My High School Life 101 – Chapter 9: Whispers and Weaknesses
[Scene 1 – Morning, Tsukihana High. Students chatting in the hallway.]
Students whisper, pointing at Riku as he walks past with Aoi and Emilia.
Student 1: (whispering) That's him… the guy who stood up to Mika!
Student 2: Yeah, and he didn't even lose badly. No one's ever done that!
Student 3: He's crazy… Mika could've had him expelled.
Emilia: (folds arms, annoyed) Tch… all this gossip, it's so childish.
Aoi: (serious tone) Still, Riku, you're painting a big target on your back.
Riku: (smiling calmly) Hah. Let them talk. It's just noise.
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[Scene 2 – Classroom, later that morning.]
Mika sits at her desk, chin on hand, not paying attention. She glares at Riku across the room but doesn't speak. Her friends whisper nervously around her.
Friend 1: Uh… Mika, are you okay?
Friend 2: You're not gonna crush him?
Mika: (slams hand on desk, standing up) Shut up. (pauses, looks conflicted) …It's none of your business.
The class goes silent. Riku raises an eyebrow but stays quiet.
---
[Scene 3 – Rooftop, lunchtime.]
Aoi, Emilia, and Riku sit eating together. The mood is tense.
Aoi: (looking at Riku) You've been reckless lately. First Hashimaru, now Mika… what's next?
Emilia: (leans closer to Riku) He's right. One of these days, your "calm smile" is going to get you killed.
Riku: (sighs, looks at sky) Maybe. But someone has to shake things up around here. Everyone's too scared to live their own lives.
Emilia: (blushing slightly, turns away) Idiot…
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[Scene 4 – Mika Alone.]
After school, Mika sits in the arcade, furiously playing a fighting game. Her hands tremble on the joystick. She loses the round.
Mika: (grits teeth) Damn it! Why can't I focus?
Flashback of Riku's words from last chapter: "Life is a game… play it for real."
Mika: (clutching her chest, whispering) Why can't I get him out of my head…?
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[Scene 5 – Classroom, Next Day.]
A tall boy with sharp eyes and slick black hair enters the class. His presence is intimidating. Students whisper again.
Student 1: Who's that?
Student 2: I heard he's from the East District school… Renji Kuroda.
Renji smirks as his eyes lock on Mika.
Renji: (mocking tone) So this is the so-called "Queen" of Tsukihana High? I'm disappointed. Bribing teachers? Pathetic.
The class gasps. Mika freezes, fists clenched.
Mika: (snaps) Watch your mouth, you bastard!
Renji: (smirking, leaning closer) Or what? You'll pay me off too?
The whole class murmurs louder. Riku watches silently, eyes narrowing.
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[Final Scene – Hallway, after class.]
Mika storms out, holding back tears. Riku follows her.
Renji: (watching them leave, smirks) Heh. This school is a battlefield… and I'm just getting started.
[END – Chapter 9]