Rika's POV
I followed Mila and Bryan after calming myself. I spotted them at the usual table — and there it was. My favorite sandwich.
Rika: "Whoa, you got it for me?? You two are really sweet."
I sat down and dropped my bag on the floor.
Mila: "What a messy girl, geez…"
She sighed, picked up my bag, dusted it off, and placed it gently beside their bags.
Bryan: "Hahaha, Rika, you're giving your mom a headache."
He ruffled my hair playfully.
Rika: "Hey—cut it out, Bryan. I'm eating…"
Mila just shook her head and went back to her food.
Then suddenly—
A loud squeal from the back of the canteen.
Bryan paused mid-ruffle. All three of us turned to look.
James was standing near Clarissa's table… holding out a bouquet of flowers.
Her friends were giggling, taking pictures, and the guy looked pretty hopeful.
The whole cafeteria buzzed, whispering how cute they looked together.
Clarissa smiled and took the flowers. The whole place erupted into cheers—
But then, she stood up. Took James' hand and gently placed the flowers back into it.
Clarissa: "Sorry. I can't accept this."
She smiled calmly… almost too calmly.
James looked stunned. His face turned red, clearly embarrassed.
James: "What? Are you playing hard to get?"
He smirked and purposely raised his voice so the whole cafeteria could hear.
I kept quiet and watched.
I know Clarissa's type. She could've easily made James the laughingstock in one second.
But to my surprise…
Her lips trembled. Her eyes teared up.
Clarissa: "I… I'm not playing hard to get. Please don't… don't do this. I just don't feel the same."
James looked completely caught off guard.
Students started glaring at him. His smirk vanished fast.
Clarissa's friends rushed over to comfort her. James grit his teeth, then stormed out of the canteen.
Everyone was busy comforting Clarissa. People looked at her like she was the one who'd been wronged.
Mila: "Geez… what kind of guy pulls that stunt?"
Bryan: "Poor Clarissa. James is really a jerk."
But I couldn't hear any of the whispers.
All I could think was:
What the hell is this act?
She could've flipped this entire thing in a second.
So why… cry?
I kept staring at her as her friends rubbed her shoulders.
Then she glanced at me.
And… she smirked.
Just for a second.
A knowing grin — then immediately faded, replaced with sobs again.
I flinched slightly and forced myself to look calm.
Rika: "That smirk…"
I muttered it before I even realized.
Bryan: "Hmmm??"
I shook my head quickly and bit into my sandwich.
Mila and Bryan shared a look.
Mila leaned in, Bryan sipping his drink beside her.
Mila: "Rika, are you okay?"
Rika: "Yeah? I'm fine. Why're you asking?"
Bryan: "Well, you've been acting really weird lately. You keep staring at Clarissa. And now you're mumbling random stuff and saying it's nothing."
I choked a little on my food and started coughing.
Mila immediately handed me water.
"What?! When did I let myself be that exposed? No, no… I can't let this keep going."
I cleared my throat, still coughing slightly—
Then a warm hand rubbed my back.
My instincts kicked in.
I swiftly grabbed the wrist that touched me.
And… it was Clarissa.
She blinked, surprised at her own action, but then smiled at me — eyes still red from crying earlier.
Clarissa: "You're fast. Calm down. It's just me."
She didn't even try to pull her wrist back.
I let go quickly and stepped back, putting distance between us.
Bryan smiled awkwardly.
Bryan: "You okay now, Clarissa?"
Clarissa nodded politely, but her eyes never left mine.
Clarissa: "I'm okay… still a little shaken from James. But I heard Rika coughing. I thought something happened."
Bryan: "Ahh, she just eats too fast. She's always like that. No need to worry."
Clarissa: "I see…"
She looked at me again and noticed my collar slightly undone.
Clarissa: "Rika, your buttons…"
She stepped forward —
But Mila stood in front of her with a polite smile.
Mila: "Thanks for pointing it out. I'll handle it."
Clarissa paused. She looked at Mila and returned the smile.
Then Mila turned to me and gently fixed my collar — slower than usual.
Clarissa watched every motion in silence.
Bryan just smirked, shaking his head while chewing his food.
Mila: "There. Done. Now eat slowly, Rika."
Her voice… was softer than usual.
I looked at her, nodded slowly, forgetting for a moment that Clarissa was still there.
Mila and I sat down again, but Clarissa remained standing.
Mila: "Hmmm? Need anything?"
Clarissa smiled gently and shook her head.
Clarissa: "No… nothing. I just noticed how… close you three are."
Me and Bryan exchanged a glance. We both felt it.
The tension.
Mila smiled back and ruffled my hair gently, her eyes still on Clarissa.
Mila: "Of course. We've known each other for a long time."
Bryan covered his laugh with his hand and pretended to keep eating.
I just blinked and listened silently.
"What is this girl trying to say now…?"
Clarissa looked at me again.
Clarissa: "I bet you don't really know her at all."
Then she smiled sweetly.
Clarissa: "Sorry to take your time. Please enjoy your lunch."
She walked back to her table without another word.
Me and Bryan exhaled at the same time.
Bryan: "Whoa… I felt like I was in space without oxygen just now."
Rika: "Yeah… haha. Umm, Mila… thanks for that. Umm, Mila?"
Mila didn't answer.
She was still staring at Clarissa — her face serious.
The first time I'd ever seen her make that expression.