Chapter 13 - The Cracks Behind the Smile
The morning sun stretched lazily over the quiet neighborhood. Rinako Fujii stood in front of the bathroom mirror, hair tied in two playful buns, wearing her usual pants and loose sweater combo. She adjusted her glasses, puffed her cheeks, and tried a few different expressions.
"Hmm... serious Rinako... sad Rinako... QUEEN Rinako!" she giggled, striking silly poses.
From the kitchen, her father's voice echoed, "Rinako, if you keep talking to the mirror, it'll start charging rent!"
She burst out laughing. "Dad, you say that every day!"
"Because you talk to it every day!"
Her mother added, "Don't forget your lunch. It's heavy today!"
Rinako grinned, grabbing the bentō box with a cute panda print. "Everything I carry is heavy, Mom!"
"And that includes your charm, sweetheart," her dad winked.
She chuckled and ran off to catch the bus.
---
At college, the trio arrived together—Haruki, Rinako, and Kenji.
This was a new normal. Kenji, who used to walk with a permanent smirk and aggressive swagger, now carried himself with quiet confidence. After the event where Haruki saved Kenji's little sister, something clicked in him.
He wasn't perfect. Still a little loud, a bit too honest, but he didn't bully anymore. He even apologized once to a junior who flinched when he passed by.
"Kenji," Rinako whispered as they entered the class, "Did you just... hold the door for someone?"
"Tch. I'm trying not to be trash, okay? Don't make a big deal."
Haruki chuckled. "Growth looks good on you."
"Shut it, nerd."
As they entered, whispers started flowing.
"Is that the same Kenji?" one guy muttered.
"And Haruki... he's so cool now. Confident. Calm. He even dresses better."
Girls giggled. One of them—Saya—looked particularly interested. She had a crush on Haruki since last week and was bold enough to approach him.
"Hey... Haruki-kun," she said, blocking his way near the stairs.
He tilted his head. "Oh, hello."
She smiled. "Can I talk to you... alone? Just for a minute."
Kenji elbowed Rinako playfully. "Ooooh, lover boy's getting hunted."
Haruki stepped aside with Saya. She played with her hair nervously.
"I just wanted to say... I really admire you. The way you've changed, stayed calm, helped Kenji... it's cool. You're like, amazing now. Would you like to go out sometime?"
Haruki blinked. A soft surprise passed his face. For a moment, he thought about how much had changed.
"If Rinako hadn't pulled me out of that pit... would this girl still talk to me?"
He smiled gently.
"I'm flattered. But no. I'm not looking for anything right now."
Saya's smile cracked slightly. "Oh... okay. Sure."
Behind her smile brewed disappointment—and something darker.
---
Rinako didn't notice the storm coming. She was still her usual self, humming a tune, walking toward her locker when it began.
The hallway was nearly empty. Just three girls lingering near the lockers.
One of them—Saya—stood with arms crossed.
"Look who's here," she sneered. "Miss fatty-friend. Tagging along with the popular boys, huh?"
Rinako froze.
Another girl chimed in. "Seriously. You think you can just joke with Kenji and Haruki like you're some kind of princess? News flash—you look like a squashed bun."
"You know," Saya stepped closer, voice low and venomous, "I asked Haruki out. He said no. Maybe it's because of you. Maybe you've brainwashed him with your stupid lunchboxes and clingy act."
Rinako opened her locker silently.
"He'd look better without you by his side. You just make him look ugly by comparison. And trust me, that's hard."
There was silence. Rinako didn't speak. She didn't fight. Her eyes just stared blankly at the locker.
They left laughing, tossing one last jab: "Fat cow."
---
The next morning was different.
Haruki noticed it first.
Rinako wasn't smiling. Her usual energetic vibe was missing. She walked slower. Talked less.
Kenji frowned. "Yo... where's the sparkle today, shortcake?"
"Nowhere," she said softly, avoiding eye contact.
As she passed by the mirror near the hallway, she looked at her reflection—and didn't recognize it.
For the first time, her eyes watered.
"I thought I could handle it... I thought smiling would make it okay."
But today, the smile cracked.
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