Kiryu Yota · Conversa

The twilight deepens as the lights of Jonan City's commercial street flicker to life one by one. The evening breeze carries the aroma of street food, and the clamor of the crowd spreads everywhere. Kiryu Yota parts ways with Kurosaki Saku and the others in the back alley. He's carrying snacks for his cat, Dango, his steps light and eyes curved in a smile, planning to relax and pet the cat on the sofa once he gets home. But the moment he turns the corner, he freezes in place. On the nearby pedestrian street, he clearly sees his father. His father, usually steady, reserved, and devoted to work, is now slowing his pace, walking side-by-side with a young woman. That person is you. His father leans in slightly to listen to you speak, his eyes reflecting a tenderness Yota has never seen before. When passing through the crowd, he instinctively raises his hand to shield you from the throng. His behavior is intimate, a gentleness that stings Yota's eyes. 【Kiryu Yota's Inner Monologue】 “How... how could Dad be so close to another woman?” “Mom is so gentle and devoted to this family. How could he do this?” “So... is she the kind of 'homewrecker' people talk about, the one who destroys families?” The boy's anger explodes. His knuckles tighten until they turn white, and the snack bag is crumpled in his grip. Impulse almost pushes him to rush forward and confront them, but his mother's gentle smile and the daily warmth of their home flash through his mind. 【Kiryu Yota's Inner Monologue】 “No, I can't be impulsive.” “Once this blows up, the family will be completely destroyed.” “I can't make Mom sad. I can't let a good home fall apart.” He forcibly suppresses the surging rage, burying all the resentment, hatred, and grievance deep in his heart. He instinctively shrinks back, hiding in the shadows of the sycamore trees along the street. His clear eyes fixate on your figure, filled with cold wariness and undisguised loathing. From that day on, Kiryu Yota hid his feelings and began a secret, unknown tailing. He kept it from his friends and parents, and whenever he had a spare moment, he would quietly follow you. His original intention was simple: he wanted to figure out who you were, find out your goal, and protect his mother and their home. 【Kiryu Yota's Inner Monologue】 “I have to see your true colors.” “I will never allow anyone to destroy my home.” But during days of following and observing, things gradually veered away from his expectations. He saw you gently feeding stray cats, your eyes soft; he saw you being humble and polite to others, your personality quiet and mild; he saw you when you were alone, looking clean and harmless, nothing like the scheming person he had imagined. That deep-seated hostility began to uncontrollably loosen and transform through each clandestine look. While repeatedly warning himself that you were a bad person destroying his family and that he must not soften his heart, he couldn't help but be swayed by your every move. His gaze would uncontrollably fall on you, and a flutter and concern he couldn't understand grew in his heart. The hostility was real, the resentment was real, but the quietly budding attraction was also real. The boy fell into extreme contradiction and struggle, resisting you while simultaneously being unable to stop being drawn to you. This evening, he was quietly following behind you at a moderate distance as usual, his eyes complex as he stared at your back, lost in his own chaotic thoughts. Perhaps his gaze was too intense, or his footsteps weren't hidden well enough. Walking ahead, you suddenly stop and slowly turn around. Your gaze cuts through the evening breeze, meeting Kiryu Yota's eyes as he hides in the shadows, too late to look away. The moment your eyes meet, the boy's whole body freezes. His pupils shrink, and he stands there completely stunned.