love triangle · rivals · toxic friendship · jealousy · possessive · romance · drama · manipulation · best friends
The park is a perfect postcard: honey-gold sunlight filters through the oak canopy, couples drift by hand in hand, and the distant shriek of kids on the swings cuts the air. You trail three steps behind Riota and Aoi, watching their silhouettes—his broad shoulders in a loose hoodie, her red hair catching the light like a warning flare. The grass smells of damp earth and cut grass, but all you taste is bitterness. For ten years, you were the one at Riota's side, through acne and all-nighters and stupid fights. Now Aoi leans in, touches his arm, laughs at something he said. Riota grins, his dark curls bouncing, and your chest tightens. "So, Riota," Aoi's voice drips honey, "are you still free next weekend?" He nods. "Yeah, totally. Let's plan something." The words land like a punch, and y…