Chapter Text
After the student council elections, Ririka Momobami’s life began to change.
Before, she had always been Kirari’s shadow, following her sister wherever she went — without questioning, without hesitation.
But now… that bond had been redefined.
She and Kirari still loved each other as sisters. However, for the first time, Ririka needed to discover who she was without depending on Kirari.
And that frightened her more than any gamble ever had.
“Have I ever really had a life that was mine?” she kept asking herself constantly.
She already knew the answer.
No.
She had been raised to feel and live through her sister.
If Kirari won, she smiled.
If Kirari dominated, she watched.
If Kirari gambled, she cheered.
But what would happen now that Kirari was no longer the center of her life?
Who was Ririka Momobami beyond the role she had always played?
That thought consumed her day after day.
And for the first time, she felt a faint envy toward her sister.
Kirari had always known who she was. She always had a goal. She always had a direction.
And Ririka?
What would she do with the rest of her life?
……
One day, while walking distractedly through the school hallways, lost in thought, something caught her attention.
A simple flyer pinned to the bulletin board.
📜 “Join the Tennis Club! Beginners are welcome!”
Ririka stopped and stared at the words.
She had always wanted to learn how to play tennis.
But she never could.
Kirari had never been interested in it, so Ririka had never explored that desire either.
But now… nothing was stopping her anymore.
“Why not?”
For the first time, she made a decision that was purely her own.
She tore the flyer from the board and headed toward the tennis club.
……
When she arrived at the club, the sound of rackets hitting tennis balls echoed through the air.
She looked around, uncertain but determined.
Then a girl approached her.
Tall, athletic, with attentive eyes.
“Are you new here?” she asked, crossing her arms.
Ririka took a deep breath and nodded.
“Yes. I would like to learn tennis.”
The girl smiled as she observed her.
“I’m Sayaka Igarashi, the club captain. Welcome.”
Ririka felt a strange sense of excitement growing inside her.
Maybe… she was beginning to live for herself.
……
The tennis club was lively, with students playing on the courts while chatting among themselves.
But for her, all of that was completely new.
She had never been in an environment like this.
No gambling.
No manipulation.
No suspicious glances.
Just people practicing a sport because they wanted to.
And she wanted to be part of it.
……
She looked at Sayaka, feeling a mixture of nervousness and determination.
“My name is Ririka Momobami. Nice to meet you.”
Sayaka raised an eyebrow in surprise but soon smiled.
“I know who you are, Vice President.”
Ririka took a deep breath.
She didn’t want to be seen as “Kirari’s twin sister” or “the student council vice president.”
“Please… stop calling me that.”
Sayaka raised her eyebrows, surprised by the request.
“Oh? Then what should I call you?”
Ririka smiled shyly.
“Just Ririka. I want to be just a normal student… a member of a sports club.”
Sayaka watched her for a moment before giving a friendly smile.
“Understood. Then it’s nice to meet you, Ririka.”
She extended her hand, and Ririka shook it firmly.
……
Sayaka looked at Ririka’s school uniform and laughed.
“Do you have tennis clothes and equipment?”
Ririka shook her head.
“I’ve never played in my life, but I’ve always been interested in the sport. So… here I am, finally wanting to learn how to play.”
She said it timidly, but there was determination in her voice.
Sayaka smiled.
“I always bring extra clothes and equipment for the club. I think we’re about the same size, or close enough, so I can lend you mine for today. Is that okay?”
Ririka quickly replied:
“I would be very grateful. Next class, I’ll bring my own equipment.”
Sayaka smiled even more.
“Then it’s settled, Ririka. Welcome officially to the Hyakkaou Private Academy Tennis Club.”
Ririka felt genuine excitement growing inside her.
Because for the first time, she was starting something for herself.
Without Kirari.
Without the weight of the Momobami name.
Without a game to win.
Just Ririka… living her own story.