Haruka's cryptic, calligraphed, and passive-aggressively annotated message acts as a catalyst, shifting the tectonic plates of our already unstable social landscape. Rina, fueled by a potent cocktail of suspicion towards Ichigo, jealousy towards Aiwa, possessiveness towards me, and a genuine flicker of concern possibly buried deep, deep down, decides that a temporary, highly conditional, and deeply mistrustful alliance with Haruka is strategically necessary. Their shared goal: figure out what the hell Ichigo is up to, ensure that whatever it is, it does not involve me becoming his handler/protégé/romantic conquest (unless it somehow benefits them, obviously), and maybe, just maybe, keep Aiwa/LUNA from getting caught in the crossfire (or use her as bait, the motivations are still unclear).
The summit takes place, once again, inevitably, in my living room, which has now become the de facto neutral territory / war room / snack dispensary / group therapy center for this entire ongoing operation. Aiwa is pointedly not invited to this particular "High Council of Suspicion" meeting, much to my relief (because explaining this level of paranoia to her would be exhausting) and slight guilt (because she is probably the 'Star' they are discussing protecting/using as bait). Kenji is present, having been designated as "official note-taker and provider of unsolicited, wildly inaccurate theories." Miki is there to ensure the alliance does not immediately collapse into open warfare before the first pot of tea is brewed. Hana is providing stress-reducing pastries, her primary function in this group.
"Okay," Rina begins, placing Haruka's ominous parchment on the coffee table like a piece of critical evidence found at a crime scene. "I received this. We agree it is from Ito, correct? The passive-aggressive footnotes are a dead giveaway."
Haruka gives a curt nod, examining the calligraphy with a critical eye from across the room (maintaining a carefully calculated distance from Rina). "The ink composition is German import, the brushstroke technique is consistent with the Kamakura period style she favors, and the sheer level of condescending drama is undeniably her signature. Yes, it is from Ito."
"And we agree," Rina continues, ignoring the 'Ito' and focusing on the content, "that the 'Crimson Knight' is Ichigo, and the 'misplaced interest' refers to his baffling, inexplicable, and deeply suspicious focus on my Onii-chan." She glares at me as if this entire situation is somehow my fault for simply existing in an intriguing manner.
"Logical assumptions," Haruka concedes coolly. "His behavior patterns are anomalous and require further analysis. The key variable, however, remains the 'Star'. Who, precisely, is the 'Star that guides your path' that Ichigo might potentially 'claim'?" Her eyes flick towards me, then away, pretending disinterest.
"It could be a metaphor!" Kenji pipes up excitedly from his beanbag chair, where he is meticulously arranging Hana's cookies into battle formations. "Maybe it represents Ectiqa's guiding principles! Her unwavering commitment to justice and sparkle! Ichigo, being a creature of darkness (or at least, really cool crimson armor), wants to corrupt her! Turn her to the dark side of cosplay!"
"Unlikely," Miki says dryly, without looking up from her tablet where she is probably running statistical analyses on Ichigo's blink rate. "Ichigo seems significantly more interested in Rui-kun's potential handler capabilities than in corrupting Rina's artistic principles, which seem fairly incorruptible, if occasionally blinding."
"It could be Ito herself," Rina suggests, eyeing Haruka suspiciously across the room. "Maybe she sees herself as my guiding star? The only source of true brilliance in my otherwise dim existence? Trying to warn me off Rui because she wants exclusive rights to… mentor him?"
Haruka scoffs, a delicate, insulting sound. "While my brilliance is, admittedly, a guiding force for many, Hinamata, I doubt even my well-developed ego extends to self-titling celestial bodies in cryptic warning notes delivered via courier. Besides," she adds, her expression turning analytical again, "the phrasing 'Protect the Star' implies a degree of vulnerability. A quality I do not possess." Her gaze sharpens, landing briefly on the empty space on the sofa where Aiwa usually sits during study sessions. "It clearly refers to Matsuki."
The name hangs in the air, heavy with unspoken secrets and potential complications. Aiwa. LUNA. The vulnerable star.
"But… why would Haruka warn Rina to protect Aiwa?" I ask, genuinely confused by the pretzel logic. "They are rivals! And you," I look at Haruka, "clearly see Aiwa as competition for my… attention, or whatever."
"Precisely," Haruka says, a small, almost imperceptible smirk touching her lips. "Think strategically, Rui-kun. Ichigo is an unknown variable, potentially targeting you. Matsuki is another variable, also orbiting you. By warning Hinamata about Ichigo's potential threat to Matsuki (using you as the vector), I achieve multiple objectives. One: I create a temporary alliance with Hinamata against a common perceived threat, focusing her considerable, if often misdirected, energy outwards. Two: I subtly position myself as the rational, strategic thinker in this equation. Three: I ensure both Hinamata and Matsuki are kept occupied and potentially off-balance, leaving the field," she glances briefly at me again, "less cluttered."
Silence. We all just stare at Haruka. Even Miki looks momentarily impressed by the sheer, cold-blooded, multi-layered Machiavellian brilliance of it all.
"So," Rina says slowly, processing the intricate web of manipulation. "You are using me… to protect Rui… from Ichigo… so that Ichigo does not get to Aiwa… which keeps Aiwa away from Rui… and distracts me from you trying to get Rui?" She shakes her head, looking dizzy. "My brain hurts. This is why I prefer hitting things."
"Mine too," Kenji whimpers from his beanbag. "This requires a flowchart! And possibly string theory!"
"Regardless of Ito's complex, multi-layered, and frankly quite exhausting motives," Miki says, bringing us back on track with the sigh of someone who deals with this level of insanity daily. "The core message, or at least the most actionable interpretation, remains: Ichigo is perceived as a threat, potentially to multiple parties (including Rui-kun's sanity), and his focus appears to be Rui-kun. Therefore, a coordinated, albeit deeply suspicious, response is logical."
"So, what is the plan?" I ask warily, feeling less like a pawn and more like the entire chessboard that everyone is fighting over. "Are we forming an official anti-Ichigo task force? Do we get codenames? I call dibs on 'Agent Confused'."
"Phase One: Enhanced Surveillance," Haruka declares immediately, taking charge. "We need more data on Ichigo's movements, his contacts, his true intentions regarding Rui-kun, and ideally, his wig supplier. Kenji, focus your online stalking efforts – try to be slightly less obvious this time. Miki, see what you can dig up through official channels – university records, public appearances, any known weaknesses (besides strawberry shortcake)."
"Phase Two: Proximity Control and Counter-Intelligence," Rina adds, glaring daggers at me. "Rui is to minimize all unsupervised contact with Ichigo. All interactions, however brief, must be logged, analyzed, and reported back to this council immediately. We also need to determine if Ichigo knows about Matsuki's identity. Rui," her gaze sharpens, "you are the only one who has interacted with both his Ichigo persona and potentially his," she glances at Miki's notes, "Izumi persona. Your observations, however unreliable, are critical."
Great. More espionage. More lies. More opportunities for catastrophic failure and public humiliation. My life is a gift that keeps on giving. Headaches.
"Phase Three: Strategic Alliance (Conditional and Under Constant Review)," Haruka concludes, looking pointedly at Rina. "Hinamata and I will maintain our truce and present a united front, both professionally against LUNA at the upcoming Winter Comicon, and personally in ensuring Rui-kun's… safety and optimal allocation." (I shudder at the term 'optimal allocation'). "Matsuki remains an unknown variable – to be monitored, kept at arm's length, but potentially utilized if the Ichigo situation escalates."
It sounds less like a plan to protect me and more like a plan to control me, contain Aiwa, and possibly weaponize Kenji. But arguing seems futile. I am outnumbered by people who are far more ruthless and strategically minded than I am.
"Fine," I sigh, collapsing back onto the sofa in utter defeat. "Enhanced surveillance, proximity control, conditional alliance, counter-intelligence involving potential alter egos. Got it. Sounds like a perfectly normal way to spend my teenage years. Can I go play video games now and pretend none of this is happening?"
"Negative," Miki says, already assigning tasks on her tablet. "Phase Four: Winter Comicon Strategy. We need to prepare Rui-kun for his role as bait."
My brief flicker of hope dies a swift and brutal death. Bait. I am officially bait. My life is a tragicomedy, and the universe clearly finds my suffering hilarious.