[Chapter 14: Silver vs. Light Brown]
The morning air was thick with anticipation.
Everyone in class 2-B was buzzing about the new transfer student, Reika Mizusawa. She had only been there one day, but it was already clear: she was confident, strikingly beautiful, and used to getting attention.
And today, she made her next move.
As students filed into class, Reika was already there—early—leaning casually against Takumi's desk.
"Morning, Tachibana-kun," she said with a charming smile.
Takumi raised an eyebrow. "You're early."
"Just curious what it's like sitting next to the school's quiet genius." She pulled out the empty chair beside him—the one that wasn't hers—and sat down like it was hers.
He blinked. "That's not your seat."
"No one's using it right now," she replied coolly. "Besides, I like this angle."
Yuri, who had just walked in, froze at the doorway.
She watched Reika laugh softly at something Takumi said, tucking her silver-dyed hair behind her ear. Her voice was smooth, practiced, and it had the kind of teasing lilt that made girls jealous and guys flustered.
Yuri wasn't flustered.
She was annoyed.
She walked over with quiet steps, standing behind Reika.
"…You're in my seat," Yuri said politely but firmly.
Reika turned, feigning surprise. "Oh? I didn't know you two sat together."
"We always have," Yuri replied, her eyes sharp.
For a moment, the two girls locked eyes—one with cool confidence, the other with controlled fire.
Takumi glanced between them, feeling the temperature shift.
Reika smiled and stood up gracefully. "Then I suppose I'll have to borrow him during lunch instead."
Yuri narrowed her eyes. "I wouldn't recommend it."
"Oh? And why not?"
"He has a pretty full schedule—especially when he's spending his time with me."
Reika tilted her head slightly, amused. "Well, I do like a challenge."
She walked away without another word, leaving an awkward silence behind.
Takumi leaned back in his chair. "So… this is happening now."
Yuri sat down beside him, crossing her arms.
"I don't like her."
"I noticed."
"She's too… forward."
"She's not my type." Takumi said
Yuri blinked, then glanced sideways. "…What is your type?"
Takumi looked at her, completely unfazed.
"Someone who sees me even when I don't say anything. Someone who understands my silence. Someone who kissed me in the rain, remember?"
Yuri flushed instantly, turning her head away.
"T-that was just—circumstance."
"Yeah," he murmured with a rare softness. "A nice one."
That afternoon, the tension hadn't faded.
In fact, Reika wasn't done.
During break, she appeared again—this time with a homemade bento box, artfully packed and decorated. With a smile that could disarm a teacher, she found her way to the rooftop—the place Takumi usually went to escape the noise of the world.
"Fancy meeting you here," she said, as if her appearance were a happy accident.
And so began a slow, subtle war.
Reika flirted.
Yuri glared.
Takumi stayed chill—but deep down, something had shifted.
Because for the first time in a long while… Yuri felt like she could actually lose him.