Chapter 03 : The Rumor Spark

Chapter 03 : The Rumor Spark 

“Love is just a leash you tie around someone’s throat. But the trick? You make them think they’re the one holding it.” — Adam

The morning air hung thick with tension as Akane walked silently beside Riku, her schoolbag clutched tightly to her side. The rhythmic tap of their shoes on pavement filled the awkward silence stretching between them. Riku was talking, something about his club activities, or maybe a new cafe opening near the station , but Akane wasn’t listening. Her eyes were fixed ahead, lips pressed into a tight line, thoughts miles away. 

He tried again

“Did you get my message last night?”

 “Mm.”

“You didn’t respond. I figured maybe you were busy or something…”

“I was.”

Her tone shut down any further attempt at conversation, but Riku still smiled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck like a boy who didn’t quite understand why his charm wasn’t working anymore. And then..

“Ohaiyo, darling.”

The words came like a slap to the face, casual, drawled, but so out of place it froze them both in their tracks. 

 Akane turned sharply.

Adam strolled toward the school gates like he was stepping onto a runway. His uniform jacket hung lazily off one shoulder, his black shirt untucked, collar askew. There was a glint in his dark eyes, something dangerous, unreadable. And on his face, that damned smirk. 

Riku blinked, stunned. “Did… did he just call you...?”

Akane didn’t answer. Her heart had slammed into her ribs so hard she could barely breathe.

Adam didn’t wait for a response. He winked at her ,slowly, arrogantly, and kept walking into the courtyard, greeting a few students with a mock salute. He passed through the growing crowd like he was above it all, his gaze flicking briefly back to them before disappearing into the school building. 

Murmurs erupted immediately

“Did he just call her ‘darling’?”

“No way. Akane? With him?”

“I heard she kissed Riku just last week!”

 “What’s going on?!”

Riku’s expression had darkened. He stood there blinking in disbelief, watching Adam disappear into the school, his hands clenched at his sides.

 Akane swallowed. The day hadn’t even begun, and already, it was unraveling

By the time she stepped into Class 2-B, the air inside was different. Not loud,but heavy. The kind of silence that buzzed beneath the surface, full of glances and whispers that paused just as she passed. She made her way to her seat slowly, feeling dozens of invisible threads pulling at her, judgmental, curious, cruel. 

Riku followed a step behind, stiff and unreadable.

 Ellie leaned toward her desk, lowering her voice.

“Okay, what the hell was that?”

“I don’t know,” Akane muttered. “Ignore it.”

 “Akane, I heard that you kissed Riku last week, is that true ? And, now Adam’s calling you his darling at the school gate like we’re in the middle of a bad shoujo manga.”

“I said ignore it. And I never kissed Riku, it was just a rumour”

 But no one was going to

Even Mr. Fujioka, their teacher, paused when he entered, surveying the room with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, looks like we’ve got a power couple in 2-B now, huh?” he joked, glancing between Adam’s empty seat and Akane’s blushing face.

 The class laughed. Akane wanted to melt through the floor.

As the lecture began, she stared at the chalkboard without registering a single word. Her name was already in people’s mouths. She could feel it, her reputation unraveling like a loose thread. She hadn’t even done anything… yet it was happening all the same

At lunch, she didn’t move. While most of the class filed out in pairs or small groups, Akane sat frozen, hunched over her desk, pretending to look at her phone. She considered the rooftop. Or the library. Or anywhere but here.

 And then the door slammed open

The room jolted.

 Adam stood in the doorway, his hands in his pockets, posture relaxed. His eyes locked on her. 

“Akane. Come with me.” 

The entire class stopped breathing. 

Even the teacher still clearing his notes paused to look up. 

Without thinking, Akane stood. Her legs moved before her brain caught up. She didn’t look at Ellie. She didn’t look at Riku. 

Ellie hissed under her breath. “Akane, what are you doing?! Don’t go with him...” 

But Akane was already in the hallway. 

Unbeknownst to her, Riku slipped out moments later, silent as a shadow. His footsteps matched theirs at a distance, his breath shallow as he pressed himself against the corridor wall and followed. 

Adam didn’t speak as he led her behind the gym building, where two vending machines hummed quietly under the afternoon sun. The cicadas buzzed in the trees. The air smelled like warm metal and summer sweat.

“Why did you bring me here?” she asked, her voice unsteady.

 He didn’t answer. Instead, his eyes shifted, past her, toward the corner of the wall. There was a shadow there. Movement.

Riku.

Adam’s smirk returned.

 “Hold still.”

“What—?”

Before she could finish, he stepped forward and pulled her close. One hand caught her wrist. The other settled at her waist.

 And then he kissed her.

It wasn’t tender. It wasn’t slow.

 It was strategic.

Calculated.

 Deliberate

Her eyes widened, hands instinctively pressing against his chest, but she didn’t push him away. Not right away. Not until the heat of his mouth faded and the reality clicked into place. 

Behind them, Riku gasped, audibly,  then fled. 

Adam stepped back.

 Akane stared at him, breathless

“What the hell was that?” she snapped, shoving him with both hands. “Are you insane?!”

“That was checkmate,” he said casually, brushing a strand of her hair off her shoulder. “You should’ve seen his face.”

“You kissed me just to mess with him?!”

He tilted his head. “No. I kissed you because it worked.”

“You’re unbelievable.” Her face was flushed, equal parts rage and confusion.

 Adam leaned closer, lowering his voice to a whisper

“Huh. Strawberries. I like that.”

She nearly punched him

And yet, even as she stormed off, her lips burned with the memory of his..

And worse?

She wasn’t entirely sure it was just the strategy that made her heart pound. 

The day continued as usual, Riku was confused and angry. Akane had mixed thoughts, but adam was clam and composed.