The afternoon sun hung low over the campus, casting golden shadows over the courtyard where Yuto and Noa sat together, sharing a quiet moment. It had been a few months since their engagement, and everything seemed peaceful — almost too peaceful.
Noa leaned against Yuto's shoulder, her fingers gently tracing patterns on the back of his hand.
"Yuto... after graduation, where do you want to live?" she asked softly, her emerald eyes reflecting the sky.
Yuto chuckled, squeezing her hand.
"Anywhere, as long as it's with you."
Before Noa could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"So you're Yuto Kisaragi."
They turned. Standing just a few feet away was a tall young man, maybe a year older than them. He had jet-black hair, piercing silver eyes, and a cold, assessing gaze. His uniform was crisp, almost military-like, and the badge on his chest bore the emblem of a prestigious art academy.
Noa's smile faded.
"...Arisa's brother," she whispered.
The young man stepped closer, hands in his pockets.
"Name's Renji Nishimura," he said, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "I've heard a lot about you."
Yuto stood up calmly, shielding Noa slightly behind him.
"And you are?"
Renji's lips curled into a smirk.
"Arisa told me everything. How you humiliated her... how you 'stole' Noa from her..." He shook his head. "You're not worthy of her."
Noa stood too, her cheeks flushed with anger.
"That's not true! Yuto—"
Renji held up a hand.
"This isn't about you, Noa. It's about him proving he deserves you."
Without warning, he tossed a wooden sword at Yuto's feet.
"A duel. No magic. No tricks. Just skill. Winner gets the right to date Noa."
Yuto's fists clenched. He had no interest in fighting for Noa's love — he already knew where they stood. But he saw the fierce gleam in Renji's eyes. If he refused, Renji would never stop.
Yuto picked up the sword.
Noa grabbed his sleeve.
"You don't have to—"
"I know," Yuto said quietly, giving her a reassuring smile. "But I want to."
The courtyard cleared as students gathered to watch. Word spread fast — the famed Yuto Kisaragi was going to duel.
They stood facing each other, swords at the ready. The late afternoon breeze stirred their hair.
A teacher tried to intervene, but Renji's cold glare made him stop.
"Ready?" Renji said.
Yuto nodded.
The moment the signal was given, Renji lunged.
He was fast — far faster than Yuto expected. His strikes were precise, ruthless, aimed to disarm and humiliate. Yuto blocked one, two, three blows, stepping back.
Renji smirked.
"Not good enough."
He feinted left, then swung from the right. Yuto barely blocked in time, the force of the blow vibrating down his arm.
Think, Yuto. Don't just defend.
He shifted his stance, remembering his training. Speed wasn't everything. Timing was.
As Renji came in for another strike, Yuto pivoted smoothly, ducked low, and tapped Renji's wrist with his sword, making him drop his weapon.
The courtyard went silent.
Renji stared at his empty hand, then at Yuto, his face a mixture of shock and fury.
"I didn't lose—!"
"You did," Yuto said calmly, dropping the wooden sword to the ground. "And even if you won, Noa isn't a prize. She's a person. She gets to choose."
Noa stepped forward, her voice clear and strong.
"And I already chose Yuto."
Renji's fists trembled. Without another word, he turned and stalked away, students parting before him.
As the crowd began to disperse, Yuto turned to Noa.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded, her eyes shining.
"I'm proud of you."
Yuto smiled, wrapping his arms around her.
"And I'm proud of us."
Above them, the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the world in hues of orange and pink — a reminder that even after the fiercest battles, peace would always return.