Rika's POV
I woke up under the shade of a large tree. I looked around and saw Shinji swinging his katana. His movements were precise, his angles clean. He glanced at me, stopped, and smirked as he wiped his sweat.
Shinji: "Did you enjoy your little nap?"
I narrowed my eyes, leaned against the tree, flopped my knees up, and rested my arms on them.
Shinji rested his sword on his shoulder and walked toward me. He looked down and smiled.
Shinji: "You're getting lazy now. If Mom saw you sleeping, she'd kick your ass. Hahaha."
I looked at him and clenched my fists.
He glanced at my hands and sighed.
Shinji: "You're getting soft."
Rika: "Shinji…"
I bit my lip after saying his name and lowered my head.
Then I heard a loud commotion — and Shinji groaned.
Shinji: "RIKA, LISTEN!!! DON'T LOSE YOUR HEART!!"
—
I jolted awake, panting.
My body was soaked in sweat. I slowly sat up on my bed and ran a hand through my hair.
The room was quiet.
Only the ticking of the clock.
Rika: "That dream again…"
I took a deep breath and hung my head.
Rika: "Don't lose my heart, huh…? As if I even have one."
—
I stood up and headed for the shower, letting cold water run down my skin.
I leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes.
A knock came at the door.
It was Mom's voice outside.
Mom: "Rika, sweetie... Next month is your 18th birthday. And also your Sanguis Lunae Imbrem."
Rika: "Do I really have to do that, Mother?"
She didn't answer.
I heard her footsteps fade, and the door clicked shut.
Rika (thought): She's always like that. Never gives a proper answer.
I looked at my hand and clenched it.
—
Later, I went to the backyard.
Clarissa was sitting near the pool, feet in the water, humming softly.
I stopped a few meters behind her.
She peeked over her shoulder and smirked before turning back to the pool.
Clarissa: "You really love your personal space, huh?"
I slipped my hand into my jacket pocket and tilted my head.
Rika: "If you're not giving a command, I'm leaving."
She scoffed and looked at me.
Clarissa: "As if you could really walk away from me."
I gritted my jaw and looked away.
She snickered and shook her head in amusement.
Clarissa: "Fine, fine. Here's the first command."
I narrowed my eyes, waiting.
She smiled, touched her pendant, then looked at me again.
Clarissa: "Your shoulder."
I frowned but kept listening.
Clarissa: "Your shoulder is mine for the next three months. I'm the only one allowed to lean on it or touch it. No one else."
Rika: "Excuse me? Why would I let you do that?"
Clarissa: "Oh? So you're taking your words back now? Pathetic… as expected."
I clenched my fists and stepped closer.
I grabbed her and yanked her away from the pool, forcing her to face me.
Rika: "Listen. I could finish you right here, right now — and you wouldn't even have time to scream."
Clarissa laughed and wrapped her arms around my neck.
She locked her hands behind me and rested her head on my shoulder.
I flinched and slowly looked down at her.
I raised my hand to push her away—
But froze when she spoke.
Clarissa: "No one else can hold your shoulder or lean on you. Not even that glasses girl. Got it?"
I paused.
I remembered their conversation.
My hand lowered.
She was still holding me.
Rika: "You'd better start talking… or else—"
Clarissa: "Shhh… quiet. I want to hear your heart."
I gritted my teeth and sighed.
" I don't like this. But this is the only way…
Shinji… she's a strange girl."
She nuzzled on my shoulder.
Then the bell rang, signaling for class.
I immediately pushed her away and fixed my jacket.
Rika: "Let's head back."
I said it in a cold tone and left first.
She shook her head, still grinning.
I remained distant from her as we walked.
—
As we arrived in the classroom, Mila and Bryan were already there.
Fortunately, the teacher wasn't here yet.
Bryan smiled at me and attempted to wave, but stopped when he saw Clarissa enter the classroom next to me.
She patted my shoulder and smiled before going to her chair.
Bryan raised his brows and scoffed.
He hooked his arm around my neck — yet I remembered my deal with Clarissa and stepped back.
Bryan looked at me in disbelief and smirked.
Bryan: "What?? Don't tell me your girlfriend wouldn't like it when I get close to you??"
He said, glancing at Clarissa.
Rika: "Shut up, Bryan. I don't have a girlfriend."
I sighed and walked past him.
I threw my bag onto my chair and flopped into my seat.
Bryan smirked and sat in his.
Mila glanced at me but stayed silent and looked back out the window.
Bryan: "Mila, what can you say? Your daughter has a little fling now…"
I turned to Bryan and gave him a knowing look — silently telling him to shut up.
He giggled, yet Mila remained silent.
Me and Bryan looked at each other, not used to Mila's reaction.
Bryan leaned toward me and whispered.
Bryan: "Hmmm… did you feel that?"
I nodded.
Bryan: "You better talk to her later, okay? And properly introduce your girlfriend."
Rika: "I said I don't have a girlfriend…"
Bryan smirked and leaned back in his chair.
—
The class started.
I remained focused, even though I could feel Clarissa glancing at me from time to time.
On the other hand, Mila... stayed silent the whole time.
I don't know why, but I suddenly felt uneasy.
"What is this feeling?"
---