Chapter 11: — “Center of Attention” — (Season 1 Episode 5)

The morning sun peeked through the clouds, painting the streets with soft light. Riku and Mika walked to school together like they always did, their bags swinging lightly at their sides.

Mika looked up at Riku and noticed the faint bruise on his cheek from the fight. It was healing, but still obvious.

“You should be more careful next time,” she said quietly.

Riku gave a small laugh. “I couldn’t just let them mess with you and your friends.”

“Yeah, but… you got hurt. You didn’t have to go that far just because of me.”

He shrugged. “I didn’t do it just for you. I did it because they were wrong. Simple as that.”

Mika felt a strange flutter in her chest. She looked down at her shoes and kept walking.

As they got closer to school, they could already hear the buzz in the hallways. The moment Riku stepped inside, the crowd exploded with noise.

“Yo! Riku! That fight was insane!”

“Dude, I saw the video! You were like BAM! BAM!”

“You and Kenji totally destroyed those guys!”

Riku blinked, confused. “Video?”

One of the boys pulled out his phone and showed him. It was a shaky recording of yesterday’s fight, but it was clear enough. The sound of fists, shouting, and Kenji’s wild energy made the whole clip feel like a movie scene.

“You guys went viral overnight,” the boy added.

Riku frowned a little. “Wait, this is online? Like, public?”

“Totally! Everyone’s seen it already. Even the teachers are talking about it.”

More students surrounded him. They clapped him on the back, praised him, shouted out parts of the video, and laughed.

“Riku the fighter!” someone yelled.

Kenji strolled into the hallway with his usual cool grin. As soon as the crowd saw him, the cheers doubled.

“And Kenji! That diss you threw was legendary!”

“Yeah, if you hadn’t stepped in, Riku would’ve lost the insult part for sure!”

“You guys are, like, unstoppable!”

Riku laughed and rubbed the back of his head. He looked a little embarrassed but also kind of proud.

Mika watched all of it from the edge of the crowd, her stomach twisting. Everyone was cheering for them. For Riku. She bit her lip.

Why does it feel like he’s drifting further away from me?

Sakura and Miyuki walked up beside her. Sakura smiled. “Looks like your hero’s famous now.”

“He is kinda cool when he fights,” Miyuki added.

Mika crossed her arms. “Tch… whatever.”

Sakura raised a brow. “Someone sounds jealous.”

“Am not.”

“You sure? Because you’re glaring pretty hard.”

Mika turned on her heel. “Let’s just go to class.”

They followed her, slightly confused.

Mika stepped into the classroom expecting her friends to notice her, maybe talk about her cupcakes again, or at least mention she had been part of the reason the fight started. But instead…

“Did you see how Riku took that hit and still stood up? So cool!”

“I never knew the quiet boy was so… strong and… hot…”

Hot?

Mika’s eyes twitched.

H-Hot? OH HELL NO!

Another girl chimed in, scrolling through her phone. “Seriously! Look at this frame, he looks like a movie star!”

Movie star?! You’ve gotta be kidding me!

“I think I’m starting to like him,” one girl said, giggling.

LIKE HIM?! NO WAY!!

Sakura and Miyuki exchanged looks.

“She’s gonna explode,” Miyuki whispered.

“Any second now,” Sakura replied.

Mika sat down at her desk, fuming. She clenched her pencil case, her heart racing.

Why is everyone crushing on him all of a sudden?! That fight wasn’t even supposed to be about him looking cool! He just… he just helped because he’s Riku!

Her eyes shot toward the classroom door. The moment Riku walked in, it was like the entire room sighed. Every girl’s eyes followed him.

He looked surprised for a second, then gave a small wave.

 Several girls blushed as he passed by.

“He’s so cute in person…”

“I can’t believe he’s in our class!”

You HAVE to be kidding me, Mika thought, barely containing a growl. Are they drooling?! Are they ACTUALLY drooling?!

He walked past the group of blushing girls, a little awkwardly, before heading to his seat next to Mika.

She stared straight ahead.

“Morning,” he said, sitting down.

“Mm,” she replied shortly.

He blinked. “You okay?”

“Fine.”

I am NOT fine.

Riku tilted his head a little, clearly confused, but didn’t push further. He looked toward the front of the class as the teacher walked in.

Mika glanced at him from the corner of her eye.

Why do you have to be so nice? So calm? Why does everyone like you now? I was here first…

She bit the inside of her cheek.

You used to only look at me.

Class began, but Mika barely heard a word the teacher said. Her head was full of noise, voices of the girls, the video, the cheers, and her own spinning thoughts.

You’re mine, Riku… so why does it feel like I’m already losing you?