Chapter 99: Giving and Taking

The chilly autumn wind swept through the campus, tearing golden ginkgo leaves from their already loose branches and hurling them violently onto the ground, where they splashed muddy droplets mixed with rain.

Raindrops as large as soybeans pounded the earth amid howling winds; everyone had taken shelter under the classroom building, occasionally pulling their collars tighter, breathing warm air, or shivering.

It was only early autumn, yet it felt like midwinter—Tokyo’s weather changed too swiftly; just that morning the sun had shone brightly and everyone wore shorts and T-shirts, but by afternoon the temperature plummeted and a torrential downpour began, even the weather forecast had failed.

Even in such terrible weather, a figure still ran along the path, dashing into the classroom building like a monkey bursting through a waterfall cave, completely soaked.

Amuro Yu paid no attention to it; he wiped the rain from his face and pulled a plastic bag from inside his T-shirt.

“Perfect—none spilled!” Amuro Yu cradled it in his palms; inside the bag was a cup of milk tea, its warmth matching the pounding of his heart.

He and Haruko had “officially become a couple” nearly a week ago; though progress was slow, he felt their bond deepening day by day.

Haruko drank milk tea every afternoon—it was an unbreakable habit—and every time, Amuro Yu bought her one and brought it to her, even on days like today, when the rain poured relentlessly.

Arriving outside Haruko’s classroom, the bell rang just as he arrived; Amuro Yu wiped the water from his face again.

Seeing Haruko walk out laughing with her classmates, Amuro Yu rushed forward. “Haruko—milk tea.”

“You’re drenched…” Haruko immediately remembered the storm outside and understood what had happened.

“Your boyfriend is so thoughtful—he braved this rain to bring you milk tea.”

“How enviable~”

Haruko’s female classmates laughed.

“He’s not even my boyfriend yet,” Haruko took the milk tea from Amuro Yu and said, “Go change your clothes—you’ll catch a cold.”

Amuro Yu puffed out his chest. “No way—I’m in great shape!”

“I’ve got another class—I’m off.” Haruko took the milk tea and walked away without another word, decisively.

Watching her back, Amuro Yu wanted to say something, but all that remained was a sigh………………

“Achoo!” Amuro Yu, now changed into dry clothes, sneezed loudly; his forehead felt hot—he wasn’t as healthy as he claimed.

“Looks like I’ve caught a cold,” Amuro Yu murmured, then remembered the Aileshe band rehearsal—he didn’t even buy medicine, just rushed over.

When he arrived at the activity center, everyone’s expressions were grim; especially the president, who seemed to have lost his temper, his face dark as stormwater.

“What’s going on?” Amuro Yu asked, confused.

“Take a look yourself,” Miyano Kasumi handed him her phone; the screen showed a news article:

“The renowned Kyoto University rock band Super has released a new song, ‘Re:make,’ announcing it will compete in the upcoming Japanese University Singing Competition one month from now.”

“As a competition entry, this song is now prohibited for use by any individual or group other than Super until after the contest concludes…………”

“This… this is Luo Quan’s song!” Amuro Yu shouted.

Kamino Suzune shook her head. “Not anymore. A week ago, this song was registered with the Japan Music Copyright Association. Every note matches Luo Quan’s original—but the copyright holder refuses to reveal their identity. We still don’t know who did it.”

“It’s definitely a traitor!” Kumoii Akira slammed his fist on the table. “We’ve only played this song inside the activity center. The karate club members haven’t been around much these past few days—it must be someone from Aileshe who leaked it!”

Hearing this, Amuro Yu’s face turned deathly pale; his body trembled slightly.

“Yu, you look awful,” Miyano Kasumi said, worried.

Amuro Yu shook his head. “I got caught in the rain—I caught a cold.”

Luo Quan asked, “Did you take medicine?”

“I will, soon.”

“If I find out who this bastard is, I’ll beat him to death!” Kumoii Akira snarled at the air; the members remained silent, heads bowed, lost in thought.

Though no one knew the traitor’s identity, Amuro Yu had one suspect in mind—but he refused to believe she could be capable of it.

The melody had only ever been in the hands of the band members; other Aileshe members were mere music lovers—they couldn’t possibly transcribe the song note-for-note from hearing it, unless she had the full sheet music!

Aside from the band members, only Haruko had ever received the sheet music. No reasoning or suspicion was needed—the prime suspect could only be her.

“I’m going to make a phone call,” Amuro Yu’s voice trembled; before anyone could react, he turned and stumbled away.

Everyone stared after him, watching as he dialed a number at the door, spoke only a few words, then charged into the rain without an umbrella.

“What’s wrong with him?” Miyano Kasumi stood up anxiously.

“I’ll go check on him—if anything happens, I’ll call you.” Luo Quan seemed to understand; she pulled two umbrellas from the rack by the door, opened one, and followed him out.

“The plan went perfectly. I can’t wait to see the look on Luo Quan’s face when she finds out,” Iwasaki Eiji stepped out of the lounge, arm around Haruko, radiant with triumph.

Haruko whispered softly, “Eiji-kun, don’t forget what you promised me.”

“Don’t worry—I keep my word,” Iwasaki Eiji grinned broadly, about to open his umbrella, when he spotted Amuro Yu standing not far away.

“Haruko—what are you doing?” Amuro Yu walked slowly toward them, his heart shattered as if struck by lightning.

Sawano Haruko showed no surprise or panic; she spoke coldly. “Since you saw it, I won’t lie—I’ve always been Eiji-kun’s girlfriend. Everything between us was just a lie.”

“Did you give this song to him?” Amuro Yu’s lips trembled; his eyes still held disbelief.

He couldn’t believe the gentle, cherry-blossom-like Haruko had become so terrifying, so alien. He wanted to pull her away from the demon—but found he couldn’t even raise his hand.

Iwasaki Eiji denied it. “Don’t make false accusations. This song was written by someone else—when did it become Luo Quan’s?”

“Haruko, this is all a lie, isn’t it? He must be threatening you, right? Don’t be afraid—I’ll protect you! If you come to me, I’ll die for you!” Amuro Yu screamed like a cornered beast in the rain; many students from the cafeteria gathered, pointing and whispering.

He still clung to his final struggle and illusion—he refused to believe the perfect girl’s true face was this cruel. It had to be Iwasaki Eiji who turned her this way.

“Go to you?” Sawano Haruko sneered. “Go to you and get soaked in the rain? Eiji-kun can call a luxury car with one phone call—what could possibly get in his way?”

“I’m tired of your penny-pinching. You’re poor, yet pretend to be rich, buying me gifts you can’t afford. All I feel when I see it is utter absurdity!”

Though harsh, this was the reality of society—who doesn’t crave spending without worry, rather than agonizing over a few hundred yen?

Haruko’s choice wasn’t wrong—but she shouldn’t have strung Amuro Yu along after making it.

“To be honest, every second with you made me feel uncomfortable. Every word you spoke reeked of poverty. Every time we held hands, I washed mine for hours afterward. Someone as weak and indecisive as you? No girl would ever like you.”

Each of Haruko’s words was a sharp dagger plunged into Amuro Yu’s heart; in the bleak wind and rain, he felt utterly abandoned by the world.

He raised his head helplessly, letting the raindrops pound his face; an indescribable sorrow spilled from his shattered soul, drowning him in despair.

Sometimes, destroying a man takes only a few simple words.

Iwasaki Eiji, like a victor, taunted Amuro Yu: “Lowlife should know their place. Delusional fantasies are the greatest tragedy of people like you—and even worse, you have no self-awareness, even take pride in it.”

“You should thank me for helping you see reality early. As for Haruko—she’s beyond your reach. Give up this fantasy now.”

“Also, think about how you’ll face Luo Quan and the others. You’re the main culprit behind the song leak—you know it better than anyone, don’t you? Hahaha!”

These were words meant to kill the soul. Hearing them, Amuro Yu shut his eyes in remorse, collapsing to his knees, his body limp—he wanted to die.

“Tap… tap… tap…”

Behind Amuro Yu came slow, steady footsteps; they stopped just behind him—and the furious rain suddenly ceased.

Amuro Yu looked back; droplets like strings of pearls slid down his forehead, blurring his vision.

He wiped them gently, finally seeing the girl’s face before him.

In that moment, his body froze as if struck by lightning.

In that moment, he felt as if he had seen Aphrodite from Greek myth.