Declaration

Hikarigaoka High School, Tokyo - Morning

Miku Takasawa

My thoughts were clouded by the nightmare I had last night. The classroom was already buzzing when I slipped in, the soles of my boots squeaking against the polished floor.  Everyone’s eyes had already settled into their little morning routines—chatter, gossip, stolen glances.

And there she was.

She sat with her back to the window, framed by golden sunlight. And next to her, Ryu was leaning halfway toward her, his desk pulled a little closer than usual. They were laughing about something—something I wasn’t included in.

I tightened my grip on my bag. Just smile.

"Ohayou, Ryu.....and Chisa." 

"Ohayou, babe." Ryu waved me.

Sliding into my seat, I let out a soft laugh, as if none of this mattered. But my thoughts were already racing, already sharpening.  When Chisa caught sight of me, her smile widened. Very wide. 

“Oh—Miku-chan,” she said sweetly, “you’re such a lucky girl!”Her voice rang across the room, enough that half the class perked up. 

"What do you mean by that?"

“Yesterday, Ryu-kun walked me home in the rain. He even held his umbrella for me. He was so kind....” 

W-what the fuck?

Did she actually tell the truth?

I blinked a couple of times until my fake smile finally slid into place like a mask I’d worn a thousand times. “Really? That’s so Ryu.” My tone dripped honey, but the inside of my mouth tasted like blood. “He’s always helping people. He can’t say no to anyone who needs help.” 

Ryu scratched his cute cheek, chuckling. “It wasn’t a big deal. Anyone would’ve done it.”

“That’s why I love him, Chisa. He’s not just kind to me—he’s kind to everyone.”

The bitch tilted her head, acting innocent. “You’re really confident in him. What a beautiful love you two have~”. She giggled, brushing a strand of raven hair from her cheek.

“Of course,” I said, my lips curving wider. “Ryu’s mine, after all. Right, Ryu-kun?”

His adorable face reddened slightly, and he gave a nervous laugh. “Yeah.”

That was enough to make the whispers ripple. Enough to keep my image intact. 

She thought she’d humiliate me in broad daylight. 

She thought she could parade Ryu around like some prize she won from a lottery.

I jabbed her back with a heavy blow.

Why won’t she break her character?
Why the hell is she still standing there smiling, acting like the world bends just for her?

…No. I can’t let her do me like this....

I need her to trust me. To think I’m harmless.
If she sees me as an enemy, she’ll guard herself. She’ll make me chase shadows and stumble into traps.

But if she thinks I’m a friend—
If she lowers her guard, even for a second—
That’s when I’ll slit her open from the inside.

So I’ll laugh with her. I’ll smile at her jokes.  I’ll let her believe that I’m tame, that I’ve accepted her glow. 

Then… then I’ll tear her apart.                                                                                                                        There has to be a crack. Everyone has one.
I just have to find hers.

================================================================================

Mid-day

The lunch bell rang, chatter spilling through the classroom as chairs scraped and laughter echoed off the walls. My eyes fixated on her.

Chisa.

People gravitated to her a lot. I waited until they left her lonely ass alone. And after a minute or so, they finally go away. Guess it's time for me to slide in. I forced my lips into a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. No. Miku. Don’t let it show. Play nice. She has to believe you’re harmless. I took a few steps closer, leaning casually against her desk. 
“Hey, Chisa-chi, want to have lunch together today~?”

The air shifted. A few bitches looked up, dumbfounded. I don’t usually ask people to eat with me. Yet, alone calling someone else by "-chi" behind their name was not my style either. 

She nodded, then smiled like she always does.
“Of course, Miku-chan~”

"You can tag along to yesterday's café as usual."

We have arrived at the café and settled with our meal, she unwrapped her bento, the faint scent of tamagoyaki drifting between us. The bitch smiled as she picked up her chopsticks, her eyes bright and childlike.

“You know, Miku-chan?” Chisa began softly, “I would’ve caught a terrible cold if it weren't for Ryu. He's such a gentleman, isn’t he?”

She did it again.

Her words cut like glass through my heart without even trying. My hand froze halfway right before I drove my chopstick into my lips. I forced them to move again, shoving a bite of rice into my mouth.
“Mm,”  I hummed, swallowing the lump like poison. “Ryu's always like that. He’s… always so considerate.”

Her eyes were either oblivious or pretending to be. “To have someone like him as your boyfriend. He must care for you so much~”

“Yeah,” I breathed, laughter sharp at the edges. “Lucky me.”

She leaned a little closer, resting her chin on her hand. Her gaze sparkled with admiration—or maybe belittlement. “People like Ryu are rare. Someone who could shine bright, even without trying. Don’t you think so?”
“Totally. He’s… one of a kind.”

She giggled, satisfied, and turned back to her bento. My mind is screaming.

Bitch. What are you playing at?                                                                                                                          If she thinks she can, take him from me—
You're messing with the wrong woman.

I stirred my straw lazily in my iced latte, eyes narrowing just slightly as I leaned forward across the café table. 

“So, Chisa-chi…don’t you ever… get tired of all this idol stuff? Always being watched, always smiling.”

She tilted her head. “Sometimes it’s exhausting, yes. But… when I see everyone smiling back at me, it feels worth it.”

My brows twitched. 
“Still… it must be hard to keep up your appearance. I mean, nobody’s perfect, right? You must have slipped at some point. Maybe even… break rules?”

Let's see how you answer this.

Her eyes widened, and the bitch giggled again, covering her mouth with her hand. “Rules? Oh, you mean like… late-night diets? I do crave sweets a lot, so maybe that counts as ‘breaking rules.’”. Her laughter rang light, like bells. 

“You’re too pure, there’s gotta be more to you than just the angel act. I mean… off-stage, you’re still just a girl, aren’t you?”

She blinked, then smiled again. “Mm. I'm just a girl who loves singing, dancing… and spending time with people important to me~” She sipped her tea with a soft hum, perfectly composed.

Damn it… She always gave me the most template answer in any situation. I must lower myself to force her to lower her guard. 

“You’re amazing, Chisa-chi. Honestly… sometimes I wonder how someone like me can even stand next to you.”

She slowly shook her head, warmly. “That’s not true. You’re wonderful too, Miku-chan. Really.”

She’s hiding something. No one’s this flawless. I’ll find it. I’ll rip off that mask, piece by piece...starting from where you came from. And your families. I bet you're not as rich as mine.

“Thank you. But well… I guess I’m kind of spoiled. My family’s well-off. Trips, shopping, vacations overseas… It’s almost boring at this point. Like, I’ve been to Hawaii, Paris, and even Milan with my mom. Sometimes I wonder if people who don’t have that… envy me. Have you ever felt that way with your family?” 

Let’s see if your little idol world can match that! 

“That sounds lovely, Miku-chan. I know what you mean, though. My father took me to Italy once, to see Venice. We even stayed near the Grand Canal. And Paris… oh, I adored the art in the Louvre Museum. Mona Lisa is so inspiring~”

“Y-you’ve… been there too?”

“Mm. My father works in the finance industry. He said a fine lady should learn about other countries' cultures, not just Japanese culture. I suppose I was... spoiled too....in a similar context as you. Hehe~” 

Finance? Europe? Museums? This bitch had already lived it and spoke of it as if it were a casual occasion!

“Wow… so you’re rich-rich. Guess I have underestimated you.”

“Not rich… just fortunate. And maybe a little spoiled too, since I’m an only child. Father always said I'm his 'special' treasure. That’s why I can’t waste anything he’s given me.”

She’s not just above me in looks, talent, and kindness… even wealth? Even family?

“But I think it’s nice that we’re similar. You and I… both of us....we're the type of women who always get what we want, right?”

No. You already have Ryu in your sights, don’t you? You want to snatch him from me, don't you???

She set down her chopsticks gracefully, dabbing her lips with a napkin before looking straight at me again. Her voice was soft, but then her eyes… they shifted, catching the light. The warm red shimmered into a piercing, vivid crimson.

“Miku-chan… what do you think would happen....if we want the same unique thing?"

Unique…? What does she mean? Ryu? My place? The spotlight? Are you... challenging me?

“Then… I’ll fight you for it. Whatever it takes, I won't lose.”

My voice came out lower than intended, almost growling. 

She didn’t flinch. For the first time, she didn’t look like a fake-sweet idol girl. She looked like someone who has intimidated people a lot of times. A quiet spark burned in her gaze as her bloody red eyes locked into my icy blue eyes. 

“Good. That’s what I was hoping for.”

A wide smirk curving on her lips.

She’s enjoying this…? She’s excited?

“Because a star doesn’t shine if there’s no night to fight against.”

My pulse roared inside my body.

What the hell is this girl? Who the fuck does she think she is?

But why?

Why… why does this feel exciting?

My lips curved upward without realizing it. A slow, dangerous smirk crept across my face. Neither of us blinked, like predators measuring each other’s fangs. The tension grew heavy, intoxicating—until Chisa suddenly broke into a soft laugh.

“I’m joking, Miku-chan. Don’t take it so seriously~”

Her voice was sweet, airy, perfectly composed. The red glow in her eyes dimmed back into their usual brightness, as if nothing had happened at all.

“You’ve got bad taste in jokes.”

"I know, I know. I did this a lot, hehe~"

Our words were harmless. But the silence that followed was not.

The way our gazes lingered just a second too long. The way the air seemed to sharpen around us.

Both of us knew.

Behind the polite smiles and casual banter—this was no joke.

This was a declaration of war.

And I will win this war, no matter the cost.