—DRIIN!
At the sound of the bell, the entire class rushes out into the wide hallways of the institute.
As usual by now, poor Rika doesn't even get the chance to eat her snack in peace — every day, dozens of students from all over the school, even from upper grades, crowd around her, seeking academic or athletic advice, or offering her their suggestions, since she's the student council president.
Hakuto and Itsu, now inseparable friends — a bond born more out of the fact that, for different reasons, we're both the outcasts of the class — watch the scene from a distance, leaning against the hallway wall.
«Your sister is a total VIP, no doubt about it! There's not a single person at Tsugumi who doesn't admire her. I mean… it's undeniable — she gives off this irresistible charm, like there's some kind of bewitching aura around her that makes everyone adore her. She's like a cat in heat!»
«Watch your mouth, remember you're talking about my sister!»
«I see you've already developed that protective big brother instinct, huh, Hakotto?» Itsu chuckles.
«It's Hakuto...»
«Anyway, I was talking about how people act around her. Female cats in heat release strong pheromones that can be detected even from kilometers away, drawing attention and interest just by existing. Don't you think it's the same with Rika?»
«What kind of dumb comparison is that...?»
Despite the cold tone of his reply, Itsu's words linger in Hakuto's mind. In fact, even he feels an inexplicable attraction to Rika — the kind of attraction a brother shouldn't feel for his sister, even if they're not related by blood — even though she hasn't given him the slightest reason to feel that way.
«...anyway, it looks like those so-called cat-in-heat pheromones — I'm embarrassed just saying this — have no effect on you,» Hakuto adds.
«Yeah, but I feel that same effect when it comes to sweet and tender Yuzu...»
~Sweet and tender Yuzu...? He clearly doesn't know her like I do...~
«...now do you get what I meant yesterday morning in the gym? Rika is just too much of... everything! Everyone loves her, and everyone's drawn to her, while Yuzu's charm only catches the eyes of a smaller group of boys and girls — probably because she's overshadowed by Rika's presence. So yeah, the Yuzu Boobs Club is way more exclusive!»
Hakuto sighs and runs a hand over his forehead, shaking his head with a clear mix of resignation and discouragement. His role as the protective brother is getting more and more complicated by the day.
The two boys' attention is caught by a sudden commotion coming from the outer edge of the crowd around Rika — as if it were parting to let someone through.
Hakuto goes on alert — something feels off. The way the people around Rika moved aside, almost like they were being pushed back by someone. He gets confirmation that something's wrong when the group starts backing away from Rika, and some students even walk off.
«Trouble incoming...» Itsu mutters, slightly lowering his gaze.
Standing in front of Rika is a tall and massive boy — his well-defined muscles are visible even under the school uniform, as are his broad shoulders. But it's the look in his eyes, somewhere between menacing and cruel, that sets off an alarm in Hakuto's mind. For now, he chooses to stay back, waiting to see what happens before stepping in to protect his sister.
«What do you want from me, Enjou Kanzuro?!» Rika asks, proud and unshakable, her gaze locked onto the boy's — the air thick with a clear and palpable tension.
Despite the huge difference in size, Rika doesn't show even the slightest trace of fear or hesitation.
«Enjou Kanzuro...?» Hakuto repeats, puzzled. «Is he the president of the Yuzu's Boobs Fan Club?»
«This isn't a joke...» Itsu says in a low voice, clearly uneasy. «Enjou Kanzuro, third year, is the heir to the family that runs the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan — Kanzuro Industries. Or rather, it was the largest… until your stepmother — Kagura Narkhalis — took over Seiryu Biotech. Since then, Kanzuro Industries lost their dominance. You live in one of the richest families in Japan and you don't know this? Seriously?»
«I guess, considering the rivalry between their families, Enjou isn't here to offer her a drink from the vending machine,» Hakuto remarks, growing even more alarmed by Itsu's revelations.
«Have you thought about what I told you last time, Rika Narkhalis?» Enjou asks with arrogance.
«There's nothing to think about! I already gave you my answer back then, and it hasn't changed! I have no intention of marrying you!»
~That guy actually proposed to Rika…?! Isn't it a little early to be thinking about that kind of stuff? Then again, based on what Itsu told me, it doesn't take a genius to figure out there are economic interests behind it — some kind of alliance between the two most powerful families in Japanese pharmaceuticals…~
«H-How dare you reject me...?! I've got a line of sluts who would give anything to join the Kanzuro family — you know that, right?!»
Rika shrugs. «All the more reason — you've got plenty of options. So get out of my sight!»
Enjou flies into a rage. «No one dares give me orders!» He reaches toward Rika — probably to grab her by the shoulders — but she knocks his hand aside with a swift strike to his wrist.
The attacker doesn't give up and charges at her with his full, massive weight — but once again, Rika repels him with a quick, precise kick to the stomach, making him spit blood from his mouth.
At that moment — as Rika delivers that mid-air kick — Hakuto notices something. For a split second, there's a red glint in her eyes, just like the one he thought he saw in Yuzu's eyes that night — so quick it feels like just a reflection or a trick of the light.
He also notices a flicker of surprise in Itsu's eyes, but he can't tell whether it's from Rika's incredible martial arts skills or from that red glint that lasted only a split second. Either way, he keeps it to himself — the last thing he wants is to look like someone who sees things.
~She's also a martial arts expert? Is there anything Rika can't do...? Anyway, she seems to be handling it just fine, but fighting in the school hallways won't do her academic record any favors...~
Driven mad by rejection and humiliation, Enjou launches a new attack — a punch aimed at her face — but in a lightning-fast move, Hakuto steps in between them before Rika can even react. He blocks the punch by grabbing Enjou's wrist, and uses the momentum to slam him to the ground, pinning him with a knee to his back.
All's well that ends well… if not for the fact that Professor Misaki Yuunami, drawn by the unusual crowd and the whispers around it, spots Hakuto red-handed — pinning Enjou to the floor, with blood dripping from his mouth.