It was already past midnight when Keita slipped back home. Quietly, like a shadow. He tried not to make a sound... but inevitably, the creak of the front door betrayed him.
"Where've you been for two nights, little bro...?"
Ako's voice, one of the twin sisters, rang out from the darkness. She was sitting on the couch in her cozy robe, holding a cup of warm tea. Riko was next to her, dozing — but when she saw him, she opened one eye and smiled.
"I was out... studying," Keita tried, taking off his jacket.
But in the air, a fine, floral scent with a hint of jasmine drifted in, almost imperceptibly.
Ako wrinkled her nose.
"That scent... it's not yours. And it's not from the street either. It's too strong."
Then she stood up and stepped closer, inspecting his clothes. She gently grabbed his collar and inhaled.
"Don't tell me you slept with some woman, bro."
Riko giggled.
"Or maybe... someone slept on him?"
Keita took a step back, but it was already too late. The girls exchanged knowing glances. Ako stepped closer again, placing her hand on his chest.
"You smell like someone. And there's nothing innocent about that scent."
Keita rushed to his room, pretending to be tired. But behind the door... he breathed deeply. He could still feel the trace of Yuzuki's lips on his neck.
At the same time, in her apartment, Yuzuki tiptoed inside barefoot, trying not to wake anyone. But her younger sister, Miyu, was awake, sitting at the table with a bowl of cereal.
"Welcome home... Yuzuki-neesan," Miyu said, suspicious.
"Pretty late, huh? Were you... on a date?"
Yuzuki smiled but didn't answer. She headed toward the bathroom, but Miyu stopped her:
"Hey... wait."
She got closer, sniffed lightly, and her eyes widened.
"That's... cologne. Not yours."
She gave her a sly grin.
"Is it Keita's? Are you... with him?"
Yuzuki blushed up to her ears.
"You have such a wild imagination, Miyu..."
"Really? 'Cause your blouse is missing two buttons and... you've got a bite mark on your shoulder. Thought that only happened in TV dramas."
Yuzuki turned around and walked off without answering. But she was smiling. Unconsciously, just at the corner of her mouth.
Two homes. Four curious souls. Two hearts still burning. And a secret that... won't stay hidden for long.