invisible string, nishimura riki

𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 , counseling session

☆

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"NO." RIKI SAID AS he closed his locker after putting some books in it, looking at junwgon who was standing beside him.

"please, riki," junwgon implored, his voice laced with earnestness. he took a step closer to his friend, his eyes filled with a mix of desperation and hope. "i can't afford to fail another japanese test!"

riki, never one to give in too easily, sighed audibly, making jungwon's plea hang in the air. he leaned casually against his locker while tapping his fingers lightly against the closed locker door, his expression thoughtful, giving the impression that he was seriously contemplating the offer — which he was not. his eyes, the color of a stormy sea, scanned jungwon's face, assessing the sincerity of the request.

after a moment of contemplation, riki leaned away from his locker, his expression shifting to one of cunning amusement. "two months," he said, a sly grin forming as he saw the desperation in jungwon's eyes.

jungwon hesitated for a moment, doing a quick mental calculation of what two months of doing riki's homework would entail. he realized it was a steep price, but the prospect of hopefully not yet another japanese test was too tempting to resist. "deal!" jungwon exclaimed, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically, causing a few nearby students to turn their heads and glance at the pair curiously, extending his hand to seal their agreement.

riki shook jungwon's hand sealing the deal with a smirk, indicating that he was already thinking about how he would take advantage of jungwon's homework assistance. "you won't regret this," he teased, his tone carrying a sense of mischief.

jungwon patted riki's shoulder and walked away, relief evident in his steps.

riki couldn't help but smirk as he watched jungwon walk away. the thought of having his homework taken care of for two months was a satisfying prospect. it was a small victory, but riki had always been one to seize opportunities, especially when they came with the added bonus of not having to deal with assignments and textbooks for a while.

with a wry grin and his backpack slung over one shoulder, riki adjusted his stride towards the school counselor's room. the hallway around him buzzed with the usual end-of-school activity, a blend of students packing their bags, exchanging excited chatter, and the distant echoes of lockers being slammed shut. it was a scene that had become all too familiar.

as riki made his way down the bustling school corridor, his footsteps seemed to echo with the weight of impending frustration. the gleaming rows of lockers and colorful bulletin boards that lined the hallway seemed to blur into a monotonous backdrop, his thoughts consumed by the looming counseling session.

he rounded a corner, and there it was, the unassuming door to the school counselor's room, a simple placard with "MISS YUN" etched into it. riki knocked on the door, hoping to get this session over with. he couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration and resentment. being forced to spend time with someone he couldn't stand was not his idea of a productive way to spend his afternoons. nevertheless, he knew he had little choice in the matter.

"come in."

with a sigh, riki pushed open the door to the school counselor's room. the room, unlike the bustling hallway outside, was a tranquil oasis of calm.

miss yun, the school counselor, sat behind her desk, a stack of papers neatly organized in front of her. she was a woman in her early thirties, with a friendly demeanor. her chestnut hair was pulled back neatly into a bun, and her warm brown eyes exuded empathy. she looked up and offered riki a warm but professional smile. her office was adorned with soothing colors, and motivational posters lined the walls, creating an atmosphere designed to put students at ease.