The War Begins with Smiles

The school bell rang, cutting through the morning silence like a knife.
Renjiro stood outside Class 10-B with a calm face—but inside, storms were brewing. He had made his choice: he wouldn’t run anymore.
If I’m going to fight for Aiko… I won’t do it hiding behind my own fears.
The door opened. Aiko walked in with her usual soft smile, hair fluttering behind her. A dozen students turned. Daichi was already in his seat, chatting loudly, surrounded by his "court" of fans.
The day had begun, and unseen tension charged the air like electricity before a storm.

---
Scene: Classroom, Before Morning Assembly
“Yo, Renjiro!” Daichi grinned from across the class, waving like they were best friends. “You sure you’re in the right room? This isn’t the library.”
The class chuckled.
Renjiro gave a polite nod and sat down silently. He didn’t react.
Haruto leaned over and whispered, “That’s new. You didn’t even flinch.”
Renjiro replied in a low voice, “I’m not here to fight with jokes.”
Daichi, overhearing it, smirked and stood. “Oh? You’re serious now? So what are you gonna do—write her a poem and cry into your lunch?”
Another round of laughter echoed. But Renjiro raised his head and looked Daichi straight in the eye.
“No. I’m just going to prove that I’m the better man.”
The class fell into a sudden silence.
Even Daichi paused—his grin faded just for a second.
Then he burst into laughter. “Now this is going to be fun.”

---
Scene: Cafeteria, Lunchtime
Renjiro sat quietly with Haruto, his tray untouched. Across the room, Aiko was laughing with a group of girls. Daichi, sitting near her, tossed jokes that made her smile.
But something in her eyes… flickered when she glanced across the room.At Renjiro.
Haruto noticed it too.
“She looked at you, man,” he said between mouthfuls of curry. “And that wasn’t just some random glance. That was a pause.”
Renjiro smiled faintly. “Maybe she’s curious.”
“Then stay curious back,” Haruto said. “You don’t have to rush. Just stay real.”
But real was hard in a world full of masks.

---
Scene: School Garden, After Classes
Renjiro often escaped here—the hidden garden behind the gym, where the breeze always felt cooler and the flowers always bloomed too early.
Today, though, he wasn’t alone.
“Aiko-chan?” he said, surprised.
She was kneeling near the flowers, tying her hair into a loose bun. She turned, startled, then smiled.
“Renjiro-kun. I didn’t know anyone else came here.”
He hesitated. “This place feels… quiet. I need that sometimes.”
Aiko nodded. “Me too.”
There was silence for a moment. Then she asked, gently, “Are you okay? You seemed… different today.”
Renjiro looked at her. The wind moved through her hair like a soft whisper.
“I’ve decided to stop hiding,” he said. “To be who I really am. Even if it hurts sometimes.”
Aiko blinked. “That’s brave.”
He looked down. “I’m not brave. I just… I’m tired of feeling invisible.”
She smiled, almost sadly. “You were never invisible, Renjiro-kun.”
That one sentence struck him harder than any insult Daichi had ever thrown.

---
Scene: School Gate, Sunset
As students left for the day, Daichi leaned against his bike, arms crossed.
He watched Renjiro and Aiko walk out together from a distance. Something cold settled behind his eyes.
So, it had begun.
Not just a rivalry—but a war of hearts.
“I was fine with being the star,” Daichi muttered to himself. “But if you’re gonna steal my light…”
He tightened his grip on the handlebar.
“…then don’t blame me when I burn you alive.”