Chapter 21: The Rumor Mill

The morning after the festival dawned too bright and too loud for Riku's liking. Sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, glinting off the rice cooker as he shuffled in, still groggy. His head throbbed—not from a hangover, but from the emotional whiplash of Haruka's tearful exit and Aiko's cryptic hand-squeeze under the fireworks. He'd barely slept, replaying every awkward moment until his brain felt like overcooked ramen.

Aiko was already at the table, munching on toast with an infuriatingly calm expression. Her hair was mussed from sleep, her oversized sleep shirt slipping off one shoulder, and Riku averted his eyes before his brain could register how annoyingly cute she looked.

"Morning, hero," she said, not looking up from her phone. "You look like trash."

"Thanks," he muttered, grabbing a mug for coffee. "Slept about as well as you'd expect after last night."

She smirked, scrolling idly. "Haruka's confession keeps you up? Or was it the guilt trip?"

He froze, mug halfway to his lips. "You're not gonna let that go, are you?"

"Nope," she said, popping the 'p.' "It's too good. The great Riku, savior of damsels, fumbling a love confession like a bad rom-com lead. Classic."

"It wasn't funny," he grumbled, slumping into the chair across from her. "She was upset. I didn't know what to say."

Aiko finally glanced up, her hazel eyes glinting with mischief. "Could've said yes. She's cute, bubbly, totally into you. What's the holdup?"

"I don't know!" he snapped, louder than intended. He rubbed his face, exasperated. "I just… i don't feel that way about her. She's great, but it's not—ugh, forget it."

Aiko tilted her head, studying him like a cat eyeing a cornered mouse. "Not Haruka, then. Someone else?"

"No!" His face heated, and he gulped his coffee to avoid her gaze. "Can we drop this?"

"Fine," she said, shrugging. But her smirk lingered, and she leaned forward, elbows on the table, giving him an unintended view down her shirt. "Just saying, you're gonna break hearts if you keep playing dense."

He choked on his coffee, coughing violently. "I'm not—stop that!"

"Stop what?" she asked innocently, sitting back with a grin. "You're so easy to mess with."

Before he could retort, his phone buzzed. A text from Yuna Ono: *"Check the school chat. You're famous, lover boy."* A link followed. Dread pooled in his gut as he tapped it, opening the group chat where half the class was already buzzing.

- **Taro**: "Yo, did Riku and Aiko get together at the festival? Saw them holding hands!"

- **Mika**: "No way, they're cousins, right? That's wild."

- **Kenji**: "Cousins can date, dude. It's not illegal."

- **Yuna**: "Told you he's got a harem. Haruka was crying after, too."

Riku's jaw dropped. "What the hell?!"

Aiko leaned over, reading over his shoulder. Her breath tickled his ear, and he flinched, nearly dropping the phone. "Ooh, scandal," she said, voice dripping with amusement. "We're trending."

"This isn't funny!" he yelped, scrolling through the flood of messages. "We didn't hold hands! Well—not like *that*. It was just for a second!"

"Long enough for spies," she said, snatching his phone to type a reply. He lunged to grab it back, but she twisted away, her shirt riding up as she laughed.

"Give it back!" he shouted, wrestling with her. His hand brushed her waist, warm and soft, and they both froze, faces inches apart. Her smirk faltered, her breath hitching, and for a split second, the air crackled with something unspoken.

Then she shoved the phone into his chest, breaking the spell. "Relax, knight. I didn't send anything. Yet."

He scrambled back, heart pounding, and checked the screen. The chat had escalated:

- **Mika**: "Wait, Haruka confessed? And he turned her down? Poor girl."

- **Taro**: "Bet he's saving himself for Aiko. Living together's gotta spark something."

"Crap," Riku muttered, slumping in defeat. "This is a nightmare."

Aiko sipped her tea, unfazed. "Let 'em talk. It'll blow over."

"Easy for you to say," he groaned. "You're not the one labeled a harem king."

She arched her brow. "You're welcome, by the way. My presence elevates your status."

He glared, but before he could snap back, the front door banged open. Haruka stormed in, eyes red-rimmed, clutching a crumpled flyer from the festival. "Riku! We need to talk!"

Aiko's smirk vanished, replaced by a flicker of something—jealousy? Concern?—as she leaned back, crossing her arms. Riku's stomach sank. "Haruka, uh, what's up?"

"I heard the rumors," Haruka said, voice trembling. "About you and Aiko. Is it true? Are you two… together?"

"No!" Riku and Aiko said in unison, then glared at each other.

Haruka blinked, confused. "But everyone's saying—"

"They're wrong," Riku cut in, standing. "Nothing's going on. Aiko's my cousin, that's it. We were just… walking home. Together. Like normal."

Haruka's gaze darted between them, lingering on Aiko's casual pose. "Then why'd you turn me down? If it's not her, then…"

Riku floundered, words tangling in his throat. "It's not—I just—I'm not ready for anything. With anyone."

Haruka's shoulders slumped, but she nodded. "Okay. I… I believe you. Sorry for barging in." She turned to leave, pausing at the door. "But Riku? If you figure out what you want, let me know."

She left, the silence heavy in her wake. Aiko whistled low. "She's persistent. You sure you don't like her?"

"Shut up," he muttered, sinking back into his chair. "This is all your fault."

"My fault?" she laughed, standing to stretch, her shirt lifting enough to flash her midriff. "I didn't start the rumors. Blame Yuna."

He groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I'm doomed."

"Cheer up," she said, ruffling his hair as she passed. "At least you're popular now."

The day only got worse at school. Whispers followed Riku down the halls, classmates nudging each other as he passed. Yuna cornered him at lunch, grinning like a fox. "So, when's the wedding?"

"Knock it off," he snapped, shoving his tray away. "You're making this worse."

"Me? I'm just reporting what I see," she said, leaning in. "You and Aiko looked cozy last night. And Haruka's moping in the courtyard. It's a prime drama."

"There's no drama," he insisted, but doubt gnawed at him. Had he been too close to Aiko? Was that why Haruka was hurt? Why Aiko kept teasing him?

By afternoon, the rumors hit peak absurdity: someone claimed they'd seen Riku and Aiko kissing under the fireworks. He dragged Aiko to the roof after class, desperate to strategize.

"We need to shut this down," he said, pacing. "It's out of control."

She leaned against the railing, wind tugging at her hair. "Why bother? People believe what they want."

"Because it's messing with everything!" he exploded. "Haruka's upset, everyone's staring, and I can't think straight!"

Aiko studied him, her usual smirk softening. "You really care what they think, huh?"

"Don't you?" he shot back.

She shrugged, stepping closer. "Not really. But if it bugs you that much…" She grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the stairs. "Come on. Let's give 'em something real to talk about."

"What?!" he yelped, stumbling after her. "Aiko, wait—"

She laughed, dragging him back into the chaos, leaving him wondering if the rumors were the least of his problems.