Coffee and the gossips, talks spread like a wildfire.
Cafe Martinez.
Ting the door bell of the cafe ring,
Rya stepped inside, she looked around until finally she looked at the girls sitting at the table.
She walks over to them, than sat beside the Mami. "What are you girls talking about?" She said, Taking her sun glass down. "Not much just about Reze senpai new target?" Hanabi said. "I mean do you know something Rya senpai, you are good friends with her."
"Why would I know something like that?" She said. While waveing her hand and calling a waiter. A espresso she said. He noted it down and nodded. Tthan anything else." He said. "No, wait or maybe get a cheese cake slice." Sure as he left.
Rina says "I mean at first I thought it will be Yoshimura kun, let's be honest even though Nana senpai entered him into the club, Reze senpai president was the one who introduced him personally and said Mayama senpai to show him around, the guy who never cared for others, But is a loyal friends to Reze senpai."
"Than there was that vibe, feeling and the look between them too, it felt like a forbidden secret that they hold. But now I hear Reze senpai gone on a date with the Kazama from our year." I guess we were wrong." Asuza said. "Heyy... Are you mad, remember after party of the college orientation I heard they left together, senpai and Senkai." Than I've found them just few days ago meeting out together in a club, Hanabi said. For sure I don't know but there's something between them for sure."
"What?" Rya said. "Kazama? She gone on a date with him. I thought she was going to hook up Senkai." But where this mascot kazama came in picture, she thought. "Who did you heard it from?"
"Hm... Who else kazama himself, he was grining like a idiot going on a date with the president. Than he was showing off that they had a such a nice date and all." I doubt Reze would even care much of that bafoon, Rya thought, if she wanted him she could have had him ages ago...
Just as the waiter came back with the order. He put the Cheese cake at her side and coffee than left quietly saying "enjoy."
Rya said. Taking a sip, "as I was saying, so you are curious in as Reze is toying with a another man or not."
A silence in the table...
"Uh, yeah senpai, Hanabi said quietly. "But why are you being so serious, now all of a sudden...?" Mami said. From the side. "Frankly speaking to me, Rya says it feels like Reze her heart and mind are just not colliding well, I mean that just my opinion as her friend."
"Heart and mind?" What just, "What do you exactly mean senpai?" Stop talking about it already! Mami said. Rya continues ignoring mami, "let's say it's a feeling of a connection with the person you like. But at the same time your mind rejects it. Your heart feels like it's want it, carve it, but your body and mind rejects it."
"It's same as the cheese cake, I like it, But my mind rejects it when I get fat. Why? to maintain my figure. It's same as that she is running away from the Yoshimura kun, and going on a date with kazama cuz to her it feels logical, and safe and it is saving something for her."
"But what can it be she is getting save from, or gaining from it?" Hanabi said. Rya leaned in, her both hands crossed elbows rested at the table, "what do you think?"
Hanabi swallowed.
Rina looked at Azusa.
Mami clicked her tongue. "You're making it sound like she's some tragic heroine in a romance drama." Rya tilted her head slightly, a slow smile touching her lips. "Isn't she?"
Silence.
The cafe hummed around them — cups clinking, low chatter, the espresso machine hissing. But their table felt sealed off. Azusa spoke first. "If she's avoiding Yoshimura-kun… then it means he matters doesn't it."
Rya took another calm sip of her coffee, Exactly."
Rina frowned. "But Senkai doesn't even look like someone she'd go for. He's… quiet. Observant. bit weird and he doesn't even care."
"And that," Rya said softly, "is precisely why."
Mami crossed her arms. "So you're saying she's scared? "Not scared," Rya corrected. But "Threatened."
They blinked. "When someone doesn't orbit around you," she continued, "when they don't melt because you smiled at them… you lose control."
Hanabi's eyes widened slightly. "Yoshimura-kun doesn't react like the others that's true for sure."
"No, He does," Rya replied. "But not in the way she's used to." She says while she cut a small piece of cheesecake, studying it before speaking again. "With the Kazama, it's easy. He likes her loudly. Publicly. He announces dates to show her off. He grins like he won a trophy."
A faint scoff left her lips
But "With Senkai… it's quiet, slow like the time itself is moving slowly."
The girls leaned closer unconsciously.
"There's a tension there," Rya continued. "The kind that doesn't need a witnesses." Azusa whispered, "So she's choosing the safer option?" Rya voice quiet "Yes." "And what is she saving herself from?" Hanabi asked again.
Rya's gaze sharpened. "From falling first." Words dropped heavily between them, Mami went quiet this time.
Rina murmured, "But Reze senpai she doesn't fall." Rya smiled knowingly, "She already did." The girls froze.
Rya leaned back, lifting her cup again like she hadn't just detonated something on the table. "She just refuses to admit it, cuz If she chooses Kazama, she stays in control. He will stay in her control like always. But If she lets Yoshimura-kun get closer… she gets in risk, risk of being seen."
"Seen how exactly?" Azusa asked. "For who she actually is." she replied back.
A beat passed.
Hanabi hesitated. "Then what is she planning?"
Rya's eyes drifted to the cafe window. Outside, students passed by, laughing in groups.
"She's testing him," she said finally. "Pushing him. Pulling him. Seeing how far he'll stand there without walking away. "But if he walks away?" Rina asked.
Rya's expression turned unreadable. "Then she'll pretend she never cared. Mami finally muttered, "That's cruel. "No," Rya replied calmly. "That's defensive for her."
Another silence settled.
Then Azusa asked the question that none of them had dared to say, "Do you think Yoshimura-kun knows?"
Rya's her lips curved faintly, "Oh," she said softly. "He knows." She placed her fork down with a quiet click. But he's waiting" For what?" Hanabi whispered.
Rya continued, slipping her sunglasses back on.
"For her to choose him," she said. "Not because she's afraid of losing control… but because she wants him." She adjusted her bag over her shoulder.
"And when that happens…".
Her smile returned — slow, almost dangerous.
"That's when things will truly begin."
Mami said, "Hey why do you keep talking about weird Stuff about Senpai! "Looks like our Mami, the vice president is again waiging her tail to save president Reze." Rina said.
"STOP WITH YOUR NONSENSE! Mami short back at her. Hey Rina, control yourself..., Don't you feel embarrassing talking behind your senpais back like this."
"You are saying that's it's embarrassing? I'm embarrassing you?" Rina said.
"Do your friends even know you are this kind of person? Acting so inocent usually... Please have some self respect in public." Mami said.
"Self respect?" Rina laughed once — sharp and humorless. "That's rich coming from you, Mami." The words dropped onto the table like a glass shattering.
Mami's eyes narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean? Rina leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms slowly. Her voice wasn't loud — but it carried. "I mean… the way you bark every time someone says something about Reze senpai."
Azusa shifted uncomfortably, "Rina." she said. Hanabi quietly stared at her cup. Rina tilted her head, "You act like her personal guard dog."
Mami's hand slammed lightly on the table.
"Stop laughing and Watch your mouth."
"Oh?" Rina smiled thinly. "Did I hit too close?"
Mami's jaw tightened. "You don't know anything about the club Mami said. "Neither do you," Rina shot back. "You just pretend you do because you're the vice president."
Air around the table turned stiff, Even the sound of the espresso machine felt distant. Hanabi whispered nervously, "Guys… maybe we should—"
"Stay out of it," both girls said at the same time.
Rya, meanwhile, calmly took another bite of cheesecake while a smile went through her lips.
She watched them like someone observing a chess game.
Mami leaned forward now. "At least I respect my seniors and what are you so smug about." Rina's eyes sharpened, "You call that respect?" She leaned forward too. "Or is it worship?"
Mami's cheeks flushed red."You're unbelievable."
"No," Rina said quietly, her voice suddenly colder. "What's unbelievable is how blind you are."
"Huh, Mami said. Azusa blinked. But Rina didn't stop, "You think protecting Reze senpai like this makes you loyal." She pointed lightly at the table."But you're not protecting her reputation,
With a pause. But You're protecting the illusion."
Mami froze. For a moment… something flickered in her expression. But it vanished just as quickly.
"You talk like you understand her," Mami said coldly. "But you're just another girl gossiping behind her back in a café."
Rina smirked. "And you're another girl that's pretending she knows her."
Silence fell again, Heavy.
The tension at the table now had nothing to do with Reze Or Senkai. But It was personal.
Rya wiped the corner of her mouth with an napkin, finally speaking again like a someone's casually interrupting a storm. "You two are both wrong."
Four pairs of eyes turned to her.
She set the fork down gently. "You're arguing like this is about loyalty." Her sunglasses hid her eyes, but the faint smile on her lips remained.
But neither of you actually understand the real problem."
Azusa blinked. "Then what is it…?"
Rya leaned back in her chair. "The problem isn't Kazama. She tapped her finger softly against the coffee cup. "And it isn't Yoshimura-kun either."
Hanabi frowned."Then what is it?"
Rya's smile deepened slightly. "The problem, she said calmly, is that Reze is running out of time."
The girls stared at her.
Mami frowned. "What does that even mean?"
Rya said."You'll see soon enough." She pushed her sunglasses up the bridge of her nose."…don't say I didn't warn you."
"Fine aside that Rina, Mami said. Pointing the display of her phone at her, Look! My group member from that online class you told me take."
Rina says "are you talking about the group assignment?"
The message chat
•••
Hi,
•••
Are you Kaide, I'm Mami fro–
•••
He replied, Sorry i have a girlfriend already.
I'm blocking you now.
•••
Hey i'm texting you about the play script analysis group assignment.
•••
Because the group.
•••
we are the group.
•••
a group.
•••
Fuck you. Replie bastard.
"I heard that this bastard he dropped this semester to join the army, this son of a bitch!?" Mami said. "Laughing Pffft, Ha, ha, ha! I'm sorry Mami but this is just too funny, or maybe you are just too unlucky." Hanabu said. Looking at it, "This type of thing does happen in real life too."
"Don't you think you are laughing too much Mami said. Fuck now I need to send e-mail... Troublesome as fuck this bastard is."
Rya smirked this guy is too funny.
Mami thought looking at the group chat, If I flunk this class I won't be able to continue my scholarship...
"Eh? " Ting, a message notification.
•••
We are changing the leads Mami, this time around Senkai and senna will be the lead actors for the college festival play.
•••
Script will be done by Miyamura, subjected to editing.
•••
We will split up in different groups in our next club meeting and preparations.
Sigh... "Just what is Reze senpai is upto again?Why is she asking to change the leads at the last minute again? and Senna to be the lead actress again?"
Hm.. Did they get into a disagreement again Rya said."
"I'll think she is stirring something crazy again?" Mami said. As she remember...
———
In the past: Clubroom.
"Senpai what is the meaning of this? Why did you change the script without the constent? Mami said."
"You are being too noisy Mami." Reze said.
"At least state your reason for doing this! Mami said. Rya coming in front of Reze said, "calm down Mami."
"Senpai, didn't you like Senna a lot than? Why are you doing this to her?" Mami said. Reze short back. "Well who asked her to mess with me." "Just like that? are you kidding me?" Mami said.
"This is such a Chore get out of my way now, i'm busy we'll talk about this some other time." Reze said.
Rya Sighed. "Mami let's go out get some fresh air. Rya said. Pushing her put with herself...
Than Mami followed her out...
———
Rooftop of the college building.
The sun was setting in the sky...
They stood before the raling, "...what should we do now, this is so frustrating?" Mami said.
"Senna must be shocked too. Rya said. So, let's Not interfere between the two of them. Putting the smoke put of her mouth she continued. "So don't go provoking Reze for now."
"You want me to leave them alone?" Mami said.
"Judging from Senna's personality, she'll only feel uncomfortable if we try to comfort her now—" Rya said.
"What if she quiets the club...?" Mami said from the side. "If she wants to... It may be better for her this way..." Rya said.
"If Senna quits I'm going to beat the shit out of Reze that bitch," Mami said.
Rya laughed, "you will lose."
Rya, she exhaled the smoke. "Finne i'll Moniter the situation first and have a talk with the Senna, Reze gets like this from time to time. So try to be more understanding."
"But i can't! I don't understand her actions at all! Mami said."
Rya says "I know–, I know–, this time she really went overboard, I will talk to her as well. But anyway Mami did you know." Amano Reze, your Senpai is actually very soft hearted, i'm sure she's hiding underneath her blanket at home regretting her decisions at this very moment, She will probably be thinking. "Hm... i'm being too much, why did I do that? Got it Mami."
Mami said, "Yeah..."
"It's going to be fine, Senna that brat is mentally very strong, her will is even stronger than Vibranium." Rya said. "Yeah compared to her, Reze Senpai heart is like a glass." Mami said.
"Haha, you are right. I'm sure If I make up my mind I can make Reze cry in few seconds..."
———
Back to Present—
"I really don't understand what is she thinking Mami muttered."
"Rina says when Senna just joined the club even Reze senpai has said that Senna she was a genius and liked her so much, but now it has become like this all of a sudden, that's why even I'll find the tension between them even more surprising. I thought Reze senpai liked her so much."
"Reze senpai has always had such a strong Ego all this while, did something hurt her pride that has caused her to act this way?" Asuza said.
"What is it? What is it? Is it because of the size of her breasts?" Hanabi said, Even though she understands nothing, So they weren't at the odds with each other from the start... Than what the other club seniors said, were all rumors..."
"Hm.. Hanabi, Rya said. Don't tell me you are the one who spread rumors about Senna being targeted by the Reze and telling others not to talk to her right?"
Hanabi went, "Eeep!
"Mami says Hey Hanabi, Don't go around spreading weird rumors okay?"
"Ah.. Fine I'm sorry..." Hanabi said.
Mami Sigh... "Anyway it looks like Senna, is quite cheerful Lately, Reze senpai, mood also seems to be better... Whatever forget it. I'm leaving gotta do something about my assignment."
Rya said, Byeee girl...
They all wave bye as Mami left, ting the sound of cafe door bell came.
———
Somewhere else at the Rehearsal room.
Senkai he sat at the ground, looking at same P&M group chat, message as Mami.
Hm... I just discovered that i'm the lead actor of this upcoming play after checking my SNS. This is just too absurd so i decided to ask Reze about it.
I've messaged, "?"
•••
She replied a "?"
And a battle of the question marks begins.
Does it even make sense to let a Newcomer like me to be the lead actor? So stressful.
Just what is she plotting? He Sighs...
———
To be continue...