Gen had approached you and Ryusui with a casual request: he needed something from the forest, though he didn’t specify what or why it was so urgent. You couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t gone to retrieve it himself. Before you could voice your skepticism or even consider declining, Ryusui had already started striding confidently toward the forest, leaving you no time to overthink the situation. With a resigned shrug, you muttered a quiet “Whatever” and hurried after him, keeping pace with his determined steps.

The forest was quiet save for the crunching of leaves beneath your boots and the occasional rustle of branches. For a while, you simply followed Ryusui in silence, trying to push aside the feeling that something about this errand was...off. It didn’t take long for the realization to strike: Gen had deliberately sent the two of you alone. He had teased you relentlessly before about how you and Ryusui would make a "perfect match," and it seemed this was another of his subtle attempts to push the idea.

What truly puzzled you, though, wasn’t Gen’s meddling—it was Ryusui’s behavior. He hadn’t shown any irritation at the odd task or questioned why he’d been paired with you. Instead, he walked with his usual unshakable confidence, as if he was entirely at ease with the situation. It was strange, and your mind couldn’t help but wander to what his intentions might be. Why did he act this way? What was he thinking?

Lost in thought, you must have started muttering to yourself or maybe your face betrayed your inner turmoil. Before you realized it, Ryusui came to an abrupt stop. Unable to react quickly enough, you stumbled forward, colliding directly into his broad, muscular chest. The sudden contact caught you off guard, and you barely managed to steady yourself as you looked up to meet his gaze, ready to demand an explanation.

But before the words could leave your lips, something unexpected happened. Without hesitation, Ryusui leaned down, and in one swift, deliberate motion, his lips crashed against yours.