haste. As a reflex, both Tsukimori and immediately let go of each other’s hands. Trying to look calm and normal, Tsukimori turned to the staff. “What is it?”
Tsukimori frowned when he saw the pale look on the staff’s face knowing it must be bad news he has for him. As expected, the panicked staff explained. “There was a small accident just now when one of the boxes collapsed, and the two musicians who will be performing the ensemble piece with you later tonight were injured in the accident.”
“How bad were their injuries?” Tsukimori asked.
“It was nothing major, but it was unfortunate that the injuries were on the hands.” With a sigh the staff replied. “We would need to find replacement for them immediately; would you be able to find anyone?”
Tsukimori frowned even more with the outcome. “It would be impossible to find someone in such a short time. Majority of the musicians here already have their own piece to perform and most of all, this is an ensemble piece. It is not possible to just put two other musicians on the spot without practice.”
“What’s wrong?” While Tsukimori was conversing with the staff, Tsuchiura had finished his performance and returned to backstage. With his question, the staff patiently explained the whole disaster again.
“What replacements would you need and for what song?” Tsuchiura frowned too when he heard the bad news.
“Another violinist and flutist, it is for Mozart’s Symphony No 40.”
With what the staff said, immediately Tsuchiura looked up at . “You can do it right?”
“What?!” stepped back in shock. “No, no, no, I don’t think so.”
Unfortunately noticed Tsukimori also looked at her upon Tsuchiura’s suggestion. “It might work. We have practiced this piece before when we worked on the ensemble three years ago.”
“But we will still need a flutist.” The staff interrupted as if had already said yes.
With a smile Tsuchiura reminded. “There is no need to worry about that, there is actually another person present tonight who was once in the ensemble that played the same piece too. I am sure even after three years, he would still be able to perform the song without struggle.”
---
“You need me as the replacement flutist?” Yunoki asked in surprise when the staff approached him for help.
“We are terribly sorry to have to put you on the spot, Yunoki-sama.” The staff gave a big bow of apology. “There was really no one else we could find and according to Tsukimori-sama and Tsuchiura-sama, you have once performed this piece in the ensemble three years ago.”
“It might actually be quite interesting to hear you perform, Azuma-san.” The old man that sat next to Miyako spoke up with a big smile. “I have heard from my daughter that you once were chosen as the candidate of the Annual Music Concur in Seiso Gakuin, it is a pity that I have never heard you play.”
Although Yunoki was unwilling to perform flute before people knowing how sensitive his grandmother could get, but since the request came from his future father-in-law, Yunoki knew his grandmother would then see it only as an action to service an important client. Standing up from his seat, Yunoki gave the elderly man a polite bow. “Urahara-san, in that case I shall try my best.”
Following the staff to backstage, Yunoki’s eyes lightened up in amusement when he saw the member of the ensemble. The moment the female violinist saw him, he noticed the gleam in her eyes changed as she quickly looked away pretending she did not see him and continued on with her practice.
With an observant smile, Yunoki stated. “I guess you have become the last minute replacement too, -san?”
“Yunoki senpai,” Before replied, Tsukimori interrupted coldly as he passed the music score to Yunoki. “Do you need these or can you still remember it off by heart?”
Yunoki’s eyebrow lifted slightly when he sensed Tsukimori was keeping him away from . Gently receiving the music score from Tsukimori, Yunoki replied, his face still beaming with the professional, beautiful smile. “Unfortunately I am not as gifted as you and -san, I might be the one to destroy the ensemble tonight.”
Not bothering to talk to Tsukimori anymore, gently taking out the flute handed to him by the staff, Yunoki started the tuning and warming up of the fingers. The moment heard the beautiful elegant sounds that came from Yunoki’s flute, secretly took a look at Yunoki.
To be honest, still does not know how to act in front of Yunoki. Hoping she was able to get by tonight without having to converse with Yunoki, never predicted this outcome.
“Okay, should we try to go through it once?” The cellist in the ensemble suggested.
Taking a deep breath convinced herself to stay calm. Unfortunately when she found herself standing between Tsukimori and Yunoki, found it impossible to concentrate. With her part slightly off the tempo compared to everyone, the group stopped immediately.
“I am so sorry,” apologised immediately. “I am a little nervous…”
“I guess it’s not too bad considering you haven’t practiced with us before.’ The violist of the group quickly comforted.
“Shall we try again?” The cellist asked.
“Take a deep breath and try to relax, -san.” With an encouraging smile Yunoki suggested. “I am also finding it hard to catch up since it has been a while. But I believe it will all come back to us.”
Not expecting the comforting words to come from Yunoki, felt her heart moved greatly. Secretly taking a look at Yunoki, discovered that unlike the other times, this time Yunoki was actually genuinely helping her.
“Try to follow my lead, and relax your shoulders even more.” Coming from her other side, Tsukimori whispered.
A stream of warmness flowed through when she received the advice and comfort from the two boys. Although time had altered the relationships between the three of them, in a moment like this, felt she had returned back to the high school days where they all worked together to achieve the same recognition.
Slowly closing her eyes, allowed her fingers to take over, and her mind entered into such calm and tranquillity. Like magic, this time round the practice sounded spectacular and amazing. The cellist and violist exchanged a look with each other when they discovered, they actually sounded even better than the original members! Seriously, where did these two ‘replacements’ pop up from??
---
“Congratulations on winning the award,” congratulated Tsuchiura after he returned to the table from receiving the ‘Best Original Music Score’ award showered in cheers and applause.
“Thanks,” With a smile Tsuchiura sat back into his seat. “But I wasn’t as excited as when I heard you guys perform tonight. Like how I remembered, you guys were still amazing together.”
Blushing, complained. “It’s all your fault for putting me on the spot like that. I thought my job was only to help you meet the policy so you could enter tonight’s venue?”
Laughing Tsuchiura replied, “I guess I really owe you big time. So do you want to leave soon or are you going to stay for the dance?”
“Isn’t the event finished?” asked remembering on the program, Tsuchiura’s award was supposed to be the last one.
“Well, the formal part is,” Tsuchiura answered. “After this is the celebration where the ball starts.”
Just as Tsuchiura explained, the master of ceremony announced that the ball has officially started, and already many couples entered the dance floor when the music started playing. While Tsuchiura and were talking, a gentleman approached their table as he greeted. “Good evening, Tsuchiura-san.”
Standing immediately from his seat, Tsuchiura quickly shook hands with the visitor. “Good evening, Kondo-san.”
saw the two men converse with each other for a while, then turning to her, Tsuchiura apologised. “Sorry , Kondo-san and his associates would like to discuss over some future contracts for my work.”
“Sure, don’t mind me.” Knowing more opportunities had risen for Tsuchiura after winning the award tonight, said supportively. “I will just sit here and help myself to the desert buffet, so take your time.”
“Thanks,” In gratefulness Tsuchiura gave a smile before he left with Kondo.
“Len,” Hamai Misa smiled and called out to her son while her eyes landed on the girl that sat alone at her table. “Aren’t you going to ask -kun for a dance? She is sitting there by herself.”
Tsukimori’s eyes followed where his mother was looking and saw as she had described, really sat there looking like she was bored. Don’t know when and how Tsuchiura had left her there by herself.
“No, I…” Feeling his face slightly hotter from embarrassment, Tsukimori replied. “I am sure already has a partner.”
Seeing her son’s facial expression, Hamai Misa gave an understanding smile. “Len, if you don’t ask her, she will be asked by someone else.”
Tsukimori frowned when he saw just as his mother said, he saw a man approached ’s table.
“Err…no it’s okay. I am not really a dancer.” When the stranger approached her to invite her to the dance, squeezed out a smile and declined.
“It’s alright. I can teach you.” The man smiled and insisted. Forcefully reaching out his hand, he held onto ’s hand and pulled her out of her chair. “Since your partner abandoned you, you should be free to dance with me right?”
“Wait, please let go of me!” called in shock as she tried to pull her hand out from the man’s grasp. Suddenly saw another hand pulled the arrogant man’s hand off hers. Looking up, ’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw that it was Tsukimori!
“It’s not what a gentleman should do forcing a lady.” Coldly Tsukimori said to the man. “Besides, who said she was abandoned by her partner?” Turning to , Tsukimori held onto her hand as he led her towards the dance floor.
“Len…?” called in surprise finding her heart pumping fast like crazy when Tsukimori’s arm came around her waist and led her into the waltz.
“Sorry, I know you probably did not want to dance with me,” Softly Tsukimori whispered when a sad tender expression came onto his face. “But I did not know how else to keep you occupied in case another man came to harass you.”
felt her heart thumped hard with what Tsukimori said. Lowering her head in shyness shook her head softly. “No, I should thank you first for rescuing me from that awkward situation.” Pausing, added, her voice hardly audible. “I am glad that we can dance like this again…”
Tsukimori felt his heart burnt with ’s sweet touching words. The beautiful genuine smile that Tsukimori had not shown for a long time came onto his stunningly perfect face as he leaned in holding closer to him.
“I know you came as Tsuchiura’s partner, but is it okay if I escort you home, ?”
---
“Well, I am fine with it.” Tsuchiura shrugged his shoulders when Tsukimori told him that he would offer to take home. “I guess it worked out better this way because I actually have to attend another meeting after this.”
“Wow, what time can you finally go home?” asked in sympathy.
With a long sorrowful sigh, Tsuchiura shook his head. “I wish I know the answer myself.” Turning to he smiled. “Thanks for coming with me tonight. I will see you later?”
“No worries, I will see you later too.”
After Tsuchiura walked off to attend his “meeting”, turned to Tsukimori. “I just need to go grab my coat from the concierge, I will see you at the front door in five minutes?”
“Alright.” In acknowledgement Tsukimori nodded.
After collected her coat and headed back towards the front entrance where Tsukimori would be waiting, her feet stopped when she saw a person waiting for her in the corridor. The moment she saw the person’s face, felt her body froze and her lung unable to breath as the person stood up from where he was and approached her.
“You really are amazing, .” The person gave a cruel smirk as an icy coldness painted his strikingly beautiful face. “How do you manage to fool all these men into becoming your love slave?”
“Yu…Yunoki senpai?!” felt her heart thumped so hard that she could hear it pounding right by her ears unison the steps the dangerously charming senior took to finally close up the distance between them.
“First you slept with Hihara, making him stay up three days to work on your assignment for you, then you showed up as Tsuchiura’s partner and leaving with Tsukimori?” Yunoki mocked, his every word malicious and harsh.
Upon such ridicule, ’s face turned bright red as she blurted out in defence. “You do not have the right to condemn me, Yunoki senpai! You already have a beautiful fiancée, why then did you…??” halted her words immediately realising she could not even phrase that incident back to Yunoki.
“…Are you jealous?”
lifted her head in shock upon Yunoki’s question. “Of course not! Why would I be jealous of…??” stopped all of a sudden when to her total bemusement; she encountere a smile on Yunoki’s face.
It was not the kind of smile that Yunoki always faked, nor was it the sort that he would use whenever he makes fun of . Rather, it was the genuine, pure happiness that reflected from some sort of revelation Yunoki seemed to have discovered.
“…” Whispering her name in tenderness, found Yunoki pulled her into his arms.
As a reflex, struggled madly to push herself away from Yunoki in fear that he might do something to her again. Something that was going to haunt her for the next months, something that is going to give her the wrong idea again.
Unfortunately had only found Yunoki tightened his embrace as he leaned in and whispered once again by her ear, in the deep charming suave voice that made her legs lose its strength. “…do you believe wishes can come true?”
Finally stopped struggling but she could not make out a word to answer Yunoki’s question. However it appeared that Yunoki wasn’t really looking for an answer as he continued. “Wish is only beautiful when it cannot be fulfilled.”
Stopping, Yunoki lifted ’s chin to face him as he looked deeply and sincerely into her eyes. “Yet, if that wish was towards me, . I am willing to do everything, sacrifice all, my future, my life, and my everything to ensure that wish will come true.”
Not sure if her ears malfunctioned, felt her heart burnt and moved greatly with Yunoki’s passionate words. What…what was he indicating? Why is he saying this to her??
Slowly Yunoki let go of her as he moved away keeping the distance from her. Turning back to look at , the evil, teasing smile returned once again onto Yunoki’s face as he added. “Just kidding, . You didn’t think I was confessing did you?”
felt blood rushed to her head in realisation that Yunoki was making fun of her again. Feeling like an idiot to be so easily fooled and moved by Yunoki's words, not wanting to spend another second there, turned and stormed off hoping to be as far away from Yunoki as possible.
However, slowed down her pace when she suddenly remembered the genuine smile Yunoki showed before he said all that.
Was that really just another evil joke?