Chapter 19: They Called a Rematch. Then Riko Pulled Me Into a Closet.

I was barely surviving after the "Harem Placement Test."

Akari was holding my arm like it was hers by law.

The other three were seething.

I turned to Reina. "Is this legal?"

She shrugged. "It is now."

Then Riko stood up.

"Rematch."

The whole class went quiet.

"I'm not accepting these rankings," she said, eyes locked on Akari. "Not until I say what I've been holding back."

Yuna stood. "Me too."

Airi closed her book. "Agreed."

Reina blinked. "Huh. This is better than expected."

---

After Class – Riko's Ambush

I was just trying to get water.

She dragged me into the storage closet near the music room and slammed the door shut.

Dark. Quiet. Way too close.

She didn't speak for five seconds. Just breathed.

Then—

"…I liked you before she came back."

I froze.

"I didn't want to say it. I kept telling myself it didn't matter. That you were too dumb to notice. But then she shows up, calls you Kaito-kun like she owns you, and suddenly I'm on the bench."

I opened my mouth.

She cut me off.

"I'm not jealous. I'm furious."

Silence.

Then softer—

"...Because I was finally starting to think I had a chance."

My chest hurt.

Riko was red-faced. Fists clenched. But still standing tall.

"I'm not losing to her. Or them. So get ready."

She opened the door and walked away like a storm.

I stood there, stunned.

And Akari was standing right outside.

Watching.

---

Akari's Response

She didn't yell.

Didn't panic.

She just stepped closer and whispered—

"So she's serious too, huh?"

I blinked.

"She can fight. That's fine."

Akari gently took my hand.

"But don't forget—before them… you were mine."

---

Later – Reina's New Plan

She dropped a flyer on my desk the next day.

> School Camp Trip – 3 Days, 2 Nights, Shared Cabins

"Required attendance. No exceptions."

I looked up at her.

She smirked.

"The perfect place," she said, "for unresolved tension to explode."