The Losing Heroine Candidate

I look through the small gap of the sunshade on my window, seeing Akari and Lona holding hands, laughing and chatting together. Clearly enjoying each other's company. A reflexive smile tugs at my lips. Just as I do, Rana flies up to me.

"Did they come?" He peers at the gap from top of my head, landing on it.

"Really?" I ask.

"I'm sorry, am I too heavy? I don't think I am, and I assure you, I’m not dirty." He doesn’t feel heavy nor solid like I would expect him to be. How he looks, how I observe and how I perceive him are totally different experiences. Which feels magical and divine, fitting for a Rana like creature.

I chuckle, closing the shade. "You're not, Rana-san. You just do some things I don’t expect, and it’s funny."

"I see. That's great, Renyuki."

"It definitely is."

"Akari and Lona really have a great family bond, don't they? They looked great out there. And, and that wraps up the time, see you later."

"See you." I respond, after a blink, I no longer feel his presence on my head.

It always amazes me how quickly he vanishes.

Then, the doorbell rings, and I go downstairs.

"Ren, it should be Lona-chan and Akari-chan. Open the door, please."

"I'm on it, Mom." I say as I make my way to the door.

As I open it, I see their faces -both flushed from the cold- and my good mood dims slightly.

"You guys are cold?! Get in now!"

They stare at me for a second, then glance at each other, before finally complying. "We’re home!" Akari beams, rushing in energetically as usual.

"Welcome home, Akari," I greet her, smiling.

Then, I turn to Lona, who lingers slightly outside. She looks down, then back up at me, her silhouette framed by the remainders of the setting sun. The light behind her slowly fades, deepening the shadows. Her dark green eyes shine, strikingly beautiful, and her flushed cheeks contrast with the darkness. My heart skips a beat as our eyes meet.

She blinks twice, confusion flickering across her face. Slight annoyance creeps in, but there's an innocence to her expression too. "What?" she asks, and I feel like I could melt.

"N-Nothing, welcome home Lona-san," I quickly reply, trying to control my imagination. Ah… As usual, I’m utterly weak against cool, short haired handsome beauties like her.

She looks away, then enters. I smile softly.

"Yeah," she mutters under her breath, before raising her eyes again to meet mine. "I’m home."

Akari, already inside, watches us in the back. Lona’s cheeks redden further when she notices Akari’s gaze. I grin and glance at Akari, silently acknowledging that she did a great job.

Akari, to my surprise, stares at Lona observantly. Finally she notices me, her eyes widen slightly, and she blinks twice in quick succession. Then, the corners of her mouth slowly curl up into a lovely smile, and she makes an "OK" sign by joining her thumb and index finger together.

That's great.

"I know it was you who was hiding, Renyuki. Don’t use Akari against me. I’m not done with you," Lona says, her voice teasing, but there’s a glint of mischief in her eyes.

I gulp. Of course, she realized. But that’s fine, I tell myself, I’m not done with you either, Lona-san. You have a lot to hear from me.

—----------------------------------------------------------

I continue scribbling in my notebook. The room is dimly lit, with only my desk lamp casting a yellow glow over the scattered papers and notebooks. Dinner is finished, and the lingering aroma of home-cooked food reminds me of the warmth of family -a warmth that has grown over the past five years since Akari and Lona became part of our lives.

But now, my thoughts are elsewhere. I pause and pull out a specific notebook, flipping it open to Akari’s page. My notes on her as a potential losing heroine stare back at me.

Akari’s love interest, I predict, will appear in high school. It’ll be the typical rom-com encounter; common which utilizes tropes. She showed no signs of romantic interest in anyone during middle school, as far as I could observe. And I do think I’m good at catching those. Still, I consider the possibility that she’s simply hiding it well. She is, after all, both shy and unpredictable unlike your typical losing heroine. I’ll need to keep a close watch at Kotton Academy.

We’ll all be attending the same academy: Akari, Lona, and me. Oh, of course Ebeil as well. Kotton Academy, the epicenter where the stories of The 100 losing heroines converge, or so I believe. Even if that’s not entirely accurate, I’ll remain vigilant. The heroines could appear anywhere, but the academy seems like the logical focal point. It gave that idea with what little I have seen from the manga.

I lean back in my chair, tapping the notebook with my pen as I think. Akari is undoubtedly a losing heroine candidate. Her traits line up perfectly, except for one thing; she’s not tomboyish like Lona. Still, in every other way, she’s the embodiment of a losing heroine. In fact, I’d argue she fits the role even better than Lona at some points when thought more deeply.

The chair creaks as I swivel, standing up and pacing in circles. Akari’s energetic, lively and strong-willed demeanor makes her stand out. She’s quick to read the room, observant, and academically excellent -far surpassing even Lona and possibly Ebeil in some areas. Despite all this, she can be unexpectedly shy and naïve, which only makes her more endearing. Her fluffy, wavy chin length hair is adorably cute, and she’s tall for her age, even taller than Lona now.

I stop pacing and sit back down, resolute. “Well, it’s all good for now,” I say aloud to myself, pen poised to write again.

A soft knock on the door interrupts me not long after. It’s followed by another, gentle nudge.

“Come in,” I call out.

The door opens, and Lona steps in, carrying a tray with a fruit platter. Her dark hair catches the light before the corridor on back, strands falling over her left eye as usual. Once again I'm reminded, how weak I'm to her casual charm.