Chapter 8: Nighttime Nerves

Home was no refuge. Riku's parents were still out when he and Aiko got back, leaving the house eerily silent. Aiko disappeared into her room without a word, slamming the door hard enough to make him wince. He didn't get it—she'd been snippy since Yuna, but why? He hadn't done anything wrong. Just fixed a stupid machine.

He microwaved leftovers for dinner, eating alone at the kitchen table while replaying the day. Haruka's tray, Mika's books, Yuna's vending machine—Aiko was right about one thing: he couldn't stop helping people. But why did it bother her so much?

Later, as he sprawled on his bed with a manga, he heard it—soft humming through the wall. Aiko again, that same tune from the shower. It was soothing, almost hypnotic, until a sharp knock jolted him upright. His door creaked open, and Aiko poked her head in, holding her phone.

"Charger," she said, stepping inside. She wore a loose sleep shirt and shorts, her hair still damp from a shower—thankfully taken while he was downstairs. "Mine's dead. Where's yours?"

"Uh, over there," he said, pointing to his desk. She padded across the room, her bare feet silent on the floor, and plugged in her phone. Instead of leaving, she lingered, leaning against the desk and watching him.

"What?" he asked, clutching his manga like a shield.

"Nothing," she said, but her eyes glinted with mischief. "Just wondering how my cousin turned into the school's knight in shining armor."

"Stop calling me that," he groaned. "I'm not—look, I just help people. That's it."

"People," she echoed, stepping closer. "Like Haruka? Mika? That flirty senpai?"

"Yeah, so?" He scooted back on the bed, unnerved by her approach. She stopped at the edge, leaning down until her face was level with his. Her damp hair brushed his shoulder, and he froze, the lavender scent flooding his senses again.

"So," she said, her voice low, "you're gonna run out of time for me if you keep playing hero."

"I'm not—" He swallowed hard, his throat dry. "You're my cousin. You're… always there."

"Am I?" She tilted her head, her breath warm against his cheek. "Good to know." She straightened up, smirking as she grabbed her phone. "Night, Riku-kun. Don't stay up dreaming about your fan club."

She left, the door clicking shut behind her. Riku flopped back, heart racing. What was that? A threat? A tease? He couldn't tell anymore. All he knew was that Aiko's presence—her voice, her scent, her everything—was seeping into every corner of his life, and he had no idea how to handle it.