Chapter 17 – Rika POV
I panted, covering my mouth as I stared at Clarissa in disbelief. I wiped my lips hard, then gripped her shoulder, shaking her.
Rika: What the hell do you think you're doing?!!
I glared at her, but she just shrugged and pushed me away.
Clarissa: What? You think I'd let them see us here while you strangle me? That would cause even more trouble—and I don't like that.
She straightened her uniform, rolled her eyes, and crossed her arms. I gritted my teeth and looked away. She glanced at me, slightly trembling, but grinned.
Clarissa: What's this? Where's your bravado from earlier? Shaking over a kiss?
Her mocking tone made my blood boil. I swirled to face her, gripping her chin.
Rika: Shut up. Do you know how disgusting you are?
I growled low, but her smirk didn't fade. I let go and started walking away, but she caught my wrist.
Clarissa: And where do you think you're going?
Rika: What now?!
Clarissa: I should remind you of your place right now.
I took a deep breath and faced her.
Rika: You know what? I should just finish you right now.
My hand reached toward my hip, where Shinji's knife was sheathed.
Clarissa: Shinji has a lover. And your parents? They don't approve.
I froze, glaring at her.
Rika: What are you saying?
Clarissa: You really had no idea, huh? Shinji loved her so much, he was willing to throw away everything he trained for.
I looked down, fists clenching, knuckles white and trembling.
Clarissa: Hahaha… look at you. Shocked? Confused? Go ahead—pull that pretty knife of yours and keep living in the dark.
I punched the wall hard. No pain—just my head spinning from the new information.
Rika: You're lying. Shinji is the most composed assassin I've ever known. There's no way he'd feel pathetic emotions like that.
Clarissa: You're the pathetic one. You still have the knife I gave you, right? Try looking closely for any sign.
She stepped closer, took my hand, and wrapped a handkerchief around my knuckles. Her eyes locked on mine in a glare. I pulled my hand back.
Rika: What do you really want?
Clarissa: Who knows.
I was about to respond when I felt a presence above. I turned—and there he was. The masked man, lunging at me with a knife. I shoved Clarissa out of the way and dodged, catching his arm with my jacket and locking it.
Rika: Who are you?
My voice was cold, grip tight. He snickered, yanked free, and swung again. I twisted my body, flipping in the air, throwing him down hard.
Panting, I watched him slowly stand, dusting himself off.
Rika: You've got five minutes to live. Tell me who you are, and I'll make it quick.
I cracked my knuckles and glared. But he just jumped to the next building and ran. I slammed the railing.
That technique… it was Shinji's specialty.
I climbed the railing, but Clarissa yanked me down and dragged me into hiding. Teachers burst onto the roof, searching. When I looked back—Clarissa was already gone. I slipped away unnoticed.
The whole campus was in chaos. Police arrived, searching every corner. I walked calmly, blending in, but my mind kept replaying his movements. Not Marlon's style… but still familiar.
Then—
Milla: RIKA!!
I turned to see her running toward me, panting, panic in her eyes. Bryan was right behind her. She crashed into me, trembling, tears in her eyes, hugging me tight.
Rika: Whoa—easy… Why are you crying? Did someone hurt you?
She looked up, arms still locked around my waist.
Milla: Where the hell did you go?! Do you know how worried I was?!
Her voice cracked. I gasped, unable to answer. Bryan punched my shoulder, pale-faced.
Bryan: You really owe us big time now.
I sighed and hugged Milla back.
Rika: Sorry. I didn't mean to make you two worry.
Milla: Then why?! Why did you walk away alone with Clarissa?!
I froze. Was she worried about the attacker—or about me being alone with Clarissa?
Bryan moved to the window, watching the police.
Bryan: Geez… so many psychopaths lurking now. You two should be more careful.
I nodded, stroking Milla's hair.
Rika: Yeah… I think so too.
But my mind wandered back to that masked man… and then, the tingling on my lips. My heart skipped. I clenched my fists.
"Do what we do. Don't let emotions control you."
I repeated it in my head, trying to erase Clarissa's kiss.
Shinji… Clarissa is lying, right? You'd never fall for something like love… right?
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