Dark Thriver

Chapter 23 - Final Clue

~The Next Day~

As Riku walked towards the library, he smiled with uncertainty. "I'm gonna finish today's clue or mission or whatever it is!" he thought as he opened the door slowly, surprised at the sight of Lira sitting on a small chair, reading a book with a smile on her face.

"Why is she here today?" he thought as he approached her. "Hey!" he said as he raised his hand towards her. "Ah, Riku, you're here!" said Lira with a happy tone as she looked away from her book, concentrating on Riku.

"Why are you here?" he asked in a confused tone. "I wanted to be here. For when you finish today's mission from Ms.Harvia!" she said as she looked at him with joy. "That's fine then. I'm gonna finish this one, too!" he said as he extended his hand with a smile.

As Lira watched in confusion, Riku sighed. "It's called a 'High-Five'. You just snap my hand!" he said with annoyance. "I see!" she said in an understanding tone as she out her hand against Riku's. "You really suck at it...It's fine, though!" he said as he retracted his hand and began walking towards Harvia's little section.

As Riku approached Harvia, who was sitting in a chair, he stopped in front of her. "Good morning!" he said with a smile as he looked at her, getting her attention. "Likewise, young man." she said as she stood up carefully. "What's the clue today?" he asked in curiosity.

"Ah, yes..." she said as she looked at Riku in detail. "Hmm? What's wrong?" he asked with a confused look. "Your assignment for today, as well as your last assignment, will be to appease me." she said with a selfish smile, causing Riku to stare at her in confusion.

As Lira approached them, she stopped in confusion. "Go into more detail, at least!" he said in frustration. "I want for you to meet my expectations by the end of today." she said. "What expectations?" asked Lira from behind Riku, startling him.

"In one if multiple categories. Such as fashion, attitude, skill, technique. The works." explained Harvia as she adjusted her glasses. "Fashion? Attitude?! This does make sense!" said Riku with an angry tone. "So you refuse to take up the assignment?" she asked with a smile.

As Lira stood there and watched Riku stay in silence, she looked at Harvia. "I'm not going to refuse your assignment, but I won't pretend to be someone I'm not just to appease someone like you." Riku said with a serious tone, intriguing Harvia and causing Lira to remain silent.

"Is that so...? Good luck then." she said as she sat back in her chair. As Riku and Lira walked away and sat around a table, Riku began to wonder. "Riku? I have a question." said Lira in a quiet tone. "Yeah?" he mumbled. "Well, you looked through pretty much the entire magic section. Do you need to do the assignment?" asked Lira.

"So you still haven't realised it?" asked Riku as he raised his head and looked at her. "Realised...what?" she asked in confusion. "Why would she make me do all of this clues and assignments if the book was in the magic section? If that were the case, I would've found it by searching without her dumb clues." said Riku, leaving Lira speechless in a blush.

"She probably either has the book, or is hiding it somewhere. That's my speculation." he said as he laid himself back in his chair with a long sigh. "You're...really observant..." she said as she his away her blush. "That aside, fashion or attitude won't work. I'm not changing myself for her." he said, causing Lira to nod in absolute agreement.

"I guess...she mentioned skill and technique. What does that even mean?!" he asked as he scratched his head in frustration. "Well, she didn't specify what kind of skill or technique she meant, so maybe it can be anything!" said Lira with motivation. "Yeah, but take another factor into account..." began Riku.