Under One Roof: Riku's Romantic Ruckus

Monday morning hit Yamato High like a whirlwind after the camping trip, the halls buzzing with a mix of exhaustion and gossip. Riku trudged through the front doors, his backpack heavy with muddy clothes and the lingering weight of the trip's revelations. Aiko walked beside him, her smirk firmly in place, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of fatigue. The bus ride home had been a quiet reprieve, their hands clasped under the blanket, but now reality—and the chaos it brought—was back in full force.

"Think they've forgotten the watcher drama yet?" Riku muttered, dodging a group of chattering first-years.

"Not a chance," Aiko replied, her tone dry. "Yuna's probably turned it into a three-act play by now."

As if on cue, Yuna swooped in from the lockers, her grin wide enough to split her face. "Morning, chaos royalty!" she sang, slinging an arm around Riku's shoulders. "Heard you caught Emi red-handed—spill the tea!"

"Shut up," Riku grumbled, shrugging her off. "It's over. Let it die."

"Never," Yuna teased, spinning to face Aiko. "And you—jealous knight showdown with Ren? Iconic."

Aiko's smirk sharpened. "Hardly a showdown. He's all talk."

"Talk that got Emi stalking you," Yuna countered, winking. "Bet she's still pining for our boy here."

Riku groaned, his face heating. "She's not. She was just—"

"Being a creep," Aiko finished, her tone light but her eyes flashing. "Case closed."

Haruka approached, her smile hesitant but warm, cutting through Yuna's barrage. "Morning, guys. You okay after… everything?"

"Yeah," Riku said, grateful for her calm. "Just glad it's done."

Mika slipped in beside Haruka, her book swapped for a notepad, her voice soft but firm. "It's not done," she said, glancing at them. "Ren's been talking in the third-year hall. Bragging about 'almost winning' Aiko."

Aiko's smirk vanished, her jaw tightening. "He's what?"

Riku's stomach twisted, the jealousy from the woods flaring back to life. "He's full of it," he said, more to himself than anyone. "Right?"

"Right," Aiko said, her hand brushing his—a quick, grounding touch. "But I'll handle him."

"Handle him how?" Yuna asked, eyes gleaming. "Catfight? Duel? I need details!"

"Later," Aiko teased, her smirk returning. "When it'll ruin you most."

Yuna cackled, undeterred, and the group split for class, the chaos already churning.

---

### Homeroom Hell

Class 2-B was a pressure cooker when they walked in, whispers and sidelong glances bouncing off the walls. The camping trip had fueled the rumor mill, and Emi's note—now dubbed "The Watcher's Warning" by Yuna's gleeful storytelling—had spread like wildfire. Riku dropped into his seat, Aiko beside him, their knees brushing under the desk as a silent shield.

Mr. Tanaka strode in, clipboard in hand, his usual grin tempered by a flicker of concern. "Alright, settle down," he said, tapping the desk. "I've heard the chatter about the trip. Let's keep it civil—no more notes or sneaking, got it?"

A ripple of giggles answered, and Riku sank lower, his face burning. Aiko smirked, nudging him. "Told you it's a play now."

"Great," he muttered, but her smirk softened the sting.

Emi slipped in late, her head down, avoiding their eyes as she took her seat across the room. Riku felt a pang—she'd apologized, and her awkward honesty had defused some of his anger—but the unease lingered. Had she really just been warning them about Ren? Or was there more?

Haruka leaned over from her seat, her voice low. "She's been quiet since we got back. I think she's embarrassed."

"She should be," Aiko said, her tone clipped. "Stalker vibes don't win friends."

Haruka frowned but didn't argue, and Mika glanced up from her notepad. "Ren's the real problem," she said softly. "He's spreading stories."

Aiko's smirk turned cold. "Then I'll shut him up."

Before Riku could ask how, the bell rang, and class rolled on, the whispers a constant hum beneath the lessons.

---

### Lunch Showdown

Lunch brought the storm to a head. The group claimed their usual rooftop spot, bentos spread out on the concrete, the autumn breeze cool against their skin. Aiko sprawled beside Riku, her legs stretched out, her tank top slipping as she leaned back—a fleeting distraction that had him blushing before refocusing.

Yuna plopped down, grinning. "So, what's the plan? Confront Ren? Ambush Emi again?"

"No ambushes," Riku said, shoving a rice ball into his mouth. "Let's just—"

"Let me handle it," Aiko cut in, her tone sharp. "Ren's mine."

Haruka frowned. "Be careful, Aiko. He's got a big mouth and bigger friends."

"I'm not scared," Aiko said, smirking. "He's all bark."

Mika nodded, scribbling in her notepad. "He's in the courtyard now. Third-years are hyping him up."

Aiko stood, brushing off her skirt. "Perfect. Let's go, knight."

Riku scrambled up, catching her hand. "You sure?"

"Dead sure," she said, her smirk a blade. "Come watch me work."

They descended to the courtyard, the group trailing like a mismatched posse. Ren lounged against a picnic table, surrounded by third-years, his laugh loud as he recounted some exaggerated tale—likely about Aiko. Riku's jaw clenched, but Aiko squeezed his hand, her stride confident.

"Hey, Ren," she called, her voice cutting through the chatter. The courtyard hushed, heads turning.

Ren's smirk faltered, then widened. "Aiko! Come to join the fun?"

"Hardly," she said, stepping into his space, her smirk cold. "Heard you've been talking about me. Care to say it to my face?"

The third-years snickered, but Ren held his ground, his grin smug. "Just telling the truth—camping was a blast with you around."

"Funny," she shot back, "I remember you running scared when we caught you creeping."

His smirk twitched. "Creeping? I was—"

"Watching," Riku interjected, stepping up beside her. "And bragging about something that never happened."

Ren's eyes narrowed, his bravado cracking. "You're full of it, Sato."

"Am I?" Riku said, his voice steady. "Or are you just mad she picked me?"

The courtyard erupted in gasps and whispers, the third-years shifting uncomfortably. Aiko's smirk turned triumphant. "Face it, Ren—you're a wannabe. Stick to your fantasies."

Ren's face reddened, but before he could retort, Yuna swooped in, grinning. "Ooh, burn! Someone get this man some ice!"

Laughter rippled through the crowd, and Ren's crew dispersed, leaving him glaring but deflated. "Whatever," he muttered, stalking off.

Aiko turned to Riku, her smirk softening. "Nice assist, knight."

"Had to," he said, grinning. "Couldn't let you have all the fun."

She nudged his shoulder, their hands brushing as they headed back to the roof, the group trailing with cheers and jabs.

---

### Aftermath

Dinner at home was a quiet affair, his parents still processing the trip's fallout. Hana's gaze lingered on Riku and Aiko, her tone careful. "Heard you had an eventful weekend."

"Yeah," Riku said, keeping it vague. "Team stuff."

"Mm-hmm," she said, sipping her tea. "No more drama, right?"

"Trying," Aiko said, her foot nudging his under the table—a silent *we're fine*.

Later, they lingered in the hallway, the house hushed. Aiko leaned against her door, her pajamas loose, her smirk warm. "Day one back," she said, brushing his cheek. "Not bad."

"Could've been worse," he agreed, catching her hand. "You were badass out there."

"Always am," she teased, pulling him into a quick, fierce kiss. "Night, knight."

"Night," he murmured, watching her slip inside, the chaos settling—for now.

But as he turned to his room, Emi's quiet apology echoed in his mind. The trip was over, but the ripples weren't done spreading.

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