Early Friday morning, the day of the campaign event.
Fully dressed, Bruce stood outside Ririko's room and knocked gently on the door.
The door opened. Ririko wore a sharply tailored dark blue dress that ended two fingers above her knees, with a white headband in her hair. She looked poised and elegant.
Bruce's blue eyes lingered on her face for a long while.
"Let's... head to school." He finally managed to get the words out.
Ririko smiled and linked her arm through his.
"You look beautiful today." Bruce's throat went dry.
"You look handsome today, too," Ririko said into his ear.
She wasn't flattering him excessively. Bruce really did look handsome today, in his dark blue suit, navy shirt, and burgundy tie. Every detail of the outfit stood up to scrutiny, lending him an effortless air of refinement.
"Really?" Bruce turned to look at her.
Ririko playfully gave his arm a gentle squeeze.
Bruce's brow furrowed. He had pushed himself too hard during his workouts these past few days, and beneath that suit, his muscles ached all over.
If he hadn't been trying to maintain his dignity, those few squeezes from Ririko would have almost made him yell, "Alfred, help!"
"What's wrong?" Ririko asked, knowing perfectly well.
Bruce forced himself to endure the aching throughout his body and lifted the corners of his mouth.
"I'm happy I get to go to school with you."
Ririko looked at his face, caught between pain and happiness, and smiled.
[Current Infatuation Value: 25/100]
Once they were in the car, Bruce's voice returned to normal.
"I'll monitor the venue through the Dark Web later. You and Dick play it by ear. I'll watch the surveillance feeds backstage. If anything happens out front, contact me immediately."
Ririko nodded.
Backstage at the school