Rika's POV
It's a new day, and here I am sitting in class, listening to my teacher's lesson. I can hear the scribbling of my classmates taking notes, and I'm doing the same—yet I keep glancing at the new transfer student, Clarissa. Studying her every move.
Last night, after I treated my bruised knuckles, I opened the black envelope Crow sent me.
Every black envelope means another life I'll have to take.
Since my brother Shinji disappeared three years ago, I've lost count of how many lives I've taken…
How many times blood stained my hands...
How many cries of fear I've heard.
Yet none of it makes me feel anything anymore.
I was stuck in those thoughts when suddenly—
"Rika Ashikawa!!"
I snapped back and looked up at my teacher. He stared at me and sighed.
Teacher Lauren: "What are you doing? Are you sick?"
I stood up slowly and forced a smile.
Rika: "N...no sir. I just lost in thought. Sorry."
Then Bryan, of course, had to chime in—
Bryan: "Sir, she's lost in thought because now we have a gorgeous beauty in class!"
Everyone burst out laughing and whistled.
Rika: "G-guys! What are you saying? It's not like that!"
I scratched my head and smiled awkwardly.
Tak tak tak
Teacher Lauren gently tapped the board with his stick.
Teacher Lauren: "Eyes up here! And you, Rika—please focus. I know you're smart, but you still need to pay attention."
I nodded with a shy smile.
Rika: "Y-yes sir. I will. Promise."
I sat down again. He resumed the lesson. I let out a deep breath. Then Bryan tossed a piece of paper onto my desk.
I looked at him, then at the paper. Slowly, I opened it.
"Do you like Clarissa?"
I glared at him and quickly scribbled back:
"What?! NO!"
I crumpled the paper and threw it back, hitting him right in the head.
He just snickered silently to himself.
I sighed and glanced again at Clarissa. Still focused. Still unbothered.
I rested my head on my arm and looked at my bruised knuckles.
"I don't like her. Not a chance. That girl… will die by my hands."
I clenched my fist and tried to pay attention again.
---
Lunch Break
I stretched and packed up my things. Mila walked up to me and gently tapped something on my head. I looked up.
She handed me some medicine.
Rika: "Umm, what's this?"
Mila: "Just ointment for your knuckles."
I took it, and as I applied it, Mila crossed her arms.
Mila: "You should really be more careful. How did you even get that? When did you get into a fight?"
I stayed quiet, letting her scold me while I rubbed in the ointment.
Then Bryan showed up with a smirk.
Bryan: "Getting scolded? Hehe."
Rika: "Shut up."
I rolled my eyes. He chuckled.
Bryan: "Come on, Mila. Don't be so hard on her. Maybe she was just protecting herself."
Mila: "Bryan, shut up! Don't encourage her! She may be tall and good at self-defense, but she's still a girl!"
Bryan: "Okay, okay. No need to go mom mode. That's why you're still single."
Mila: "Excuse me?!"
He ignored her and looked at me with a teasing grin.
Bryan: "Anyway, I saw you glancing at Clarissa earlier. What's up with that, hmm?"
Rika: "I don't know what you're talking about."
Mila: "Actually, I noticed that too. You kept glancing at her since this morning."
Bryan: "Maybe our Rika's finally caught that feeling~"
Rika: "Hey! What do you mean?!"
I stood up, flustered.
Rika: "Listen, I don't like Clarissa, and I don't feel anything toward her! Got it?!"
Mila and Bryan both tried to hold in their laughter.
Rika: "What?! Why are you laughing?"
Then—
Clarissa: "So… you don't like me?"
I froze. Her voice came from behind me. I turned around—
Too late.
She pushed me gently back into my seat and pinned my shoulders with her hands, leaning close.
Clarissa: "Didn't you say I have beautiful eyes and lips?"
I leaned back slightly, holding my breath. Her eyes locked on mine. She tilted her head, waiting.
Rika: "I… I said that, but please… give me back my personal space!"
Clarissa pulled back with a playful grin.
Clarissa: "Okay, okay. No need to panic. I won't do anything—unless you want me to."
She grabbed her bag and walked back to her desk. Bryan whistled. Mila blinked at me.
Clarissa: "By the way… you're cute when you blush."
And she walked out of the room.
I was still frozen when Bryan nudged me.
Bryan: "Congrats! Your first romantic flag has been raised! Hahaha!"
I snapped back and yanked my arm away.
Rika: "Flag my ass!"
Bryan: "I'm so proud of you~"
Mila: "It's unusual to see you freeze like that. You usually flirt back."
I looked at Mila, confused.
Rika: "Huh?"
Mila: "You didn't notice?"
Bryan: "Yeah. You're usually flipping the script, but Clarissa scored two points raw!"
I felt sweat on my palms.
Rika: "It's just… I didn't want to make her uncomfortable. She's new, you know?"
Bryan: "Makes sense."
Mila: "You're sweet. But if she makes you uncomfortable, don't forget your own boundaries."
I nodded, and they walked off toward the cafeteria.
I stayed in the classroom, alone.
I let out a long breath and grabbed my left arm—trembling, sweaty.
"What… happened to me?"
I ran my hand over my face, trying to breathe.
"Do what we do and don't. Don't let emotions control you…"
I whispered it like a chant. Slowly, my hands stopped shaking.
I stared down at my arms.
"When did I become weak...?
When did I let myself slip…?"
Clarissa's smirk flashed in my head again.
"That girl…
I must end her once and for all."
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