Chapter 4: School Spotlight

Riku's legs felt like jelly by the time he and Aiko reached Yamato High. The walk had been torture—not because of the distance, but because Aiko kept humming that same tune from the shower, shooting him sidelong glances that made his stomach flip. He'd kept his eyes glued to the pavement, counting cracks to distract himself from the morning's disaster. Now, standing at the school gates, he dared to hope for a reprieve. School was familiar. Safe. A place where he could blend into the background and catch his breath.

"See you later, Riku-kun," Aiko said, flashing him a grin as she adjusted her bag. "Try not to trip over anyone's underwear today, okay?"

"Will you stop bringing that up?" he hissed, glancing around to make sure no one heard. A few passing students shot them curious looks, but Aiko just laughed and sauntered off toward the second-year classrooms, her skirt swishing with every step. Riku groaned, rubbing his temples. So much for a fresh start.

He shuffled to his own classroom—Class 2-B—slipping into his seat near the window with a sigh. The room buzzed with pre-bell chatter, students swapping weekend stories and griping about homework. Riku pulled out his math textbook, hoping to disappear into the pages until lunch. His plan lasted exactly five minutes.

"Riku! Oh, thank goodness you're here!" The voice was bright and breathless, cutting through the noise like a siren. He looked up to see Haruka Tanaka barreling toward him, her arms flailing with a tray of lunch containers balanced precariously in her hands. Haruka was a whirlwind of energy—short brown hair bouncing, big hazel eyes wide with desperation, and a smile that could melt ice. She was also a walking disaster.

"Uh, Haruka? What's—" Riku started, but she tripped over her own feet before he could finish. The tray tipped, and a cascade of rice balls, miso soup, and pickled veggies flew toward the floor. Without thinking, he lunged forward, catching the tray just before it hit the ground. Soup sloshed onto his sleeve, but he managed to save most of it.

Haruka gasped, clutching her chest. "Riku, you're a lifesaver! I'm so clumsy—I was supposed to bring these to the teacher's lounge, but I tripped, and—oh no, your uniform!"

"It's fine," he said quickly, setting the tray on his desk. He wiped his sleeve with a tissue, trying to ignore the wet spot. "No big deal. You okay?"

"Me? I'm great, thanks to you!" She beamed, leaning closer than necessary to inspect the damage. Her ponytail brushed his arm, and he flinched, scooting back in his chair. "You're always helping me out. I'd be lost without you!"

"It's nothing," he mumbled, his cheeks warming. Haruka had a habit of exaggerating his small acts of kindness—like the time he'd fixed her broken pencil case or carried her books when she sprained her ankle. She was nice, sure, but her enthusiasm made him nervous. Too much attention for a guy who preferred staying invisible.

Before he could retreat further, the classroom door slid open, and Aiko poked her head in. "Riku, you forgot your—" She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Haruka, who was still hovering over him with that dazzling grin. "What's going on here?"

Riku froze. Aiko held his lunch bag in one hand, her expression unreadable but sharp, like a cat spotting a rival. Haruka blinked, oblivious to the tension, and waved cheerfully. "Hi! I'm Haruka. Riku just saved my lunch tray—Isn't he the best?"

"The best, huh?" Aiko echoed, her tone clipped. She stepped inside, dropping the lunch bag on his desk with a thud. "Yeah, he's a real hero. Always jumping in to help."

"Uh, Aiko, it's not—" Riku started, but she cut him off with a flick of her hair.

"Don't let me interrupt," she said, her smile tight. "I'll see you at home, Riku-kun. Try not to rescue too many damsels today." She turned on her heel and strode out, leaving a faint chill in her wake.

Haruka tilted her head. "Is she your sister? She's pretty!"

"No, she's my cousin," Riku said, slumping in his seat. "She just… moved in with us."

"Oh, cool!" Haruka clapped her hands. "That must be fun. You're so lucky to have someone like her around."

"Lucky," Riku repeated dully, staring at the door. Fun wasn't the word he'd use. Terrifying, maybe. Confusing, definitely. Why did Aiko looked so annoyed? It wasn't like he'd done anything wrong—just helped Haruka with a tray. Was she mad he'd forgotten his lunch? No, that didn't fit. Something else was off, but his shy brain couldn't piece it together.

The bell rang, snapping him out of his spiral. Haruka grabbed her tray, still chattering. "Thanks again, Riku! You're my knight in shining armor. See you at lunch, maybe?" She winked—actually *winked*—and dashed off, leaving him red-faced and surrounded by curious classmates.

Whispers rippled through the room. "Did you see that?" "Riku and Haruka?" "She totally likes him!" He sank lower in his chair, pulling his textbook up like a shield. Great. Just what he needed—attention. And not just from Haruka. Across the courtyard, he caught a glimpse of Aiko through the window of her classroom, her arms crossed and her gaze fixed on him. Even from a distance, he could feel the weight of it.

Lunch couldn't come fast enough. When it did, Riku bolted to the rooftop, hoping for solitude. He unwrapped his bento—rice, grilled fish, and a side of veggies, courtesy of his mom—and took a bite, savoring the quiet. But the peace didn't last. Footsteps clattered up the stairs, and Haruka burst through the door, a grin splitting her face.

"Found you!" she sang, plopping down beside him. "Mind if I join? I owe you for earlier."

"Uh, sure," he said, scooting over to make room. She pulled out her own lunch, chattering about her morning, and he nodded along, half-listening. His mind kept drifting to Aiko—her sharp words, her stormy exit. What had he done to tick her off?

He didn't notice the shadow in the stairwell until it was too late. Aiko leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching them with a look that could've curdled milk. "Cozy," she said, her voice dripping with something Riku couldn't name. "Don't mind me. Just passing through."

She didn't move. Riku swallowed hard, his chopsticks trembling. Day two, and he was already caught in a spotlight he never asked for—one that was starting to feel dangerously crowded.