Class had just ended, and the sky was tinged with the soft hues of dusk. You were about to head home when the craving hit—a cold, sweet milk tea sounded like heaven. You took a small detour to your favorite café, the bell above the door chiming softly as you stepped inside.

Your public school uniform felt a little out of place as your eyes landed on a group of students across the room. Their polished blazers and pristine ties gave them away—private school kids. You guessed they were around your age, but the tension radiating from their group was impossible to ignore.

There were three of them. A guy stood close to a girl, almost shielding her. His arm was casually draped around her, his stance territorial. Facing them was another guy—taller, sharper, with dark eyes that seemed to slice through the room. His expression was unreadable, but the tension between him and the couple was thick. You could feel it from across the café.

You turned your attention back to the counter, trying to decide between classic milk tea or something fruity. But then, a voice cut through the chatter.

“She’s with her boyfriend now,” the sharp-eyed guy said, his tone tight but oddly calm.

Before you could even look back, a hand suddenly grabbed your wrist—firm and possessive. You gasped as he spun you around, facing him directly. Your heart jumped.

It was Kyojin Jukari. You’d heard of him before—his name carried weight, both whispered and feared.

He looked at you—no, through you—for a second, then smirked. But there was bitterness behind it. His voice was low and mocking.

“Don’t just stand there. Play along.”

You blinked, stunned, your words caught in your throat.

Then he turned to face the couple again, tightening his grip on your wrist as if staking a claim.

“What? You moved on, right?” he said to the guy with the girl. “So did I.” His gaze slid to you with false affection. “Meet my girl.”

You were completely caught off guard. You had walked in for milk tea and suddenly you were a pawn in someone else's twisted love triangle.

The girl—his ex, apparently—stared at you, stunned. Her boyfriend stiffened.