Unstoppable Rivals- Chapter 1
Chapter 1
It was their first day being in first year senior high at Horikoshi. The said school was one of a kind; just entering the campus would be pretty much difficult. That was the reason why Mirai almost jumped to the sky when she found the name, Shida Mirai, written at the announcement of passed examiners. Not just that, she was also chosen to be one of the students in Class A, who was known to be the section of the smartest kids all over the campus. Yamada would be defeated again if he discovers what school and what section she belonged to.
“OHAYOU!” she smiled at everyone as she entered the room. To her horror, she saw a familiar face on the far corner of the room. The person was intently looking at her. No, the person was staring at her.
Yamada Ryosuke! She exclaimed in thought. What is he doing here?
To retain her pride, she avoided his eyes and pretended she did not see him at all. She slowly walked to a chair and sat with poise. Calm yourself, Mirai. What if he’s a Class A student as well? You don’t care about him anymore, right?
But it’s not yet over. She thought to herself.
Yamada was a childhood stranger to her. When she was born, Yamada was already there. As she grew up, the one-year gap wasn’t a bother for him to take care of her. Truth, for she witnessed them in pictures and videos.
Their families were very much close to each other that all of their family gatherings were combined together. Hence, she knew the word Ryosuke since she was a child. Honestly, it was the first word she could utter…surprisingly.
As they grew older, that particular bond as close baby friends was kind-of-broken. Ryosuke was the ‘easy to be with’ or ‘easy to get along’ type. However, her case was different. When it comes to her, he would turn serious and cold. He wouldn’t be friendly. But since they had similar likes, still they ended up like singing together in a blending song, being tandem in making people laugh, and dancing different types of dance. Moreover, he was but a protective and gentle prince in an unnoticeable way.
This relationship made her fall in love deeper for him. Not until she discovered that he was just playing with her, using her as a toy. And since then, she had decided to defeat the boy in any way, proving she’s strong and he can never overpower her. Most of all, he’s wrong of bragging her love for him.
After their acquaintance in the classroom, she received no more attention from him. They treated each other as if they had never known each other before.
“…Kobayashi Katsumi, Kawashimi Umika, Inoue Chiharu, Shida Mirai,” Mirai focused her eyes on her teacher, her heart wildly beating. “Yamada Ryosuke. They will be included in the fourth group. Now, I will be expecting you to present the activity next week. So please be prepared. Class dismissed.”
Shida’s heart finally rested. Now, she could hear her other classmates gossiping about the fortune of having Ryosuke their groupmate. After class, the last group decided to do the work for the assigned activity.
“Can I go home now?” he plainly questioned. “I’m bored here.”
The other girls sighed and tried to convince the boy not to go home but he insisted.
Can’t he see we’re having our group activity? How dare he leave us alone?
“Whh…” Shida’s mouth was covered by the president.
“No, Yamachan. It’s perfectly fine.” She winked.
Shida faked a smile. “She’s right. We can do it anyway without…your…help.” She tried to make every word clear. The boy looked at her.
“Don’t you worry. This is going to be perfect.” Another pretentious smile was shaped with her lips.
He then jumped off from the scene, uttering, “Thank you.”
Not even feeling sorry…Mirai complained in her mind.
When Ryosuke was already gone, her friend whom she had already known since middle school, Umika whispered to her ear. “Ryo-kun’s so cool, ne? You know what? You two look good together especially the way you stare at each other earlier, I almost wanted to freak out.” She laughed.
“With that ‘extremely talented guy’? That would be a bad idea.”
Later, one of their group mates crazily slammed his pen on the table. “I’m sick of it! I’d rather play basketball the whole day than do Mathematics.”
“Speaking of basketball, do you know guys that Ryochan-my-love just joined basketball the other day?” The class president, who was also their group mate announced.
Everyone’s eyes widened. “Sou ka? I thought he joins the soccer club? And he’s pretty good at it.”
“Izumi’s right.” Their basketball lover classmate intruded. “He really joined our club. But he didn’t quit on soccer.”
“Does it mean he’s included in both clubs?” they cleared. “Won’t it be tiring?”
“Of course, tiring for normal people. Ryosuke’s different. He’s a sport genius. Someone told me he just learned the sport a month ago because of a friend. Now, I must admit. He’s very much good at it.”
“Sugoi!” All of them gasped except Shida who was struck for a moment. Again, her friend murmured, “He’s totally awesome, right? You haven’t joined a club yet. Where do you want to join?”
“I guess I’d have to join the Music club, where I can play the piano.” She cheered up.
“We’ll be together in the club, then.” Umika giggled.
Suddenly, they heard a cellular phone beep. Everyone searched for their own bags. The message was for Shida. “Gomen nasai.” She apologized.
“What?” she exclaimed as she took a glimpse of the message.
Mirai, everyone in the house is gone and I have the key. You should stay at Ryo-chan’s house first. I’ve already informed them and they’ll be going to fetch you two. Take care. Okachan.
The last words were stuck in her head. “Us two?”
“EHH?” Everyone chorused, confused with her actions.
Someone from outside slammed the door open. “Mirai.” The caller said while the girls flailed.
“You’re back, Ryo-kun!” they said.
“Hmm?” Shida asked.
Ryosuke held her by the arm, pulling her to stand up. “Minna, gomen.” Then he turned to Mirai. “Follow me.”
Was it because he’s strong or she just loved the feeling? Mirai didn’t dare to complain. Letting him hold her hand as they exit the building, she remained silent.
“Mirai-chan!” Ryosuke’s older brother called.
“Raiden-kun.” was her reply. She could see his two older siblings, one a male, the other a female. They were giggling seeing them together. By that time, Ryosuke suddenly let go of her hand and rushed in the car. “Let’s go.”
“Matte yo, Ryosuke.” His sister, Ryoko knocked at the car’s closed window. “Won’t you accompany our little angel here? Be a gentleman, okay?”
“Stop it.” He shouted but got out of the car after a few seconds. “Nii-chan will be driving while nee-chan will be on the passenger’s seat. So you have to sit beside me.” Mirai shyly walked towards the car and got in. Soon, Ryosuke followed. Once more, the other two glanced at each other, smiling. “Let’s go.” They chorused.
Mirai spent dinner with their neighbor since her family was not yet home. Just as she expected, they purposely prepared her seat beside the youngest child of the family. Ryosuke didn’t complain though. He even served her food properly…though coldly. She had already been here before, everyday, when she was in her middle school years. His cold expression while doing favors for her was actually what made her fall for him. Perhaps she just could not keep her face from blushing so his family often stares at them or her friend was right. They looked like a lovely couple.
What am I thinking anyway? Focus, Mirai, focus. She reprimanded herself.
“Ano, Ryo-kun. I can serve myself.” She hissed.
“Oh…of course. Please help yourself.”
When the dinner was through, Mirai stayed in the living room, listening to her I-pod. She was alone, for Ryosuke’s parents were already in their room while his siblings surprisingly disappeared. Later on, she eyed the ‘cold’ guy walking towards her. He sat on the sofa and grabbed the other pair of earphone from her.
“Kinki Kids…your favorite.” He smiled.
“Yes,” she mumbled.
“And mine, too.” There was a moment of silence for they were both listening to the song. Mirai, however, felt awkward being with him but she just let it go because she was in his house. The current song was her favorite one and slowly she murmured the lyrics. He turned to the guy beside her when she heard him sing too, just the time she was about to sing. To avoid him, she decided to stop singing.
“I’ll sing Koichi-kun’s lines.” Ryosuke said.
“Huh?”
“I’ll sing Koichi-kun’s lines.” He repeated. “You sing the other’s.”
She plainly nodded and followed. There came a part where they sang together. Mirai felt so comfortable singing with him. Just with simple things, he can make the moment memorable. His smile and the way he looked at her made her almost forgot what he did to her.
What he did to her.
Shida gained back her consciousness. He’s being a playboy again and she mustn’t let herself be his victim. She quickly stood up, taking off the pair of earphone from her ear.
“Nani?” the guy asked.
“I…I don’t want to sing anymore.” She replied. Their attention was caught by the opening of the front door.
“Mirai-chan, Ryo-chan, we brought ice cream here. Let’s eat!” Ryoko grinned.
“Oishi!” Ryosuke exclaimed.
He’s not yet changing. He’s still obsessed with sweets. She let out a smile.
“Hey, Ryosuke.” Raiden said. “Don’t eat everything. Give some for our angel.” He was talking about Mirai.
“Yeah. If you won’t control yourself, you’ll get much fatter and you won’t be able to lose your weight.” His sister added.
Suddenly the doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation. Ryoko stood up to see the visitor.
“Mirai-chan, it’s your mother.”