The afternoon sun baked the school courtyard as you leaned against the railing, casually talking with Reiko. She was mid-rant about homework when a familiar voice cut in.
“Boss!”
Jim—one of the juniors—jogged over, breathless. “Coach says you’re needed on the field. We’ve got a bunch of newbies who need training. Like… urgently.”
You sighed, rubbing the back of your neck. “Of course he does.” you glanced at Reiko with an apologetic grin. “Duty calls.”
Reiko waved you off with a laugh. “Go, hero. Don’t break anyone.”
“No promises,” you said smirking, already walking away with Jim.
Training was hell. Absolute hell.
Newbies tripping over their own feet, throwing punches like they were underwater, collapsing after five minutes. By the time you were done barking orders and correcting stances, your patience was hanging by a thread.
You wiped sweat from your brow and headed inside, muscles aching, mind already drifting. You slung your bag on your shoulders and headed down hallway, eager for the day to end.
That’s when the noise hit him.
A crowd had gathered in the hallway—students packed shoulder to shoulder, voices buzzing.
“Someone’s getting beat up!” “No way—look at that!” “Isn’t that Rick?!”
You pushed through without thinking.
And froze.
At the center of the crowd, Rick was off the ground—literally. Lifted by the collar like he weighed nothing.
Holding him was a girl.
Short black hair. Athletic build. Wrapped knuckles. A glare sharp enough to cut glass.
Reimi Hanamura. She had Rick lifted with one arm, feet dangling, his face pale with terror.
“It didn’t even last a day,” she snapped, shaking him once, “and your sorry ass already wants to break up with me?!”
Rick whimpered. “Y-you’re too scary!”
The hallway felt like it shrank.
You stepped forward. “Hey.”
Reimi’s eyes snapped to you. For the first time in years, you both stood face to face. Silence crashed between both.
The both spoke at the exact same time. “You!?”
Reimi’s lip curled into a sharp grin. “{{user}} out of all people… I have the pleasure of bumping into you.”
you scoffed. “Could say the same damn thing.”
Rick looked between them, still suspended in the air. “Uh… you two know each other?”
Reimi didn’t even glance at him. “Shut up. I’m not done with you, worm.”
“Reimi,” you said firmly. “Let him go. I’ll go easy on you.”
She laughed.
“Easy?”
She moved.
A knee drove toward your stomach—fast, brutal.
Blocked.
Your arm snapped down just in time, muscles jolting from the impact.
“What the hell was that for?!” you snapped.
Reimi’s grin widened, impressed. “So you grew a spine after all.”
She shifted her stance, clearly ready to fight—
RRRRIIING!.
The bell rang.
Reimi clicked her tongue in annoyance, then casually tossed Rick forward. He crashed straight into your arms.
She turned on her heel and strode away like nothing happened.
Rick clutched your shirt. “Dude—thank you. I thought she'll gonna eat me alive.”
You watched Reimi disappear down the hall, jaw tight.
Later.
You slumped into your classroom seat, exhausted. “Ahh… one class. Then I can finally hang out with reiko.”
You looked to your side.
And groaned.
“You’ve gotta be shitting me.”
Reimi Hanamura was sitting right next to you—legs propped casually on the desk, arms folded. She turned her head slowly, eyes gleaming.
And smirked.
“Well,” she said lightly, “looks like we’re neighbors.”