"Hey, hey, listen up," Bachira announced to his friends gathered in the soccer club room. "Since there are new members in our group, I want to explain this tradition to everyone."

He held up a jar containing several paper chits inside it. Everyone except Gagamaru and Raichi seemed to be aware of this event. Every November, they randomly selected names to determine who would give a gift to whom.

"Alright, Gagamaru, Raichi," Bachira began. "This jar contains our names. Everyone will pick a chit, and the name you draw is the person you'll be gifting."

"Why should I give a gift to others?" Raichi grumbled in his usual irritable tone. "I want someone to gift me."

"Well, Stupid Shark Teeth," Ohara lightly tapped the back of his head as he sat on the floor in front of her. Leaning down from her bench, she met his fiery gaze. "You choose a name and give them a gift. If someone gets your name, they'll give you a gift."

Raichi felt embarrassed for his sudden outburst without understanding Bachira's explanation first. Realizing that everyone's name would be in the jar, he hurriedly stood up and approached Bachira.

"If someone's gifting me, make sure it's as sexy as me," he joked, pointing his thumb at himself. "I'm going first."

"Don't reveal the name you picked," Barou reminded him, raising an eyebrow, knowing Raichi was impatient and a bit annoying.

Raichi eagerly opened the chit and looked back at the group. "Well, I never expected this, but..." He pointed his finger at the crowd. "...make sure my gift is sexy."

"If I get your name, I'll make sure it's the sexiest, Raichi," Isagi teased, but Raichi ignored the comment, settling back into his spot.

Next, Ohara took her turn. As she opened her chit, her eyes widened in surprise, confusing everyone since they knew her gifts were always the most thoughtful. However, in past years, only Isagi, Barou, and Nagi had been lucky enough to receive a gift from her.

Barou had received a tiny record player with small vinyl records of Hikaru Utada's music. Nagi got a cactus, with Ohara stating that Choki was lonely when Nagi was out, so this would keep Choki company. Nagi loved the idea and decided to name it Choka, making it Choki's girlfriend, eliciting laughter from everyone, although Nagi remained unfazed. Isagi received Yaktrax, perfect for his love of walking, ensuring he wouldn't skip his walks during the snowy season.

The group gathered, curious to discover who among them would be lucky enough to receive a gift from Ohara this year, given her reputation for perfect gift selection. Often sought for advice when picking presents, everyone knew she would never disclose the name she drew.

One by one, they approached the jar to pick names. Ohara, intrigued, wondered who would be gifting her this time. Last year, she had received books and manga collections, which she adored but hoped for something different this time. Bachira and Kunigami had given her books previously, but Reo, being affluent, had gifted her numerous manga collections, some of which she hadn't yet read.

After they finished, Hyoma and Ohara headed home, planning a sleepover at her place, an occasion eagerly anticipated by both. It was the first time Ohara had invited someone over for a sleepover, and for Hyoma, it was his inaugural invitation of this nature.

Upon arriving home, they found Ego settled comfortably on the couch in the hall, engrossed in soccer news on his tablet.

"We're home!" Ohara announced their arrival as she reached the hall with Hyoma. Ego acknowledged her with a nod and she turned to Hyoma. "Do you want to go first for a shower or...?"

"You can use my bathroom, missy." Ego said without taking his eyes off the screen.

"Perfect," Ohara smiled. "Let's catch up after your shower. You can keep your bag in my room. Pass it here."

"No, it's okay. I'll keep them with me," Hyoma declined, not wanting Ohara to carry his bags.

Later, after dinner, Ego retired to sleep, and Ohara arranged comfortable futons in the hall across from the TV. They wore comfortable PJs, and as they turned the house lights off, Ohara suggested starting with a horror movie, much to Hyoma's surprise.

While Hyoma wasn't particularly fond of horror movies, he didn't dislike them either. Observing Ohara's reactions, he noticed a mix of curiosity and apprehension, evident in her attempts to keep herself from getting too scared. As the movie ended, he sighed in relief that it was over.

Turning to Hyoma, Ohara asked, "So, what do you like to watch, Chi!"

"Chi!?" Hyoma's face flushed at the unexpected nickname.

"Oh, I—I just thought of a nickname since we've become kind of close, but I won't use it if you don't like it," Ohara stammered, her face reddening, nervously retracting the idea.

"I love it," Hyoma's eyes softened as they met Ohara's gaze once again. For a moment, they stared at each other, the world around them seemingly blurring. Ohara gulped, unable to tear her stare away from his beautiful pinkish eyes. Hyoma, captivated, found his gaze drawn to her pink lips before returning to her eyes. He knew he couldn't make any move without Ohara's consent. Quickly clearing his throat, he startled Ohara.

"The Butterfly Effect."

"Huh?" Ohara was clueless about what he meant. Was this moment named after that movie?

"The movie I want to watch," Hyoma explained. "It involves time travel and traumatic pasts. If you're okay with watching—"

"Yes, let me grab some snacks. You find the movie until then," she grinned, switching on the lights and heading to the kitchen.

"What was I thinking?" Ohara muttered, sighing heavily as she gripped the marble countertop. She hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath until now. After a few deep breaths, she collected herself, preparing snacks and searching for some drinks.

Once Hyoma found the movie, he sighed heavily. The moment earlier had caught him off-guard. He'd briefly considered kissing her, wondering how it would feel and taste, but he swiftly pushed those thoughts aside when the doorbell rang.

It was already 10 at night, and a late visitor to Ego's household was unusual.

"Who's here at this hour?" Ohara frowned, peeking out to the hall, noticing Hyoma with a similar expression. "Should I wake up uncle?"

"Let me check first. But stay here, alright?" Hyoma stood up.

Nodding, Ohara took the snacks to where their futons were and placed them on a small stool, waiting anxiously. Minutes passed, feeling like hours, until she heard some hushed tones.

Quietly, Ohara walked toward the main door, stopping a couple of feet away. Hyoma was talking to someone, blocking the entrance with his hand. She strained to hear.

"No way you're meeting her," Hyoma snapped, a tone Ohara had never heard from him before. "You don't deserve her. You broke her. Why are you here?"

This time, Hyoma's voice was loud enough for Ego Jinpachi to ask, stretching out his hands. "What's happening?"

Shaken, Ohara shook her head, but when the stranger spoke, her heart froze.

"Who are you? Where's Ego-san? What are you doing here?" Itoshi's voice, long unheard, pierced through her like lightning. The voice she once loved and found comfort in.

"Oi, oi, I'm here, who—" Ego's scowl deepened upon seeing Itoshi, the man who had broken his niece's heart. "What the heck are you doing here this late, Itoshi?"

Ego positioned himself protectively in front of Hyoma, facing Itoshi. While arguing over whether Sae Itoshi was allowed to meet Ohara, Hyoma noticed Ohara standing frozen, tears welling in her eyes. He gently reached out, lightly touching her hand, causing her to jump at their contact.

"Are you okay?" His voice softened as he observed her distressed state.

"Why—why does he want to see me?" Ohara's voice cracked. "It's been a year, and I was at my lowest. Where was he, Hyoma?"

"I'm here, princess, you—" Sae Itoshi's words were cut off by Ego's harsh punch to his face. Both teenagers were wide-eyed, witnessing such aggressive behavior from Ego Jinpachi for the first time.

"You may be my assistant coach at school, but outside, you're nothing," Ego harshly rebuked Sae, who clutched his swollen jaw. Ohara gently pulled away from Hyoma's grasp and ran to her uncle. Standing beside him, her eyes locked with Sae's, silently questioning 'why?'

"Get out now, and never come back, you lowlife." Ego seethed with fury, while Ohara gripped his upper arm, redirecting his attention. He sighed, trying to collect himself. "Go inside, Ohara. Your time isn't worth—"

"May I talk to him, uncle?" She pleaded. "I promise not to make any rash decisions. Sae and I have unresolved conversations, and I need closure."

Hyoma's heart tightened as he witnessed the scene unfolding. Was this the moment he'd lose Ohara? Why had Itoshi chosen now, after all this time? It clashed with Hyoma's desire to protect Ohara and make her smile, not let anyone else make her cry.

"Fine, five minutes," Ego Jinpachi relented, frowning, as Ohara walked outside, ensuring enough distance for privacy.

"Ohara, I—I—"

"Why now, Sae?" she asked.

"I want to properly apologize to you." Sae looked down, sighing heavily before meeting her gaze. "I want to give us another chance."

Silence enveloped them as Ohara processed his words. She had longed to hear this since their breakup, and it took him a while to realize the gravity of his actions. The deafening silence was broken by the hooting of owls, just before Sae Itoshi spoke again.

"I know this is very selfish of me, but I realized that I was a horrible boyfriend. I want to make it up to you. You were the one who could cheer me up unlike others; you are an understanding person even when my day was tough and I didn't want to talk to you. I didn't treat you better, and I threw you away without a reason—"

"Without a reason?" Ohara's voice picked up on the line that hurt her the most. His assertion of a 'without-a-reason' reason had turned her life upside down and shattered her heart to pieces.

"I wanted some time alone to figure out what I really want in my life." His affectionate tone still held the same allure that used to steal her heart. "I know I could have talked to you—"

"Yes, you could have," she acknowledged his point.

Ego and Hyoma observed them from a distance, unable to hear their conversation but unwilling to leave her alone with someone who had once broken her heart.

"Will she choose him, Ego-san?" Hyoma voiced his thoughts aloud, prompting Ego to glance at the boy whose gaze was fixed on the pair outside. Ego comprehended the sentiment behind Hyoma's question, given his honest confession from the other day.

"It's all in Ohara's hands, Chigiri," Ego said, addressing him by name for the first time, though Hyoma paid little attention to anything but Ohara. Ego's focus shifted back to his niece as Sae took her hand.

Sae gently held Ohara's hand against his forehead, a gesture that touched her skin.

"I finally realized how much you've meant to me, Ohara," Sae confessed. "When I saw you spending time with another guy, I couldn't bear it anymore. I might sound like a creep, but since the breakup, I've always kept an eye on you. I noticed the absence of your smile, but I convinced myself it would be okay. But when I saw someone else finally making you smile, I asked myself if it should be me who cheers you up and makes you smile—"

"Sae, here," Ohara slowly withdrew her hand. "I have moved past hoping for your love again."

Sae's gaze softened as he looked into her eyes.

"You've shattered every connection I had with you, and they can't be mended. My heart can't afford another break trusting someone who broke me," she said, her eyes fixed on him, her favorite being his long lashes.

"I have moved on, Sae," she said, giving him a soft smile. "I can't love you again because—"

Her eyes drifted to the boy standing beside her uncle at the doorway. Sae followed her gaze and realized he was too late.

"I was too late, wasn't I?" He chuckled softly as Ohara nodded.

"Hope we can close whatever we had between us," Ohara smiled. "Thank you for loving me, Sae. Thank you for teaching me what it feels like to be loved and—" She paused, considering her next words carefully. "—to be heartbroken. I always wondered why lovers cried when they were apart, and now I understand their pain."

"I'm sorry, Ohara," Sae's heart sank at her last sentence. "Thank you for being patient with a selfish person like me and for making me realize that I shouldn't let go of anything worth protecting."

"It seems we've both learned our lessons, haven't we?" Ohara tilted her head as he nodded with a smile. "So, is it alright if I have one last hug?"

Sae nodded, hugging her tightly, not wanting to let her go. Yet, this was the consequence for breaking someone who had loved him. He wasn't sure if he could find another girl like her, but only time would tell if he'd be lucky enough in the future.

They separated from their embrace, gazing at each other. "We both needed this proper farewell, yeah?" Sae asked, even though he was breaking inside.

"Yeah, then good night, Sae."

He watched her walk away, meeting the puzzled pair at the doorway. She entered without saying a word, but Ego and Hyoma glared at him before closing the door.

"Never thought Ego could go along with someone,"Sae chuckled, giving a final glance at the closed door.

A/N

What do you think?

~ monoceros_x 🤞