Lunch break

“Cmon Yuna! Just say hi to him!” Her BFF Azami nudged her while whispering.

Yuna quickly looked away her face turning slightly red. “No… Azami… Look at him and then look at me.. i’d probably trip over my own feet before i got even close..” She felt that familliar wave of insecurity. Her sister Mitsuki always told Yuna that she was to shy for her own good, but Yuna couldnt help it. For Yuna Takashima was like the sun, to bright to look at directly.

Suddenly the atmosphere changed. Reika swept past them, her long hair swinging perfectly. She didn’t just walk. She commanded the space.

Reika knew exactly where Yuna was standing, and she made sure to stop right in front of

Takashima leaning in close.

“Takashima!” Reika chirped, her voice loud

enough to echo. “I was thinking since we both Love Shinkai, that maybe you could come over later. I have the new posters!”

Reika threw a sharp look back at Yuna. It wasn’t just about Takashima, Reika loved to make Yuna feel small. She knew that Shinkai van Yuna’s

Favorite band and she was using it like a

weapon.

Yuna felt a lump in her troat, she wanted to

dissepear. “She is doing it on purpose…” Yuna whispered her voice trembling. “She knows..”

Yuna remained frozen. She watched as Takashima offered Reika a polite, albeit slightly distracted, smile. "Oh, the Shinkai posters? That’s cool, Reika. I didn't know you were into them."

Reika giggled, a sound like glass shattering in Yuna’s ears. "Oh, I adore them. Their lyrics are so... deep, don't you think?" She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, never breaking eye contact with Takashima, though her shoulder was angled pointedly toward Yuna like a shield.

Suddenly, Takashima’s gaze shifted. He looked past Reika’s shoulder, his eyes landing on Yuna. The "sun" was looking directly at her, and for a second, Yuna forgot how to breathe.

"Wait," Takashima said, his voice cutting through Reika’s chatter. "Yuna, right? You were wearing a Shinkai hoodie during the festival last month."

Reika’s smile stiffened. The silence that followed felt like a physical weight.

"I—" Yuna started, her voice cracking. She took a breath, feeling Azami’s supportive hand on her back. "Yes. Their... their new bridge in 'Lunar Echo' is incredible."

Takashima’s face lit up, a genuine, warm glow that made Reika’s calculated charm look dim. "Exactly! That bass line is insane. I've been trying to learn it on guitar but I can't get the timing right."

He took a step toward Yuna, leaving Reika standing in the wake of his movement. The power dynamic shifted in a heartbeat. The sun wasn't too bright to look at—it was simply waiting for her to step out of the shadows.

"You play?" Yuna asked softly, her insecurity still there, but fading under the heat of his interest.

"Trying to," he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe you could help me figure out that rhythm? Since you’re the expert."

Behind them, Reika’s grip on her bag tightened until her knuckles were white, but Yuna didn't notice. For the first time, she wasn't looking at the floor. She was looking right at him.

“Ehm… Yes sounds nice..” Yuna says.

Reika wasn’t used to being background noise. Her eyes narrowed, the "perfect" mask slipping for a fraction of a second as she watched Takashima lean toward Yuna.

"Oh, Takashima," Reika interrupted, sliding back into his line of sight with a sharp, practiced laugh. "I’m sure Yuna is far too busy studying to help you with guitar. Besides," she turned to Yuna, her smile not reaching her eyes, "didn't you say you were struggling with the rhythm section in music class? It might be a bit... advanced for you to teach anyone else."

Yuna felt the old sting of doubt. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but Reika moved faster.

"Actually, Takashima," Reika continued, "my older brother has the professional sheet music for 'Lunar Echo.' Why don't you come over this Friday? We can look at it together, and I can have my driver pick you up. It’ll be much more efficient than... well, guessing."

The invitation was a trap, wrapped in silk. Takashima looked hesitant, his gaze flickering between Reika’s polished confidence and Yuna’s trembling hands.

"I don't know, Reika," Takashima said slowly. "I kind of like the idea of figuring it out by ear. It’s more—"

"And Yuna!" Reika snapped her fingers as if she’d just remembered something trivial. "I almost forgot. Weren't you supposed to help with the cleanup crew for the art club this Friday? I’d hate for you to get in trouble with the faculty because you were... distracted."

It was a blatant lie, but it worked. Yuna felt the eyes of the hallway on her. Reika was making her look like a disorganized student and a mediocre fan all at once. The lump in Yuna’s throat returned, thicker than before.

"I... I should go," Yuna whispered, unable to meet Takashima’s eyes anymore. She turned on her heel, ignoring Azami’s frustrated calls.

"Wait, Yuna!" Takashima called out, but Reika stepped into his path, placing a hand on his arm.

"Let her go, Takashima. You know how shy she is. You’re probably just making her uncomfortable by putting her on the spot." Reika’s voice was pure honey, but as she watched Yuna’s retreating back, a small, triumphant smirk played on her lips. She had reclaimed her territory. Or so she thought.

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