Rika's POV
I looked into Clarissa's eyes and smiled like I always do, gently shaking her hand.
But just as I was about to pull away—
I felt it.
A slight grip.
She held on, just a second longer than she should have.
I glanced down at my hand, then back at her.
She was still smiling, like nothing happened.
Clarissa: "Yes? Something wrong?"
Bryan, ever the smooth operator, noticed my frozen expression.
He swooped in, ruffling my hair with a teasing grin and stepped between us.
Bryan: "Hahaha, sorry! This girl gets easily distracted by pretty girls like you."
I pushed his hand away, pretending to be annoyed—but deep inside, I was grateful. He covered for me.
Rika: "B–Bryan! My hair!"
Mila sighed, clearly used to our antics.
Mila: "That's enough, Bryan. Don't bully Rika."
Then she turned to Clarissa and smiled, holding out her hand politely.
Mila: "Hi, I'm Mila Clemson. That's Bryan. And this girl is—"
Clarissa: "Rika Ashikawa. Right?"
I tensed.
Fully guarded now.
Mila: "Whoa… Haha, that's… impressive. Do you two know each other?"
Clarissa looked at me for a few seconds—just a little too long—before turning back to Mila with that calm, unreadable smile.
Clarissa: "Not really. I saw her running this morning. Mr. Lauren mentioned her name."
Mila and Bryan both relaxed, clearly convinced by her answer.
Mila: "Ahhh, I see. Rika, you really made a first impression."
But I didn't hear a word of that.
I couldn't stop staring at Clarissa.
Trying to read her.
Then—
STOMP.
"OW!" I flinched and dropped to a knee.
Rika: "What the hell—Bryan?!"
He gave me a look. One of those you're slipping looks.
Bryan: "Sorry. Had to. You were staring at Clarissa like a creepy old man."
(Wait… I let my facade slip? Since when?)
I laughed it off, forcing the mask back on.
Rika: "O-Oh, right… my bad."
I stood and smiled at Clarissa.
Rika: "Sorry if I creeped you out. I guess I got… enchanted by your pretty eyes."
Mila and Bryan groaned.
Mila: "Ohhh, where'd you learn that one?"
Bryan: "Hey! Smooth talker mode: activated."
I chuckled and played along.
Rika: "What? Just speaking the truth."
As I turned back to Clarissa, I caught something in her eyes—
A smirk.
A knowing one.
Like she could see through me.
Clarissa: "So… you think I'm pretty?"
The cafeteria hushed.
All eyes turned to me.
Whispers.
Giggles.
Pressure.
I swallowed and smiled, holding her gaze.
Rika: "Yeah. Especially your pink lips."
SCREAMS.
The room exploded.
Girls squealed. Bryan clutched his chest like he'd been hit.
Then—
Clarissa walked toward me.
Grabbed my collar.
Pulled me close.
Our faces inches apart.
Clarissa: "Then keep your eyes on me, okay?"
She let go and stepped back casually.
Clarissa: "So… are you gonna show me around the campus?"
I stood frozen, brain still buffering.
Bryan and Mila nudged me hard.
Mila: "Y-Yeah! We'll, uh… give you the tour. Right, Rika?"
She and Clarissa started walking ahead.
Bryan snapped his fingers beside my face.
Bryan: "Hey—Rika? Earth to Rika!"
Rika: "Wh-What?"
Bryan: "You're red as a tomato."
(smirking)
I brushed my cheeks quickly.
Rika: "Shut up. Let's go."
---
Mila led the way, talking to Clarissa and pointing out classrooms while Bryan and I followed behind.
Bryan: "Man… she's gorgeous, huh?"
Rika: "Yeah…"
But my eyes never left Clarissa's back.
That smirk… What did it mean?
---
The rest of the day passed like a blur.
Clarissa joined our class.
Everyone loved her.
She was smart, charming, elegant—
Perfect.
Too perfect.
There was something off…
But I couldn't place it.
After school, I waved goodbye to the others and quickly slipped away.
In the hall, I walked alone.
Her smirk haunted me.
(What are you playing at?)
Outside, our family car was already waiting.
I slid into the back seat, the door clicking shut behind me.
Instantly, the mask dropped.
The warmth, the cheerfulness—gone.
My butler nodded to me from the rearview mirror.
Mr. Wang: "Young Miss. Your parents are expecting you at the mansion."
I leaned back, cold and quiet.
Rika: "I know. Just drive."
---
Meanwhile…
From an upstairs window, Clarissa watched the car pull away.
Her fingers played idly with a silver pendant at her neck.
Clarissa: (whispers) "You're too easy…"
She smiled.
A smile only a hunter gives before the chase begins.
------