Sparks of Rivalry

The sun rose a little too early for Renjiro Takashi’s liking. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling fan as it spun in slow, lazy circles. Yesterday’s lunch with Daichi’s announcement echoed in his mind like a broken record.

“I think I’m gonna ask Aiko out.”

Those words kept stabbing at his heart, each syllable sharper than the last. Renjiro knew Daichi was charming—everyone liked him. He was funny, confident, and always knew the right thing to say. Compared to Daichi, Renjiro felt like a background character in his own story.

He sighed and sat up.

“Today,” he muttered, “I’ll talk to Aiko. Even if my voice shakes.”

But the moment he walked into Shinsei High School, his nerves clamped around his throat like a vice. The hallway buzzed with students chatting, laughter, and the occasional echo of a soccer ball bouncing off the wall. A group of girls huddled near the lockers, whispering and giggling.

Among them was Aiko, her dark hair tied in a neat ponytail, eyes focused on a book in her hands. She looked so serene, so out of reach.

Renjiro’s legs felt like lead. He forced himself to walk past her, praying his heart wouldn’t explode.

“Morning, Aiko,” he managed to say, his voice barely a whisper.

She looked up, her eyes gentle but distant. “Good morning, Renjiro-kun.”

That was it. Just a greeting.

Before he could think of a follow-up, Daichi swooped in like a gust of wind, grinning ear to ear.

“Morning, Aiko-chan! Want to walk to class together?”

Aiko smiled politely. “Sure, Daichi-kun.”

Renjiro’s chest tightened as he watched them walk away. Every step they took felt like a thousand paper cuts to his heart.

He clenched his fist. I have to do something.

---

Class felt endless that day. The teacher’s voice was a blur, words drifting in one ear and out the other. Renjiro’s eyes kept darting to the seat in front of him—Aiko, scribbling notes in perfect handwriting. The pink eraser on her desk had a small cat face drawn on it, and he couldn’t help but smile at the little detail.

She likes cats… I should remember that.

During lunch break, Renjiro found himself sitting alone on the rooftop, staring at the sky. The wind tugged at his hair, bringing with it the scent of spring.

He took out his small notepad, filled with scribbles about Aiko—her favorite flower (sunflower), favorite food (sakura mochi), even the fact that she loved reading mystery novels.

Pathetic, he thought, sighing. I know everything about her, but she doesn’t even know me.

Suddenly, the rooftop door slammed open, and Daichi strode in, his grin wide.

“There you are!” Daichi said. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Renjiro forced a smile. “What’s up?”

“Guess what?” Daichi’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “I asked Aiko out after class.”

Renjiro’s heart stopped. “You… you what?”

“Relax, man,” Daichi said, chuckling. “She said no. But hey, she didn’t look too mad about it. Maybe I just need to try harder, huh?”

Renjiro’s hands curled into fists. Try harder?

Daichi ruffled his hair like an annoying older brother. “Don’t look so scared. It’s not like you’re gonna confess to her or something, right? I mean, it’s Aiko Nakamura. She’s like a princess in a castle.”

Renjiro’s chest burned with a mix of shame and determination.

---

That night, Renjiro lay awake, the ceiling fan casting slow-moving shadows on the walls. He remembered the look in Aiko’s eyes when she’d said good morning—polite, distant, like she was speaking to a classmate and nothing more.

He clenched his teeth.

No. I won’t let Daichi win. I won’t give up without a fight.

He rolled over and reached for his notebook.

Tomorrow, I’ll talk to her about something real. Something that shows her who I really am.

He scribbled down ideas. Maybe he could ask about the book she was reading? Or offer her some sakura mochi? Maybe he could help her with notes after class.

His heart thudded. For the first time in forever, he felt like he was stepping into his own story.

Because he was done hiding in the shadows.

He was here.

---

The next day dawned bright and too early. Renjiro walked to school with a small box of sakura mochi in his hand. He’d even practiced what he’d say:

“Hey, Aiko-chan, I noticed you like sakura mochi. I thought you might like this.”

Simple. Kind. Friendly.

But when he saw Aiko laughing at something Daichi said, his courage crumbled like paper.

Daichi caught his eye, smirking. “Hey, Renjiro! Trying to impress Aiko? Too slow, bro!”

Renjiro’s hands trembled.

Aiko turned, her smile kind but distant. “Renjiro-kun, did you need something?”

He swallowed hard, his mouth dry.

Say it! Say it now!

“Uh… I—”

The bell rang, cutting him off. Students began pouring into the hall, the noise swallowing his words.

Renjiro stood frozen as Aiko disappeared into the crowd.

Daichi clapped him on the shoulder, laughing. “You’re too slow, man. You’ll never catch her like that.”

Renjiro’s chest ached. But somewhere deep inside, a spark of determin

ation refused to die.

I will catch her. No matter how long it takes.

He was here, and he wasn’t backing down.