Chapter 11 – “New Challenger: Rei Aizawa!”

The spring air buzzed with restless chatter as the classroom door slid open.

“Everyone, we have a new transfer student,” the teacher announced. “Please introduce yourself.”

A tall boy stepped in, his uniform crisp, his dark hair slightly tousled. His calm gray eyes scanned the class before landing briefly on Riko.

“My name’s Rei Aizawa. I just moved here from Kanagawa. I like soccer and running. Please take care of me.”

He bowed politely. A few girls whispered, “He’s kinda handsome…” while Mina leaned toward Riko, grinning.

“Riko, you finally got competition. Hope your Daichi radar’s ready.”

Riko frowned. “W-What’s that supposed to mean?!”

The teacher pointed. “Aizawa, you can take the empty seat beside… Riko Shimizu.”

Rei smiled and sat beside her. “Nice to meet you, Shimizu-san.”

Riko blinked. “Ah—just call me Riko. Everyone does.”

“Then, Riko,” he said smoothly, “you’re on the soccer team, right? I saw the trophies by the gym. You must be good.”

She scratched her cheek, flustered. “Kinda. I’m the forward… well, one of them.”

“That’s impressive,” Rei said with an approving nod. “Strong and cute — rare combo.”

Riko froze. Her brain short-circuited. Did he just call me cute?

No one ever called her cute. Not Daichi, not anyone.

Meanwhile, three desks behind her, Daichi’s pencil snapped.

---

At lunch, Riko introduced Rei to Mina and Daichi.

“Yo,” Daichi said casually, mouth full of rice. “Heard you’re from Kanagawa. Got a good soccer scene there.”

Rei smiled. “It’s decent. But I heard you’re the ace of this school, right?”

Daichi smirked. “Guess so. You play?”

“Midfielder,” Rei replied. “Maybe we’ll team up sometime.”

Riko laughed nervously. “Daichi’s more of a showoff striker.”

“Oi!” Daichi barked, glaring.

Mina giggled. “Oh boy, this lunch table just got spicy.”

---

During P.E., the class paired up for relay practice. Rei walked straight up to Riko.

“Want to partner up?”

“Sure,” she said, trying not to sound too eager.

Daichi, standing nearby, frowned. “Guess I’ll… keep score then.”

The whistle blew. Riko and Rei sprinted in perfect sync, passing the baton seamlessly. They dominated every round — Rei’s calm precision matched Riko’s explosive energy.

When they high-fived after the final run, Riko’s heart fluttered a little.

From the sidelines, Daichi muttered, “What’s with that perfect coordination?” He pressed the stopwatch too hard and dropped it.

Mina leaned over his shoulder. “Somebody’s jealous~”

“I’m not!” he shot back, voice cracking.

“Sure you’re not,” she teased, patting his back. “You just look like a volcano about to erupt.”

---

After school, Riko stayed late to put away the soccer balls. Rei appeared at the gym door, hands in pockets.

“Need help?” he asked.

“Oh! Uh, thanks.” She passed him the last few balls. “You’re pretty fast, Aizawa.”

“Rei,” he corrected gently. “And you’re faster than I expected.”

Riko laughed shyly. “Most people don’t expect much. They just call me ‘Riko-bro.’”

Rei tilted his head. “That’s a shame. You deserve to be seen as more than that.”

The words hit harder than she expected. More than that…

They finished packing up, and outside, the rain had started — soft and misty.

“Forgot my umbrella again,” Riko sighed.

“Then share mine,” Rei said, opening his sleek black umbrella. “It’s big enough for two.”

She hesitated but nodded, stepping close. The rain drummed softly above them. She could smell the faint scent of soap on his shirt.

Rei smiled. “You know, you look better when you smile like that.”

Her heart skipped. “Eh—w-what?”

He chuckled lightly. “Just saying. You’ve got a nice smile, Riko.”

She didn’t know where to look — the ground, the sky, anywhere but his eyes.

Just then, a familiar voice cut through the rain.

“Oi, Riko! You heading home without me?”

Daichi jogged up, holding his half-broken umbrella. His hair was damp, his tone sharp. His eyes flicked from Riko to Rei, then to the shared umbrella.

“Oh, hey, Daichi,” Riko stammered. “We were just—”

“Yeah, I can see that,” he said flatly. “Didn’t know you needed an escort.”

Rei smiled politely. “Just making sure she doesn’t catch a cold.”

Daichi’s jaw tightened. “I can handle that.”

The air grew tense, the rain whispering between them.

Riko quickly waved her hands. “You guys are being weird! Let’s just walk together, okay?”

The three walked awkwardly under two umbrellas — Rei beside Riko, Daichi trailing a step behind. Every so often, Rei’s shoulder brushed Riko’s. She could feel Daichi’s stare burning behind her.

When they reached the crossroads, Rei turned left. “See you tomorrow, Riko.”

“Y-Yeah,” she said softly, watching him go.

Daichi stood there, glaring after him.

“Tch… what’s with that guy?”

Mina’s voice echoed from behind, startling him. She’d been waiting under the school awning, grinning from ear to ear.

“That guy,” she said, smirking, “just declared war — on your heart.”

Daichi blinked. “What are you—wait, huh?!”

But Mina was already skipping off in the rain, laughing, as Daichi stood there, confused and scowling — a faint, unfamiliar warmth flickering in his chest.