Chapter 30: — “Unexpected Guest” — (Season 2 Episode 2)

The living room was quiet, the only sound the soft clink of Mika’s spoon against her mug as she sipped cocoa. She perched on the edge of the sofa, glancing between Riku and Akari, fidgeting with her hands. Something in her gaze told Riku she was about to speak, and he braced himself.

“Akari… why are you still here?” Riku asked, his voice calm but curious. “Isn’t witch school supposed to start soon?”

Akari stepped closer, closing the door behind her. She leaned against the frame, arms crossed. “I wanted to stay home today. Keep an eye on you two,” she said, her eyes lingering on Riku. “Especially you, Riku. After what happened… I can’t just leave you alone.”

Riku frowned and ran a hand through his hair, letting out a long sigh. “Akari… you can’t skip your classes for me. Witch school’s important. I can manage here. Mika’s here too, and—”

“I know it’s important,” Akari interrupted softly but firmly. “But the danger that follows you… I can’t risk it. Not now.”

Riku opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, Mika’s eyes lit up and she practically jumped from her seat. “HOW ABOUT WE COME WITH YOU, AKARI?!” she yelled, her voice bright with excitement.

Riku froze. His cocoa mug wobbled slightly in his hand, but he managed to set it down. “W-What? No… Mika, I am NOT going to a witch school. Embarrassing myself... no, I refuse! You hear me—”

Akari raised a hand, cutting him off with a small smile. “Actually… I think it’s a good idea. You can come.”

Riku blinked at her in disbelief. “Wait. What? You’re serious?”

“Of course,” Akari said calmly, stepping toward the broom propped against the wall. “You’ll be safe with me. And… I think it could be interesting for you.”

Riku groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Interesting? You mean humiliating, I’m sure. I can already imagine every witch staring at me and whispering behind my back.”

Mika bounced on the balls of her feet. “Don’t worry, Riku! I’ll be right there with you! You’ll be fine!”

Riku’s eyes narrowed at her cheerful optimism. “Fine for you maybe. I, on the other hand, am about to walk into a room full of strangers who probably think boys shouldn’t even exist here!” He threw his hands in the air.

Akari stepped between them, smiling slightly. “You’ll be fine. Come on, it’ll be safe. I’ll take care of both of you. Just hold on tight to the broom when we fly.”

Riku groaned again, muttering under his breath. “Safe, sure… until I’m the laughing stock of the entire school.”

Mika gasped, putting a hand to her chest. “Riku! Stop being so negative! This is going to be fun!”

“Fun for you maybe,” Riku muttered, running a hand down his face. “I… fine. Fine. As long as I don’t embarrass myself.” He let out a reluctant sigh, finally giving in.

Akari gestured toward the broom again. “Come on. Hold on tight. I can’t carry both of you if you’re not ready.”

Riku looked at the broom, his stomach twisting a little. “Yeah… hold on tight. I swear… I am not sure how this is going to end well, but whatever. Let’s just get this over with.”

Mika practically cheered, bouncing in place. “You’ll see, it’ll be amazing! I can’t wait!”

Riku groaned again, muttering under his breath about embarrassment and witches whispering about him. Still, he moved forward, following Akari’s lead. He took a deep breath and gripped the broom’s handle tightly, feeling the subtle hum of magic underneath.

“Ready?” Akari asked, glancing at both of them.

Riku muttered, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Mika squealed excitedly. “Ready!”

With that, Akari swung onto the broom effortlessly. Riku and Mika followed, holding on tight. As the broom lifted into the air, Riku’s stomach dropped slightly, a mix of fear and anticipation. Mika laughed, exhilarated, while Riku just grumbled, trying not to look like he was enjoying the ride—even a little.

The wind whipped past them as the broom shot forward. Riku’s thoughts were a mix of anxiety and disbelief, but Akari’s calm presence beside him kept some of his panic at bay.

“W-w-wait! Stop! I-I’m g-g-going to fall... AHHH!” Riku screamed, gripping the handle like his life depended on it.

Mika laughed beside him. “Riku, calm down! You’re fine!”

“F-f-fine?!” Riku yelled, flailing. “I’m hanging on for dear life! Dear. Life!”

Akari smirked. “Just hold on. You’ll survive.”

“I-I-I hope so… I really, really hope so…” Riku muttered, teeth clenched, hands white-knuckled.

The broom swayed sharply. “A-AH! This is insane! I’m n-not made for this, AHHH!”

Mika giggled. “See? Not so bad!”

“Not so bad?! I’m going to die! I-I... AAAHHH!” Riku squeaked, muttering under his breath. “Fun for you… terrifying for me…”

Akari glanced back, chuckling softly. “Told you so.”

Riku groaned, still gripping the broom. “Yeah… yeah… but I’m still going to complain the whole way…”

Riku’s heart pounded in his chest, each beat a reminder of how unprepared he felt for what was coming. His hands gripped the broom tighter, knuckles white.

Beside him, Mika’s eyes sparkled, her small cheers of excitement cutting through the tension. She hadn’t smiled like this in a long time, ever since the demon had been mentioned, she’d been cautious, anxious.

Seeing her so happy, so alive, made a small smile tug at Riku’s lips. For just a moment, he felt lighter, almost like maybe this adventure wouldn’t be so unbearable after all.

Riku, Mika, and Akari walked cautiously down the polished hallways of the witch school. Almost immediately, a few students turned, their faces a mix of shock, curiosity, and disbelief.

“Wait… is that a boy?” one girl whispered to her friend, nudging her gently.

“No way… he’s actually a boy!” the friend replied, eyes wide.

“He’s kind of… hot,” another muttered under her breath, glancing again at Riku as he kept his gaze forward, hands in his pockets.

Mika’s eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. She stayed silent, but her fists clenched slightly at her sides. Akari noticed immediately, her gaze flicking between Mika and Riku with quiet concern.

“He doesn’t even look like he belongs here…” a student whispered, her tone a mix of awe and confusion.

“Seriously… he’s so tall,” another added, voice low, “and his hair… wow.”

Riku kept walking, muttering softly under his breath, “This is… different,” barely audible, before falling silent again. He seemed focused on putting one foot in front of the other, ignoring the stares.

Mika’s frown deepened as more whispers reached her ears. “Who even let him in?” one student asked, looking toward the door.

“I don’t know, but he looks like he could fight anyone,” another chimed in.

“Why is he even here?!” a voice hissed, half-question, half-gasp.

Akari gently guided Mika forward, her hand on her sister’s shoulder. She could feel Mika’s jealousy simmering, though Mika didn’t let it show.

Riku glanced at Mika briefly, catching her subtle glare, and smirked faintly, shaking his head.

The trio moved closer to the classroom, the murmurs following them like a tide of curiosity and surprise. “He’s so mysterious… and kind of intimidating,” a student whispered.

“And hot,” another added quickly, causing a ripple of quiet giggles among her friends.

Through it all, Riku kept walking, calm and stoic, unaware of just how much attention he was drawing, or how Mika’s emotions were boiling just beside him.

As they reached the classroom door, the sensei, a tall witch with sharp eyes and an aura of authority, looked up from her papers and froze.

“Wait. Stop right there,” she said, her voice crisp. “Who are you, and why is a boy here?” Her gaze swept over Riku, Mika, and Akari, lingering on Riku with unmistakable suspicion.

Riku stayed silent, letting Akari take the lead.

“They are… with me,” Akari said evenly, keeping her voice calm. “I had… family matters to attend to, and I couldn’t leave them alone. I had no choice but to bring them here today.”

The sensei’s eyes narrowed. “Family matters? Explain. I need details. This is not a trivial matter.”

Akari hesitated for a fraction of a second, then said, “It’s… personal, and complicated. But it required my presence. I assure you, they will not disrupt the class.”

The sensei tilted her head, studying them carefully. “A boy in my classroom… and a non-witch, no less. You understand the seriousness of this?”

“Yes,” Akari said, her tone firm. “They will behave.”

Riku muttered under his breath, “This is already ridiculous…” but didn’t raise his voice, earning a glance from the sensei.

The witch teacher crossed her arms. “Hmm… fine. I will allow it… for now. But any disturbance, and you will face consequences. Understood?”

Riku gave a small nod. “Got it.”

Mika clutched her bag straps, glancing nervously at the students. As they walked toward the desks, dozens of eyes followed Riku, some in shock, some in curiosity, and a few clearly impressed.

“Is that… really a boy?” one girl asked, eyes wide.

“He’s… actually kind of cute,” another admitted, glancing at him from behind her hand.

“Look at him just walking in like he owns the place,” someone murmured, clearly impressed.

“I don’t even know what it is… he’s hot, in a weird way,” another whispered to her friend, who nodded enthusiastically.

“I’ve never seen a boy with… that kind of presence,” a quiet voice added, cheeks slightly flushed.

Mika’s frown deepened as she noticed the glances and whispered comments, though she tried not to make it obvious. Akari, sitting beside her, caught the subtle shift in Mika’s expression and gave her a small, knowing glance.

Riku slid into his desk, muttering under his breath, “I swear… I don’t belong here,” clearly uncomfortable but trying to keep his composure.

Mika plopped down beside Akari, still frowning, and leaned slightly toward her sister for support. Akari gave her a reassuring nod, silently telling her to calm down.

The whispers continued quietly throughout the classroom, some girls sneaking glances at Riku, others nudging their friends and whispering about him as the lesson began.