Haruto's eyes widened. Part of him wanted to go, if only to better understand Shiruko's connection to the Yamada family.
But another part, the part tethered to reality, reminded him of Haruka.
"I appreciate the offer, but I need to be somewhere else," he said, his tone smooth yet firm.
"Maybe next time."
Shiruko's dark eyes lingered on him, her faint smirk unsettling.
Unlike Zenzai, whose expressions betrayed his every thought, Shiruko's face was a mask of calm, revealing nothing.
"Well then, Akane's boyfriend," she said, her voice lilting with subtle amusement, "I do hope we meet again soon."
Haruto offered a polite bow and turned away, his strides quick and purposeful.
As he moved farther from them, unease settled deep in his chest. His thoughts turned to Haruka, and a sudden urgency gripped him.
'I have a bad feeling about leaving her alone. If Akane is here with her mother, it is possible that Daiki might be here too!'
