she always had a knack for slipping into places she didn’t belong, whether it was conversations, plans, or hearts. your best friend — well, former best friend, perhaps — had made her intentions painfully clear the moment riki entered your life. at first, it was subtle: a compliment here, a lingering glance there. but subtlety was never her strong suit.

“he deserves someone who truly understands him,” she’d say, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. the implication hung heavy in the air, her eyes daring you to react. you didn’t. you wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

riki, oblivious to her schemes, treated her with the same kindness he extended to everyone. you envied his ability to see the good in people, even when they didn’t deserve it. but lately, even he seemed to sense something was off.

“why does she keep asking me to help her with things she could easily do herself?” he’d asked one evening, handing you the first bite of his sandwich as always. you shrugged, pretending not to notice the frustration in his voice.

things escalated when she cornered you at a party, her tone far from friendly. “he’s not yours, you know,” she hissed, her eyes flashing with a mix of jealousy and spite. “you’re just a placeholder.” the words stung, but you refused to let her see that. “if that’s true,” you said calmly, “then why is he with me and not you?”

her face twisted in anger, but before she could retort, riki appeared, his arm slipping protectively around your waist. “everything okay?” he asked, his gaze shifting between the two of you.

“just fine,” you replied, meeting her glare with a quiet confidence she couldn’t shake.