Chapter 11 – Confessions, Interruptions, and Secrets
[Scene 1 – Library, Morning]
(Riku sits alone at a table, focused on a math textbook. Itsuki enters quietly, spots him, and walks over.)
Itsuki: (smiling softly) Hey, Riku… thanks again for saving me from the class rep's little "plans."
Riku: (shrugs, humble) It was nothing. Really.
(Itsuki sits beside him, notices his notes.)
Itsuki: Struggling with that problem?
Riku: Yeah… I don't get this part.
(He points. Itsuki leans close, explains clearly, then writes the correct solution.)
Riku: (grins) Oh, that makes sense now. Thanks.
(Itsuki blushes at his smile, looking away quickly.)
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[Scene 2 – Sports Field, Afternoon]
(Class is outside for athletics. Mika runs the 100m, finishing first. She pants slightly, proud. Riku approaches her, casual.)
Riku: Nice run.
(Mika blushes faintly, but hides it with her usual pride.)
Mika: Tch… thanks.
(Later, basketball. Riku's agility stuns everyone. He dribbles past opponents, shoots from long distances, and doesn't miss. The crowd erupts as he single-handedly carries his team through two matches.)
Students: (whispering in awe) He's incredible… Who even plays like that?!
(Mika watches intently, biting her lip.)
Mika (inner voice): So this… this is the one I've been up against?
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[Scene 3 – Empty Classroom, Break Time]
(Mika drags Riku by the wrist, slamming the door shut behind them.)
Riku: Whoa… what's up?
Mika: (serious) I need to ask you something. Promise me it won't make things weird.
Riku: …Okay. I promise.
Mika: (takes a breath) Since that incident… what am I to you?
Riku: (confused) Huh?
Mika: (heart racing) I… I think I've grown a sudden… likeness towards you. I know my personality sucks sometimes, but I can't hold this in anymore.
(Silence. Riku smiles casually.)
Riku: Of course I like you.
Mika: (eyes widen) R-really?
Riku: Yeah. We're friends, right?
(Mika's heart sinks. She realizes he didn't catch her meaning. She forces a smile.)
Mika (inner voice): I guess… it's better this way.
Mika: Yeah. Friends.
(She stumbles, nearly falling. Riku catches her. Their eyes lock, faces inches apart. Mika leans closer, whispering.)
Riku: M-Mika…?
Mika: Shh… let me repay you.
(Their lips almost meet—until the door bursts open. Emilia steps in, eyes sharp.)
Emilia: …What's going on here?
(Both scramble to look casual.)
Mika: Oh, I was just asking Riku for a favor.
Emilia: (cold) Sure you were. Come with me, Riku. Now.
Riku: …Yes, ma'am.
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[Scene 4 – School Hallway, Later]
Emilia: Don't play dumb. You and Mika were about to kiss, weren't you?!
Riku: N-no! You've got it wrong!
Emilia: (tears forming) Don't lie to me…
Riku: It's complicated. She didn't—
Emilia: (cutting him off) If it's a kiss you wanted that badly, you should've asked me!
(She suddenly presses against him, faces close. Riku tries to back away but the wall traps him.)
Riku: Emilia… please, don't.
Emilia: (smirking through her blush) You begging like that… makes you even cuter.
(She kisses him deeply. Riku freezes in shock.)
Emilia: (pulls back, voice trembling) Never kiss anyone except me. You're mine. Got it?
Riku: (still stunned) …Y-yes, ma'am.
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[Scene 5 – Rooftop, Evening]
(Riku vents to Kiojiro about Emilia's sudden kiss, but carefully leaves out Mika's attempted one.)
Kiojiro: (laughing) If it weren't for your "inside man" teaching you, you'd have definitely rejected it outright.
Riku: (suddenly alert) Wait… inside man. That's it. A spy.
Kiojiro: Huh?
Riku: Think about it. Renji's new here. Yet he knows too much, too quickly. What if the spy isn't here now—but transferred before him? Someone from his old school, already planted here.
Kiojiro: (eyes widening) Damn… that actually makes sense.
(They exchange a grim look as the sun sets.)
[END CHAPTER 11]