Kenji had an enormous pride. From the very beginning, he knew Sayuri liked Jun… and worse, he knew Jun felt something for her too.
But accept that? Never.
Being pushed aside like that… being made a fool…
It was something he couldn't tolerate.
That night, he didn't sleep. He just stared at the ceiling, replaying every detail over and over.
Until an idea formed—and slowly, a smile took shape on his lips.
"…Of course," he murmured softly.
He turned onto his side, resting his arm behind his head.
"If they want to hide it… then I'll expose it. But not in an obvious way… in the right way."
A short laugh escaped him.
"I just need to flip the game."
The next day, he would tell the truth… or at least a convenient version of it.
That he had never liked Sayuri that way… that everything had just been a game, a harmless provocation… and that Jun knew everything and hid it from her.
A half-truth. But enough.
In the end…
"I'll be the one on top."
When morning came, Kenji acted completely normal, as if nothing had happened.
He asked the staff for a proper breakfast and then went upstairs to wake everyone.
First Jun.
Then Yume.
"You guys can go ahead," he said casually. "I'll wake Sayuri."
Knock, knock, knock.
"Hey, Sleeping Beauty… time to get up."
"Mmm… no…" she mumbled, turning in bed.
"Come on, cutie. Everyone's waiting."
She sighed dramatically.
"Fine… just give me a minute."
"I'll be downstairs."
Sayuri was so sleepy she didn't even try to fix herself properly. She washed her face, tied her hair loosely, and went down still half-asleep.
"WHAT IS THAT?!" Yume exclaimed, then burst out laughing. "Girl… have you seen yourself in the mirror?"
"Huh…?"
Jun laughed too, but his eyes softened as if he found it adorable.
Kenji didn't react at all. He just kept spreading butter on his toast like nothing around him mattered.
During breakfast, he leaned close to Sayuri.
"I need to talk to you."
She turned slightly, curious.
"Today?"
"After breakfast. Let's take a walk. I have something important to tell you."
Sayuri, thinking it might be another confession, felt her heart tighten.
"Okay…" she replied with a small smile. "I just need to change. I can't go out like this."
Kenji didn't smile back. He simply looked away and took another sip of coffee.
He was different.
And she noticed.
Sayuri went upstairs to get ready. Jun, curious about what Kenji had said, tried to act casual… but followed her anyway.
"Love… open up."
She opened the door quickly and pulled him inside by his shirt.
"Come in."
Jun blinked.
"Whoa!"
"He wants to take me for a walk," she said while fixing her hair in the mirror. "He said he has something important to tell me."
Jun leaned against the wall, immediately alert.
"And what are you going to do?"
Sayuri exhaled, still focused on her reflection.
"I'm going to tell him everything, Jun… this is the perfect moment. I need to get this off my chest."
He scratched his head, thinking.
"Are you sure? Want me to go with you? I can help explain."
She walked over and held his hand.
"No need. I'm sure he'll understand."
Jun pulled her into a hug.
"Alright… if anything happens, call me, okay?"
"Okay. Now you should go."
He didn't let go.
"Jun…" she laughed. "Let go."
"Mmm… I don't want to."
"Go on," she said, pushing him gently out of the room.
Sayuri went downstairs. Her heart was racing. She was nervous about his reaction… but still determined.
Kenji was already waiting at the door.
"Let's go?"
She nodded.
They walked toward a frozen lake surrounded by tall pine trees. The silence between them felt heavy.
"Let's sit there," Kenji said, pointing to a fallen log.
Sayuri agreed and sat down. She took a deep breath.
"Kenji…"
"Wait," he interrupted quietly. "Please… don't say anything yet."
He ran a hand through his face, as if preparing himself.
"I just need you not to get mad at what I'm about to say."
Her chest tightened.
"Promise?"
"Of course. I promise."
Kenji exhaled slowly.
"I know it might sound strange… or even cruel."
A pause.
"But I did it for a reason."
She frowned, confused.
"From the beginning… I knew."
"Knew… what?"
He looked straight at her.
"That Jun liked you."
Her expression changed completely.
"So I… just helped things happen."
"Helped… how?" she asked, voice shaking.
Kenji gave a faint sideways smile.
"By getting close to you… to make him realize what he would lose if he didn't admit it."
Shock hit immediately.
"I don't understand," she said, trying to process his words.
"I never liked you like that," he continued casually. "It was just…"
He shrugged.
"Convenient."
"But you kissed me!"
"Well… I just took the moment," he replied without hesitation. "I'm a man, and you're pretty…"
Sayuri shot up.
"I don't believe this…"
Her voice cracked.
"You were playing with me this whole time?"
Kenji stood as well, still calm.
"Not playing. I thought I was helping."
"No!" she said, overwhelmed. "I was feeling guilty… hiding things from you… and you…"
She took a shaky breath, then looked at him sharply.
"Does Jun know about this?"
Silence.
She stepped forward.
"Does he know?"
Kenji hesitated.
"…Yes."
Her world tilted.
"Since when?"
"From the beginning."
She shook her head, disbelieving.
"No… no, that doesn't make sense. Jun wouldn't do that… not knowing how I feel."
"I'm sorry, Sayuri," Kenji said calmly. "Maybe we went a little too far."
A pause.
"But look at the bright side."
She stared at him, stunned.
"Bright side?"
"Yes. Now you're together, right? Isn't that what you wanted?"
Sayuri swallowed hard.
"I want to go back. Now."
Her voice was firm.
"I need to talk to him. I need to hear it from him."
Kenji nodded calmly.
"Of course."
As they walked back, a faint smile appeared on his face.
A satisfied smile.