I’m My Own High School Rival: Nakamura’s Arc: Heritage

  I had waited all weekend to see him again, counting the hours, chasing down the minutes between trembling fingers. But now I didn't know what to say because he looked… different, real, like something had chipped away at something precious.

  I wiggled in my chair as Ms. Igarashi expined the assignment: a group project using the nine answers from the previous task.

  "Like always, you've got the rest of the period to work on your task. I don't like repeating myself, so if you missed something, good luck."

  Oh, Ms. Igarashi. Your way with words works nerves I forgot I had. I respect you, but please be gentle. They're just children, after all.

  "Carter," I said, heart stoked in slow-burning cinders, "would you like to work with me?"

  No! I should have been more assertive. "Carter, work with me in more ways than one…"

  He took a deep breath as if something were weighing on him. "Sure, Nakamura," he said, smiling, but something was… different.

  I touched my bottom lip inquisitively while leaning towards him. "Are you alright?" His light blue uniform was well-pressed, his hair sharp, and he didn't have noticeable bruises that would hint at domestic trouble.

  "I'm fine, Nakamura. Thanks for asking." His voice was weary, and his smile wasn't as sure as it typically was.

  "Hey," Antwon said, "How was your… weekend?"

  It was filled with thoughts of you, trying to figure out what we are. I tried to name this feeling, but I can't.

  "My weekend was… challenging to say the least. How was yours?"

  His eyes found the floor before meeting my eyes again. His mouth parted slightly, as if he wanted to speak but didn't.

  "What's wrong?"

  He shook his head, as if he was thinking of an escape from my question.

  "Nakamura, did you—go anywhere over the weekend?"

  I didn't have to consider his question for too long because I didn't. I didn't have the funds to support a vish outing, let alone a humble one.

  "I can't say I did. We aren't in a position to spend without recourse after all." I ughed nervously; the thought of ughing at my impoverished state made me more nervous.

  "I see… Nakamura, do you want to go with me to Tokyo?"

  Dread housed its ugly face in my chest.

  "Tokyo, Antwon?"

  Cold chills ran down my spine, causing me to shiver in April's warmth.

  "Antwon, you… You shouldn't go to Tokyo because it's dangerous."

  "Why is it dangerous, Nakamura? What's so risky about entering the Silent Orchard's territory?"

  At least he's informed enough to know who runs that area.

  "The Orchard is as close to neutral as it gets, but it comes with a price not even most cn members want to pay."

  Antwon's eyes found the floor again, and then the whiteboard, and the empty desk behind me, softly biting his lip.

  "The Orchard has what's called a KOS."

  His eyes found mine as he mouthed the letters.

  "Kill on sight. Cn and non-cn fall under their KOS mandate."

  He frowned.

  "Surely, every cn doesn't—"

  "Every cn signed off on the KOS under the agreement that the Orchard doesn't expand their territory, and route any kind of movement outside of Tokyo through a rigorous network."

  "Okay, css, make sure you include relevant images. Rice farmers in baseball hats ain't even funny, Shimizu."

  My eyes snapped to Ms. Igrashi, who was leaning over another student's desk, scolding her artwork.

  "Antwon—"

  "Thanks, Nakamura, but I've had enough," he said with a dejected face and tone.

  I slowly reached for his shoulder to provide him comfort, as trembling, anxious fingers inched toward him, breaching the stifled space between us—

  A gentle knock at the door.

  Ms. Igarashi pced the poster paper back on the desk and made her way to the door, but no introduction was needed; we all knew who it was.

  She slightly opened the door, providing only a sliver into the cssroom so that she could peer out. However, shock appeared on her face, flinging the door ajar. Ms. Igarashi stood to the side and bowed her head.

  But this isn't right. Ms. Igarashi never bowed to anyone while I was in school.

  Christina walked into the cssroom in a gray silken dress, embroidered with her cn's symbol on the back. I had heard rumors of such regalia: sprouts wore them when they acted as envoys or messengers of death. But even they were forbidden from wearing them without permission.

  The cssroom stood and bowed in tandem; all save for Antwon, who was longingly gazing at the window.

  The sound of expensive shoes could be heard marching in front of the room. Then the sound became more defined—she was walking down the aisle that separated Antwon and me.

  No one dared to raise their heads, not even Ms. Igarashi, until she was seated. But Christina's feet stopped. I could see her dazzling gray shoes and white socks. But one foot lifted out of existence, followed by a loud thump, like she kicked something hard.

  "Stand up—now—bow."

  I wish I could stop her—could look at him—comfort him. I wish I had half his bite.

  "Wa… Good boy. Stay like that until I'm seated."

  Christina's feet advanced to her desk as I retreated into my hole, burying any notion of bravery.

  We waited for the sound of her royal base to bestow grace upon her chair.

  She sat, and so did we.

  The whispers started immediately after we sat down. I wanted to turn around in my chair to see if Christina had noticed Antwon's shift in disposition.

  I squeezed my notebook, filled with answers from st week's assignment, as I searched for resolutions to my current situation. I turned to look at Antwon, to beckon him over, but I heard Christina get out of her chair, and within moments, she pced her chair next to Antwon's desk.

  I squeezed tighter, biting my bottom lip because she had noticed.

  "Antwon, we talked about this," Christina whispered, "you need to adjust to our social customs."

  Antwon still looked hollow, as if something had dug out his rebellious spirit; he didn't even make eye contact.

  "Why, you know I don't care for your status."

  My nerves had shot. The Court had killed whole families for Antwon's level of disrespect.

  "I could kill you for saying that, Antwon."

  My eyes shot open, and my body shook. I had to do something, but right now, she carries the weight of her whole court with its authority.

  “Yeah… maybe you should…”

  The whispers continued, cutting through the air like broken gss, shattered against iron words.

  I waited, listening to murmurs, waiting for crity.

  "Antwon… What's wrong with you?" I gnced in their direction, and Christina had pced her hand on his shoulder—the shoulder I was going to comfort.

  "Please don't touch me."

  His eyes met hers, and for a second, they didn't say anything.

  "The weekend is supposed to refresh you, or did you not get that memo either?"

  He didn't ugh or make a joke out of it. Instead, Antwon closed his eyes and covered his face with both hands.

  Was he going to cry in the middle of css? That would damage Christina's reputation.

  His hands slid down his cheeks and back to the desk. He was smiling the most disingenuous smile I'd ever seen from him.

  "I'm fine, so leave me alone, okay."

  I could only see Christina's bun, but her back straightened. I didn't know what it meant.

  Antwon went back to gazing at the window, leaving us behind to some greater exploration, causing me to wonder about the source of his hurt.

  Christina stood up and hovered over Antwon's desk. Antwon didn't notice, but the css did.

  Students whispered, questioning whether we should stand up, too. But Ms. Igarashi remained seated. I bit my bottom lip, expecting the worst for Antwon.

  Please notice her before—

  Christina grabbed him by the colr, pulling Antwon from his seat. As he turned his head, I could see shock fsh across his face. But he said nothing. She dragged him, colr in hand, by her side to the front of the cssroom and out the door.

  I wanted to scream. I could feel my eyes water, darting around the room, finding Ms. Igarashi, who went back to work, as if nothing had happened. I grabbed at my hair, trying to figure something out, but my empty thoughts were all I could manage.

  Antwon…

  ***

  I'm sick of this little shit thinking I won't treat him like the rest of this school.

  I dragged Antwon out of Igarashi's cssroom. He kept trying to stand up, but I wouldn't let him, as he grabbed my waist to support himself as he stumbled beside me.

  Once completely out of the hag's room, I smmed the door hard.

  Those little worms eat that shit up. I'll be talked about for days. Now, the reason for my exit.

  I brought Antwon to his feet, back straight, and pushed him to the wall across Igarashi's room. He stumbled until he found the wall.

  He turned around, red-faced, or as red as his velvet skin could be.

  "What the heck, Tetsusen. If you're going to kill me, then do it or get lost."

  I gracefully walked over to him, sending terror with every step, reflected in his eyes as he stiffened against the wall.

  Slowly, terrifyingly, I raised my right hand, pcing it on the wall next to his head.

  His expression changed from fear to shock.

  Why shock? Was he excited or like the idea of being pushed around? Regardless, I had to even the score.

  "Tetsusen, what are you doing—"

  I leaned in, taking in his purity, innocence, and fear. When my eyes met his again, his eyes had softened, searching my face for something that he couldn't find. I smiled, and, for a moment, he found his answer, whatever it was.

  Antwon tried to step aside, dodging to my left, but with my left hand, I seized him by the colr again, pressing him gently against the wall.

  "Shhh. Don't run." I whispered, but he wouldn't look at me. How could he?

  "I'm talking to you, boy."

  His face shot to mine—his eyes dited—he brought his hand to my face, running his fingers through my hair.

  I let go of his colr, sliding it down his chest over his heart. Antwon's heart was pounding; it was mine.

  He brought our foreheads together, and I let him.

  So this is why he was moody? I can't bme him.

  His eyes lulled into submission, and he mouthed something—something close to my name, but I didn't recognize the st part, but it wasn't my name.

  I reached up, grabbing him by the hair, pulling his head back.

  "Ouch! What are you doing? Let me go, you creep."

  I held him for a moment, enjoying his suffering, and then let him go.

  "Damn it, Tetsusen!"

  "Shut up! I should kill you for your insults in the cssroom, but I think I might for calling me some other girl's name."

  I crossed my arms and waited for a pusible expnation. But his eyes traced the path of confusion, leading to anger.

  "What… What are you talking about, Tetsusen?!"

  I pressed him against the wall again, but this time, it was a bit harder.

  "Stop calling me Tetsusen when we are alone."

  Panic encroached on his angry expression. His eyes darted around the hallway, looking for something—a way out, an answer, or something to say back.

  Irritated, I grabbed his chin and brought his eyes to mine.

  "Say something, Antwon."

  He stood there for a moment with a look most couldn't manage: his dropped jaw and wide eyes were almost insufferable.

  "No… No. I never agreed to—"

  "You didn't have to. I staked my cim on you since day one of Hoshikawa's css."

  He stayed silent, but his eyes wandered off somewhere to the left of the ceiling.

  "T-that doesn't track."

  "Whatever, Antwon. Know that it's true. Now, tell me why you're being so mopey."

  The look in his eyes screamed defiance, just as it had when I first met him. And his smug, disapproving frown assured me he was fine now.

  "I'm fucking waiting, Antwon."

  He sighed in resignation.

  I love it when he yields.

  "I've lived in Kokiri for three years, and I've never seen the cities or the local parks because my family won't let me leave my neighborhood."

  "Why?"

  I pced both hands on my hips, not understanding why that would bring someone low enough to ask for death. The outside world held no interest for me.

  He reached over and brushed my shoulders, but I was sure there wasn't anything—

  "Oh, I get it."

  I studied his face. His defined jawline, green eyes, and cute facial features are appealing. I wanted to pocket him right here and now. I could only imagine what other girls would think seeing him in the wilds alone.

  "I guess mommy and daddy don't have time to tour you around."

  He rolled his eyes

  "Nope. We normal folk gotta work. Unless you want to spare some time and take me to Tokyo, your highness."

  His dismissive personality pissed me off. I wouldn't let anyone treat me like this. I'd had people killed for less.

  "You're starting to piss me off, Antwon. But you're lucky that you're mine."

  He started to say something, but I grabbed his mouth, preventing him from speaking. I looked down, trying to calm myself.

  "I can't take you to Tokyo today, but I'll arrange safe passage from a trusted friend."

  When I looked up, his eyes were passive, and his jaw unclenched. I let go of his mouth, and no words were said.

  "Good. Now remember to bow from now on. Oh, and sit with me moving forward in Hoshikawa's css."

  I walked to Ms. Igarashi's door and waited. Eventually, Antwon got the hint and came across the hall to open the door. But before he opened it, I stopped him. While holding his gaze, I asked one question.

  "What's my name?"

  He closed his eyes, making peace with whatever mispced pride he needed to.

  He slowly opened them and said, "Christina."

  Good boy.

  AnnouncementBecause this chapter is about Christina just as much as Tiffany: https://suno.com/s/iaAC3LL98gEg5GGk