The rain pounded Tokyo like fists, and a lone figure stood in the deluge, cold droplets slicing against his skin as he walked. He arrived at Terma graveyards, where shadows mingled with the night. gripping a flower in his right hand, he knelt before a stone monument:
1999–2013—Here lies Rinze Hahira, beloved daughter, sister, lover, and friend.
He tore off his mask, revealing a face twisted in anguish. Uncontrollable sobs racked him. "The world is cruel…" he whispered, his voice lost in the storm. All he could recall was her last call — "Kojou!" — when they were the heartbeat of Jotyu High, the unbreakable trio shaping Tokyo's hope. Now he was shattered, drowning under the icy stars.
Flashback, 2013:
Jotyu High. Three seniors stood before a club poster. Rinze, with purple hair and matching eyes, wore a black hoodie dress embroidered with kanji, an orange sweater glowing beneath. Next to her, a blank-faced man wore a purple shirt, a button cl fastening its left cuff, and crisp white shoes — the proud look of Jotyu. The third, a striking teen with white hair and orange eyes, sported a white coat-like shirt and matching orange accents. Unity radiated among them.
In the Hall of Heroes, statues of legends watched as students buzzed like children. Upstairs, Grandmaster Enzo sat with Rinze, beaming.
"It makes me happy seeing you a fine woman, Rinze," he said.
"Thank you, Enzo-sama. Without you, I wouldn't be here," she replied, her voice sure.
Enzo's brow furrowed. "How are Goto and Kojou? The unstoppable duo."
"Fine. Adapting to adulthood," Rinze said, sidestepping the truth. Enzo chuckled, swigging wine.
"By the way, they're both smitten. You must choose."
Rinze's smile faltered. "Master, I grew up with them. This is hard." Countless suitors coveted her, and the rivalry between Goto and Kojou simmered — a fire she must quench.
"End it, Rinze-chan. Who do you love?" The question hung, unanswered.
Present. Goto rose from his knees, rain mingling with his tears, and vanished into the night. Only the graveyard's water-drenched silence remained.
At dawn, Kojou appeared, two flowers in hand. He placed one on Rinze's grave, joining a stranger's recent tribute. Tears streamed as he whispered:
"_I love you, Kojou-kun._" Her final words, before chaos swallowed everything.
A voice behind him: "She's a good woman." Yamato, a loyal friend, stood with him. Together, they approached another grave. Kojou knelt, touching the earth.
"I promise I'll make this right, brother," he said, fighting tears. He laid a flower on Goto's resting place.
"_I love you, bro._" He stood, Yamato wiping his own eyes. Both wished fervently they were still there. The rain had paused, but the ache wouldn't.