incorrect booksmart fan

Mary: to be under her. amiright *elbows her*

Yumeko & Mary simultaneously: wait who are you talking about?

Mary: Riri.

Yumeko: Kira…

Yumeko x Kira

Description: Yumeko and Kira have been dating for over a year now, the relationship was healthy and stable. All of that changed after Yumeko overheard a bet.

Warning: Fluff, Angst

Word Count: 6,301

(©Do not copy my work please and thank you)

Kira was off in a meeting, I had forgotten my jacket so I snuck into the back and went to her room. That was when I overheard a conversation they were having. I didn’t like to ease drop and I wasn’t much of a gossip girl but the moment I heard my name get thrown around I had to listen.

“I have to give it to you, I didn’t think she'd last any longer than two months” I heard another voice that wasn’t Kira say.

“It was easy because she was practically wrapped around my finger.” I knew that voice all too well, I committed my body to recognize it no matter how far or how close. 

“Well that beat my five year bet.” For how long was this going for? It doesn't seem to matter now.

“Who knew that Yumeko was such a lover girl? I must say she’s quite helpless despite her many talents.” Unable to hear anymore I just left my jacket not caring about the weather outside. I then sneak out of the counselor room before walking down the hall quickly.

Was that really it? 1 year 5 months and 23 days down the drain and all for what? Because she thought that it’ll be up to her amusement. The worst part was, it felt so real that I couldn’t read between the lines.

Every date, or long nights where we laid together and she would just run her hand in my hair while she told me stories of her family or her day. I would lay beside her and listen to everything she said, just because I wanted to know more. Because I knew she wanted to be heard. 

Every rumor every gossip people had to say would be quickly shut down. Dismissed or ignored all together. And now none of that mattered, why would it?

I adored your beautiful long black hair that never seems to grow old. The eyes that I couldn’t stop myself from adoring. My actions were always discerning. How is it that after all of this I feel like my inside is burning? My throat soaring and a feeling in my heart that wouldn’t stop hurting.

I walked down the halls but I couldn’t control my eyes from watering. No not in public, I argued to myself. Right before I was about to turn I spotted Mary by the hallway. It was so odd because she was supposed to be in the meeting with the others but here she was talking to a house pet.

“Make sure that they are milk chocolate. Riri hates the dark.” I was far too out of it to really care. It wasn’t very long before Mary spotted me and gave me a familiar smile, a genuine one. Her cheeks look like a chipmunk. It was cute. She quickly dropped it when she noticed me walking past her.

“Yumeko what’s wrong?” She dismissed the house pet quickly without much warning before catching up to me and grabbing my shoulder gently. I turned over to her still unable to speak, my tears kept running down my cheek.

It didn’t help Mary she seemed to panic more wanting to know what caused this. I decided to take her hand and guide her to a more secluded place before speaking. Many students here loved to listen in or make up any rumors once the suspicion was made. We found a quiet hall far from the main area and I let go of her hand before slightly pacing around in small circles.

“Are you in on it as well?” I ask her curiously trying to make sense of all of this. I needed answers and I needed them quickly. 

“In on what?” Mary asked me confused but worried about what was going on.

“On the bet, you’re top ten I know you were.” I tried my best to keep my voice calm and collected, but this was the first time that I couldn't help my assumptions. 

“Tell me what happened, I can't help you unless I know.” Mary says patiently holding back any smug comment she always had on her sleeve.

“It was a lie..I-“ I cut myself from speaking before my tears start to run again and I just put my hand on my forehead while pacing around.

“What was it?” The girl with pigtails asked, still now getting a bit more worried at my implications.

“My relationship with Kira. It was a bet everyone in the top 10 was in on it.” I managed to say before I found a seat and sat down on it. Mary froze, almost stunned by what I had to say.

“What? No Kira wouldn’t do that to you, she can be a handful but not like that.” I could tell she was holding back from using anything disrespectful.

“I overheard it, they wagered if she could last longer  than two months.” I said letting the tears run down before wiping them.

“Riri told me it was a boring meeting and that it wasn’t necessary for me to go.” Mary said a little more quickly before walking closer to me. I just sigh and look at her for a second.

“Mary, when is there ever a meeting where all of the top ten aren't needed?” I simply ask her, wanting to get her logic. That made the black hair girl take a moment and actually realize what was going on.

“Riri was in on it.” She spoke almost hurt, she then sat beside me staring off at something with the same expression I had when I first found out.

“Don’t assume, maybe she’s somewhere else.” I suggest wiping off the tears I had before looking at her. She just nodded her head.

“She insisted I didn’t go, I thought she was sparing me time from another boring meeting.” Mary said, looking at me almost shocked at all of this.

I just looked off trying to really process everything, I then took another breath and I felt a hand go on my shoulder. It was soft and reassuring.

“I’m going to get to the bottom of this, but for now I’ll be by your side. Come let’s get you to your dorm before any of these lowlifes notice you.” She says getting up and extending her hand to help me.

I nodded and took her hand before walking beside her and letting her lead the way. I wiped any tears I had left and kept what little composure I had before reaching the dorm room.

—

“Mary!!” 

“Riri.”

“What did I do?”

“Were you aware about the bet on Yumeko?” 

“What are you talking about?”

“The whole thing with Kira and Yumeko you lied straight to that girl's face, are you guys not ashamed?”

“Mary.”

“Don’t Mary me. I heard what happened and don’t think it was discreet because Yumeko knows too.”

“Yumeko knows what?”

“Oh glad that the other sister is here, Yumeko knows of your side bet. Riri, this is low even for you.”

—

I was awakened by the sound of my dorm room being opened. I look over only to see Mary who seems slightly satisfied with something. I give her a skeptical look before sitting up and taming my hair.

“I know that look.” I tell her before hearing my phone buzzing non-stop. I ignored them trying to hear what Mary had to say.

“I talked to Riri.”

“Mary-“

“And she was fully aware of what was happening. You should’ve seen the look on their faces when I called them out.” The braided hair girl said while sitting down on the chair.

“Their faces?” I asked curiously not understanding where Riri wasn’t the only one.

“Kira overheard, she wasn’t very happy.” Mary said, looking at herself in the mirror. It’s expected.

When I looked at the screen I saw multiple messages from Kira. I glanced at the home screen and they varied.

“Hey where are you? I’m starving”

“You missed lunch, everything is alright.”

“Yumeko Ryan said he hasn’t seen you.”

“We need to talk.”

I proceeded to resume my conversation with Mary and not mind the phone. Mary quickly caught the hint and looked at me.

“What about you and Riri?” I asked curiously, slightly worried that anything happened between the two.

“We talked about it, I’m still mad but I forgave her.” She responds by fixing her hair. “But I’ll be sitting with you until this all settles down.” She adds reassuringly. I just smile at her response.

“I don’t think I could forgive her.” I spoke thinking about it all, how could it? To have something like that and it all being an act, was far more than I imagined.

“Not now at least.” I spoke more to myself, I was unsure of what the future had planned but for whatever reason I just couldn’t seem to close the door fully.

“You got time.” Mary reassured me with a small smile before fixing her skit and getting up.

“I have Ryan, you don’t need to sit with me.” I tell her but she just rolls her eyes and nearly laughs.

“Ryan? That idiot you’d prefer over me? Yeah no.” She simply said before pulling me out of bed and fixing my shirt.

“Let’s go and have fun.” She says with a big smile. I couldn’t help but smile back, it was contagious. 

“Fine.” I gave in and followed her, grabbing my jacket and my shoes before leaving with her.

The two of us went to the library and spent some time with Michael. After a bit we left to gamble a few students. It wasn’t anything crazy, they were mediocre.

While we were wrapping up our little party, I spotted Riri waiting at the entrance looking for something or someone. I turned to Mary and nudged her shoulder, hinting to her that she was looking for her. 

Mary turned to see and hesitated, she took a moment before looking at me. I just dismissed her reassuringly, to which she shot me an apologetic smile before walking towards Riri.

When the masked woman looked over at me she gave me a small wave. Her eyes seem sad in some way, yet I couldn’t place why. I watched the two slowly leave the place and decided that it was my turn to take my leave.

I grabbed my things and walked towards my dorm. It wasn’t a far walk a few dorms down. I went to unlock my dorm with my key, but only to find the knob unlocked. 

I hesitated for a second before slowly twisting the door open and peeking inside. The light was on, when I looked off I spotted a figure sitting by the bed. I took a moment before taking a step inside and closing the door behind me, it was Kira.

She quickly stood up at my arrival and waited for me to fully settle. Her expression had a mixture of confusion, betrayal, hurt.

“Are we done? Like that?” The darker hair asked me like she was the one who was betrayed.

“Don’t play victim, " I overheard the conversation. Was it all pretend?” I spoke, trying to keep myself in check but unable to question a few things. The response quickly made Kira falter.

“No, it wasn’t.” She admitted her words almost came out with a slight quiver.

“What part was real? The two months after the bet or the year after?” I ask her trying to sound interrogative but it only comes out in shambles.

“I don’t know, does it matter?” The black haired woman asked me to take a step closer. I just looked away taking a step back.

“It does if this was all just a game for you.” Kira quickly looks over at me.

“I love you.” She confessed but only came out as a desperate attempt to keep me here. I couldn’t help but let out a pain sigh.

“And I’m supposed to believe you?” 

“Yes because not everything was pretend. The late nights, the dates or your involvement with my family.” She says getting a bit frustrated while pacing around before stopping and looking at me. “You have to know, surely.” 

“Does it matter what I know?” I throw her own words back.

“Don’t twist my words.” Kira quickly says defensively hating how close she sounded to her father. It pained me to see her in such a state. 

I wanted nothing more than to reach out and pull her into a hug. Played with her long black hair while she told me about her day. Worse than craving that sense of affection is knowing that we would no longer share that.

Knowing that, something broke far worse than when I heard the conversation.

Unable to argue with her, nor have the desire in doing so. I just looked at her softly and gave her a soft smile. There were so many questions that were left unanswered, so many concerns that I wished to voice. And yet none of it would dare to come out.

“I wish you the best Kira.” Was all I managed to say before placing my bag on my desk and looking away from her for the first time since I walked into the dorm.

There wasn’t an argument, no stubbornness from my words. All I heard was a hint of sniffling before hearing her footsteps reach the door. I couldn’t look back, I didn’t want to. 

Not because I didn’t want to see her, but because I wanted to reach out for her.

Once the door closed I just sat on the desk chair and looked at my bag. Not really acknowledging it more so spaced out. Neither the less I drifted to that.

It wasn’t very long before I processed what just happened. The tears started to rush down much faster, unable to fully prepare myself for this moment. If it didn’t get any worse a sharp pain was felt in my chest.

The beautiful blue lipstick that you so confidently wore, your eyes were as bright as the ocean shore. Never let my heart grow sore and my memories lose its decor. For I will love you far more than any woman could ever have in store. Don’t let my words grow distant and the meaning of my words lose its existence. 

—

Homecoming was nearing once again, everyone was getting ready for the dance, buying dresses and suits. The couples would also start making their little posters. This time it’ll be different, because I won’t go with Kira.

The whole moment leading up to this sad bittersweet I was starting to debate if I should even go. I then remembered that there were going to be good matches so I decided to attend. I was planning to go with Mary and Riri despite knowing they’d leave off somewhere. 

It also made me realize that anyone could ask out either of us, I hated the idea of Kira getting asked out by anyone. I shouldn’t feel that way but a small pit in my stomach turned at the idea.

I wondered if she felt the same. 

“Hey Yumeko!” I heard a cheerful tone come in, I turned my head to see Mary sitting in front of me, Riri tagging along.

“Hey guys” I smile at them while eating my food, the two look at each other before looking at me.

“So are you going home?” Mary asked curiously.

“I don’t think so.” I simply respond now just fidgeting with the spoon. I spot Riri leaning into Mary and whispering something to her.

“There’s going to be a lot of gamblers.” Mary quickly chirped in with a smile.

“Now that is a good reason to attend. But I don’t have a pair.” I explain with a small smile.

“You can be with us.” Mary says with a small smile, I look at the two briefly before finishing my food.

“You guys will escape from the dance after an hour.” I simply point out, It makes Mary slightly choke on her drink before looking at me sheepishly. 

Mary placed down her cup and right as soon as she was about to speak, Ryan came up to us and sat beside me. A little too close for comfort but I didn't comment on it. He didn't pay much attention to the two; he just looked over at me and smiled.

“Yumeko! Did you hear about Homecoming?” He asked, his voice slightly faltering, almost like he was holding something.

“Everyone has heard of the Homecoming ball.” Mary pitches in while rolling her eyes. Riri tries not to laugh. Ryan quickly shoots a glare at her before looking back at me.

“I heard of it.” I told him with a small smile, I was unsure of where he was getting at but I decided to let it play out.

“Well..i was just uh..wondering if-”

“Yumeko I heard that someone doesn't have a homecoming date.” Mary said without thinking, trying to stop Ryan from finishing his sentence. Riri looked over at Mary shocked and hit her shoulder. 

“Who?” Ryan asked in almost a panicked voice. I looked at Mary for a brief second and she gave me another look back. I was slowly starting to catch on to what Ryan wanted and i knew that Mary did not approve.

“Ill go to homecoming with you.” I told Ryan with a small smile. He stared at me for a good minute trying to process what I said. Once he finally registered it he jumped up from the table happily. Mary just face palmed at the whole thing.

“See you at homecoming!”

–

“Why did you agree to go with him to homecoming?”

I saw Mary pacing around the room trying to keep herself calm. I just looked at her from the mirror that she had on her desk. While she was pacing around I just did my makeup.

“I needed a pair.” Was simply what I said innocently but Mary saw right through me. She then settled down on the edge of the bed,

“Whatever gets you to gamble.” She simply says give up on me. I just smile at her response before turning my chair over and facing her.

“How does the makeup look?” I ask her curiously, Mary looks at me closely squinting her eyes just a little to take in the details. After a bit she just smiled.

“It's good, does this dress look good on me?” She asks, getting up and twirling, I just nod in approval, giving her a smile.

“Looks great, I'm sure Riri would love it.” I smile at her, she just hits my shoulder trying not to show that it affects her. 

We both soon finished up our makeover, we then walked out of Mary's dorm and made our way towards the homecoming ball. Both Mary and I walked down the halls hoping to not get spotted by anyone that we weren't supposed to see. 

We finally get to the ball and take a moment. Mary gives me a nervous smile and I just give her a reassuring look in return.

“Have fun.” Was all Mary said to me before stepping into the building. I just nodded and followed behind her. 

The room was dark but the music blasted loudly, there were a lot of colorful lights flashing the dance floor. I looked around taking in the whole thing before turning to Mary. She too looked around curiously before she went off to the drinks, I just followed unsure of what else to do at this moment.

“At least no one touched the drinks.” Mary says, grabbing a glass and pouring some. I looked around before grabbing a glass as well.

“Werent you supposed to walk in with Riri?” I asked curiously looking at her before taking a sip.

“Yeah but she said that she'll find me here.” Mary explains to me while taking another sip of her drink and looking around.

“Say Yumeko im having a little birthday party this weekend, would-”

“Yumeko!!!”

I turn around at the sudden call of my name, it was Ryan. He wore a white suit and stood beside me with a big smile.

“Ryan.” I give him a brief smile before turning to face Mary once more. I was met by her just pulling her phone out and reading whatever she had on her screen.

“Ill go.” I tell Mary just so she doesn't feel like I was ignoring her. She looked up from her phone and smiled.

“Where are you going? I want to go too.” Ryan said curiously before looking up at Mary. It only seems to make her annoyed.

“Nowhere Loser.” She rolls her eyes and takes another sip of her drink. I quickly bring the glass up to my lips trying to suppress the smile from her response. 

Ryan was ready to say another slick comment but only to be stopped by Riri walking past him and towards Mary. He quickly shushed himself and just stared at the two.

“Looks like my girlfriend is here.” Mary says with a smile before placing the glass down and taking her hand. Riri looks at us and gives me a small wave before getting ready to leave with Mary. I just waved back and let them walk off. 

“Let's dance, everyone is dancing.” Ryan says pointing at the crowd that was in the middle of the dance floor. I look over at them before finally facing him once more. 

“Okay” I say with a small smile, letting him walk ahead. He smiled and took my hand before walking me towards the middle of the dance floor.

Once we reached the middle of the dance floor he faced me once more and kept one hand on mine while the other one found my waste. Now that I was this close to him the proximity seemed far too close, a little too realistic. Everyone around us started to notice and a few whispered.

“You look beautiful.” I heard Ryan say a little nervously while admiring me. It was dark, there wasn't much to see. Despite it being a compliment it didn't feel like one. 

“Thank you.” I said quickly not trying to give off any unnecessary signals. He just smiled and pulled me closer. 

Old words, different tones. No words can ever leave me alone. Your hands are so soft and content, now replaced by that of a man that I never wish to be kept. How I dread to get up and not see you at my wake. To run around and not catch a break. Different hands, different eyes, I look for you in my demise.  To live a life that is no longer mine is to die ahead of my time. So ill cry that of what i cannot comprehend, Ill look at him and try to make amends, yet my love for you is far more than what I can condemn.  

For the first time since this whole ball started, I realized that it was a mistake to have come. Now looking at Ryan and feeling his hands slowly grow more firmer and the look he gave me increasingly became more needier. It made me see that I was out of it when I decided. 

I feel his hands are far rougher than that of what I used to know. His look was hidden with a desire that he did not want to name. It was unfamiliar and most definitely not welcomed. His compliments just seem to be a chore and didn't come out as confident as what I was used to. The scent of cologne was too strong and made my head hurt. That's when it hit me. It's not because Ryan is being weird, it's because I want Ryan to be someone else.

I wanted Ryan to be Kira.

“Everyone is talking about us more than you and Kira.” 

His comment came out more smug and it made him sound arrogant. Like a sick gotcha moment. I couldn't help but slightly freeze from his comment, causing me to accidentally step on his food while dancing. It made him yelp for a second and I took my chance to move away from him for good.

“I need a minute.” I simply said not bothering to be apologetic to him. I just walked away from the dance floor not giving him another second to speak. I walked past the group of people and wandered off to the exit of the ball.

Once I stepped food outside of the event I was met by pure silence, now the music muffled from the closed doors. There wasn't anyone out there, just the quiet breeze that swayed in the early night. I took a moment before walking closer to the balcony and just resting my hands on the wood while looking up at the stars.

–

“She's gone, there is no way I'm getting a chance now.” 

“Kira since when were you a quitter? You've never given up on anything nor lost.”

“This is different, this is Yumeko we are talking about.”

“And even Yumeko is someone you can win over, especially you.”

“As much as I want to believe that Mary, you saw what happened last night.”

“That doesn't matter. True love is never lost.” 

Loving someone isn't a waste.

–

I looked off at the stars and yard for a few minutes more so thinking about everything that happened last night. It's been so long since and yet it feels like betrayal to try something with someone who isn't Kira. 

“Breezy tonight.”

A synthony so old yet too close to home. It's almost like finding a song that you haven't heard in years. Instead of my heart dropping, I couldn't help but feel a strong sensation in my chest. It was warm but soon turned painful almost like a punch in the gut. I didn't turn to look for the source, I didn't have to. 

“It is.” I finally spoke out looking at the stars, I refused to look over and didn't even dare to give her a glimpse. I wasn't scared of her, I was scared of my response. 

“You are going to catch a cold.” Here it was the same reassuring and concerned voice I loved to hear, like a bird chirping early in the morning. I hated how genuine it sounded coming out of her lips.

“I'll suffice.” I respond, not rude or aggressively just neutral, a little softer than intended. I heard a pair of footsteps walk closer but then again I didn't turn. 

“There’s constellations tonight” I spoke once again, not trying to let the air get thick and awkward. The woman didn't say anything for a second, but I knew she was looking up without having to turn over.

“Ursa Major” she pointed calmly, I hated how quickly she remembered the names and how fast she got at spotting some.

“You got really good at that.” I comment trying not to give off too much credit or feed into anything. It didn't seem to work so well.

“I remember when you used to tell me about them all the time.”

The response made me turn my head and look at her. For the first time in months I was staring at her, actually staring not just seeing her across the hall or briefly glancing at her. She was there, beside me and she looked so beautiful.

Kira's eyes quickly found mine and held the contact for as long as possible. They were so perfect, and the moonlight complimented her features perfectly.

“I think I remember.” I lied, but I didn't turn my head back to the stars. I just looked at her, almost hypnotized.

It was only when she didn't respond that I looked away and looked off at the dark and empty lawn. I spotted a few flowers that seem to have bloomed during the school year, but they weren't there from the last time I remembered.  

“There’s roses in the yard now.” I pointed out trying to change the topic to something more light. It was simpler that way, not dwelling on old memories.

“We got them planted, I knew you loved them.” She said it so shamelessly and calmly, it almost made it sounded like nothing had happened between us. Like we were back to us sitting at her house during summer and looking off at the plants and stars. 

“Don’t tell another girl that you planted those for someone.” My smart ass comment was shortly lived by the instant guilt that I felt in my stomach and a pain in my chest. I hated that I sounded so shallow but I tried to not let my feelings seep through. 

“Yumeko.” She called out my name, not rudely but almost hurt at my response. It only made the pain in my chest more unbearable. I turned to look at her only to be met by a soft sadness that glazed her eyes. So genuine and too pure I was scared to break whatever moment this was. 

“Do you hate me?” Kira finally asked, the one thing that seemed to keep her on edge this whole entire time. The question that hung around our air. 

“No. I could never hate you Kira.” I spoke without hesitation, not out of impatience, but certainty. Certainty that what I felt for her despite it all amounting to now was far too strong to ever be replaced or broken down. 

Kira let out a breath of relief that she seemed to be unaware of. Her shoulders slouched down now feeling like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. But she didn't speak, she was unsure of what to say after now. 

I looked at her eyes softly and finally took in the dress that she was wearing. She always looked so breathtaking even now. No matter how long it's been without seeing her, no matter how much we could be apart, I can't control how quick my heart speeds up when I see her. 

Then I felt something, not a human touch. I felt a droplet land on my hand. From one it soon started to accumulate until it became rapid, slowly starting to rain. I knew that this was it, our conversation was about to end right here. And despite this, I didn't dare to move, at least not first. 

I knew how much Kira hated the rain, it would ruin the waves that she would spend hours curling. I also hated the rain, it made my hair frizzy and ruined the time I took to strengthen it. 

“It's raining, you're going to catch a cold.” There she went again trying to be reassuring, the gentle nature only made me smile a little bitterly. 

“I can handle a little rain, I'm sure your friends are waiting.” I tell her not to dare to move a muscle, at least not yet. Kira seemed to catch on, and instead of walking off, she stayed grounded on her spot. 

“They can wait, I'm not leaving.” She said firmly, a silent promise to me like something she was scared to break. The sheer vulnerability at this moment was far more intimate than any hands I've ever held. 

A love so sacred and divine, a passion too strong for anyone to deny. I hated how every fiber in my being demanded your every attention. To let your hands hold me and take me through a dimension. One of which we never left with intention. To hold one another gracefully entangled with each other's connection. To love so painfully and ache for your presence, I burn for you more than any lover that could be present. Your confidence is more than just an essence, I want to bask your very soul into something so devine so ill cry until I have you in my hands late at night. 

The rain started to catch its pace pouring more heavily and the wind seemed to push the droplets in our direction. The trees swayed in the heavy wind and soaking the leaves up with each drop. It soon caught us. My hair quickly gets damp and my clothes slowly get more soaked per second.

Kira's hair also was losing its curl pattern getting damp, her dress was starting to soak up and I could see the slight internal debate she was having. The hesitation alone gave me everything I needed to know. I just walked past her and towards the yard.

“Yumeko, where are you going?” Kira asked me a little worried but I could hear the footsteps follow right behind me. I just ignored her and walked down the stairs before my heels finally touched the grass. 

“Why did you come out of the party? It wasn't just to go down memory lane.” I tell her while walking more into the grass. My heels digging into the grass that was now mushy.

“I wanted to check up on you.” Her words came out like a blatant lie, one of which was painfully obvious for both of us, her voice a little more hesitant trying to hold back. 

“You could've made one of them ask me, or a house pet. Why go all your way for this?” I ask her to turn around and meet her standing figure. She was still on the stairs watching me get farther away from her. 

“What do you want me to say? No response I give you seems to satisfy you.” Kira asked, now more impatient before stepping down the stairs and walking on the grass. She didn't care anymore, far too soaked, not that I cared either. 

“The truth!” 

“I want you! I look for you every time I get out, I hope to catch you at a corner or spot you sitting down, to get a mere glimpse of you. I hate that everyone is so close to you all the time but me.” Kira finally confesses now tired, her voice comes out hoarse and unapologetic. A weight that she was holding for so long.

“Do you love him?” Kira adds her voice slightly cracking, she quickly composed herself preparing for whatever response I was going to give her. 

“Ryan?” I ask her almost lost, but she doesn't respond already knowing the response to my question.

“No, when he jokes don't land the same way yours do, when he tries to compliment me it just comes off ungenuine. When he looks at me I can't look at him without trying to picture you.” I spoke up trying to describe what she had seen.

“Truth is no one can replace you. There's not a single day that I wish I wasn't by your side. Not a single time that my chest doesn't ache when you're not with me. It physically pains me to see you so far yet so close.” I confess being unable to hold back the pent up emotions that I had. 

“We aren't over. We never were.” Kira said not coming off as a question, she walked up to me and cupped my face before pulling me into a kiss. 

I couldn't help but gasp at her sudden kiss, yet I quickly melted into the kiss letting my body lean into her like a magnet. Her lips were so soft and so comforting I was unable to let out a small whine. 

Her hand quickly went to the back of my head, getting tangled in my long hair before turning her head more to the side so she could deepen the kiss. I sighed in between the kiss but quickly wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her closer to me. 

Kira gasped at the sudden contact and she broke from the kiss to stare at me almost needy. It was so beautiful, addicting even, and I was more than grateful to be the only one to see her like this. 

I pulled her into a kiss once more and pulled her closer to me now having our bodies pressed against one another. I felt so close yet too far, the desire of having her like the air I breath was becoming increasingly overwhelming.  

I broke away from the kiss quickly attaching my lips on her jaw and neck. One of her hands went on her back and Kira’s fingers gently held onto my dress. After a few minutes we finally pulled away panting.

Her eyes look everywhere on my face, searching for something, a brief hint of vulnerability is shown. My hands just cup her face and I peck her lips once more before looking at her eyes. 

“I love you like the air I breathe.” Kira confesses unable to hold back her emotions any longer, the whole thing was so sincere and the atmosphere was delicate.

“I never stopped loving you Kira.” I said looking at her with a smile. She just smiled back and pulled me into a hug.

A tight one at that, I melted into her embrace too scared that she would vanish if i didnt. For the first time in months I finally felt sure, I felt certain. 

“Come let's get out of this rain.” Kira spoke once more before taking my hand. I just nodded and held hers gently letting her guide me. 

Take me through the night and day, never keep me at bay. Hold my hand tighter than the moon and stars on its array. Embrace my passion for something that could never be replaced. I'll adore you for as long as my soul remains. To be beside you until my bones grow tired and I lose any complaints. Love you Kira like far more than my words could say and my body can contain. 

Kira: Who are you texting?

Riri: Mary. *reading Mary's text* She wanted to know if you and Yumeko are seeing each other?

Kira: Over the summer, no. In our dreams, yes.

Riri: What

Kira: What?

"You're the only one I can't control." That's Kira's version of 'I love you.'

And when she says it while on her knees, holding a diamond with the color of blood and sin, Yumeko realizes something terrifying:

She doesn't want to win alone anymore-not when the devil herself is holding her hand.

... .. .-.. ...- . .-. -... .-. .- .. -.

Welcome to the game! Where the only losing move is playing it safe.

The story picks up from when Yumeko and Ryan drove away from the lodge after the murder.

See you there!👀

(This idea randomly came to me and i HAD to spit it out. If you all have any hcs on this au I’d love to hear them)

Now, this would mean Keiko and Jo never did the shit they did to get them kicked off of the student board and arguably, murdered.

I’m assuming Keiko and Jo moved to Japan to escape the school board in the OG production. Which means Yumeko would’ve grown up in America. (I still fully believe that Keiko and Jo would’ve taught Yumeko Japanese.)

Now, this would’ve meant Keiko and Jo stayed on the student board. Which, I believe, would’ve probably meant… Yumeko would be on the student council.

Yumeko and Kira would still have a rivalry. Yumeko, even in this Au, most likely has been taught to abide by fate. Which means Yumeko wouldn’t obey Kira’s orders. And what could Kira do? Kick her off? Yumeko hasn’t fallen in the top 10… hell, I believe Yumeko would’ve been 3. Which everyone else would move down one.

Along that, Yumeko is nearly Kira’s equal in a way. I believe Yumeko would tease Kira by leaving little mind puzzle things on her table. (Eventually Kira would start reciprocating, and it turned into a challenge on who could solve the most/fastest.)

Micheal would have a grudging respect for Yumeko in this AU. No, he doesn’t like the student council. But he respects how she defies every expectation. She joins the heart house. She doesn’t crack under Kira. They wouldn’t be close— at least, not immediately.

Mary and Yumeko would start as a one sided rivalry on Mary’s side, which would devolve into a friendship and a mix of confused feelings on Mary’s side. Yumeko would teach Mary in her own way to play fair. How to rely on luck and wit a little bit more. And it would help!! This also means Mary wouldn’t have been taken down.

…Riri wouldn’t like Yumeko. Not juuust because Yumeko challenges Kira, but because of her relationship with Mary. Yumeko has gotten the more free version of Mary. The side without the mask. Hell, she rooms with Mary! (Yumeko would’ve arrived in school before Blake’s roommate died, so she most likely would’ve ended up rooming with Mary.) and Riri wishes that she could’ve got that. Which is why at the Bet Gala, instead, Riri pulls what she did in the show in a what she doesn’t want to acknowledge as a minorly selfish act to regain Mary’s attention. (To her relief, it works. And then suddenly Yumeko’s a wingman. And Riri doesn’t dislike her as much as she did…)

Ryan wouldn’t get out of house pet status immediately. But he would still have a crush on Yumeko (due to her looks). Eventually, after Mary softened, Yumeko starts talking with Ryan (to Mary’s dissatisfaction) and eventually bails Ryan out of house pet status. But of course it had to be a gamble too! A coin flip. (She would’ve won the coin in a gamble against her mother and keeps it as a memory).

I feel as Dori and Yumeko would spar occasionally. Yumeko and her family visit Ms. Kawamoto sometimes and Ms. Kawamoto probably still taught Yumeko to fight, and she’s the only one who can really hold her own against Dori. They’d probably be companions. Not quite friends, but friendly and they practice/work out together. Yumeko tried DDR with Dori once and swore to never dance again because she was ass.

Suki would most likely leave Yumeko alone. She’s higher than him and someone who can face Kira? Maybe he’d have the same respect for her as Kira. Watch him say “slay” and Yumeko giggle.

I don’t have much to say about Runa or Chad. Chad would flirt with her maybe, but eventually give up.

(Live laugh love the heart house trio. They’d probably still eventually form. Mary would eventually be like “if I’m associated with you, you can NOT be a loser.” To Ryan)

Yumeko would probably propose the idea of side bets. Mostly for her entertainment. And then Kira would be like “…wtf that’s actually a good idea.“ Yumeko would find out Micheal existed and he wouldn't get his code stolen, instead credited!! And after that Yumeko would somehow get Micheal's number (blame dori) and ask him for tech things.

And also Yumeko’s parents would probably tell Yumeko about the secret passages and the kakegurui club. It would turn into a small hangout spot for the student council most likely

Micheal would have free access to the Kakegurui club so he could work without bother, minus the fact that Dori always knows when he goes. (Kira wouldn't like that, but Yumeko swore he wouldn't do anything)

and a final thought that may have happened if Yumeko's parents never died/were kicked off the School board:

Souko. For those who don't know who Souko is, in the original Kakegurui, Souko is Yumeko's older sister. Would she exist in Bet if Yumeko's parents never had to run from the School Board?

Personally, here's what I think Souko would be like if she had a Bet counterpart:

Souko would know how to gamble, but wouldn't of attended St. Dominics. She would instead study at abroad in Japan, probably, or attend a private high school. But her and Yumeko would be in contact and have a pretty nice relationship. Most likely Souko would be 3-5 years older.

Yumeko: Which one?

Ryan: Wdym which one.

Yumeko: Bissexual? Bilingual? Bipolar?

kira, looking at mary: you will be our dealer

Mary: Right hand red.

Kira: *ends up on top of Yumeko*

Yumeko: You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?