After finishing their shift at the Cat Café, Mei and Riku stepped out into the bustling hallway, still filled with energy and laughter.
"Where to next?" Riku asked, stretching his arms.
"I heard Class 3-A made a haunted house," Mei said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Wanna go?"
Riku raised an eyebrow. "You? The girl who screamed at a plastic spider last week?"
"I did not!" she protested, then muttered, "It was a very real-looking spider…"
Riku chuckled. "Alright, let's go."
They wandered through the halls, stopping by a room turned into a retro game arcade, where Riku beat Mei at air hockey (and got smacked on the arm for gloating), and a cosplay café where Mei was complimented by strangers for her outfit, making Riku oddly quiet.
"You're acting weird," Mei said as they walked toward the haunted house.
"No, I'm not."
"You are. Jealous of the compliments?"
"…No."
Mei smirked. "You're cute when you're sulking."
"Shut up."
They arrived at the entrance of the haunted house, dark and ominous. Mei grabbed Riku's sleeve.
"You ready?" she whispered.
"For a haunted hallway of paper ghosts and ketchup blood? Sure."
But five steps in, a loud scream echoed—and Mei leapt into Riku's arms.
"I hate this!" she yelled, burying her face in his chest.
"You're the one who wanted to come!"
They stumbled through the haunted house with Mei clinging to him like a koala, while Riku tried his best not to laugh (or trip). When they finally exited, breathless and laughing, Mei glared at him.
"Don't say anything."
"Okay, okay," Riku said with a smile. "But you owe me takoyaki for this."
They headed toward the food stalls again, still surrounded by the cheerful chaos of the festival—two students slowly growing closer in the warmth of youth.
A Festival to Remember
The hallway buzzed with chatter, laughter echoing from every corner. Banners and decorations still fluttered gently from the previous day's celebration. Mei and Riku sat side by side in their classroom, tired but smiling from the unforgettable events of the school's culture festival.
The door slid open with a sharp clack, and in walked Mr. Sakamoto, the cheerful science teacher, holding a stack of papers and a wide grin.
"Everyone," he called out, clapping his hands once to quiet the room, "I have an announcement!"
All eyes turned to him. Even the sleepy ones perked up.
"The results of the culture festival competition… are in!"
A ripple of excitement shot through the students.
"You all did amazing, seriously. This was one of the best festivals we've ever had—creative booths, fun performances, and the teamwork? Incredible!"
"Just say who won already!" someone shouted from the back.
Mr. Sakamoto chuckled. "Alright, alright. This year's Best Class Award goes to…"
He paused dramatically, flipping through his papers.
"Class 3-B!"
The room erupted into cheers. Mei gasped and turned to Riku, grabbing his hands. "We did it!"
Riku blinked, stunned. "We actually… won?"
"Yes!" Mei laughed. "All those late-night planning meetings and dance practices paid off!"
As the students celebrated, Mr. Sakamoto added with a proud smile, "You didn't just win. You made memories. That's the real victory."
Riku looked around at the happy faces of his classmates, his heart warm. For the first time in a long time… school felt like home.
Night at Home
The living room was quiet, the faint hum of the night wind slipping through the slightly open window. Riku lay on the sofa, his head resting on one armrest, legs sprawled over the other, looking completely worn out.
"I really tried today," Mei said softly as she walked into the room, her steps light.
Riku opened one eye lazily. "Yeah? I saw. You did well."
Without warning, Mei walked over and carefully climbed onto the sofa, settling herself on top of him. She laid down on his chest, arms wrapped tightly around his torso. Her warmth pressed against him as she closed her eyes.
Riku blinked, surprised. "Oi—Mei?"
"Good night, Riku," she whispered, already sounding drowsy.
"Hey, don't just fall asleep like that…" he muttered, half-laughing.
But she was already breathing softly, completely asleep. Riku sighed, his lips curving into a smile.
He gently wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, brushing her hair away from her face.
"Good night… Mei," he whispered back.
Morning Light
A soft golden light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the quiet room. The world outside was just beginning to stir, but inside, everything remained still.
Mei shifted slightly, her cheek pressed against the steady rise and fall of Riku's chest. Her lashes fluttered as her eyes slowly opened, confusion in them for a moment—until she remembered.
Riku. His arms were still wrapped around her, one hand resting protectively on her back.
She blinked, then smiled.
"…You're awake?" she whispered.
Riku didn't respond. His head tilted to the side, hair tousled, lips slightly parted—fast asleep.
Mei lifted herself just a little, gazing down at him. "You look peaceful for once," she murmured with a teasing tone.
Suddenly, his eyes opened slightly. "Caught staring," he said groggily.
"Wha—! I thought you were asleep!" she gasped, flustered.
Riku smirked, his voice rough with sleep. "I was. But you're kinda heavy, you know."
Mei blushed and punched his chest lightly. "Then why didn't you say something?"
He chuckled. "Didn't want to let go."
Her heart skipped. For a second, everything was quiet again—just the two of them, the warmth, and the morning sun.
Walking to School
The morning breeze was cool, brushing gently against their uniforms as they walked side by side along the quiet street.
Mei adjusted her school bag, glancing at Riku with a small smile. "You didn't even eat breakfast properly."
"I was full of sleep," Riku said with a yawn, stretching his arms behind his head. "Besides, someone used me as a bed last night."
Mei blushed, avoiding his gaze. "That's because you were already lying down like a sofa…"
Riku grinned. "Admit it—you like using me as your personal pillow."
"I do not!" Mei huffed, then paused. "…Okay. Maybe a little."
He chuckled, bumping his shoulder gently into hers. "You're so honest now."
"I've changed," she said proudly, then looked at him. "You have too."
Riku's smile softened. "Yeah… I guess I have."
The school gates appeared ahead, and they could already hear chatter and laughter from inside.
"Ready for the culture festival preparations?" Mei asked.
"Not really," Riku replied, "but if you're there, it'll be fun."
Mei looked away, hiding her smile as her cheeks turned pink.
As they entered the school together, students passing by whispered and watched. But this time, Mei didn't feel shy. She was proud.
Proud to be walking beside him.
Late at night, in a quiet room filled with soft lamplight, Asahi sat at her desk, staring at her phone. Pictures of Mei and Riku from the culture festival scrolled across the screen—laughing, working together, looking close.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she tapped the screen off.
"They think it's all happy now…" she whispered. "But Riku… he was mine first."
She opened a notebook filled with observations: Riku's schedule, Mei's habits, their favorite places. Every page was neat. Precise.
"If Mei thinks she can steal him, she's wrong."
Asahi took out a folded letter and smirked. It was written in Riku's handwriting—but not by Riku. "Fake notes, twisted rumors… little by little, I'll break what they have."
She glanced at a photo of herself and Riku from last year, taped to her wall.
"I'll make Riku see who Mei really is."