Chapter 2 : Precious Gift

"the most precious gift isn't the most expensive one—it's the one made with your own hands, with love and effort woven into it."

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"Tadaah!" Rika beamed as she held up a clay mug she had carefully crafted. The art class today was all about pottery, and the students had the chance to create their own pieces.

Zaire, a young boy with inky black hair, leaned over curiously. "What is that?" He reached out to touch it, but before his fingers could make contact, Rika swiftly swatted his hand away.

"Hey! Don't touch it!" she pouted, pulling the clay mug closer to her chest. She shot him a glare, clearly displeased by his mischievous nature.

"I just wanted to see what it was," Zaire protested, leaning in slightly to get a better look.

"It's a cat-shaped mug," Rika huffed.

For a moment, Zaire stared at it in silence before suddenly bursting into laughter.

"I thought that was an elephant!" he teased, his laughter growing louder. The mug's oddly shaped ears were large and uneven, making it look far from a cat—and not very practical for drinking either.

Rika's pout deepened. "Ugh! What about you? What are you making? I bet it's not better than mine!" she challenged, folding her arms.

Zaire smirked, letting out a few cocky chuckles. "Oh, you'll see…" He turned away mysteriously, making Rika all the more eager to find out. Finally, after a dramatic pause, he pulled out his creation and grinned. "Tadaah!"

Rika blinked at the lumpy, misshapen piece of clay in his hands. Her expression fell.

"What… is that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's the Legendary Thunder Sword!" Zaire announced dramatically, holding it up like a hero from their favorite storybook, The Princess's Journey. It was a tale they both adored—a story of a princess and her loyal knight. Near the end, the knight obtained the Legendary Thunder Sword to rescue the princess from the clutches of an evil prince. Whenever they played together, Rika was always the princess, and Zaire was her knight.

But as Rika stared at the wonky, unbalanced "sword," she couldn't hold back her disbelief.

"It looks nothing like that!" she exclaimed, shaking her head.

"It totally does! And it's way cooler than your mug!" Zaire smirked, eyes gleaming with mischief.

Rika huffed. "The Legendary Thunder Sword isn't supposed to look like that," she argued, crossing her arms.

"Oh, you're just jealous," Zaire teased, adding fuel to the fire.

Before Rika could fire back, their teacher, Ms. Mary, clapped her hands to get the students' attention.

"Alright, kids! Bring your clay creations here so we can set them out to dry under the sun," she announced.

The students eagerly carried their pieces outside, placing them carefully on the school field. Ms. Mary reminded them that the clay needed the whole weekend to dry, meaning they wouldn't be able to touch them until Monday. With that, the children were dismissed for recess, and soon after, the school day ended.

As the other kids went home, Zaire lingered behind, curiosity getting the better of him. He wandered over to the drying area, searching for his clay sword—but instead, he found Rika's mug.

"How is this a cat?" he muttered, picking it up with both hands.

Before he could inspect it further, Rika's voice called out from the school gate.

"Zaire, what's taking you so long?"

Startled, Zaire fumbled with the mug—and it slipped from his hands. The moment it hit the ground, it shattered into pieces.

His heart stopped. He stared in horror at the broken fragments, his mouth going dry. Slowly, he looked up—only to find Rika frozen in place, her blue eyes wide with shock. She recognized the broken mug immediately, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Rika, I—" he began, but she cut him off.

"I HATE YOU!"

Her voice cracked as she yelled, her face twisted in anger and hurt. Without waiting for his response, she spun on her heel and ran off, leaving Zaire standing there alone.

For the first time, their usual playful bickering had turned into something real.

That weekend, Rika didn't come outside to play with him. She stayed inside her house, ignoring his presence completely. They had fought before, but never like this. The absence of their usual adventures left a hollow feeling in Zaire's chest.

When Monday arrived, Rika returned to school, but she made it clear she was still upset. She avoided looking at Zaire, keeping her gaze firmly elsewhere.

During class, Ms. Mary suddenly approached her desk, and Rika looked up—only to see Zaire standing beside their teacher, his eyes red and puffy. He was biting his lip as if struggling to speak.

"Rika," Ms. Mary said gently.

Rika remained silent as Zaire hesitantly lifted something in his hands. It was another clay mug, shaped just like the one she had made.

Her breath hitched.

"Zaire wanted to apologize," Ms. Mary explained. "He came to me and told me what happened. He asked if he could make a new one for you… to replace the one he broke."

Rika's eyes widened, shifting from the mug to Zaire. He swallowed hard and finally found his voice.

"I—I'm sorry I broke your mug…" he mumbled, his voice shaky.

For a moment, Rika simply stared at him. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her face.

"Okay. I forgive you."

She stood up and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

Zaire tensed at first, but as relief washed over him, he hugged her back.

"You're not mad anymore?" he asked cautiously.

"No, I'm not mad anymore," she reassured him with a warm smile.

Zaire let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "I—I have something else for you."

Rika tilted her head in curiosity as he reached into his pocket. A second later, he pulled out a small packet of cookies.

Her eyes lit up. "Cookies!"

Zaire nodded, holding it out to her. "For you."

Rika beamed, tearing open the package. She took out a cookie and, before eating it, handed one to him.

"Let's never fight like that again," she said with a grin. "I missed you."

Zaire smiled back as he accepted the cookie.

"Yeah. Let's not."

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[Back to the Present]

"Is it just me, or has Zaire eaten that sandwich three times now?" Klein whispered to Andre, who shared the same puzzled expression.

"Yeah… Did something happen to him yesterday?" Andre whispered back, his voice laced with curiosity.

Klein shrugged. "I don't know. Everything seemed fine yesterday."

The three of them—Zaire, Klein, and Andre—were having lunch on the school rooftop. The afternoon was neither too windy nor too sunny, just the right balance of warmth and breeze. Zaire, however, sat with an empty stare, lost in thought, as he continued eating his sandwich from the school cafeteria. It was unusual for him.

Andre nudged Zaire's shoulder, snapping him out of his trance. "Dude, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Zaire replied dryly before taking another bite, his eating unusually messy. A stain of red sauce smeared near his lips, which he quickly wiped away with the back of his hand.

He swallowed quickly and lifted his sandwich for another bite—but then, he paused. His eyes scanned the area until they landed on her.

Her long, straight pink hair shimmered slightly under the daylight, and her ocean-blue eyes sparkled with excitement as she animatedly spoke about her latest interest. Zaire watched her in silence, the urge to reach out lingering in his chest, but his body remained frozen.

Then, as if sensing his stare, she suddenly turned to look at him. Her smile faded instantly, her eyes darkening with recognition before she quickly looked away.

Zaire felt a sharp sting in his chest, a familiar ache he wished he didn't recognize.

Without another word, she excused herself, hurrying toward the stairs. She moved fast but careful—just enough to avoid tripping.

Once she was far enough, she stopped, exhaling heavily.

"Does he even bother to apologize?" she thought, her lips pressing into a small pout. "Why did I even go with him yesterday?"

As she walked down the hallway, her thoughts were interrupted by a familar figure.

"Claura!"

Startled, Claura turned and found herself face-to-face with Rika. The girl's wavy golden locks bounced slightly as she approached, her confident stride making her presence known.

"Rika!" Claura blinked, her nerves settling a little.

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[At the Cafeteria]

They settled in the cafeteria, which was now mostly empty since lunch had already passed.

Rika unwrapped a blueberry cupcake from its plastic packaging, scooping up a small bite with a plastic spoon. "So, what's up?" she asked, noticing the wary look on Claura's face.

"It's about Hans…" Claura fidgeted with her fingers. "Tomorrow is his birthday."

"Oh? Really?" Rika took another bite, unbothered.

"Yeah… and—I forgot about it!" Claura's voice cracked, her hands flying to her face in distress. "I'm the worst girlfriend ever!"

Rika barely reacted. She had seen this coming.

"I've just been so busy with homework and sewing club that I completely forgot!" Claura sobbed.

"Hey, it's okay," Rika said, grabbing a tissue box from the cafeteria table and handing it to her. "People forget things. It's normal."

Claura wiped her damp cheeks with the tissue. "B-but… I'm his girlfriend! We've been together since middle school! How could I forget?!"

Rika sighed, grabbing a few more tissues and placing them in front of Claura. "You still have time, don't you? His birthday is tomorrow, so you can start preparing now."

"The thing is… I don't even know what to get him." Claura sniffled, lowering her gaze.

Rika hummed in thought as she finished her cupcake. "Why don't I help you pick out a gift?"

"Really?!" Claura perked up, grabbing Rika's hands tightly.

Rika chuckled. "Yeah. After school—is that okay?"

"Okay! Oh, here—have another cupcake!" Claura pushed an extra blueberry cupcake toward her.

Rika's eyes sparkled. "Ohoho, thank you very much!" She immediately took a spoonful bite.

-------------------♡

[After School ,At the School Gate]

Rika stood by the school gate, texting her driver that she wouldn't need a ride today. As she lowered her phone, her eyes instinctively scanned the area.

Then, she saw him.

Zaire.

He was on his red scooter, getting ready to leave.

Panic flared in her chest. Without thinking, she ducked behind a nearby tree. "Jeez, I can't get away from him," she muttered under her breath.

After a while, she carefully peeked around the tree.

Gone.

She let out a relieved sigh, feeling ridiculous for hiding from him like a child. Maybe I should just talk to him… The thought crossed her mind, but she quickly shook her head. "No! It's his fault for not apologizing!"she yelled out loud.

"What apology?"

She jumped.

Spinning around, she was met with Claura's confused face.

"Claura… you scared me!" Rika placed a hand over her chest, feeling her heart race.

"Oh, sorry! I looked around and couldn't find you, but then I saw you here, so I came over," Claura explained, adjusting her round glasses.

Rika huffed "Well this is not the first time someone found me in a tree"

"Huh?"

"Nothing" Rika brushing off her skirt. "Well, shall we go?"

"Yeah, I'm all set," Claura said, giving her a soft smile as she adjusted her woolly hat.

Rika's gaze flickered to the hat. "Ooh, is that new?"

Claura touched the soft fabric. "Yeah! I made it myself."

Rika's eyes widened. "That's so cute! You're really talented at sewing."

Claura chuckled. "I've been sewing since elementary school," she admitted proudly. "I could teach you if you'd like."

"That would be great!" Rika beamed.

They continued walking toward the shopping district.

"So, what's on your mind for the gift?" Rika asked.

"Hmm… I can't think of anything," Claura sighed.

"That's fine! Let's just look around, and maybe inspiration will strike!" Rika led the way into a department store.

They wandered through different sections, exploring various ideas.

"What about a soccer ball?" Rika suggested.

"He doesn't play soccer."

"Running shoes?"

"He bought a new pair last month."

"A gardening set?"

"He doesn't do gardening."

"A whole box of chocolate cookies!"

"…I think you're the one who wants that."

Rika huffed. "What about a puppy?" She picked up a golden retriever puppy from a pet adoption stand.

"Aww, he's so cute!" Claura scratched behind its ears, melting at the sight. But then she froze. "Wait, doesn't Hans have pet allergies?"

Rika's excitement deflated. "How unfortunate…"

They moved on to a different section.

"Oh, look! A cute piggy teacup!" Rika held it up.

Claura's eyes sparkled. "Whoa, that's adorable!"

"And it's 50% off!"

Claura placed the teacup back carefully. Then, she gasped. "Look! A cupcake plush!"

"Kyaa! And a cat bowl!"

Silence.

They turned to each other.

"Rika…"

"Claura…"

"We're getting distracted."

An hour later, they left the store—empty-handed.

Rika sighed. "We found nothing."

"What a waste of time…" Claura pouted.

"Hey, don't give up yet! I know one more store that might have the perfect gift," Rika reassured her.

Claura looked at Rika's bright optimism and couldn't help but smile. "Okay. I won't give up!"

"That's the spirit!" Rika grinned.

Rika led Claudia through the bustling streets, away from the shopping district, until they arrived at a quaint little antique shop. The warm glow of yellow lights bathed the store in an almost magical ambiance, making the various trinkets and artifacts appear even more elegant. A soft lullaby played in the background, adding to the cozy, nostalgic atmosphere.

As they stepped inside, a small bell above the door chimed, announcing their arrival.

"Ah, Rika, darling! You're here!" A woman in her thirties, with short, curly white hair, greeted them warmly. She wore a simple yellow blouse, her presence exuding both grace and warmth.

Rika smiled. "Hello, Ms. Trudy!" She stepped forward, embracing the woman in a familiar hug.

Ms. Trudy's sharp eyes flickered toward Claudia, and a smile curled on her lips. "And who is this lovely young lady?" Her voice carried a subtle German accent.

Claudia, who had been admiring the antiques, snapped out of her trance. Flustered, she quickly extended a trembling hand. "A-Ah, my name is Claudia Winslow. It's nice to meet you."

Ms. Trudy took her hand with an elegant shake. "Ah, Ms. Claudia, welcome! My name is Gertrude Beaumont, the owner of this little antique gift shop. But you may call me Ms. Trudy."

"We're here to find a birthday gift for her boyfriend," Rika explained, glancing at Claudia.

Ms. Trudy chuckled. "Ah, well, you've come to the right place! Though, I must admit, my stock is a little limited today. My delivery boy is running late, which is quite unusual. But feel free to browse what we have left."

"Thank you, Ms. Trudy." Rika gently nudged Claudia toward the shelves.

"You can always ask if you need any help," Ms. Trudy added, her smile warm and reassuring.

The girls wandered deeper into the store, stopping by a window display where intricate wooden crafts were arranged beneath the soft glow of the streetlights. A grand, old grandfather clock stood nearby, its rhythmic ticking adding to the antique shop's charm.

Claudia picked up a finely carved wooden bear figurine, running her fingers over the smooth surface. "Rika, everything here seems so… fancy. Do you really think I'll find something Hans would like?"

"Of course! This is a gift shop, after all," Rika grinned. "I always come here when I need something unique."

As they walked past an eerily lifelike porcelain doll, Claudia shuddered and mumbled, "I really don't like creepy antique dolls…"

Rika ignored her complaint and held up a wooden cutting board. "What about this? You can even customize it—maybe engrave 'Claudia x Hans' on it."

Claudia laughed but shook her head. "It's cute, but I doubt he'd use it much."

Rika put the cutting board back and gasped when she spotted another item. "What about this?" She grabbed a wooden dinosaur head and mimicked a roar. "Rawr!"

Claudia burst into laughter at Rika's silliness, but her smile quickly faded into a frown. She let out a defeated sigh. "I still can't find anything… I thought I knew him well enough to pick the perfect gift, but I guess not."

Ms. Trudy, who had been listening nearby, chuckled softly. "Oh, darling, what's with the sad face?"

Claudia crossed her arms. "I just thought this would be easy. But nothing feels… right."

Ms. Trudy smiled knowingly. "Do you know why I opened this gift shop?"

Claudia looked up, intrigued. "Why?"

"Once upon a time, I was just a girl with her nose buried in books, always wearing glasses—though now, I wear contacts," Ms. Trudy said with a wink.

Claudia tried to imagine a younger version of Ms. Trudy as a bookish girl and found it hard to believe.

"I had a secret passion for woodworking," Ms. Trudy continued, picking up a small wooden figure. "I practiced in secret, carving little sculptures. My parents praised my work, but I was too afraid to share it with anyone else."

"Why?" Claudia asked.

Ms. Trudy sighed. "Because back then, people thought woodworking was not for girls. They expected me to do ballet or play with dolls. But one day, it was my crush's birthday, and I wanted to give him something special. Since he loved cooking, I carved a wooden cutting board with his name on it.

"When I arrived at his party, I saw his other friends giving him expensive gifts—limited concert tickets, designer shoes. I felt… small. My gift seemed so plain in comparison. But when I handed it to him, he smiled the brightest I had ever seen.

"He asked, 'Did you make this yourself?' And when I nodded, he said, 'This isn't just a wooden board. It's your creation, made just for me. That makes it one of a kind.'

"His words changed everything for me. That was the moment I found the courage to share my work with the world."

Claudia's eyes widened. She glanced around the shop, truly seeing it for the first time. "Wait… so this entire shop—"

Ms. Trudy chuckled. "Yes. Because of him, I opened my own store. Every wooden piece here is my work—well, with the help of my team, of course."

Claudia's expression softened. "That's a beautiful story. He must have been so proud of you."

"I hope so…" Ms. Trudy let out a wistful sigh, her smile tinged with sorrow. "He passed away from cancer. I confessed my feelings to him on his deathbed."

Claudia felt a pang of sympathy. "I'm so sorry…"

"It's alright. It was a long time ago," Ms. Trudy said gently, though her tear-filled eyes betrayed how much she still missed him.

Rika, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "He would be proud of you, Ms. Trudy."

Ms. Trudy chuckled as she wiped away a tear. "The moral of the story, darlings, is that the most precious gift isn't the most expensive one—it's the one made with your own hands, with love and effort woven into it."

"Because it becomes truly unique," Rika added with a smile.

Claudia touched the wool hat she was wearing, a thought forming in her mind. "Wait… I can make him something!"

Rika's eyes lit up. "You sew, right? A sweater or a beanie!"

Claudia beamed. "Yes! That's perfect! But… I don't have any wool left at home."

"Ms. Trudy, do you sell wool?" Rika asked.

Ms. Trudy thought for a moment before shaking her head. "I usually do, but my delivery is running late today."

Before Rika could respond, the bell above the door chimed again.

"Ms. Trudy, here's your package," a familiar voice said.

Rika froze.

"Ah, there you are, Zaire!" Ms. Trudy turned to the young man who had just entered. "You're so late today. What happened?"

"Got some packages mixed up," Zaire muttered, sounding drained.

As he met Rika's gaze, she immediately tried to hide, only to stumble backward—right into the grandfather clock. It let out a loud chime, startling everyone as she crashed to the floor.

"Rika!" Claudia rushed to her side.

Rika groaned, rubbing her forehead where a red mark had already formed.

Zaire stepped closer, concern in his eyes. "Are you alright?"

Rika quickly stood up. "I-I'm fine!" She dusted off her skirt, avoiding his gaze. "Claudia, do you have a plan now?"

Claudia looked between the two before nodding. "Yes! I'll make Hans a beanie."

Ms. Trudy handed her a package of colorful wool. "Here you go, darling."

Claudia blinked. "W-wait, I need to pay for this!"

Ms. Trudy waved a hand. "Consider it a gift, after listening to this old lady's story."

Claudia smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

"So, I guess we're done here. Let's go, Claudia. We can walk home together," Rika offered.

Claudia hesitated, glancing at Ms. Trudy, who subtly signaled for her to leave Rika alone with Zaire.

"Erm... Rika, I think I'll head home on my own," Claudia said, forcing a smile.

"Huh? But we live in the same direction. Why not walk together?" Rika tilted her head in confusion.

"Uh, I actually need to... go somewhere else first!" Claudia stammered, her awkward smile betraying her weak excuse.

Rika narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. "Well, in that case, I'll just call my driver—" She reached for her phone, but Ms. Trudy cut in smoothly.

"Oh, why not let Zaire drive you? He's free now, and this was his last delivery for the day, right?" She threw Zaire a meaningful wink.

"H-huh? Oh, yeah... This was my last stop," Zaire muttered, his gaze flickering toward Rika.

"I really don't want to be a bother, I can just—"

Ms. Trudy interrupted again, waving off Rika's protest. "No, no, darling. Consider it my way of thanking you for always supporting my shop. Just accept the offer." She flashed a warm smile.

Rika glanced between Ms. Trudy, Claudia, and finally Zaire before sighing in reluctant defeat. "...Fine."

"Wonderful! I promise, Zaire's a good driver. He'll get you home safely," Ms. Trudy said, giving Zaire a light smack on the shoulder with a laugh. "Now, it's getting late. You should all head home."

Rika turned to Zaire with a sigh. "Alright, I'm going. Bye, everyone. And good luck, Claudia." She gave Claudia a small, encouraging smile.

Claudia adjusted her glasses and returned the smile. "Thanks, Rika. For everything."

Rika nodded before stepping out of the shop, the bell above the door chiming softly as she left.

Zaire lingered for a moment, glancing between Ms. Trudy and Claudia. "I should go too. Goodnight, Ms. Trudy. Sorry for the late delivery."

"It's alright, hun," Ms. Trudy reassured him with a smile. "Now, don't keep the lady waiting."

Zaire nodded before hurrying outside to where Rika stood beneath the lamplight. The glow illuminated her face, her ocean-blue eyes focused on the concrete floor. He retrieved his red scooter, which was parked just outside the shop.

"Come on," he said, hoping she would hop on.

Rika silently climbed onto the scooter, sitting sideways because of her skirt.

"Hold on," Zaire said softly.

Instead of wrapping her arms around his waist, Rika chose to grip the back of the scooter.

The ride was quiet, the only sounds filling the night air were the hum of the engine and the occasional whisper of the cold breeze. Zaire wanted to say something, anything, to ease the awkward silence, but in the end, he chose to match Rika's quietness.

Midway through the drive, Zaire suddenly slowed to a stop. Rika blinked in surprise, momentarily caught off guard, but she didn't ask why. Instead, she simply got off the scooter.

"Wait here. I'll be right back," Zaire murmured as he grabbed something from the back of the scooter before walking toward a nearby house.

He knocked twice on the wooden door.

Moments later, a woman opened it. "Zaire? What are you doing here at this hour?" she asked.

"I just wanted to drop something off," he said, raising the plastic bag in his hand. "Is Mrs. Sheila home?"

"I'm afraid she's already asleep," the woman—Ms. Olivia—replied. "But I can pass along a message if you'd like."

"That's alright. Just give her this," Zaire said, handing over the plastic bag.

Ms. Olivia took a peek inside. "Ah, herbal tea?" She looked back at him in surprise.

"Yeah. Mrs. Sheila mentioned having stomach aches, so I thought some peppermint tea might help. I had a bit left at home," Zaire explained with a small smile.

Ms. Olivia returned the smile, nodding in appreciation. "That's very thoughtful of you. You've helped us so much, Zaire."

"It's no trouble at all," he said modestly.

Rika, who had been quietly standing nearby, listened to their conversation while staring at the ground.

"Well, I should get going. Good night, Ms. Olivia," Zaire said.

"Good night, Zaire. Drive safely."

"I will." Zaire gave her a final smile before turning back to where he had left Rika—only to find her gone.

Panic spiked through him as he quickly scanned the area. Just as he was about to call out for her, he let out a sigh of relief. Rika was sitting on a stone bench near a flower bed, surrounded by fresh-blooming daffodils.

He jogged over. "I told you to wait by the scooter," he panted.

She didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the daffodils swaying in the cool breeze. Beneath the moonlight, she looked ethereal—her soft pink hair flowing gently, her blue eyes reflecting the glow of the night. She was wrapped in a cardigan over her school uniform, shielding herself from the cold.

"Rika... can we talk?" Zaire asked quietly.

She remained silent, still staring at the flowers, but he pressed on.

"I'm sorry. I must have been a terrible friend for leaving without telling you anything..." He hesitated before continuing. "The truth is, I had to move because of my dad's job. My family relocated closer to his workplace."

Rika finally looked at him, but she still said nothing.

Zaire took a deep breath. "I was a coward, running away like that. When I enrolled in this high school and saw you giving your speech as the valedictorian, I wanted to talk to you. But I couldn't. I kept running, just like before. I could've visited you... but I didn't. And I regret it. I'm really sorry, Rika."

Their eyes met, and this time, Rika was the one who spoke first.

"I'm sorry, too."

Zaire's eyes widened.

"I should have confronted you instead of avoiding the situation," she admitted.

Zaire shook his head. "No, it was my fault. I understand why you acted the way you did."

Rika pouted slightly, looking away. "I wanted to talk to you... but I felt ridiculous."

Zaire was quiet for a moment before suddenly standing up. "Wait here, I have something for you."

He sprinted back to his scooter, rummaged through his backpack, and returned with a small object in his hand. "Here."

Rika's eyes widened when she saw the gift. "This is..."

It was a keychain—a silver crown with purple gemstones. It was from Princess of Journey, the game they used to play together.

She picked it up, inspecting it closely. The edges were a bit rough, and the hole for the keyring was slightly uneven. "Did you make this?"

"Ah... is it that bad?" Zaire gave her a sheepish smile. "It was actually from a I tried to turn it into a keychain... but I guess I messed up a bit." He chuckled.

Rika let out a small laugh.

"I make it for you in the first place," Zaire admitted. "But I guess it seems kind of childish now. You probably don't even like Princess of Journey anymore."

Rika shook her head, smiling softly. "I still like it."

Zaire's breath hitched. It was the first time in years that he had seen that genuine smile of hers.

"Thank you," she said. "I'll keep it."

Zaire chuckled. "Well, I have a matching one." He pulled out his own keychain—a small, diamond-shaped sword.

Rika examined it before bursting into laughter. "Yours looks even worse than mine!"

"Hey! I tested the drilling on mine first so yours wouldn't be as bad," Zaire defended, grinning.

They both laughed, their voices filling the quiet night.

"So... does this mean you forgive me?" Zaire asked hesitantly.

Rika pretended to ponder. "Hmm... I don't know. Should I?" She grinned.

"Come on," Zaire groaned playfully before slipping a packet of cookies into her hands. "Will you forgive me now?"

Rika gasped. "That's unfair!" But she quickly grabbed the packet, examining it. It was her favorite brand and flavor. She sighed in mock defeat. "Fine... I forgive you."

Zaire exhaled in relief. "So, friends?" He held out his hand.

"Friends," Rika agreed, shaking it.

They sat together under the moonlight, catching up on everything they'd missed during their time apart.

"So, I gotta ask," Zaire began, glancing at Rika.

Rika took a bite of her cookie, humming in acknowledgment. "Mmh?"

"The other day, you were helping Klein and Yumi get together, and now it seems like you're helping someone else. Are you some kind of... matchmaker?" He chuckled, though he was genuinely curious.

Rika laughed. "A matchmaker? No, not really. I just help people when they have trouble with love." She shrugged before taking another bite.

Zaire smirked. "So, you're like a love guidence?"

"I guess you could say that," she said with a small smile. "I've been doing this since middle school. Sometimes people come to me for love advice, and other times they ask me to help fix their relationships." She held up the cookie package, offering one to Zaire.

Zaire gladly took one. "Ohh, so that's why you helped Klein?"

"Well, in Klein and Claudia's case, I was the one who noticed they were struggling, rather than them coming to me for help."

Zaire nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "I see," he said, impressed. Rika really was doing a good thing for others.

Just then, a phone rang, breaking the peaceful moment. Rika's eyes widened in panic. "Ah! It's my brother! Oh no, it's already so late!"

Zaire tensed up too. He knew how protective Rika's brother was. "Then let's go! Hop on," he said, rushing to his scooter.

She quickly got on, and this time, the ride wasn't filled with awkward silence.

"So, you became a delivery boy?" Rika asked, glancing at him.

"Yeah, I deliver packages," Zaire replied, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Do you work directly under Ms. Trudy?"

"No, I just deliver her packages," he clarified.

Rika scoffed. "Ah, I knew it. She was messing with me when she said you were giving me a ride home as a 'thank you' from her."

Zaire laughed. "Yeah, she does love to mess with people like that."

They chatted casually, and before they knew it, they had arrived at Rika's house.

Zaire parked in front of the gate and looked up at the large penthouse. "I forgot how big your house was," he remarked.

Rika chuckled. "It's still the same as always." She got off the scooter, turning to face him.

They exchanged smiles. "Thanks for giving me a ride home," Rika said warmly.

"No problem. It was nothing, really," Zaire replied with the same warmth.

"Well, good night. Stay safe on your way home," she told him.

"Yeah, I will. Good night." He started the scooter but hesitated. "Oh, Rika?"

She tilted her head. "Yeah?"

Zaire grinned. "See you at school."

Rika chuckled and grinned back. "See you!" she called out as he rode away. She watched him disappear into the distance before finally heading inside.

-------------------♡

When Zaire got home, he parked his scooter in the garage, took off his jacket, and collapsed onto his bed.

"She's still the same Rika I remember… I missed her," he murmured to himself. He chuckled. "Love Guidance, huh?"

Suddenly, he sat up. "W-wait… if people keep asking her for dating advice, doesn't that mean she has a lot of dating experience?" His mind started spinning, picturing Rika in multiple relationships. His face flushed slightly. "I mean, she's really popular and pretty… She must've been in a relationship before, right?"

He shook his head quickly. "Ugh! What am I even thinking?" He groaned, rubbing his temples. "I need a warm shower." Grabbing his towel, he headed to the bathroom.

-------------------♡

[Meanwhile, at Ms. Trudy's Gift Shop]

"Thank you for letting me stay, Ms. Trudy," Claudia said with a smile, admiring the beanie she had spent hours knitting.

"It's no problem, darling. It's getting late. Want some hot tea?" Ms. Trudy asked, already placing a cup in front of Claudia before she could even respond.

"You're too kind," Claudia chuckled, taking a sip. Then, her expression grew thoughtful. "I wonder if they'll be okay…" she murmured, referring to Zaire and Rika.

"I'm sure they will," Ms. Trudy said with a reassuring smile, sipping her own coffee.

Claudia hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'm actually kinda curious…" She took another sip, then set her cup down. "Does Rika always bring people here like this?"

Ms. Trudy chuckled. "Yup. You're not the first. She's always bringing someone new—people who seem to be struggling, just like you were."

Claudia tilted her head. "Why does she do that?"

Ms. Trudy's smile softened. "She's been like that since middle school. Rika loves helping others with their love problems. She enjoys seeing people happy."

Claudia chuckled. "I guess she's just that kind of person, huh?"

Ms. Trudy nodded. "That she is."

-------------------♡

"Tell me," Rika said coldly, her sharp glare fixed on the man in front of her. If looks could kill, he would already be dead.

Zaire watched silently from the side, sensing the heavy tension in the air.

"Tell me," Rika repeated, leaning back against the wooden chair.

"Tell me why you cheated on her."

The man swallowed hard, his fear evident.

"Tell me why..."

She paused, her voice eerily calm.

"Hans."