Rivaldo entered the classroom with heavy steps that immediately tightened the atmosphere. He stopped right beside Rio's chair and patted both of his shoulders, as if marking him.
"After school, meet me behind the building."
Normally, that kind of action would be followed by violence. But this time, Rivaldo simply walked away. Strange. Still, the small sense of relief didn't last long.
"Rio? Are you okay?"
A girl's voice broke the silence. Soft, yet clear enough to draw attention.
Rio glanced left and right. It was rare for anyone to talk to him. This class had long grown used to looking away. Afraid of bad luck rubbing off, maybe.
Only then did he realize the voice came from the front-left seat.
Elisa Nova was looking at him, a faint smile on her face. She's the girl from yesterday, he realized. Her smile narrowed her eyes in a way that was hard to ignore.
"You seem a little different today."
Rio swallowed, trying to calm the thoughts that were already running wild.
"No… don't start thinking weird things."
He lifted his head and replied quietly, "I'm the same as always."
Elisa looked confused, then eventually turned her gaze away.
Kringg!
The dismissal bell rang, slicing through his dark thoughts. Rio let out a quiet sigh of relief. I made it through today without getting hit.
He walked toward the school gate at an easy pace, enjoying the afternoon sunlight that felt unusually kind.
"Hey, Rio!!"
Someone shouted from behind. The angry tone was familiar. David. The guy he had knocked down earlier that morning.
"Are you stupid or what?!"
David snapped at him for ignoring Rivaldo's call.
Only then did the words from that morning return to Rio's mind, like a skipped scene in a movie.
Right… there was a promise I shouldn't have forgotten.
With no real choice, he followed David toward the back of the school.
The place was more crowded than he expected. Dozens of students were gathered there, some smoking, some watching. Rivaldo stood among them, looking like just another guy in the group, not a leader.
"I guess I misunderstood you."
Rivaldo stepped forward and stopped right in front of Rio. His height cast a shadow that swallowed part of the evening light.
"You're the one who beat David, right? I saw everything."
The words tightened Rio's chest.
He was scared, even though his face tried to stay calm. When Rivaldo leaned down and stared at him up close, the threat felt real.
"If that's true,"
Rio said before his courage could crumble,
"what are you going to do? Are you going to hit me today too?"
Rivaldo smiled faintly.
"You've got it wrong. I don't beat up strong people."
His large hand rested on Rio's shoulder, offering a choice that didn't feel optional at all.
"So, do you want to be my ally… or my challenger?"
The question hung in the air, stirring murmurs in the crowd.
Rio repeated the word quietly, confused.
"Challenger?"
Rivaldo looked more excited than anyone else.
"If you become my ally, I'll stop bullying you. But if you choose to be my challenger… that means you're ready to defeat me. What's your choice?"
It felt like a small light at the end of the dark hallway Rio had been walking through for so long.
He took a deep breath. Something stirred inside him. An ambition that had long been buried under fear. It made his heart beat faster.
"I'll be the challenger."
The atmosphere froze, as if that answer wasn't what anyone expected. A few seconds later, laughter burst out, loud and stretched.
"So that's your choice?"
"Yes," Rio replied firmly.
"Then go. From tomorrow on, your life won't be peaceful anymore."
Rio turned around and walked away.
Strangely enough, he didn't feel any regret. A quiet fire burned in his chest, changing him little by little. A simple desire had taken root.
To conquer them all, one by one.