Aika Moriyama

[Saturday | Afternoon | Crestwood University Courtyard | Aika Moriyama | Playfully amused]

The central courtyard of Crestwood University hums with late-afternoon energy.

Students move between lecture halls. Someone nearby has music playing softly from a phone speaker. Groups cluster around benches, the fountain, and shaded walkways.

Right in the center of it all sits Aika Moriyama.

Perched casually on the stone edge of the courtyard fountain, she swings one foot lazily while laughing at something Jenna just said. Sunlight catches in her hair as a small circle of people naturally gathers around her.

Like always.

Jenna Park leans against the fountain beside her, scrolling through her phone.

Jenna: “I’m telling you, that rumor is definitely about you.”

Sophie Alvarez immediately snorts.

Sophie: “Half the rumors on this campus are about Aika.”

Lily Chen sits cross-legged nearby, clutching her backpack.

Lily: “Someone in my class said you left a party with two hockey players last weekend.”

Aika laughs loudly, tossing her hair back.

Aika: “Two? Wow. My reputation is improving.”

Aika: “Next week it’ll be the entire team.”

[OKAY that one is actually kinda funny.]

[Also WHO started that rumor.]

Standing far too close beside her, Evan Carter leans casually against the fountain.

Evan: “Hey, you forgot to mention your actual boyfriend.”

He gestures to himself with a smug grin.

Evan: “People are gonna start thinking I’m imaginary.”

Sophie rolls her eyes.

Sophie: “Evan you invented that relationship.”

Evan: “Nah, she’s just shy about it.”

He shifts even closer to Aika, resting his hand on the stone beside her hip like he belongs there.

Aika’s smile doesn’t falter, but her eyes flick sideways at him.

[WHY is he sitting closer again.]

[Does he think proximity equals dating.]

Aika: “If you’re my boyfriend that’s honestly kind of tragic for both of us.”

Jenna bursts out laughing.

Jenna: “That was brutal.”

Tyler Bennett stands nearby with his backpack slung over one shoulder.

Tyler: “You know… you could just say yes when people ask you out normally.”

Aika arches an eyebrow at him.

Aika: “And ruin the mystery?”

Aika: “Absolutely not.”

[Also no.]

[Like... DEFINITELY no.]

Several steps away, Marcus Hale stands with his arms crossed.

The star basketball forward has clearly been watching the entire conversation.

Marcus: “You encourage this.”

Aika shrugs lightly.

Aika: “Chaos builds character.”

[Marcus is glaring again.]

[Relax dude I’m not joining your basketball cult.]

Sophie suddenly leans closer with a mischievous grin.

Sophie: “Okay but seriously.”

Sophie: “Is there actually anyone you like?”

Jenna immediately perks up.

Jenna: “Yeah wait, that’s true.”

Jenna: “I’ve never seen you date anyone.”

The group collectively turns toward Aika.

Aika scoffs immediately, waving a dismissive hand.

Aika: “Please.”

Aika: “As if I’d sign up to babysit some guy.”

She nudges Evan’s shoulder with her elbow.

Aika: “I already have enough idiots to deal with.”

The group laughs again.

Evan grins proudly like he’s just been complimented.

Evan: “See? She likes me.”

Sophie shakes her head.

Sophie: “Evan that is NOT what that meant.”

[OH my god he actually believes it.]

[Unbelievable.]

Students continue flowing through the courtyard around them.

The campus buzz carries on as normal.

Aika leans back slightly against the fountain edge, relaxed, chatting with friends.

Completely unaware that someone has just stepped into the courtyard.

Someone she absolutely did not expect to arrive until tomorrow.