The bus ride had barely begun, but the air inside was already thick with tension—and it wasn't from the sharp turns on the road.
Rukia Delim and Shinoa Kurai sat side by side, each replaying their earlier conversation in silence.
> "I don't like him… I love him."
Shinoa's cheeks still held the faintest shade of red from that bold confession.
Rukia sat with her arms folded, her gaze fixed straight ahead. Then—quietly—she spoke.
"…I acknowledge your feelings."
Shinoa blinked. "Huh? Seriously?"
"Don't get too excited," Rukia snapped. "I said acknowledge. Not accept. I'm not stepping aside."
Shinoa gave a small laugh—nervous, but fierce. "Well then, I'll say it again. I love him. And for the record—my love for him is as high as my grades."
That struck a nerve.
Rukia's eyes narrowed. "Grades, huh? You're only second-best. Kaiser's always been number one. So what—your love is second-best too?"
Shinoa's smile turned sharp. "Look who's talking—the girl who's never scored above 80 since elementary school."
Rukia froze.
"…What did you just say?"
"Exactly what you heard."
They turned to each other, eyes locked, the tension between them like the first clash of swords before war.
But then—
"Oi."
A familiar cold voice cut through the static.
Kaiser Klein stood before them, pulling off one side of his headphones. His expression was as blank as ever, but the weight of his presence was undeniable.
"Keep your voices down," he said.
Both girls stiffened, like scolded cats caught knocking over a vase.
They looked away quickly, lips pressed shut.
Kaiser raised an eyebrow slightly, glancing between them.
> What were they even arguing about?
Had my headphones on the whole time…
He turned his head, scanning the rest of the bus.
The silence was unnatural.
A few girls were staring at him with wide eyes, some on the verge of tears. Several boys whispered in hushed tones. Others glared his way, faces twisted in barely concealed jealousy.
> What the hell's going on now?
Did I walk into some drama again?
His eyes met the glares. Cold. Calm. Unapologetic.
In one sharp glance, he silenced the entire aisle.
The boys looked away. Fast.
Kaiser exhaled, sliding back into his seat.
> This trip's already a mess… What did I get dragged into?
But beneath the sigh, something flickered—strange and unfamiliar.
Not dread.
Something lighter.
> Maybe… just maybe… I'll experience something different this time.
His lips twitched.
Not quite a smile.
But close.