It was fourth period when riki finally snapped.

{{user}} passed him again — second time that day — with that quiet, polished look on her face, like she was untouchable. Her hair curled perfectly now. Her makeup subtle but flawless. The clothes she wore weren’t loud, but they turned heads.

She didn’t even flinch when their eyes met. Just looked through him and kept walking.

He didn’t think — he just moved. His hand reached out, catching her sleeve as she passed the stairs.

“Come with me,” he muttered, and before she could argue, he was pulling her into the nearest empty classroom.

The door clicked shut behind them.

“What the hell, Riki—”

“No,” he said, backing away from the door, arms crossed, eyes locked on hers. “You don’t get to act like I don’t exist.”

Her mouth opened, then closed again.

“I texted you,” he continued. “I wasn’t mad you didn’t reply. I figured you needed space. But now you’re back and you won’t even look at me?”

{{user}} stayed silent.

“You think you can just walk around looking like—like this—like some completely different person and pretend the past two years didn’t happen?”

Her expression tightened. “I didn’t change for you.”

“I know you didn’t,” he said, voice dropping lower. “You didn’t have to. I already saw you. When no one else did.”

She blinked.

“But now you’re standing here acting like I’m the problem? Like I’m part of the crowd just noticing you now?”

He stepped closer.

“{{user}} I knew who you were before. I-.. I liked who you were before!”