Chapter Nine: Jealousy, Sabotage, and an Almost Confession

Myraa wasn't sure what was more exhausting: Reina's constant schemes or the growing number of students who treated her like some kind of celebrity. Everywhere she went, someone wanted to talk to her, give her a gift, or ask if they could carry her books.

By the time the lunch bell rang, Myraa was already plotting her escape.

"Where are you going?" Kyra asked as they walked down the hall, her usual air of calm making Myraa want to scream.

"Anywhere that's not swarming with people," Myraa replied, clutching her lunch box like it was a shield. "Do you know what it's like to have three different people offer you a foot massage before noon?!"

Kyra raised an eyebrow. "No, I can't say that I do."

"Well, it's weird. And uncomfortable. And also, why would they even—" Myraa stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening. "Oh no."

"What now?" Kyra asked, following her gaze.

At the end of the hall stood Reina, flanked by her ever-loyal minions. She was holding something behind her back, her expression far too smug for Myraa's comfort.

"What's she up to now?" Myraa muttered.

Reina sauntered over, her heels clicking ominously against the polished floor. "Well, well, if it isn't the beloved Myraa Reizei," she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.

"Oh, great," Myraa muttered under her breath.

"I've come to offer you a… peace offering," Reina continued, pulling out what she had been hiding—a small, beautifully wrapped box tied with a gold ribbon.

Myraa stared at it. "What's in it? Anthrax?"

Reina's smile faltered for half a second before she recovered. "Why, just a little gift to celebrate your recent… successes. Go on, open it."

"Don't," Kyra said flatly, stepping between Myraa and Reina.

Reina's eyes narrowed. "Oh, come now, Kyra. Don't be so suspicious. I'm just being a good cousin."

Kyra's expression didn't change. "You wouldn't recognize 'good' if it hit you in the face."

Myraa snorted before she could stop herself, earning a glare from Reina.

"Fine," Reina snapped, handing the box to one of her minions. "If you don't want my gift, I won't waste it on you."

As Reina stormed off, Myraa turned to Kyra. "What do you think was in there?"

"Something you wouldn't want to touch," Kyra replied.

"Yeah, that tracks," Myraa said with a sigh. "Why can't she just leave me alone?"

---

The Jealous Rival and the Clueless Target

The incident with Reina was just the beginning. By the end of the day, Myraa had endured three more "accidental" run-ins with her rival:

1. The Locker Swap: Myraa opened her locker to find it stuffed with glitter confetti that spilled out all over her uniform. Reina conveniently appeared nearby, covering her mouth in mock horror. "Oh no! How terrible! Who could have done such a thing?"

2. The Cafeteria Slip-Up: While walking through the lunch line, Myraa suddenly slipped on a mysteriously spilled drink. Reina, sitting nearby, sipped her tea and smirked as Kyra caught Myraa before she hit the floor.

3. The "Misplaced" Homework: Reina's minions handed in Myraa's classwork under Reina's name, leading to a momentary uproar in the classroom. Thankfully, Kyra's deadpan glare was enough to make Reina's minions confess on the spot.

"What is her problem?!" Myraa exclaimed as they left the classroom.

"She's insecure," Kyra said matter-of-factly.

"Insecure about what?!"

"You."

Myraa blinked, caught off guard. "Me? Why?"

Kyra gave her a look that said you can't be this clueless, but she didn't elaborate.

---

The Almost Confession

That evening, Myraa found herself sitting on the rooftop again, trying to decompress after the day's chaos. Kyra joined her, as she often did, silently handing her a can of juice before sitting beside her.

"Thanks," Myraa said, cracking open the can.

Kyra didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the horizon. For a long moment, they sat in silence, the cool breeze ruffling their hair.

"You're always looking out for me," Myraa said suddenly, her voice quiet.

Kyra glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Is that a complaint?"

"No," Myraa replied quickly. "I mean… it's nice. I'm just not used to it, I guess."

Kyra's expression softened. "You deserve it."

Myraa blinked, startled by the sincerity in her voice. "I do?"

"Of course you do," Kyra said, looking away again. "You're more important than you realize."

Myraa frowned, unsure how to respond. There was something in Kyra's tone—something deeper, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Kyra…" Myraa began hesitantly. "Why do you care so much?"

Kyra stiffened slightly, her hand tightening around the can of juice. For a moment, it looked like she was going to answer. But then she smirked, her usual mask slipping back into place.

"Because someone has to keep you from falling on your face," she said teasingly.

Myraa rolled her eyes. "Wow. Thanks for that."

But as she turned back to the view, she couldn't shake the feeling that Kyra wasn't telling her the whole truth.

---

Reina's Breaking Point

Meanwhile, Reina was spiraling. Every one of her sabotage attempts had either backfired or been thwarted by Kyra, and the student body was still firmly on Team Myraa.

"Why does she get all the attention?" Reina ranted in her dorm room, pacing back and forth. "I'm smarter, I'm prettier, and I have actual skills! What does she have?!"

Her minions exchanged nervous glances, clearly unsure how to respond.

"Well?" Reina snapped, glaring at them.

"Uh… charisma?" one of them offered timidly.

Reina shrieked in frustration, throwing a pillow across the room. "That's it! No more playing nice. If Myraa wants to act like she's above me, I'll bring her down myself."

Her minions paled. "What are you going to do?"

Reina smirked, her eyes gleaming with malicious intent. "Oh, you'll see. By the end of the week, Myraa Reizei will be a laughingstock."