Chapter 12 – “Jealousy in the Air”

Morning sunlight filtered into Class 2-B, where half the girls were already whispering about the new transfer student.

“Rei joined the soccer club!”

“He’s so polite! He helped carry the water crates this morning!”

“He even tied first-year Aki’s shoelace—like a prince!”

Riko sighed from her seat. “Wow, he’s already famous.”

Mina grinned, twirling her pencil. “You sound jealous.”

“Wha—no! I’m just surprised!” Riko said quickly, cheeks puffed. “It’s not like I care what he does.”

Across the aisle, Daichi leaned back in his chair. “That guy’s all show. Probably just trying to impress people.”

Mina smirked. “Hmm… says the guy who once did fifty push-ups in class to ‘accidentally’ impress Riko.”

“THAT WAS PE TRAINING!” Daichi barked, face red.

Riko buried her face in her hands. “You two are the worst…”

---

After class, the trio headed to the soccer field for practice. The new season was starting soon, and the air was buzzing with energy.

Coach Nakahara clapped his hands. “Alright, everyone! Welcome our newest member — Rei Aizawa!”

Rei gave a calm wave. “Looking forward to playing with you all.”

Even the seniors nodded approvingly — rare praise from them.

During drills, Riko noticed how naturally Rei fit in. He wasn’t just skilled — he read the field effortlessly, like he’d been part of the team for years.

When she passed him the ball, he smiled. “Nice assist, Riko.”

Her heart fluttered a little. No one says it like that…

Then she glanced at Daichi. He was staring — not at the ball, but at her.

---

At lunch, the four sat under the usual tree — Riko, Mina, Daichi, and Rei.

Rei reached into his bag and pulled out a chilled bottle. “Here, Riko. You looked tired in practice.”

“Oh! Thanks—” she began, but Daichi’s hand slammed on the table.

“She doesn’t need your charity!”

Riko blinked. “Huh?”

Rei blinked back, amused. “Charity? It’s just a drink.”

Daichi crossed his arms. “She’s fine. She always is.”

“Right…” Rei said with a light chuckle, handing the bottle anyway. “Still, it’s polite to offer. You’re lucky to have someone who worries about you.”

Mina leaned forward like a gossip reporter. “Oooh, the tension!”

Riko groaned. “Mina, not helping.”

But Rei wasn’t done. He tilted his head and said teasingly, “You two act like an old married couple.”

Riko’s face went nuclear red. “Wha—what are you saying?!”

Daichi nearly choked on his rice. “O-Old married—?! As if I’d ever—”

“Uh-huh,” Mina hummed. “Sure, sure. Keep denying it, Romeo.”

---

Practice that afternoon was chaotic. Rei and Daichi got matched for one-on-one drills — and neither seemed interested in “friendly competition.”

Daichi lunged harder, faster, gritting his teeth. Rei dodged with calm precision, smiling the whole time.

“Still holding back?” Rei asked lightly.

“Don’t test me,” Daichi snapped, stealing the ball with a fierce tackle.

From the sidelines, Riko frowned. What’s wrong with him today?

When Daichi finally scored, he didn’t celebrate — he just glanced at Riko, then turned away.

Rei jogged up, patting Daichi’s shoulder. “Not bad. Guess you’ve got more fire than I thought.”

“Save your compliments,” Daichi muttered, walking off.

---

After everyone left, Riko lingered to clean up cones and nets. Rei helped again, as usual.

“You and Daichi… you’ve known each other long?” Rei asked casually.

“Since forever,” Riko replied, smiling faintly. “He’s my best friend.”

“Just best friend?” Rei said softly.

Her hands froze on the cone she was picking up. “W-What do you mean by that?”

Rei smiled, eyes gentle but probing. “Nothing. Just wondering.”

Her heart thumped unevenly. She forced a laugh. “You’re weird.”

“Maybe,” he said. “But I think I can tell when someone means more than they realize.”

---

Later that evening, Daichi walked home alone for the first time in months. Usually, Riko was beside him — joking, kicking rocks, talking about snacks. But today she’d gone home with Rei to “thank him for helping.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets, scowling at the ground.

It’s not like it matters, he told himself. She can hang out with whoever she wants.

The night air was cool. Streetlights flickered as he passed.

Still, Rei’s voice echoed in his mind — You two act like an old married couple.

He clenched his fists. “Tch. That guy’s full of it.”

Then came Riko’s laugh in his memory — light, happy, from earlier that day when Rei handed her the drink.

Daichi’s steps slowed. His chest felt weird — tight, restless, almost painful.

Why do I care? he thought, biting his lip. It’s just Riko. She’s always been Riko… right?

The spring breeze carried the faint scent of cherry blossoms, but Daichi didn’t notice. His heart pounded too loudly in his ears.

He stopped mid-street, hand pressing against his chest.

“Why the hell…” he muttered, staring at the pavement, his face burning, “…is my heart racing?”

The traffic light turned green, the world moved on — but Daichi stood frozen, realizing something was beginning to change.

Something he wasn’t ready to name.