16.1 [Age 11 — Early Autumn – The Aozora School Festival Begins]
There is something undeniably beautiful about a school festival:
The laughter echoing in the halls, the smell of food from class stalls, the banners fluttering in the wind, the anticipation, the performances, the whispered crushes, the chaotic joy of youth.
For most students, it was a day of celebration.
For Hinako and Chihiro, it was a battlefield in disguise.
And Riku?
Still utterly unaware of the emotional landmines set around him.
---
16.2 [The Class Café – 5th Year, 2nd Section]
The class had agreed to do a themed café, complete with rotating servers, menu boards, and DIY costumes. Each group had their responsibilities, and naturally—
> "Riku, can you help with the signs?"
"Riku, we need help with pricing!"
"Riku, how do we balance the kitchen orders?"
Everyone relied on Riku Asakura.
He had the mind for design, the logic for planning, and the smile that got things done.
He was now in charge of coordinating the flow of the entire café—from cooking shifts to serving rotations.
And behind him, flanking him like twin queens guarding their king, stood Chihiro and Hinako.
> "Don't worry, we'll cover the supply run," Chihiro chimed sweetly.
> "If anyone messes up the rotation, I'll handle them," Hinako added with a smile too sharp for comfort.
Every time a girl tried to flirt during planning…
Hinako stood closer.
Chihiro smiled colder.
By the time the event began, every student already knew:
> "Talk to Riku if you need help.
But don't get too friendly.
Not unless you want to see your reflection in two icy stares."
---
16.3 [In a Space Beyond Time — Watching from the Void]
Far beyond mortal awareness, within the Eternal Layer of the Void, two beings sipped tea from porcelain cups in an impossible realm.
The first, reclining on a floating throne of data and light, was Ceil, the Manas of Void. Her celestial blue hair shimmered faintly, her eyes glowing with quiet amusement.
The second, stretched out on a cosmic pillow and devouring star-flavored cake, was Eva, the World-Destroying Dragon once known as Ivaraj.
A translucent screen hovered before them, displaying the school festival in real-time—recorded through faint residual soul signatures only gods could detect.
> "The reincarnation cycle did nothing to dull their madness," Ceil murmured, sipping her tea.
> "It enhanced it," Eva grinned. "Like seasoning obsession with nostalgia."
They watched as Riku passed out menus with a dazzling smile, completely unaware that two girls had silently redirected all potential female partners away from him—again.
> "He still doesn't notice?"
> "He's trying to grow into someone worthy of love. But not recognizing two war generals beside him? Classic Riku."
Ceil smirked.
With a small wave of her hand, she summoned an ethereal crystal, locking the day's events inside.
> "I'll store this for later. Chloe and Hinata will want to see exactly how far they fell."
Eva leaned over.
> "Do you think they'll cry when they realize their reincarnations turned into obsessive gremlins?"
> "Cry? No."
"Murder someone?"
"Highly likely."
> "Oho~ let's get more angles then!"
---
16.4 [Back to Earth – Festival Day Chaos]
In the kitchen, Hinako chopped vegetables with military precision.
Any boy who tried to "accidentally" get near Riku was handed twice the prep work.
Meanwhile, Chihiro had "volunteered" to handle receipts, ensuring that all female customers were served by her directly—with a rehearsed smile that concealed territorial fury.
Riku moved between them, oblivious.
> "You two are amazing," he said during the prep break. "I don't think I could do this without you."
Chihiro nearly dropped her clipboard.
Hinako nearly sliced her thumb.
> "He said we're… amazing," Chihiro repeated later in a whisper.
> "He needs us," Hinako whispered back, as if it were a secret vow.
---
16.5 [Afternoon Stage Show – Riku's Surprise Appearance]
When the class's representative couldn't make it for the closing festival message, the teacher asked for a volunteer.
Naturally—
> "Riku-kun, would you like to?"
And so he did.
He stepped onto the small outdoor stage, dressed in his apron, hair wind-swept, face flushed from the work.
Students clapped.
Teachers smiled.
Parents cheered.
> "Today was amazing," he said to the mic. "But not because of the food or games. It was amazing because of how everyone helped each other. We weren't just classmates today. We were a team."
He smiled warmly, hand raised.
> "Let's carry this feeling into tomorrow!"
The crowd cheered louder.
But in the distance, two pairs of eyes were misty.
Not because of the speech.
Because of him.
The boy they both loved.
The boy growing into someone who could be dangerously lovable.
And neither had any intention of letting the other win.
---
16.6 [Night – At the Café of the Void Again]
Ceil placed her recording crystal into a glowing archive of "Moments to Show Chloe."
Eva held her stomach, laughing.
> "He smiled at both of them and called them amazing. You could see the yandere meter spike!"
Ceil adjusted her glasses made of starlight.
> "They're growing dangerously fast. Obsession at eleven is already above mortal norms."
> "By the time they're fourteen, they'll be sharpening kitchen knives over who walks next to him."
> "I'll make popcorn," Ceil said flatly.
> "Want me to send a future projection to Milim for fun?"
> "Do it. She'll scream."