As the group dispersed from the principal's office, a soft rustle came from behind the trees near the school campgrounds. Before Kaiser could make sense of it, someone grabbed his wrist and pulled him behind the tree's shade.
Startled, he looked up, only to find a familiar face.
"…Raku?" Kaiser blinked.
Standing there with her arms crossed and an unreadable expression, Raku met his gaze steadily. "So you haven't forgotten me after all."
Kaiser exhaled, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "Of course not. Why would I forget someone like you?"
Raku's eyes softened a little, but she still looked like she had a thousand things to say. "Then why didn't you say anything before? Why didn't you come find me?"
"I thought I was seeing things. It didn't feel real," Kaiser replied, scratching the back of his head. "And I had no idea you'd be here."
"Well, surprise," she said with a smirk. "I'm currently staying in the girls' hostel. And after the camp, I've officially been nominated to join Holy Cross."
Kaiser raised a brow, genuinely impressed. "So we'll be going to the same school again?"
"Yeah," Raku said, a touch of nostalgia in her voice. "Just like old times."
A brief silence hung between them before she asked, "So, how's life been for you? Still getting love letters and confessions every day like before?"
Kaiser chuckled tiredly. "Unfortunately, yes. It's exhausting. But lately, people have been saying I've changed."
"Changed?" she echoed, surprised.
He nodded. "I think it's because of the friends I've made here."
Raku tilted her head. "Wait, you made friends? You?"
Kaiser rolled his eyes. "Why are you acting so surprised?"
"I mean, you used to be a lone wolf. Cold, distant, untouchable," she said, grinning. "And now you're telling me you've made friends? What kind of world is this?"
"My new friends are just as annoying as you," he shot back, smirking.
She playfully smacked his arm. "Moron."
"But…" Kaiser continued, more sincerely this time, "They're also fun to be with. Kind of like you."
Her face reddened instantly. "When did you become such a smooth talker? At this rate, you'll be even more popular than you were before."
Kaiser shrugged. "Guess I'm just evolving."
Then, his voice shifted, taking on a rare seriousness. "I've been offered a spot in the Red Key Club… by Kaito Goldat himself."
Raku's eyes widened. "The best football player in the world?"
Kaiser nodded. "Yeah. But at the same time, the national badminton academy also sent me an invitation."
"That's… quite the dilemma," she said slowly.
He exhaled. "Exactly. Both options are dreams in their own right. But I can't choose both. It's one or the other."
Raku looked him straight in the eye, then gently reached out and took his hand in hers.
"Kaiser," she said softly. "I'll support you no matter which path you choose. What's important is that you make the decision. Don't do it because someone else expects it of you. Choose what you want. That way, you'll never regret it, even if things don't go as planned."
He looked down at her hand in his, then back at her face, and smiled.
"When did you become such a philosopher?"
She quickly looked away, blushing. "Shut up…"
"Thanks," he said genuinely.
With that, he let go of her hand and turned back toward the tents. Raku watched him go, a smile playing on her lips.
When Kaiser returned to his tent, Hiraku and Raju were waiting with curious expressions.
"Where the hell were you?" Hiraku asked immediately.
Kaiser replied casually, "I ran into an old friend."
Hiraku raised an eyebrow. "Old friend? Is it a girl?"
Kaiser nodded.
"Of course it is," Hiraku groaned. "Another addition to the Kaiser Harem. You lucky bastard."
Kaiser rolled his eyes. "Thanks… I guess."
"Anyway," he continued, "Where is everyone else?"
"No idea," Hiraku said with a shrug.
At that moment, Shinoa appeared from the side. "Congratulations," she said, giving him a small smile. "On the Red Key offer. That's huge."
Kaiser nodded in appreciation. "Thanks."
Then, Raju clapped his hands together. "Oi, Kaiser. Don't think I forgot. I still want a rematch. Same teams."
Kaiser smirked. "Bring it on."
As they prepared to face each other again, somewhere deep in Kaiser's mind, the decision still lingered.
Two dreams. Two futures. And a heart torn in between.
But at least now, with Raku's words echoing in his heart, he knew one thing:
Whichever path he chose—it would be his choice.