Chapter 2 – The Polaroid Photo Threat

The next morning, the air was still fresh with a spring breeze. Rikuya closed the door of her house quietly, hung a school bag over her shoulder, and took a deep breath. She still remembered Ayaka's sentence the night before separating: "I've only been in this school for a year."

For some reason, the sentence felt heavier than just a small talk.

"Well..." he muttered, staring at the clear sky. "It's only been like this for a day."

He walked to the school, passing through a street filled with cherry blossoms that had begun to fall. At the intersection, Haruto—his new friend yesterday—was already waving while taking a bite of torn bread.

"Yo, Rikuya! Still alive, right?" he exclaimed with his mouth full.

"If I'm not alive, who are you waving your hand with?" Rikuya replied flatly.

Haruto laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "Take it easy. So how does it feel to sit next to Minazuki?"

"It's like sitting next to a time bomb."

"HAHA! That fits the description."

They walked hand in hand to the school gate. As soon as she entered the class, Rikuya immediately saw Ayaka sitting sweetly in her chair, chewing gum while playing with a ballpoint pen. As soon as she saw him, the girl smiled mischievously.

"Good morning, new child."

Rikuya sighed. "I have a name, you know."

"I know. That is Rihanna, isn't it? But it would be more fun if I called you the new child."

"Why?"

"The problem makes you look confused. It's free entertainment for me."

Rikuya pulled her chair down without further comment, sat down, and put the bag beside the table. He tried to ignore Ayaka's nosy gaze, but the girl couldn't keep quiet.

"Eh, you're bringing a camera again, right?" he asked.

"Bring it," Rikuya replied briefly.

"Try showing me the photo yesterday."

"What is it for?"

"I want to see. Don't be stingy."

Lazily, Rikuya took out a small polaroid album from the bag. She opened the page with yesterday's photos: a classroom, a window with cherry blossoms, and a secret photo of Ayaka opening the provisions.

As soon as Ayaka saw the last photo, her eyes widened. "HEY! This is when you photographed me?"

Rikuya stared flat. "When you stole my egg rolls."

Ayaka grabbed the album, but Rikuya quickly pulled it out.

"If you grab it, I'll spread the photo to the whole class," Rikuya threatened in a calm tone.

Ayaka was silent for a few seconds, then smiled obliviously. "You are evil too, New Child."

"Just consider it a small justice for my lost provisions."

"Then I can also reply," Ayaka replied while leaning forward. "I just told everyone that you have a crush on me, and this photo is proof of that."

Rikuya snorted. "Even if you say so, people might believe that you're the one who has a crush on me."

Ayaka patted the table hard. "Don't dream!"

Suddenly some students turned their heads. Haruto, who had just sat down, immediately chuckled, covering his mouth with his hands. "The two of you are really like a comedy couple."

"No," said Rikuya and Ayaka at the same time.

The atmosphere of the class was broken by the laughter of several other friends. Rikuya could only cover her face with her hands, while Ayaka looked satisfied because she managed to create a crowded atmosphere.

The first lesson went normally. The math teacher entered, writing a long row of formulas on the board. Rikuya tried to take notes, but the sound of a whisper from next door annoyed her.

"Uh, I will."

"What else?" whispered Rikuya, still writing.

"I'm bored. Put something in my book."

"I'm not a painter."

"Yes, random doodles are also allowed. The important thing is that I don't fall asleep."

Rikuya glanced at him, then quickly drew a round face with messy hair and narrow eyes. He pushes his book towards Ayaka.

Ayaka stared at the picture for a long time, then whispered, "This... me?"

"If you think so, then yes."

Ayaka closed her mouth holding back laughter, her shoulders shaking "Oh my gosh, this is so ugly! It's like a marshmallow monster."

"So don't force me to take a picture."

"But... Can I keep it?"

"Seriously?"

Ayaka nodded firmly. "I'm going to keep this as a treasure."

Rikuya shook her head in disbelief. "Weird bastard."

During recess, Rikuya deliberately left class early. He wanted to avoid being invaded by Ayaka again. He walked to the roof of the school, a normally quiet place. The air there is cooler, and the view of the city is clear.

He had just opened his lunch when the sound of footsteps approached.

"Meet!"

Rikuya turned her head quickly. Of course, Ayaka stood there with a mischievous smile.

"How do you know I'm here?" asked Rikuya suspiciously.

"I have a natural instinct to find prey."

"I'm not a victim."

"But your shoe is."

Ayaka sat beside him uninvited, staring at the contents of the lunch box. "What's wrong today?"

Rikuya closed the supply quickly. "Secret."

"It's really stingy. Yes, I brought my own provisions."

Rikuya glanced. That's right, Ayaka took out a pastel-colored lunch box. He opened the lid, revealing the messy contents. Half-crumbled rice, burnt eggs on the edges, and uneven pieces of sausage.

"Is that food?" commented Rikuya.

Ayaka snorted. "Hey, don't insult my cooking. I'm proud to make it myself."

"Make it yourself or disaster yourself?"

Ayaka tossed a piece of burnt egg. "Try it before commenting."

Rikuya stared at the piece for a long time, then finally ate. The taste is extraordinarily salty, with a strong burning aroma. He almost coughed.

"It feels like hell," he said honestly.

Ayaka was silent for a while, then laughed out loud. "HAHA! I know, right! "At least I'm honest with myself."

"Why don't you ask your family for help?"

Ayaka suddenly fell silent. His eyes were slightly lowered. "They are busy. I used to take care of myself."

Suddenly, the atmosphere became silent. Rikuya looked at him for a while, then said quietly, "Then next time I'll make it. Let you not torture yourself."

Ayaka turned her head quickly, her eyes widening. "Huh?"

"It's nothing. Suppose I protect the human tongue from disaster."

Ayaka was still looking at her, then a small smile appeared on her face. "Asahina, you're weird too. But... Thank you."

For the first time, his tone sounded sincere, without being nosy. Rikuya only replied with a small nod, then they ate silently on the roof of the school.

After school, Rikuya walks in the corridor with a camera. He wanted to take some photos of the building for his collection. Suddenly, Ayaka appears again, this time carrying a thick script.

"Hey, new kid."

"I know, you want to force me to the drama club again?"

Ayaka smiled widely. "Exactly."

Rikuya looked at him resignedly. "When will I be able to live a normal life?"

"If you sit next to me? Never will."

He handed over the manuscript to Rikuya. "Read this part. I want to see you practice again."

Rikuya accepted the manuscript with a heavy heart, reading the sentences. His voice was flat, expressionless. Ayaka immediately patted her forehead.

"Oh my gosh, your expression is the same as yesterday. You can't give me a little emotion?"

"I'm not an actor."

"But you have an aura. It's kind of mysterious."

"That's not a compliment, is it?"

Ayaka looked at him for a moment, then smiled. "Maybe yes, maybe not. Obviously, I'm not tired of seeing you."

That sentence made Rikuya fall silent for a moment. He didn't know if Ayaka was serious or just joking. However, his gaze was a little different from usual.

That afternoon, when they parted ways at the crossroads, Ayaka waved her hand while shouting, "Don't forget to bring me your supplies tomorrow!"

Rikuya looked at him, sighing deeply. "Why do I feel like my life is starting to be taken over by this weird girl"

But unconsciously, the corners of his lips were slightly raised.

Day Two: Supplies survive, but the liver begins to attack. That weird girl... Ayaka Minazuki.

He wrote the note under a polaroid photo of the school's roof this afternoon.