A New Chapter Begins
The crisp Tokyo air buzzed with the energy of spring and new beginnings. Meiyo University's grand gates welcomed a sea of new students, all full of ambition and excitement — and among them walked Ren and Aoi, now officially a couple.
The move from Hokkaido had been a whirlwind, but everything had settled perfectly. Their cozy little rented house just a few blocks from campus was quiet, warm, and filled with the scent of fresh coffee and Aoi's favorite floral shampoo.
Every morning began with Ren making breakfast — perfectly rolled tamagoyaki, miso soup, and toast with strawberry jam. Aoi would sneak behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her chin on his shoulder.
"You're going to spoil me," she'd whisper.
Ren would smile shyly, his heart fluttering with each word. "Maybe I want to."
Sweet Routines, Silent Vows
They would leave together, fingers entwined until they reached the main gate, where they'd split ways — pretending to be just classmates again. Aoi always made a pouty face at the act, and Ren would pat her head gently before she went off.
At home, however, it was another world entirely. They studied together in the evening, traded notes, cuddled during breaks, and even fell asleep on the same couch more times than they could count.
"I never thought we'd be here like this," Aoi said one evening, tracing circles on Ren's palm as they lay watching the stars from their window.
Ren turned to her, brushing her hair aside. "Me neither. But now, I can't imagine it any other way."
Aoi's eyes sparkled. "Promise you'll stay mine forever?"
He leaned in. "Only if you do too."
Her Name Was Saki
Everything was perfect — until she appeared.
Saki Minazuki, a soft-spoken, graceful girl from Kyoto, had transferred into their department. She was bright, always asking good questions in class, and was immediately admired for her polite manner and refined presence.
One morning, Ren returned from his programming lab with a slightly awkward expression.
"A professor assigned me to mentor someone... a girl. She's new and needs help catching up on our coursework."
Aoi tilted her head. "Girl?"
"Yeah… her name's Saki Minazuki. I'll be meeting her twice a week."
Aoi nodded slowly, but something behind her smile twitched.
The Spark of Possession
At first, it didn't bother Aoi. She trusted Ren. After all, they lived together. Loved each other. She had nothing to fear.
But then she started noticing things.
Saki waiting for Ren after class.
Saki laughing just a little too hard at his jokes.
Saki touching his arm casually when they talked.
Then one day, Aoi saw them in the campus café. Saki leaned in close, her fingers brushing Ren's as she showed him a sketch in her notebook. Ren looked flustered — but didn't pull away.
That night, Aoi was silent during dinner.
"You okay?" Ren asked.
She didn't answer. Instead, she walked around the table and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder.
"I don't like it," she muttered.
Ren blinked. "What?"
"That girl. The way she looks at you. The way she talks to you. It pisses me off."
He blinked again, surprised by her tone. This wasn't playful Aoi. This was something deeper. Darker.
"She's just a classmate—"
"She wants more," Aoi interrupted, her voice sharp. "Don't you see it?"
Ren hesitated.
Aoi pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. "Ren… I'm yours. But I want you to be mine too. Completely."
Aoi's Switch Flips
The next few days, Aoi subtly inserted herself into every possible interaction. She started waiting for Ren after his lab sessions. She casually "bumped into" him and Saki on campus. She even switched one of her electives just to be in the same room when Ren mentored her.
Saki noticed.
Everyone noticed.
Even Ren, who didn't quite know how to handle it.
That night, as they lay side by side in bed, Aoi clung to Ren tightly.
"I know I'm being clingy," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "but when I think of someone else taking you away, it feels like I can't breathe."
Ren turned and cupped her cheek. "I'm not going anywhere."
"But what if she—"
"She's not you," he said firmly. "No one is."
Her heart thumped. She reached up and kissed him deeply, passionately, needing to feel the truth in his promise.
As they parted, Aoi smiled with a dangerous sweetness. "Good. Because if someone ever tries to steal you..."
Ren blinked.
Aoi's eyes gleamed.
"…I won't let them."