Chapter 74: The Blooming Rift
The sky over Hoshikawa High shimmered with early morning light, streaks of gold and pale lavender slicing through the winter haze. A soft wind rustled through the bare branches outside the classroom windows. The atmosphere, however, felt anything but peaceful.
Riku sat in his seat, silent and unmoving, eyes fixed on the blurred horizon outside. His mind wasn't on the class. It hadn't been for days. Each tick of the clock seemed to hammer into his chest, a reminder of how far things had fallen apart.
It had been a week since Airi had confronted him about the pendant—the one tied to his missing brother, Ren. Her voice had trembled not from fear but from some deeper pain he hadn't yet uncovered. The confrontation had splintered something between them, something fragile and quietly precious.
He hadn't spoken to her since.
"Riku?" a soft voice pulled him from the swirl of thoughts. It was Hina, her expression worried.
"Yeah?" he muttered.
"You haven't been yourself lately. Are you... are you okay?"
He forced a tired smile. "Just tired."
Hina didn't push further. She only nodded and returned to her notes, though her gaze lingered for a moment longer.
As lunch break arrived, Riku slipped out of class without a word. He wandered to the far side of the school where the old greenhouse stood, abandoned and half-swallowed by vines. This place had become his quiet refuge. Cracked glass filtered sunlight into soft glows, and the gentle hum of nature offered a solace he couldn't find anywhere else.
Memories came rushing back.
Flashback:
A summer afternoon not long after Riku had transferred to Hoshikawa High. He and Airi had stumbled upon the greenhouse together. She had laughed, brushing aside tangled ivy to peer through the dusty glass. Her laughter had echoed inside the space like music.
"We should come here more often," she'd said, her eyes reflecting the green.
"Yeah... it's like a hidden world."
She had smiled at that. A real smile.
End flashback.
Now, standing in the same place, Riku felt the sting of nostalgia. The silence of the space was broken only by the crunch of footsteps on the gravel path.
"I thought I might find you here."
It was Daichi.
Riku turned, startled. "Hey."
"Hey," Daichi replied, hands in his pockets. His tone was softer than usual.
A pause stretched between them. Then Daichi asked, "When are you going to talk to her?"
Riku looked away. "I don't know."
"She's hurting, Riku. You both are."
"It's complicated."
Daichi gave a bitter chuckle. "Everything is. But running away doesn't help. You taught me that."
Riku's eyes flicked back to him, surprised.
Daichi leaned against the wall, staring at the cracked glass. "Remember when I almost quit the tournament? You were the one who told me not to let fear decide my path. Now you're the one backing away."
The words cut deeper than Riku expected. He clenched his fists, jaw tightening. "I'm not afraid. I just... I don't know what to say to her."
"Start with the truth."
Riku closed his eyes for a moment. Then he nodded slowly.
---
Meanwhile, Airi sat alone on the rooftop, her bento untouched beside her. Her gaze traced the clouds, distant and lost. Mei approached, her presence silent but comforting.
"You miss him, don't you?" Mei asked softly.
Airi didn't answer right away. "We used to talk about everything. Now it feels like I don't even know him."
Mei sat beside her. "He's carrying a lot. So are you. Maybe it's time to put it all on the table."
Airi gave a sad smile. "What if he doesn't feel the same anymore?"
"Then at least you'll know. But knowing is better than wondering."
---
That evening, the sun dipped below the hills as Riku walked toward the riverbank where they'd once made a promise to always be honest with each other. He texted Airi:
Riku: "Can we talk? Same place."
A few minutes later, her reply came:
Airi: "Okay."
---
The river glistened under the orange sky, water rippling with soft murmurs. Riku stood by the large sakura tree, bare in winter but still proud in stature. Airi arrived moments later, her breath forming soft clouds in the cold air.
They stood in silence for a while.
Then Riku spoke. "I should have talked to you sooner."
Airi hugged her arms. "Why didn't you?"
"Because I was scared," he admitted. "Scared you'd look at me differently after hearing everything."
She stepped closer. "Then tell me. All of it."
Riku took a deep breath. "The pendant belonged to my brother, Ren. He disappeared years ago. I've been trying to find out the truth. That day in the forest... when I touched the Bloom stone, I felt him. Or at least something connected to him."
Airi's eyes widened, but she didn't speak.
"There are powers awakening in me, and I don't understand all of it yet. But I think Ren had them too. That's why he vanished. He got involved in something dangerous. Something bigger than us."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't want to drag you into it."
Airi looked away. "Too late for that. I was already in it the moment I gave you my heart."
Riku felt the words hit him like a wave.
She continued, voice trembling, "You don't get to protect me by shutting me out. That's not protection. That's punishment."
His breath caught.
"I'm sorry," he said, stepping closer. "You deserved better. And I'll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust."
Tears welled in her eyes. She looked up at him, searching his face.
"Then don't leave me behind again. Not ever."
He reached out, brushing a tear from her cheek. "Never."
And in that moment, beneath the stark branches of the sakura tree, something fragile began to mend.
---
Across town, in a dim-lit room lined with ancient Bloom artifacts, a figure watched their reunion through a glowing crystal orb.
"So the Bloom resonates with emotion," the voice murmured. "Let's see how far it can bloom... before it breaks."
The game was only beginning.
---