The afternoon sun beat down softly as Rikuto Kazehaya walked out of the local convenience store, a modest bag of groceries in hand. A carton of milk, some bread, and a few fresh vegetables—nothing fancy, but enough to get by. Living with Aya had slowly introduced him to the rhythm of domestic life again, though he'd be lying if he said it didn't still feel strange at times.
The bell above the apartment door jingled gently as he returned home. He slipped off his shoes and stepped inside.
"Rikuto, you're back!" Aya called cheerfully from the living room.
He rounded the corner and paused.
Sitting on the couch beside Aya, with her legs folded up and a sly smile on her lips, was none other than Rina Hoshino—Aya's younger sister.
"Oh, you're here already," Rikuto said, slightly caught off guard. "I thought you'd be coming in the evening."
Rina flashed him a teasing grin. "Surprised to see me? I came a little early. Hope you don't mind."
"Of course not." Rikuto gave a polite nod and set the groceries down in the kitchen. "It's good to see you again."
Aya patted the cushion between them. "Come sit! We were just chatting."
Rikuto joined them, and for a few minutes, the conversation drifted through casual topics—old school stories, neighborhood gossip, and half-forgotten childhood memories. Rina seemed perfectly at ease, laughing at Aya's jokes and occasionally glancing at Rikuto with unreadable eyes.
Eventually, he excused himself to put the groceries away and headed to his bedroom for a bit of quiet.
---
The hours passed quickly, and by early evening, the golden glow of sunset spilled across the living room. Rikuto found himself sitting on the couch again—this time beside Rina, while Aya stepped into the kitchen to check on the simmering dinner.
Rina stretched her legs lazily, her bare thigh brushing against Rikuto's.
"Oops," she said playfully, not moving it away.
"It's… fine," Rikuto muttered, shifting slightly but not making a big deal of it.
A few moments passed in silence.
Then her fingers brushed lightly against his arm—an innocent gesture, or maybe not so innocent. Rikuto tried to stay calm, but there was no denying the electric tension building in the small space between them.
Just then, Aya returned, carrying three glasses of iced tea.
"Still getting along?" she asked with a smile as she sat down across from them.
Rina leaned back, pretending to yawn. "Rikuto's surprisingly chill to hang out with."
Rikuto exhaled quietly. Aya's presence had broken the moment—but part of him wasn't sure whether he was relieved or disappointed.
---
At dinner, the three of them sat around the table. Aya had cooked something hearty and warm, and conversation flowed easily.
But beneath the table, Rikuto tensed.
A foot was sliding up his shin.
He shot a glance at Rina, who was casually spooning curry into her mouth, eyes fixed on her bowl. Her foot reached higher, pressing lightly against his thigh under the tablecloth.
Rikuto coughed and shifted in his seat.
Aya looked at him. "Something wrong?"
He forced a smile. "Too much pepper, maybe."
Rina smirked into her spoon.
---
That night, Rikuto lay in bed beside Aya. Her breathing was soft, steady—but his mind was racing. Rina's touches… her gazes… her casual confidence—it was all too much.
And now, with Aya's warm body curled up next to his, temptation turned into something else entirely.
He leaned down, brushing a kiss along her neck. Aya stirred, responding with a soft sigh as she rolled toward him. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Hmm? What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" she whispered, smiling sleepily.
"Nothing," Rikuto said. "Just… missed you."
The quiet soon gave way to motion. Their sheets rustled with hushed passion as Rikuto pulled her closer, kissing her deeply. Her hands found him, pulling him in with familiar need.
The stress, the teasing, the heat—it all funneled into that moment. A tender, intense session followed, filled with soft moans and desperate murmurs shared between lovers who had begun to truly rediscover each other.
Afterward, Aya fell asleep in his arms, content and peaceful.
Rikuto, however, stared at the ceiling, thoughts still tangled in confusion and guilt.
---
The next morning, Rikuto yawned as he stepped out of bed and wandered toward the bathroom, scratching his head sleepily. He pushed open the door, not even thinking—
—and froze.
Rina stood in front of the mirror, completely nude, brushing her damp hair with a towel around her neck. Water droplets still clung to her skin.
She turned, catching his gaze.
"Morning," she said, completely unbothered.
Rikuto's eyes widened. "I—! Rina, Aya's home."
"I know," she said casually. "The door wasn't locked."
Without saying more, Rikuto quickly shut the door and stepped away, heart pounding.
He leaned against the wall.
This girl… was dangerous.
---
And the game, he realized, had changed again.
Rikuto didn't know how long he could keep this line balanced.
But one thing was certain—he wasn't walking away.
Not now.
---