That night, Rina arrived home with a huge smile on her face that she couldn't wipe away. She greeted her parents, showed them her certificate, and their proud faces made her heart feel full. But deep down, there was another feeling that was taking over her whole body.
She changed into her pajamas and lay down on her bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. The room was dark and quiet, perfect for sleeping.
But Rina couldn't close her eyes.
She turned to her side, looking at her bag placed on the chair. There, hanging proudly, was the little white cat keychain Luna gave her. It glowed softly under the moonlight.
Rina reached out and held her own chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Her heart was beating fast, even when she was just lying down.
"Why..." Rina whispered to the empty room. "Why can't I stop thinking about her?"
Images started flashing in her mind like a movie.
She remembered how Luna looked during the exam cool and confident. She remembered how Luna intentionally got second place just to make her happy. "Seeing you happy is more important to me than any trophy."
What did she means by that? Why? She's doing this to me? I feel like I'm a lovesick fool.
She remembered the warmth of Luna's hand when they walked together. She remembered how Luna smelled like fresh rain and mint. She remembered how close their faces got in the library, and how deep Luna's eyes were.
"She's just my rival..." Rina mumbled, squeezing her pillow tight. "She's just... my friend."
But her heart was screaming otherwise.
Rina realized something. Before, when she thought of Luna, she only felt pressure and the urge to compete. She wanted to beat her. She wanted to be better than her.
But now...
Now, when she thinks of Luna, she doesn't feel the need to compete anymore. She just feels... warm. Safe. Happy.
She remembered how Luna teased her, calling her "Rina-chan" or "Miss Perfect". Before, it annoyed her. Now, it made her cheeks turn red just thinking about it.
'She looked at me with such soft eyes...' Rina thought, covering her face with her hands to hide her blush even though no one was there. 'Why does she make me feel like I'm the only person in the room? Sometimes it's annoying me but I don't know why? '
Rina rolled over and buried her face in her pillow.
"I think.. I have a crush on her, No. I think I like her," she admitted quietly, her voice trembling. "No... not just like. I think I... I love her?"
The moment she said those words, her whole body felt like it was on fire. Her heart was racing like crazy.
It felt scary. It felt new. Because they were both girls. Because they were supposed to be enemies, rivals. But it also felt... right in a way makes me feel something real.
It felt like the missing piece of the puzzle finally fit in place.
All this time, Luna wasn't just her rival. Luna was the person who understood her. The person who saw her effort when no one else did. The person who sacrificed everything just to see her smile.
"She's so stupid, I hate her sometimes." Rina whispered, tears slightly prickling the corners of her eyes from how happy and confused she felt. "Why does she have to be so nice? Why does she have to be so perfect? Why she's annoying me sometimes? I really don't understand her. "
She looked at the keychain again.
"Luna..."
Rina smiled in the dark. A shy, genuine, loving smile.
The serious, study-obsessed girl was gone. In her place was a girl who had fallen deeply, hopelessly in love.
"I wait for tomorrow..." Rina whispered, closing her eyes finally. "I want to see you again, Luna."
And with that sweet thought in her mind, Rina finally drifted off to sleep, dreaming of grey eyes and warm smiles.
To be continued in chapter 8>>>(っ˘ڡ˘ς)