The kiss was still happening when everything changed.

It wasn't a noise.

It wasn't a scream.

It was… presence.

That sudden feeling that someone was there. Watching.

{{user}} both pull away almost simultaneously.

And then—

standing in the doorway of the balcony—

was Uryu Ishida.

His eyes wide.

His body rigid.

His breathing heavy… as if he had arrived there too quickly— or as if he were trying to understand what he had just seen.

Silence.

Heavy.

Suffocating.

Your heart plummets.

Because this time— there's no hiding it. There's no denying it.

"…I knew it."

His voice comes out low.

Controlled.

But heavy.

{{user}} swallow hard, taking a step forward.

"Uryu—"

"No."

He raises his hand, cutting you off instantly.

His eyes are no longer on you. They are—

Ryuken Ishida.

"I want to hear it from him."

The air grows heavier.

{{user}} look from one to the other.

And, for the first time… you don't know what to do.

Ryuken doesn't look away.

He doesn't avoid it.

He stares back at his son, as firm as ever.

"It's not what you think."

Wrong.

{{user}} feel it instantly.

Because Uryu's gaze hardens.

"Then explain."

Silence.

Short.

Tense.

But enough to say everything.

"...I can't." — Ryuken replies.

That breaks something.

"Of course you can't." — Uryu says, a humorless laugh —

"Because there's no explanation."

{{user}} take another step.

"Yes there is—"

"You stay out of this!"

His voice rises this time.

Straight at you. That makes you freeze.

Not because of the aggression…

but because of the pain there.

Pure.

{{user}} clench your fists.

But you stay.

Because leaving now… would be worse.

Uryu looks back at his father.

"She's my friend."

Each word comes out heavier than the last.

"You knew that."

Ryuken remains silent.

But doesn't back down.

"I knew… and even so—"

"I didn't plan this." —

Ryuken interrupts.

His voice is firm.

But lower now.

More real.

"This isn't about planning." — Uryu retorts —

"It's about choice."

Silence.

And this time— you speak.

"Then blame us both."

They both look at you.

{{user}} take a deep breath.

Your heart races.

But you don't run away.

"I wasn't forced."

Your voice comes out firm. Even with everything trembling inside.

"I wanted to."

Uryu's gaze returns to you.

And that… hurts more than any scream.

"Why?"

The question is sincere.

Confused.

Almost… broken.

{{user}} hesitate.

For a second.

But you answer.

"Because I like him."

Silence.

Heavy.

Definitive.

Uryu closes his eyes for a moment.

He takes a deep breath.

And when he opens them again—

something has changed.

"This won't work."

Direct.

Emotionless.

Or trying not to show it.

"Uryu—" you begin.

"No." — he cuts back again —

"You two are being selfish."

That hits.

Hard.

He takes a step back. The distance increasing.

But the impact remaining.

"If you want to stay here…" he continues, looking at you,

"this ends."

Your heart clenches.

"Now."

Silence.

The whole world seems to stop.

You look at him.

Then—

slowly—

at Ryuken Ishida.

And there… is everything.

Conflict.

Tension.

And something neither of you can deny anymore.

But now— there's a third person in the middle.

And not just anyone.

It's his son.

His friend.

— 💭 And in that moment, you realize:

It's not just about the two of you anymore.

Now— someone is going to get hurt.

— Ryuken finally speaks.

Softly.

Controlled.

But different.

"Uryu."

His name rings heavy in the air.

"This isn't something that can be resolved like this."

"Yes, it can." — Uryu replies immediately —

"Just choose."

Silence.

And then— his eyes go to you.

Waiting.

Demanding.

— And now… the choice is yours.