The bell signaling the end of the school day echoed through the halls. Students streamed out of the building, their conversations blending into a lively buzz. Riku adjusted his bag, hoping to avoid any further encounters with Yumi. She'd been relentless with her teasing lately, and his heart couldn't take much more of it.
He glanced around cautiously, making sure the coast was clear. No sign of Yumi. Breathing a sigh of relief, he headed toward the convenience store near the school.
The store was modest but well-stocked, a haven for students grabbing snacks or a quick bite before heading home. The cool air inside was a welcome contrast to the warm afternoon. Riku wandered the aisles, eyeing the instant ramen section.
As he reached for a pack of miso-flavored noodles, his shoulder brushed against someone.
"Watch it, kid," a gruff voice snapped.
Riku turned to see a tall guy with a scowl that could curdle milk. The guy grabbed Riku by the collar, lifting him slightly off the ground.
"You blind or just stupid?" the man growled, his breath reeking of cigarettes.
The tension in the store thickened. A few customers glanced over nervously, while the cashier hesitated behind the counter.
"I-I didn't mean to—" Riku stammered, panic rising in his chest.
"Hey!"
The familiar voice cut through the tension like a blade. Yumi strode toward them, her eyes sharp and unyielding.
"Let him go," she demanded, her voice firm and cold.
The guy sneered. "And who are you supposed to be?"
"Someone who doesn't have time for your nonsense." Yumi's tone was cold. "Unless you want the whole store watching you get humiliated by a high school girl, I'd suggest you walk away."
The man hesitated, clearly weighing his options. After a tense moment, he released Riku with a shove. "Whatever," he muttered, stalking off.
Riku stumbled but managed to regain his balance. His face burned with embarrassment as murmurs faded back into the hum of store activity.
"You okay?" Yumi asked, brushing invisible dust off his shoulder.
"I-I guess," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"You guess?" Yumi tilted her head, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "I just saved your life, you know."
Riku's ears turned red. "It wasn't that serious."
Yumi leaned in closer, her grin widening. "Your face says otherwise, Mr. Tomato."
"Can you not call me that here?" he groaned, glancing around to see if anyone had overheard.
"No promises."
They made their way to the store's small seating area, where Yumi plopped down at a table. "Grab us two bowls of ramen, will you?" she said, grinning mischievously.
Riku sighed but stood up, heading to the ramen shelves. He returned with two steaming bowls from the self-service station, setting one in front of Yumi.
"You're so reliable," she teased. "Like a proper sidekick."
"I'm not a sidekick," Riku grumbled, sitting across from her.
"Keep telling yourself that, Mr. Tomato."
"You didn't have to do that," Riku said, sitting across from her.
"Consider it my protection fee," she quipped.
Riku fidgeted with his chopsticks, still feeling flustered. "Thanks... for what you did back there."
Yumi was startled before her expression softened, though mischief still danced in her eyes. "Anytime. Though I have to say, it was kind of cute seeing you all flustered."
"I'm not cute," he grumbled, his ears turning red.
"Debatable," she said with a smile.
Looking down, she saw steam still rising from the bowls. Yumi clapped her hands together. "Itadakimasu!"
Riku followed suit, grateful for the distraction. They ate in silence, the warm broth soothing his nerves.
"You know," Yumi said between bites, "you're pretty fun to mess with."
"I noticed," Riku deadpanned.
"But seriously," she added, "you should stand up for yourself more."
"I was about to," he lied.
Yumi raised an eyebrow. "Sure you were, Mr. Tomato."
Riku sighed, knowing he'd never hear the end of that nickname.
As they finished their meal, Yumi leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "That hit the spot."
"You eat here often?" Riku asked, trying to change the subject.
"Sometimes," she said, her chopsticks tapping the edge of her empty bowl. "But usually I'm too busy keeping my eye on you at school. You get lost in your head a lot, don't you?"
Riku frowned. "I do not."
"Uh-huh." Yumi leaned forward, her grin mischievous. "So deep in thought that you don't even notice me waving at you sometimes."
Riku's ears burned again. "I'm not that oblivious."
"Sure, sure," Yumi teased. "But hey, I don't mind keeping you company. You're entertaining."
"Thanks... for everything," Riku said again, quieter this time.
Yumi smiled. "You're welcome."
After a short pause, she continued. "How about you repay me by coming with me tomorrow? I need to buy some clothes."
Startled by the sudden question, Riku froze. "Huh?"
Without him even agreeing, she jumped up from her seat. "Great! See you tomorrow, Riku," she said cheerfully.
Taking her bag, she left, leaving Riku there staring into the space where she sat, a dumbfounded expression on his face.
Riku, shaking his head with a small smile, muttered, "Why is my life like this?"
The store offered no answers, only the lingering warmth of ramen and the echo of Yumi's teasing voice.