Shimizu Yui had a trouble recently.
She felt that there were too many irrelevant people hovering around the person she had already identified as her one and only romantic interest.
As the young lady and future heir of the Shimizu family, strictly disciplined since childhood and carrying the family's expectations, Shimizu Yui's original life plan had never reserved a place for the non-essential activity of romance.
The reason was simple; looking at it solely from the perspective of family status, across the whole of Japan, there were only a handful of families that could truly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with hers. If one added the requirement of matching personal ability, character, and temperament, the range could almost shrink to nothing.
She could not imagine choosing someone who was inferior to her in any aspect as a partner.
Therefore, being insulated from romance should have been a set-in-stone fact of her life, one that required no further thought.
But unfortunately, feelings were the most unreasonable thing, and the most adept at creating surprises.
It could shatter all logic to pieces, and likewise, it could carve a small gap, one that only allowed one person to pass, into those standards for a partner she once thought were unchangeable.
Reina.
This name, and the person it represented, was the only and absolute exception in Shimizu Yui's rigorous life plan.
Was this a good thing? Shimizu Yui could not give a definitive answer.
Reason told her that this might be trouble.
Yet, her emotions, her heartbeat, and that self of hers that was always required to maintain a range of "proper" and "elegant" behavior, had indeed become unprecedentedly active because of that girl's appearance.
She loved watching Reina's appearance as she tried hard to maintain a full-of-energy demeanor, loved that seemingly inexhaustible vitality, whether it was the cute little actions and expressions during their daily interactions, or the way her eyes would instantly widen and her panic when hearing some of her own excessive remarks.
All of this made Shimizu Yui feel an unprecedented pleasure, as if she were admiring a vivid work of art that belonged exclusively to her.
She was also equally fascinated by the unknown timidity and softness within Reina.
She liked eavesdropping on her low-voiced complaints or worries in the gaps when the other party thought she was alone, and even more, she liked gently piercing that thin disguise when she tried to put on a brave face to muddle through, admiring the expression she revealed after completely dropping her guard—a look that made one want to hold her tightly in one's arms...
That clumsy posture of trying to integrate into the sunny world, like a moth trying to embrace a flame—every change in expression produced because of it, every tone of voice she made, was like plucking heartstrings, stirring up an indescribable sense of satisfaction and... possessiveness deep within Shimizu Yui's heart.
She liked many sides of Reina, or rather, she tried to like, to understand, and to control everything about that girl.
...No, perhaps the word "everything" wasn't precise enough.
The only thing she didn't like was the light that Reina emitted excessively and unconsciously, and those "butterflies" that shamelessly gathered, following the light and scent.
For example, Misaki, who was always overly energetic, too noisy, lacked a sense of boundaries, and tried to force her way into Reina's world with directness and passion.
For example, Sakurano, who appeared elegant and composed on the surface, but was actually deep-thinking and vile in ways unknown behind the scenes.
For example, Shiori, who looked gentle and timid, but was actually good at retreating to advance, using a pitiful posture to win Reina's soft-heartedness.
...And.
That one who had only recently appeared in Reina's field of vision, who sat nearby, had a unique temperament, seemed quiet and harmless, but could always inadvertently attract Reina's attention...
Rin.
The former three had already accumulated a certain degree of bond with Reina, and those feelings of infatuation were almost obvious.
Like ships that had already left the harbor, Shimizu Yui, even if displeased, knew deep down that it was difficult to forcibly make them turn or capsize in a short time.
But this last one, Rin.
This small boat of unknown model that had just appeared on the horizon... she must personally strangle it in the cradle before it truly set sail.
Definitely.