Under One Roof: Riku's Romantic Ruckus

The campfire's glow flickered across the faces of the gathered students, casting long shadows that danced in the cool night air. Laughter and the crackle of burning wood filled the space, but Riku couldn't shake the unease lodged in his chest. The figure in the trees—the watcher—had vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving nothing but a lingering sense of being *seen*. He glanced at Aiko beside him, her smirk muted by the firelight, her fingers brushing his in a quiet reassurance.

"You're brooding," she whispered, nudging his shoulder. "Stop it."

"Can't help it," he murmured back, his eyes scanning the dark tree line. "Someone was watching us. You saw it too."

"Yeah," she admitted, her voice low. "But it's probably just Yuna messing around. You know how she is."

Riku wasn't convinced. Yuna was chaotic, sure, but the figure had been too still, too deliberate. "Maybe," he said, forcing a smile. "Let's hope it's just her."

Aiko leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. "If it's not, we'll handle it. Together."

He squeezed her hand, the tension easing slightly. "Together," he echoed.

Across the fire, Yuna launched into another exaggerated ghost story, her arms flailing for dramatic effect. Haruka clung to Mika's arm, her eyes wide, while Kota snickered, roasting a marshmallow to a crisp. The normalcy of it all should've been comforting, but Riku's gaze kept drifting to the woods, half-expecting the watcher to step into the light.

Then, a rustle—faint but unmistakable. He stiffened, his grip tightening on Aiko's hand. She followed his gaze, her smirk fading. "You heard that?" she whispered.

"Yeah," he said, standing slowly. "I'll check it out."

"Alone?" Her tone was sharp, but her eyes flickered with concern.

He smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, princess. I'll be back in a flash."

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue, her fingers lingering on his as he pulled away. Riku slipped past the group, skirting the edge of the firelight, and melted into the shadows. The woods were darker here, the trees looming like silent sentinels. He moved quietly, ears straining for any sound, his pulse thudding in his throat.

Another rustle—closer this time. He crept forward, peering through the underbrush. A flash of movement caught his eye—a figure darting between the trunks, too quick to identify. "Hey!" he called, his voice sharper than intended. "Who's there?"

Silence answered, thick and unnerving. He took a step forward, then another, until a hand clamped onto his shoulder, yanking him back.

He spun, fists raised, only to find Aiko behind him, her smirk half-apologetic. "Scared you, knight?"

"Damn it, Aiko," he exhaled, lowering his hands. "I told you to stay back."

"And I told you we're in this together," she shot back, her tone firm but her eyes soft. "Besides, you're not exactly stealthy."

He chuckled despite himself. "Fair point. Let's keep looking."

They moved deeper into the woods, the campfire's glow fading behind them. The air was cooler here, the scent of pine and damp earth thick. Every snap of a twig set Riku's nerves on edge, but Aiko's presence steadied him, her hand brushing his now and then—a silent tether.

Then, a soft crunch—footsteps, deliberate and close. They froze, exchanging a glance. "Over there," Aiko whispered, nodding toward a cluster of bushes.

Riku nodded, and they crept forward, crouching low. Through the leaves, a figure knelt, rummaging through a backpack. The dim light caught a glimpse of dark hair and a familiar jacket. Riku's breath hitched. "Is that—?"

The figure turned, and Emi's face came into view, her eyes wide with surprise. "Riku? Aiko? What are you doing here?"

Relief washed over Riku, followed by confusion. "Emi? Were you following us earlier?"

Her cheeks flushed, and she stammered, "N-no, I was just… looking for something I dropped during the scavenger hunt. My bracelet—it's sentimental."

Aiko's smirk returned, sharp and knowing. "In the dark? Alone?"

Emi's gaze dropped, her fingers twisting the strap of her bag. "I didn't want to bother anyone. I thought I could find it myself."

Riku frowned, the pieces not quite fitting. "We saw someone watching us last night, too. Was that you?"

Emi's eyes widened further. "Last night? No, I was in the cabin with the girls. Ask Haruka—she'll tell you."

Aiko's expression softened slightly. "Then who was it?"

"I don't know," Emi said, her voice small. "But I swear, it wasn't me."

Riku exchanged a glance with Aiko, the unease creeping back. If not Emi, then who?

A twig snapped behind them, and they spun as one. A shadow darted through the trees, too fast to identify, vanishing into the night. Riku cursed under his breath. "There it is again."

Aiko grabbed his hand, tugging him back toward the camp. "Let's go. We'll figure it out with the others."

Emi scrambled to her feet, clutching her bag. "I'm coming too."

They hurried back, the woods suddenly feeling too vast, too alive. The campfire's light was a beacon, drawing them in, and they burst into the clearing, breathless.

Yuna looked up from her marshmallow, arching a brow. "Back so soon? Did you catch the ghost?"

"Something like that," Riku said, his tone grim. He recounted the encounter, Emi's explanation, and the fleeing shadow. The group fell silent, the playful mood evaporating.

Haruka hugged her knees, her voice shaky. "So someone's been watching us? That's creepy."

Mika closed her book with a snap. "It could be a prank. Or maybe a teacher keeping an eye on us."

"Or a stalker," Yuna said, grinning wickedly. "Spicing up the trip."

"Not funny," Aiko snapped, her hand still gripping Riku's. "We need to tell Mr. Tanaka."

Kota, who'd been half-asleep, jolted upright. "Wait, what if it's a bear? Or a mountain lion?"

Yuna laughed. "Even better! We'll need a hero—Riku, you up for it?"

He rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "I'll pass."

Mr. Tanaka, summoned by the commotion, listened with a furrowed brow. "I'll alert the camp staff," he said. "But it's probably just a curious camper or a prankster. Stick together, and don't wander off alone."

The class murmured agreement, the tension easing slightly, though Riku's unease lingered. As they settled back around the fire, Aiko leaned into him, her voice low. "Think it's Ren? He's been weird all trip."

Riku frowned. "Maybe. He's got a thing for you."

"Had," she corrected, smirking. "Past tense. You scared him off."

"Good," he said, his hand tightening on hers. "But if it's him, I'll handle it."

She chuckled, resting her head on his shoulder. "My hero."

The night stretched on, the group's laughter returning, but Riku's gaze kept drifting to the trees, the shadows thicker now, hiding secrets he wasn't sure he wanted to uncover.

---

The next morning, the class gathered for the day's activity—a trust-building exercise that had half the students groaning. Mr. Tanaka stood before them, clipboard in hand. "Today, we're doing trust falls and blindfolded obstacle courses. Pair up!"

Riku turned to Aiko, but Yuna swooped in, linking arms with her. "Sorry, cutie, she's mine this round. You get Haruka."

Aiko shot him an apologetic look as Yuna dragged her away. Haruka stepped up, her smile hesitant but warm. "Guess we're partners."

"Yeah," Riku said, forcing cheer. "Let's crush it."

The trust falls began, students catching each other with varying degrees of grace. Riku caught Haruka easily, her laugh bright and genuine, but his eyes kept darting to Aiko, who was giggling as Yuna dramatically pretended to drop her.

Then came the blindfolded course. Haruka tied the cloth over Riku's eyes, her fingers gentle. "Ready?" she asked.

"Ready," he said, and she guided him through the makeshift maze of cones and ropes, her voice steady as she warned him of obstacles. He trusted her—completely—and they finished without a hitch.

When it was her turn, he guided her with the same care, his hand on her shoulder, his tone calm. They moved in sync, and for a moment, the old ease between them returned, untainted by the mess of feelings past.

As they untied their blindfolds, Haruka smiled, her eyes soft. "Thanks, Riku. That was… nice."

"Yeah," he agreed, his chest lighter. "It was."

Across the field, Aiko caught his eye, her smirk approving. She mouthed, "Good job," and he grinned back, the day's shadows lifting.

But as they packed up, a scrap of paper fluttered from Riku's backpack—a note, scrawled in unfamiliar handwriting: *"I'm watching. Be careful."*

His blood ran cold. He crumpled the note, shoving it into his pocket, but the warning lingered, a dark cloud on the horizon.

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