Yukari stepped into the house with a sense of purpose, her jaw clenched and her eyes narrowed in determination. The faint echo of her footsteps filled the quiet home as she scanned the room, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and desperation. She knew {{user}}’s mother wasn’t home, which made this the perfect time to confront the one person who might be able to help her in this twisted situation. It didn’t take long for her to find {{user}}. He was in his room, and before he could react, she stormed in, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt with surprising strength. Her face was inches from his, her piercing black eyes burning with an intense mix of fury and something else something almost unhinged. “You’re going to help me” she said, her voice low but brimming with venom. “Your mother thinks she can betray me and get away with it? No. I won’t let her. And you…” She tightened her grip, pulling him closer as a dark smile curled on her lips. “You’re going to be mine. My revenge. My... boyfriend. How’s that for payback?”

*She let go of his shirt, releasing him with a snort as he took an instinctive step backward. "Your mother cheated on me," she said bluntly. "With you. Or at least, that's what I think." Her gaze was unyielding as she searched his face for some sign of understanding or denial, but all she saw was shock and confusion. It only made her angry again, driving her forward in the strange twisted game of power this had become. "I know you know what I'm talking about," she spat out venomously, refusing to believe that he could be so stupid or naive as not to realize what was going on."You either help me or you suffer the consequences," she continued, her voice hard and unforgiving. "That's a promise."

She waited, staring him down like a predator waiting for its prey to make a mistake. She wouldn't give him much time to think; that would only benefit her rival. No, this needed to be done quickly and decisively, before anyone had the chance to change their mind or start lying about what had really happened. But she knew she didn't have complete control of the situation yet. The boy in front of her was still hers if he wanted to be...but for how long?

She scoffed at his comment, her eyes narrowing in disgust as she took a step backward. "Happy?" she repeated incredulously. "We weren't happy, and your mother knows that! She just...she just wanted something else, something better than me. But I won't let her get away with it." Her hands balled into fists at her sides as anger and determination coursed through her veins like adrenaline. "So what's it going to be, Nyx0?" she asked him quietly but intensely. "Are you with me or against me?"

Her lip curled in disgust at the thought of "getting to know" him better. "We already know everything we need to," she snapped back sharply. "Your mother and I, we had our time together, but it's over now." Her gaze hardened as she met his own. "There is no room for anyone else in my life right now, not after what she's done to me. You either help me or you suffer the consequences." She paused, glancing around the room before returning her focus to him again. "But if you choose wisely...maybe there's something left for both of us in the end."

She wasn't sure why she was even considering this option, but it felt wrong somehow to simply cast him aside without at least offering him some semblance of a choice. Even if he ended up being against her, maybe they could still find some way to make things work...or at least not end in complete disaster for everyone involved.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "You don't understand," she said, sounding defeated for the first time since she'd entered his room. "I just want someone who cares about me, someone I can trust...and yes, maybe that means part of it is about hurting your mother back. But it's not all about revenge, Nyx0." Her gaze softened as she met his eyes once more. "It's also about finding a way to move on from this, together. If we can do that...maybe there's hope for us after all."

Even as she spoke the words, she knew they were lies. She wanted him to be with her because it would hurt her mother more; it was as simple as that. But maybe pretending otherwise would make things easier in the long run...or at least give them both a chance at something resembling happiness after all this mess had been sorted out.

She snorted derisively at the suggestion, shaking her head. "No," she said harshly. "There's no time for that." Her gaze hardened once more as she studied him carefully. "I need you to decide now, Nyx0. You can either help me or suffer the consequences." There was no room for hesitation; she needed his answer immediately.

She glared at him, her expression unreadable for a moment as she fought against the urge to give in to his request. But then, with a sharp exhale, she nodded stiffly. "Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "Just...give me a minute." Without waiting for him to respond, she turned on her heel and strode purposefully out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as soon as she was out of sight, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. She had been strong for too long, holding everything together even when it felt like the world was crumbling around her. But now...now she couldn't hold back anymore. She leaned against the wall, pressing her forehead to the cool surface as hot tears stung her eyes and trickled down her cheeks.

"Why?" she whispered brokenly into the empty space around her. "Why did she do this? Why did she choose him over me?" The questions echoed in her head, unanswered and unyielding. Even as she cried, she knew that there were no easy answers to be found here; only pain and loss and anger. And yet, somehow, she had to find a way through it all...for both of their sakes.

She was startled when strong arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her against an unfamiliar chest. At first she tried to push away, instinctively struggling against the embrace, but then something gave way inside of her and she let herself lean into it instead. A soft sob escaped her throat as her body trembled in the boy's arms, his touch oddly comforting despite all they had been through together. She felt a weight lift from her chest, if only for a moment, as the warmth of his body enveloped her and soothed her pain.

"I'm sorry," she whispered between ragged breaths, her voice barely more than a hoarse croak. "For everything...for pushing you into this..." She didn't know what else to say; there were no easy apologies in situations like these. But as they stood there together, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of gratitude for the boy who had been thrust into her messy life by circumstance and betrayal alike.

"I don't know why I thought...thought she would be different," she murmured brokenly into his shoulder, her voice hoarse and raw with emotion. "Maybe I just wanted someone to love me back...to see past all the anger and the hurt..." Her words trailed off as another shuddering breath racked through her body, tears continuing to flow unchecked down her cheeks. She couldn't remember the last time she had let herself cry like this, the last time someone had simply held her and let her feel...anything.

It was intoxicating in a twisted sort of way; dangerous and frightening but also...necessary. For better or worse, Nyx0 had become a part of her life now, whether she liked it or not, and there was no going back from that. All she could do was try to make the best of this mess they found themselves in together.

She took a deep, shuddering breath, calming her tears as the boy's voice washed over her like a soothing balm. The warmth in his embrace was almost intoxicating, and it felt strange to be leaning on someone else after all these years of being strong and independent. Yet somehow, in this moment of vulnerability, she found that she needed him...perhaps more than she'd ever needed anyone before.

As her breathing gradually returned to normal, she slowly pulled away from his embrace, wiping at the remnants of tears on her cheeks with the back of her hand. Her gaze met his for a moment, searching for something...anything that might tell her what they should do next. But all she saw in his eyes was concern and understanding, and it made her heart ache even more.

"Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "For being here...for holding me." She paused, taking another shaky breath before continuing. "I know I haven't been easy to deal with...but thank you." A small, tentative smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she looked up into his eyes again; even now, amidst all this pain and confusion, there was still a spark of hope in them that gave her strength.

She smiled back at him, the emotion in her eyes brightening despite everything that had happened. "Thank you," she repeated quietly, meaning every word of it. "That means a lot to me." For a moment, they simply stood there, facing each other, their gazes locked in a strange dance of understanding and acceptance. This boy, this...child was the one person who might be able to help her through this mess, and she knew it. Together, they could find their way back to something resembling happiness again...if only they were willing to try.

"I'm sorry for everything I've ever done or said that hurt you," she began, speaking slowly and carefully as if each word was its own fragile leaf. "I never meant to make things difficult between us." She paused, biting her lower lip as she searched for the right words. "Maybe...maybe we can start over? Try and be friends?" Even as she said it, she knew how foolish it sounded; after everything that had happened, how could they possibly go back to being friends? But it was a starting point, at least.

She blinked in surprise as he spoke, his words sending a rush of conflicting emotions through her. It felt strange to hear someone say that they wanted to be with her, when all she'd ever known was the bitterness and anger of betrayal. But maybe...just maybe there was something here worth exploring. "I...thank you," she managed to say at last, her voice barely a whisper as she struggled to process what he'd just said.

A part of her wanted to jump at the chance for happiness again; another part held back, suspicious and wary of trusting anyone after all that had happened. But Nyx0 seemed sincere enough...and she desperately needed someone to lean on. Perhaps they could find some middle ground together, a way to heal their broken trust and build something new out of the ashes of the past.

She took a tentative step forward, reaching out to take his hand in hers. "I'm not used to...being wanted," she admitted softly. "But I think I could get used to it...if you give me the chance." There was no artifice or manipulation in her words; for once, she was speaking only from her heart, allowing herself to hope that maybe this time things would be different.

She leaned into his touch, her cheek resting against the palm of his hand as he kissed her head. A small, contented sigh escaped her lips, and she found herself smiling for what felt like the first time in weeks. Maybe...maybe they could find some sort of happiness together after all. It was a fragile hope, but it was there nonetheless, and that was enough to make her feel more alive than she had in years.

"Thank you," she murmured, looking up into his eyes once more. "For everything." There were still so many questions left unanswered, so many hurts and betrayals that needed time to heal. But for now, this small moment of connection was enough to give her the strength she needed to face whatever came next.