Rivals in Love
The morning sun streamed through the windows of Yuuto's classroom as he rested his chin on his hand, gazing absentmindedly at the blackboard. Despite the tranquility of the day, he could sense a storm brewing—not the kind that came with rain, but one born of simmering tension.
Across the room, Rika and Eva sat glaring at each other, their expressions like two tigresses about to pounce. Reina, ever the peacemaker, watched with a nervous smile, clearly unsure whether to intervene.
Yuuto sighed. It had been like this ever since their peaceful day together. Something had shifted between the two girls, though neither would admit it outright.
As the teacher droned on, Yuuto's thoughts wandered to the root of the problem. The looks, the teasing, the subtle digs—they were both vying for his attention.
---
A Lunchroom Standoff
When lunchtime arrived, the four of them gathered at their usual spot under the large oak tree in the schoolyard. Yuuto hoped the fresh air would ease the tension, but his hopes were dashed as soon as Rika spoke.
"Yuuto," she began, her voice overly sweet, "you should try the bento I made. It's your favorite—karaage and tamagoyaki."
Eva raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That's interesting. Because I brought him some homemade sandwiches. You know, something healthy for once."
Yuuto looked between the two girls, unsure of how to respond. "Uh… I can just eat both?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Rika said, thrusting the bento into his hands.
Eva crossed her arms. "You don't have to force him, Rika. Yuuto can decide for himself."
Reina quietly sipped her tea, clearly amused by the spectacle. "Why not just share? There's plenty of food for everyone."
The suggestion went unheard as Rika and Eva continued their tug-of-war over Yuuto's lunch.
---
The Duel
By the time classes ended for the day, Rika and Eva's rivalry had reached a boiling point. As the group walked home, Rika suddenly stopped and turned to Eva.
"Alright, enough of this," she said. "Let's settle it once and for all."
Eva smirked. "Oh? And how do you plan to do that?"
Rika pointed to the park ahead. "A competition. Whoever wins gets to spend the day with Yuuto. Just the two of them."
Yuuto blinked. "Wait, what? I don't—"
"Deal," Eva said, cutting him off.
"Hold on!" Yuuto protested. "Don't I get a say in this?"
"No," Rika and Eva said in unison, their determination unwavering.
Reina giggled. "This should be interesting."
---
The Events Begin
The park was bustling with families and couples enjoying the afternoon, but the group found a relatively quiet spot for the competition.
"We'll do three events," Rika declared. "Best two out of three wins."
Eva nodded. "Fine by me. Let's get started."
Event One: Basketball Shootout
The first event was simple: whoever made the most baskets in five attempts would win.
Rika stepped up first, dribbling the ball with an air of confidence. Her first shot swished through the net effortlessly. The second and third followed suit, but the fourth bounced off the rim. She managed to sink the fifth, ending with four points.
"Beat that," she said smugly, tossing the ball to Eva.
Eva smirked. "Gladly."
Her first shot went wide, earning a groan from Reina, who was acting as the referee. But Eva quickly recovered, making the next three shots in rapid succession.
With one shot left, the score was tied. Eva paused, focusing intently before launching the ball. It soared through the air and hit the backboard, teetering on the edge of the rim before falling in.
"Yes!" Eva cheered, throwing her arms up in victory.
Rika glared. "It's not over yet."
Event Two: Trivia Showdown
The second event was a trivia contest, with Reina acting as the quizmaster.
"First question," Reina said. "What is the capital of Italy?"
"Rome!" Rika shouted before Eva could open her mouth.
"Correct," Reina said.
Eva narrowed her eyes. "I'll get the next one."
But Rika was quicker on the draw for the next three questions, leaving Eva fuming.
"Final question," Reina announced. "What is Yuuto's favorite childhood TV show?"
Eva grinned. "Easy. It's Samurai Quest."
Rika groaned. "I knew that one too!"
The event ended in a tie, leaving everything to the final challenge.
---
Event Three: The Race
The final event was a race around the park. The first one to reach the finish line would be declared the winner.
"Ready, set… go!" Reina called, and the two girls took off like lightning.
Yuuto and Reina watched as Eva and Rika sprinted down the path, their determination evident in every step.
"They're really into this," Yuuto muttered.
Reina smiled. "It's kind of sweet, don't you think?"
"Sweet isn't the word I'd use," Yuuto replied, shaking his head.
As they neared the finish line, Rika pulled ahead, her athleticism giving her the edge. But just as she was about to cross, Eva made a desperate leap, tagging the post a split second before Rika.
"I win!" Eva declared, panting.
Rika collapsed onto the grass, groaning. "Unbelievable…"
True to their agreement, Yuuto spent the next day with Eva. They visited a café, walked through the shopping district, and even stopped at an arcade, where Eva dominated at every game.
Despite the awkward circumstances, Yuuto found himself enjoying the day. Eva's energy was infectious, and he couldn't help but admire her determination.
When they finally parted ways, Eva gave him a playful smile. "This was fun. Maybe we should do it again sometime."
Yuuto chuckled. "As long as it doesn't involve another competition."
That evening, Yuuto sat in his room, reflecting on the day's events.
Rika and Eva's rivalry might have been chaotic, but it was also a reminder of how much they cared—for him and for each other.
No matter what the future held, Yuuto knew one thing for certain: life was never dull with friends like these.