86. Alone

(Riku POV)

***

'I think I'm fucked?'

I scratched my hair roughly while staring at my textbook with apprehension. It was already Friday, and the midterms were just around the corner, leaving me aghast at how quickly time flew by.

I glanced sideways at Hina, clicking my tongue at how focused she looked.

She wouldn't have any issues with these exams—studies were her forte, after all. But I might be near the bottom of the rankings just like in the entrance exams, and though I didn't really care, it would be quite humiliating regardless.

'At least Yuzuki-san will be with me at the bottom,' I thought, my gaze shifting to the blonde-haired girl whose head was also glued to her notebook.

The last lesson today was assigned as free study in preparation for the midterms, but it was still funny seeing her so serious when she was just as hopeless as me.

DING-A-LING-RIIIIING

"Alright class, that's it for this week! Remember, midterms start on Monday and end on Tuesday. There will be no classes or club sessions on those two days, so prepare well for the exams and do your best!"

Kahawara-sensei walked out after his little speech, and the rest of the class started bustling immediately. Some ran right out with stressed-out expressions; others mingled with each other to discuss tips and important topics that might be covered.

I, myself, thought of something fun—something these maidenless buffoons would never be able to do.

"Hey Hina, can you tutor me over the weekend?" I asked, knocking on her desk to get her attention.

"Huh? Um, yeah, I don't mind. You can come over whenever."

I grinned at her acceptance, my confidence growing.

'First step completed, time for step two!'

I turned to Yuzuki-san, who was packing up her bag beside us.

"Yuzuki-san, we're going to be studying together throughout the weekend. You should come with us."

She looked slightly surprised at the offer, glancing at Hina for some reason before turning back to me with an apologetic look.

"Sorry, I've got plans already. Good luck with the midterms, both of you!" she replied, waving goodbye to us before slinging her backpack over her shoulder and walking towards the back of the classroom.

I was baffled by this, not expecting her to turn me down, since she always agreed to hang out with us.

I watched as she approac—

'Why is she talking to that man again??'

I frowned heavily, my fists clenched to the point that my nails were digging into my palms. They were talking amicably, appearing even closer than the last time I'd seen the two interact.

It wasn't just him, that purple-haired chick and the mousy mosshead that had started hanging out with that wastrel were also chatting with her.

'No... This can't be happening.'

Something started to crumble in my mind, as if small cracks were slowly beginning to spread in an even and controlled manner. And then a flicker of pain forced me to shut my eyes for a second.

This wasn't supposed to happen...

'Supposed?'

I leaned against my desk, squeezing my eyelids together as tightly as I could and tried to focus on that weird thought.

But the moment I shook my head to regain composure, that vague feeling suddenly passed—my throbbing brain clearing up so quickly that I wondered if I had just imagined that strange sensation.

I stared as she walked out of the class with the three of them, her cheeriness contrasting with my grim scowl.

A similar yet different sensation sparked for a brief second, but this one didn't hurt.

'...It feels like something is slowly slipping through?'

But once again, it was gone the moment I tried to think about it, simply leaving me with the odd desire to grab hold of whatever was in front of me.

'Oh right, Hina!'

I quickly turned back, only to see her walking off alone with a slightly hunched posture. I jogged up to her, forcing a bright smile even though I felt like punching a wall.

"Let's go straight to your place and start studying. I think I'm in serious trouble this time, haha," I laughed awkwardly, trying to brush away the earlier encounter.

She sighed softly and replied, "Not today. I still need to finish some of my own preparations, so you should come over tomorrow."

My face fell instantly, morphing into another infuriated scowl—which I managed to hide somehow.

"Oh, come on, I really need your help, Hina!"

I pleaded playfully, convinced she would give in like she always did.

"Not today, Riku. I told you I need to do something!"

My steps faltered, and the confident smirk drooped slowly as I accidentally bit my tongue in an attempt to clench my teeth.

"Ouch!"

'What is happening right now?'

***

Reiji held up a middle finger at the departing Airi—a small revenge for the banter they'd exchanged on the way out of school.

Their houses were in separate directions, so Greeny and Airi split up after they exited the gates, leaving him and Haruna alone.

After the session at her place yesterday, they'd finally be moving the study location to his house for the remaining time.

But Reiji's mind was actually elsewhere, thinking back to the conversation he'd just overheard between Haruna and Riku.

He'd initially thought that he'd canceled out a main event by offering to tutor Haruna, removing the opportunity for Riku to overhear her request to Hina, which was supposed to happen on Monday.

But even though it was delayed by a couple of days, Riku still ended up asking them to study together, even without Haruna's plea for help.

'Maybe it's a coincidence?'

To be fair, it wasn't abnormal to propose a study session when the midterms were almost here, so it could simply be him overthinking things.

But the idea that fate might be trying to pull things back to the way they should be made him more than a little nervous about the implications it could have on some of the more impactful events.

Haruna piped up next to him, bringing him back to reality.

"I'm so excited!"

Reiji seemed amused by her reaction, raising an eyebrow in slight confusion.

"What're you so worked up about?"

"Well, it's not every day you get to visit a Yakuza family. I'm wondering if they managed to sneak in crossbows or something like that! Plus, I'm sure they'd all have cool tattoos and scary looks. It's gonna be so fun! Oh, don't spoil anything, I want to see for myself."

He had an urge to facepalm so hard that it would alter the construction of his face, but he couldn't bring himself to commit such a crime against his handsome visage.

".....First of all, we're not going to a museum for you to gawk at things like an idiot. And secondly, I live alone, so you won't be seeing anything special," he said, crushing her hopes and dreams.

"...Ah?"

She looked stunned, not even considering such a twist.

"Why were you so excited to see them anyway? Are you crazy?"

"I don't know... it's just something I never thought would happen, so it's like a unique experience!"

She hugged her bag to her chest in a slightly disappointed manner.

"Hey, you do realize how dangerous they can be? Some of them are quite nice, but I don't know about the others," Reiji admonished.

"With you there, nothing would happen anyway," she pouted.

Reiji couldn't help but chuckle at those words.

"You're overestimating me. I doubt I have much say over anything."

Aside from Baldy and Beardy, who knew him since he was a kid, OG Reiji didn't have too much contact with the other members because of his age and rebellious nature.

Add on the fact that his stepmother was fanning the flames behind the scenes—it was more likely that his image amongst the other Yakuza wasn't that great.

"That's not what I meant..."

"Hm? What'd you say?"

Reiji couldn't hear the faint whisper, leaning down to shorten the distance. She widened her eyes in surprise at the sudden proximity, focusing involuntarily on his sharp jawline.

"Nothing!" Haruna shouted, pushing his face away before jogging off to the end of the road.

"What?"

Reiji scratched his chin, puzzled at the outburst.

"Oi, where are you going? We need to take a right here!"

The energetic girl skidded to a halt, turning back sheepishly with an embarrassed look. She walked over slowly while avoiding his scrutinizing gaze.

"You're a terrible guide!"

"The hell? How is it my fault if you just run off so suddenly?"

"I dunno?"

Reiji couldn't believe her audacity, flicking her on the forehead in response.

"Hey!"

"Pfft, what?" he shrugged.

Just like that, they soon arrived at his building while bickering the entire time—the journey feeling both short and long at the same time.

Haruna stared at the large, modern building in disbelief, looking at him with shining eyes.

"Woah! This is so cool! And you live alone?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess."

But then her delighted grin froze suddenly as she seemed to think of something.

"Wait... You live alone?"

"Uh huh, why?" Reiji asked with a tilt of his head.

"That means....."

***

A/N

Thoughts on what's wrong with Riku?