The next day—
Reikou walked toward school with both hands in his pockets. He was in deep thought and tension.
"I accepted the challenge in overconfidence... But how can I? I don't even know her rules," he started talking to himself while rubbing his hair with both hands in frustration.
"Wait—Control, control! Why am I losing my tempo?"
He kept walking and talking to himself, thinking—How? How can he break her rules? But before breaking them, he has to find out what they are. Only then can he do something.
Meanwhile, on the other side—Meiyu was walking with her cold expression, but this time, she was also in deep thought.
"That fool... I have to be more and more aware... I can't underestimate him."
Both Reikou and Meiyu were lost in their own deep thoughts, each trying to come up with their own strategy to win the challenge. The atmosphere felt like a real battlefield.
"Hyy! Reikou," Ryuuto whispered from behind and put his hand on Reikou's shoulder.
"Hyy! What's up, buddy?" Ryuuto said.
"Yaa! Good," Reikou replied.
"Huh?"
"What happened? You look so tense," Ryuuto asked, noticing Reikou's worried expression.
"Actually, I'm in a battlefield," Reikou said.
"With Meiyu," he added, determination shining in his eyes.
"What do you mean?" Ryuuto asked.
"I mean, she challenged me to break her rules, and I accepted," Reikou said, clenching his fist and looking up at the sky.
"Ohh! I see... Did she tell you her rules?" Ryuuto asked.
"Ahh! Actually, no," Reikou sighed. "That's the real problem," he said while rubbing his forehead in disappointment.
"So, how will you break them if you don't know the rules?" Ryuuto asked, one hand in his pocket and the other on Reikou's shoulder.
"Yaa! That's the point, Ryuuto," Reikou said, placing one hand in his pocket and the other on his chin. Then he whispered—
"The first challenge is to find her rules."
"Then break them."
"I need a plan—at least, at least I need some ideas."
"Ideas that are probably her rules... Then I have to confirm them."
Ryuuto listened to Reikou's words carefully. Then he whispered, "So, what's the plan?"
Reikou turned toward Ryuuto and stopped.
"Wh-what happened?" Ryuuto asked, stepping back with a weird expression.
After a moment, Reikou whispered, deep in thought—
"Idea!" Reikou said happily. He clapped his hands and grabbed Ryuuto's shoulders and neck in a friendly way.
"Hyy—I got an idea!" He said, shaking Ryuuto like a toy.
"What is it?!" Ryuuto asked, trying to get Reikou to stop shaking him.
"Listen carefully," Reikou whispered something into Ryuuto's ear. Ryuuto listened carefully, his eyes widening in shock like LED bulbs, his mouth left open.
After a moment, Reikou finished explaining his idea.
"Yaa! This can be a great idea!"
"It might work," Ryuuto said, mimicking the same excited pose Reikou made when he got the idea.
"I know the probability is low," Reikou admitted.
"But I believe it can work," he said, giving a thumbs-up like Kiyoshi.
Ryuuto pointed at Reikou. "Did you copy that from Kiyoshi?"
"Aahh! Ignore it!"
"Let's go!"
Reikou and Ryuuto walked forward.
At School
The school ground and hallways were filled with students. Reikou scanned everything as if he were seeing it for the first time. For the first time, he had arrived at school on time. Everything felt so energetic, and the aura of positivity and happiness surrounded him.
The real smiles on everyone's faces, the genuine happiness—they were enjoyable to see. Reikou watched and a faint, soft smile appeared on his face. He closed his eyes and let himself feel the atmosphere.
In the Classroom
They noticed students standing in a group. A new student had returned after a break.
Sayomi Yuehai
She wasn't just a famous personality in the class—she was famous in the whole school. She was the best in both academics and sports, excelling in athletics while also being a top student.
Sayomi noticed Reikou and whispered, "Hyy."
She walked toward Reikou and stood in front of him, crossing her hands behind her back. Her long blue hair and blue eyes shimmered like stars in the night sky. Her bold and confident expression was captivating.
Ryuuto watched silently from the side.
"Om, I got it wrong," Sayomi said.
"You are Reikou, right? Reikou Shion?" Sayomi whispered.
"Hohh?" Reikou pointed at himself. "How do you know my name?"
"I was present on that day when you introduced yourself and your rules," Sayomi explained.
"I wanted to be your friend from that day, but for some personal health reasons, I had to go back home," Sayomi said with a soft smile, slightly tilting her head while keeping her hands crossed behind her back.
"Ahh, okay. Nice to meet you," Reikou said respectfully.
"Nice to meet you too," Sayomi replied.
"I am Sayomi Yuehai," she introduced herself formally and extended her hand for a handshake.
For a moment, Reikou thought while looking at her hand. But before he could respond, a voice whispered from behind—
"GET AWAY FROM HIM."
Everyone turned to look.
"Ahh—Ahh! I mean—give me some space," Meiyu quickly corrected herself.
Reikou turned to see her—and froze. His heart pounded faster.
Everything around him blurred. It felt like everything stopped—even time and air froze in place.
"Ohh! Look who it is," Sayomi said boldly, but not with hatred—rather, in a rival-like manner.
"Why do I see jealousy on your face?" Sayomi teased, locking eyes with Meiyu.
Meiyu's face turned slightly red.
"Shut up," Meiyu said before walking away to sit in her place.
Shiori and Yueko arrived and stood behind Ryuuto.
"Hyy, Ryuuto!"
"What's happening?" Shiori asked from behind, close to Ryuuto's ear.
"Nothing—see, Sayomi is back," Ryuuto answered.
"Hyy! Sayomi… welcome back," Shiori whispered before rushing toward Sayomi.
The Test Begins
Today was a test, which meant the seating arrangement had changed. Each student sat alone in a single row to prevent cheating.
Ryuuto sat in his seat and looked disappointed.
"Ohh! God," he sighed.
"Why does this always happen to me?" Ryuuto leaned back, holding his head with both hands.
But Reikou stood still in his place, lost in thought, remembering Meiyu's reaction. The way she walked in, the way she spoke—he was completely lost. He couldn't focus on anything around him.
He could only feel one thing—Meiyu.
Meanwhile, Meiyu sat quietly, talking to herself in her mind.
"What the hell was I doing?"
"Am I losing my mind?" Meiyu whispered to herself, frustrated with her own thoughts.
Meanwhile—
"Hyy, Ryuuto, where is Kiyoshi?" Yueko asked.
"Ohh—Kiyoshi is in a tournament," Ryuuto replied. "He's not coming today."
"Which tournament?" Yueko asked.
"You don't know? He's in the football team," Ryuuto answered.
"Ohh, I see," Yueko said before sitting down.
Meanwhile—
"Is she starting to fall for me?" Reikou wondered.
Just then, a voice echoed through the classroom—
"GOOD MORNING, STUDENTS."
Mr. Yinglan entered, snapping Reikou out of his thoughts.
All the students sat in their places, including Reikou.
But Reikou was observing Meiyu so seriously.
"Okay, students, today is your test,"
"That I told you last week."
"That's why the arrangement has changed for the test period."
"After the test is over, arrange again, okay?"
"I will give you papers—when I say start, then start writing."
Mr. Yinglan explained and started distributing question papers.
But Reikou was still observing Meiyu so closely.
She was sitting just one seat ahead, and Reikou sat in the last seat.
Ryuuto was on the first seat in the next row,
Shiori was just behind Ryuuto,
And Yueko was two rows beside them, sitting in the second-last seat.
Yueko was sitting quietly, one hand on the table, the other resting on her cheek, looking down.
She whispered in her mind—
"What is Kiyoshi doing this time?"
"We're all here."
"I think I have to go after the test to cheer for him or his team."
She decided to go and watch after the test was completed.
"Okay, students, start now," Mr. Yinglan announced.
Every student started writing—except Reikou.
Reikou was still watching Meiyu, observing so seriously and closely.
Why was Reikou observing her like this? Was he going to do something? Or was it something else?
But the question remained the same—
Why was he observing Meiyu?!
"In Last seat"
"Reikou"