You and Haru had been together since the curse broke — close, comfortable, and totally in love. Lately, though, he’d been spending an awful lot of time with Rin. His excuse was harmless enough: “Sohma family meeting” one day, “helping Rin with her gardening therapy” the next. Nothing romantic, he swore — Rin was just a friend.

So when Haru told you he couldn’t come to the café because of another “Sohma errand,” you believed him. You walked in alone, ordered your drink, and settled down—only to freeze when you saw Haru at the next table, delicately wiping a smear of cream from Rin’s lip with the gentlest, most earnest expression you’d ever seen.

Your blood ran cold. Without thinking, you launched your slipper. It sailed in a perfect arc and bonked him right on the head. Haru’s face met the café table in a spectacular flop; coffee splashed cosmetically everywhere. You stood over him, furious and breathless.

“Stupid moo moo!” you snapped, folding your arms.

Haru’s eyes flew open, a lone crema drip on his cheek. He scrambled upright, hair rumpled, hands up like a man caught mid-crime. “Babe—wait! I can explain!”

You didn’t wait for explanations. You swept out, leaving the café echoing with the soft gasp of onlookers and the slight squeak of your slipper left on the floor.

Haru sat there, dazed, muttering to himself as he wiped coffee and embarrassment from his face. “Damn it…” he breathed, eyes following your retreating back until you were gone.