"Who does she think she is anyway?" Iroha's voice snapped, low but heated.
"Samurai's childhood friend," Rika replied flatly. There was a short pause, then the sound of a plate being passed over.
"That's true," Iroha muttered. "But she's definitely showing off how close she is to him."
"And why does that concern you?" Rika asked, cool as ever.
I could imagine the look on Iroha's face as the water shut off. She sighed. Not annoyed, more like someone finally admitting something out loud.
"Rika…" she said, and I heard footsteps. "What would you do if Dungeon Boy got that close to you?"
A pause.
"What are you doing?" Rika's voice jumped slightly, not scared. Just… flustered.
Iroha didn't answer right away.
"Exactly," she whispered, and I could practically feel the heat between them through the door. "You and I are on the same boat."
"Which is...?" Rika asked, but this time her voice was quieter.
"You fell for the idiot," Iroha said, casually turning the tap back on.
Another pause.
Then Rika's voice, soft. Honest.
"I mean... he has been on my mind a lot lately. And I can't explain why."
Iroha gave a short laugh.
"Just because you like him doesn't mean I'll let you slide right on through."
"You don't own him," Rika shot back. "And he's not someone to take possession over."
A clang. A dropped spoon? Then Iroha again, voice sharp.
"That bitch Senna was all over him. Looks like she already marked her territory."
That one stung.
Rika didn't respond right away.
"You're jealous, aren't you?" Iroha asked.
A beat. Then Rika's voice again, this time thoughtful.
"Merely the idea of him being with someone else romantically… does give me a feeling that replicates jealousy. Something within me screams that I have to do something about it."
The sink shut off.
Iroha's next line came with a smile. I could hear it.
"Come on."
"What are you—"
"You gotta spit on your hand."
"Why?"
"'Cause that's how they do it in the movies."
Rika sighed. "Taking inspiration from children's movies shouldn't—"
"Just do it," Iroha deadpanned.
A pause. A ptoo. Then a handshake.
"Okay," Iroha said. "From here on out… no more hard feelings."
Rika responded, a small smile in her voice. "Sure."
"Let the best girl win."
They didn't know I was there.
Not yet.
I leaned back from the crack I had slightly opened from his door. One hand on my chest, brushing over the little necklace he gave me months ago, the one I never took off.
A soft breath slipped out.
"Let the best girl win," I whispered.