Chapter 13: Enter the Charismatic Rival (And Reina Gets… Jealous?)

  Scene 1: The New Transfer Student

  Morning sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, casting long shadows across the wooden desks as the teacher stood at the front, clearing his throat.

  “Class, we have a new transfer student today.”

  The room, which had been filled with the usual morning chatter, immediately went silent.

  Kenji slouched in his seat, uninterested. He didn’t care. New students arrived all the time. This one would be no different.

  Then, the guy stepped in.

  Tall. Ridiculously good-looking. His black hair was neatly styled, not a single strand out of place, and his uniform looked like it had been designed specifically for him. He moved with the kind of easy confidence that made teachers sigh in relief and students instantly take notice.

  Kenji felt his eye twitch.

  Oh. Great.

  “My name is Takashi Hanekawa. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His voice was smooth, the kind of voice that made people automatically trust him. He flashed a perfect smile, bowing with practiced elegance.

  Kenji barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

  “Hanekawa-kun has an excellent academic record and was highly recommended by his previous school. I hope you’ll all make him feel welcome.”

  The girls were already whispering.

  “Oh my god, he’s so polite.”

  “Did you see his smile?”

  “He looks like a model!”

  Kenji grunted. Perfect. Another golden boy.

  Then, the teacher said something that made Kenji sit up.

  “Takashi, you’ll be seated next to Takahashi-san.”

  Kenji whipped his head toward Reina.

  Reina, who usually held herself with strict composure, actually looked surprised.

  For the first time, Kenji saw her blink rapidly, adjusting her glasses as if flustered.

  Kenji frowned. What the hell was that?

  Takashi took his seat gracefully, turning to Reina with an easy smile.

  “Takahashi-san, right?” he said smoothly. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Top of the class, student council president… quite the impressive reputation.”

  Reina actually smiled.

  “I do my best,” she replied, shifting slightly in her chair.

  Kenji felt something twist in his chest.

  What the hell?

  Since when did Reina smile at new people? Since when did she look… he didn’t know, pleased?

  His frown deepened.

  Takashi and Reina immediately launched into conversation.

  Within minutes, they were deep in discussion about law, ethics, and academic excellence.

  The class noticed immediately.

  People started whispering again.

  “I’ve never seen Reina talk to someone this naturally.”

  “Did she just laugh?”

  “Wait, is she actually interested in him?”

  Kenji’s mood soured.

  Across the room, Akari leaned in toward him, grinning.

  “Jealous, are we?”

  Kenji snorted. “Not even remotely.”

  Akari raised a brow. “Uh-huh.”

  Kenji looked back at Reina and Takashi. They were still talking. She was still smiling.

  His grip on his pencil tightened.

  Then, from behind him, Tetsuya muttered lowly.

  “Something’s off about him.”

  Kenji turned slightly. “You think?”

  Tetsuya nodded, eyes narrowed. “Too perfect.”

  Kenji didn’t disagree.

  Scene 2: Reina’s Unusual Reactions

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  By lunchtime, Takashi Hanekawa had completely infiltrated the school’s social hierarchy.

  Kenji, sitting in his usual spot near the window, watched with growing irritation as people practically lined up to talk to the new guy.

  Teachers loved him.

  The student council already seemed ready to elect him as their new president.

  Even the cafeteria staff gave him an extra portion of food.

  Kenji stabbed at his lunch with his chopsticks, mood steadily declining.

  And then—there was Reina.

  He spotted her in the hallway, standing near Takashi. They were talking—again.

  Kenji knew Reina. She wasn’t the type to get flustered. She was disciplined, composed, always in control.

  But here she was, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Adjusting her glasses.

  Then—she laughed.

  Kenji froze.

  Reina Takahashi, laughing.

  At something Takashi said.

  Kenji’s grip on his chopsticks tightened.

  "You’re staring," a voice drawled beside him.

  Kenji didn’t even flinch.

  "No, I’m not."

  Akari plopped down across from him, grinning like a cat who had just found a very entertaining toy.

  "Oh, you definitely are." She rested her chin in her hands, watching him watch Reina.

  Kenji tore his gaze away. "I don’t care."

  Akari smirked. "Sure you don’t."

  Kenji ignored her.

  Except now, he was hyper-aware of Reina.

  And Takashi.

  And the way she was still smiling at him.

  And the way Takashi was looking at her, like they were already on the same wavelength.

  Something in Kenji’s chest twisted again.

  Then—Takashi turned.

  Kenji stiffened as the transfer student walked straight toward them, still smiling.

  "Fujimura, right?"

  Kenji leaned back in his seat, arms crossed. "Yeah?"

  Takashi’s smile never wavered. "Reina told me about your reformation plan. Mind if I help?"

  Kenji’s expression flattened.

  "Pass."

  Takashi chuckled. "Oh? But Reina seems so invested in fixing you."

  Kenji’s jaw tightened.

  Akari, meanwhile, was having the time of her life.

  "Wow, Kenji," she drawled, watching the tension unfold. "You really don’t like this guy, huh?"

  Kenji shot her a look. "I don’t even know him."

  "Exactly," Akari said, looking entirely too amused.

  Reina approached then, sensing the tension.

  "Takashi, I don’t think Kenji is the type to—"

  "No," Kenji interrupted, tone casual. "Let him talk."

  Reina blinked.

  Takashi just smiled again. "I’ll be around. Let’s see if we can turn you into a proper citizen, Fujimura."

  Kenji gritted his teeth.

  Oh, it was on.

  Scene 2.5: Takashi’s Cryptic Warning

  Kenji had been trying to ignore the gnawing irritation in his chest all day.

  Ever since Takashi Hanekawa showed up, things had changed.

  Reina, who was usually all business and disapproval, actually smiled when talking to Takashi. Not just once. Multiple times. And Kenji, for reasons he didn’t want to examine, hated it.

  He had spent the last ten minutes pacing the empty courtyard behind the gym, rolling his shoulders, trying to shake off the weird frustration bubbling under his skin.

  And then, as if the universe enjoyed screwing with him, Takashi walked up.

  Kenji stilled, his jaw tightening as Takashi approached, that same easy smile plastered across his face.

  “You’ve been avoiding me, Fujimura.”

  Kenji exhaled through his nose. “You say that like I don’t avoid everyone.”

  Takashi chuckled. “True, but I’d like to think we’ve built a… special kind of tension.”

  Kenji gave him a flat look. “Say that again, and I’ll punch you.”

  Takashi smirked. “See? That’s what I like about you. Always so direct.”

  Kenji didn’t respond. He wasn’t in the mood for games.

  Takashi tilted his head slightly. “Though, I have to say, you’re looking a little tense. Something on your mind?”

  Kenji rolled his shoulders, stepping past him. “Nope.”

  But Takashi simply pivoted, blocking his path with infuriating ease.

  “Ever get the feeling like you’re living on borrowed time?”

  Kenji’s steps halted.

  Something in Takashi’s tone—**casual, but with an edge—**sent a slow, creeping chill down his spine.

  Kenji’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell does that mean?”

  Takashi’s smirk widened. “Just thinking out loud.”

  Kenji clenched his jaw.

  Takashi took a slow step forward, lowering his voice slightly. “Don’t you ever wonder what happens to a liar when the truth catches up?”

  Kenji’s pulse ticked up just slightly.

  This was different from Takashi’s usual taunts. There was something pointed about his words, like he wasn’t just saying them to mess with him.

  Kenji forced a smirk. “You practicing for a drama club audition?”

  Takashi chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re funny, Fujimura. But I have to ask… how long do you think you can keep up this little act?”

  Kenji’s stomach twisted.

  For a split second, he considered playing dumb.

  But Takashi was watching him closely, his expression calm, but his eyes too sharp. He was studying Kenji’s every microreaction, and Kenji knew—whatever answer he gave would be analyzed.

  So, he shrugged. “No clue what you’re talking about.”

  Takashi exhaled a slow, amused breath. “Right. Of course.”

  There was a beat of silence.

  Then, Takashi turned slightly, looking up at the sky with a mock-thoughtful expression.

  “You know,” he mused, “I always find it interesting how people react when they’re about to lose everything.”

  Kenji’s hands curled into fists at his sides.

  Takashi turned back to him, eyes glinting.

  “I’m looking forward to watching how your story ends.”

  Kenji held his stare. “You’re gonna be disappointed.”

  Takashi’s smirk widened. “We’ll see.”

  Then, with an easy stretch, he walked away.

  Kenji stood frozen for a moment, his pulse hammering in his ears.

  Takashi knew.

  Maybe not everything. But enough.

  And now, he was waiting for the moment Kenji would break.

  Scene 3: Shadows in Motion

  Kenji lay on his bed that night, staring at the ceiling.

  It had been a long day.

  Takashi Hanekawa.

  The name was starting to piss him off.

  He wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was because the guy was too perfect. Maybe it was because Reina, for the first time in forever, actually seemed impressed by someone.

  Or maybe it was because Kenji had the sinking feeling that Takashi wasn’t what he seemed.

  His phone buzzed.

  Kenji grabbed it, already expecting the worst.

  Unknown Number: "Hope you’re enjoying my life, faker. It won’t last."

  Kenji stared at the message, his stomach twisting.

  He read it twice. Then a third time.

  His grip tightened around his phone.

  Ryuji.

  He knew it had to be him.

  And if Ryuji was watching him…

  Kenji exhaled slowly. Something was coming.

  ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

  Elsewhere in the city…

  A dimly lit café.

  Takashi sat across from a shadowed figure, stirring his tea slowly.

  The figure exhaled a stream of smoke.

  "He’s enjoying himself," Takashi reported, his voice casual. "Too much, if you ask me."

  Ryuji Sakamoto smirked. "Let’s see how long that lasts."

  ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

  Meanwhile…

  A group of men in dark suits sat in a quiet office, illuminated only by the glow of multiple computer screens.

  On the monitors, old surveillance footage played.

  One of them leaned forward, frowning.

  "That kid at the school..." he murmured. "That’s not Ryuji."