The school rooftop was quieter than usual. Too quiet.

Ayato stood near the railing, arms crossed, staring out at nothing in particular. The wind tugged lightly at his shirt, but he didn’t move.

Behind him, the door creaked open.

“You’re here early.”

Laito's voice, casual. Familiar.

Ayato didn’t turn. “You’re late.”

“I had people to deal with,” Laito replied, stepping fully onto the rooftop. “You know how it is.”

A pause.

Then— “So,” Laito continued, tone easy. “You wanted to talk?”

Ayato clicked his tongue. “…Tch. Forget it.”

Laito raised a brow. “You dragged me up here just to say that?”

Silence stretched.

Ayato exhaled sharply. “…That girl,” he muttered.

Laito stilled—just slightly. “What about her?” he asked.

Ayato hesitated, like the words themselves were irritating. “She’s been around a lot,” he said.

Laito hummed. “She has.” Another pause. Then Ayato added, more bluntly— “…It’s annoying.”

Laito tilted his head. “Annoying?” he echoed.

“Yeah,” Ayato said. “She sticks too close. Talks too much. Shows up everywhere.”

Laito watched him carefully now. “And that bothers you?” he asked.

Ayato scoffed. “Obviously.”

“…Right,” Laito murmured.

But something in his voice shifted.

Subtle.

Sharp.

“Then stop letting her,” he added.

Ayato frowned. “What?”

“If she’s that annoying, just ignore her,” Laito said simply.

Ayato turned slightly now, brows knitting. “…You think I haven’t tried that?”

Laito's gaze flickered. “…Have you?”

Ayato didn’t answer immediately. And that silence— That was answer enough.

Something clicked.

Laito's expression didn’t change much, but his eyes sharpened just slightly. “…I see,” he said quietly.

Ayato’s irritation spiked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Laito smiled faintly. “Nothing,” he said. “Just… interesting.”

Ayato narrowed his eyes. “Say it properly.”

Laito let out a small breath, then looked at him directly. “You like her.” The words landed clean. Blunt.

Ayato froze. “…What?”

Laito didn’t look away. “You like her,” he repeated, calm. Ayato’s expression twisted immediately. “Don’t be stupid.” Ayato says.

“Am I?” Laito asked lightly.

“Yes,” Ayato snapped. “Why would I like someone like her?”

“Then why are you bothered?” Laito countered. “If she’s just ‘annoying,’ none of this should matter.”

Ayato opened his mouth— Stopped. “…Tch.” He could only say as he looked away. Didn’t answer.

And that— That was all Laito needed.

His smile faded. Not completely.

Just enough.

“…That’s inconvenient,” he murmured.

Ayato’s eyes snapped back to him.

“…What did you just say?”

Laito didn’t respond right away.

Instead, he looked out at the sky for a moment.

Then— “I was hoping I was the only one,” he said.

Silence.

Heavy.

Ayato stared at him. “…You’re joking.”

Laito glanced at him.

“I don’t joke about things like this.”

Ayato let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh.

“No. No, that’s—” He ran a hand through his hair. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” Laito asked.

“Yes,” Ayato said immediately. “You don’t even— you barely—”

“I talk to her more than you do,” Laito cut in.

That shut him up.

For a second.

“…So what?” Ayato snapped. “That doesn’t mean anything.”

“Doesn’t it?” Laito's tone stayed calm, but there was something under it now. “She comes to me.”

Ayato’s jaw tightened.

“…Because you’re always around.”

Laito smiled faintly. “And you’re not?”

The air shifted.

Tension—sharp, immediate.

“You’re saying she prefers you?” Ayato asked, voice lower now.

“I didn’t say that,” Laito replied.

“You implied it.”

“I stated a fact,” Laito corrected.

Ayato stepped closer.

“So you do like her,” he said.

Not a question.

Laito met his gaze.

“…Yeah.”

No hesitation.

No denial.

And that—

That hit harder than anything else.

A beat of silence.

Then—

“…Tch,” Ayato scoffed, but it came out rougher than usual. “Stay away from her.”

Light’s smile returned—but it wasn’t as light this time.

“That’s not your call.”

Ayato’s eyes narrowed. “Try me.”

“I don’t think you’re in a position to make demands,” Laito said evenly. “Not when you just admitted it yourself.”

“I didn’t admit anything.”

“You didn’t have to.”

Another step closer, and now they were face to face—Tension crackling.

“Then let’s make it simple,” Ayato said. “Back off.”

Laito tilted his head slightly. “Or what?” The question lingered.

Dangerous.

Before Ayato could answer— The rooftop door creaked open.

Both of them stilled.