Chapter 30: Testing the Waters

Saturday morning crept in with a drizzle that turned the Sato household into a cozy cage. Riku woke to the soft patter of rain, his head fuzzy from last night's kiss—brief, real, and replaying in his mind like a stuck record. Aiko's lips, her shaky smile, the way she'd said "new normal" with that mix of bravado and nerves—it left him restless, caught between thrill and terror. They'd agreed to take it slow, but slow felt like walking a tightrope with no net.

He shuffled downstairs, rubbing his eyes, and found Aiko sprawled on the couch, a manga splayed across her chest. She wore a loose tank top and shorts, one leg dangling over the armrest, her hair a messy halo. The sight jolted him—too casual, too close—and he froze mid-step, his heart tripping over itself.

"Morning, knight," she said, not looking up. Her voice was light, but there was a hitch in it, like she was testing him too.

"Morning," he mumbled, grabbing a mug for tea to keep his hands busy. "Sleep okay?"

"Eh," she said, flipping a page. "Kept dreaming about dumb stuff. You?"

"Same," he admitted, pouring hot water from the kettle. "Dumb stuff."

She smirked, finally glancing at him. "Like what?"

He fumbled the mug, nearly splashing tea on his shirt. "Uh—just… school. You know."

"Liar," she teased, sitting up. Her tank top slipped off one shoulder, revealing a sliver of skin, and Riku's eyes darted there before snapping back to his tea, his face heating. "You're thinking about last night."

"Am not," he lied, sipping too fast and burning his tongue. "Ow—damn it!"

She laughed, hopping off the couch and padding over. "Smooth, Riku. Here." She grabbed a napkin, dabbing at the tiny spill on his shirt, her fingers brushing his chest. He stiffened, the contact sparking through him, and she smirked up at him, too close. "You're a mess."

"Shut up," he muttered, stepping back, but his voice lacked bite. She tossed the napkin aside, leaning against the counter with a grin that said she knew exactly what she was doing.

His mom breezed in, saving him from combusting. "Morning, you two! Rain's keeping us in—any plans?"

"Nope," Aiko said, stretching with a yawn that lifted her top again, flashing her midriff. Riku coughed, turning to the sink, and she smirked wider. "Just hanging out."

"Good," Hana said, oblivious. "I'm making curry later. Riku, help me shop?"

"Sure," he said, seizing the escape. Aiko shot him a mock pout, but he ignored it, grabbing his umbrella and bolting out with his mom.

---

The grocery run was a reprieve—normalcy in the form of picking carrots and debating rice brands. But his phone buzzed midway through, a text from Haruka: *"Can we meet? Need to talk. Park, 2 pm?"* His stomach sank. Another test.

Back home, he found Aiko still on the couch, now with a bowl of chips. "Mom's napping," she said, crunching. "Dad's out. Just us."

"Great," he said, sitting at the far end, keeping distance. "Uh—Haruka texted. Wants to meet later."

Aiko's crunching paused, her eyes narrowing. "About what?"

"Dunno," he said, fidgeting. "Probably the… stuff."

She set the bowl down, her smirk gone. "You're going?"

"Yeah," he said, meeting her gaze. "She's my friend. I owe her that."

Aiko's jaw tightened, but she nodded. "Fine. Don't do anything stupid."

"Like what?" he asked, frowning.

"Like kissing her," she said, half-teasing, half-serious. "You're mine now, knight."

He blushed, stammering, "I'm not—I wouldn't—shut up!"

She laughed, but it was brittle, and she turned back to her manga, leaving him rattled.

---

The park was soggy when Riku arrived, umbrella shielding him from the drizzle. Haruka waited on a bench, her pink raincoat bright against the gray, her expression nervous but determined. She waved as he approached, standing to meet him.

"Hey," she said, clutching her umbrella. "Thanks for coming."

"No problem," he said, sitting beside her, keeping a careful gap. "What's up?"

She took a breath, her hands twisting the handle. "I've been thinking. About you and Aiko. It's real now, right?"

He nodded, throat tight. "Yeah. Sort of. We're… figuring it out."

She smiled, small and bittersweet. "I figured. You've got this look lately—like you're happy, but scared. It's cute."

He rubbed his neck, blushing. "Uh—thanks?"

"I'm not mad anymore," she said, her voice softening. "I was, but… I get it now. You didn't mean to hurt me. You just… fell for her."

"I don't know if 'fell' is the word," he said, hesitant. "It's complicated."

"It's love," she said simply, and he jolted, staring at her. "Maybe you don't see it yet, but I do. And I'm okay with it. I just needed to say goodbye to… hoping."

"Haruka," he started, guilt gnawing at him, but she shook her head.

"It's fine," she said, standing. "Friends, right? For real this time."

"For real," he agreed, standing too. She stepped closer, her raincoat brushing his arm, and hugged him—quick, firm, a farewell to what might've been. He hugged back, relief and sadness mixing, and she pulled away with a shaky smile.

"Take care of her," she said, then turned and walked off, her pink figure fading into the rain.

---

He got home soaked, his umbrella forgotten in the rush. Aiko was in the kitchen, stirring curry, her sweater sleeves rolled up. She glanced at him, her smirk returning. "Wet dog look suits you," she teased.

"Funny," he said, dropping his bag. "Haruka's good. She's… moving on."

Aiko's stirring paused, her eyes flicking to his. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," he said, stepping closer. "Said I should take care of you."

She snorted, turning back to the pot. "Like I need it. I'm the one keeping you in line."

He smirked, leaning against the counter beside her. "Sure you are."

She bumped him with her hip, smirking back, and the tension eased, their new normal settling in. But then the door banged open, and Yuna stormed in, her fox-tail prop swaying, her grin wicked.

"Miss me, lovebirds?" she sang, shaking rain from her hair. "Heard you're official now—spill!"

Aiko groaned, shoving the spoon at Riku. "Deal with her."

"No way," he said, but Yuna plopped onto a stool, unfazed.

"Too late," she said, leaning forward, her shirt slipping to flash a hint of cleavage. "Details, now!"

Riku yelped, turning to the sink, his face flaming. Aiko laughed, tossing a towel at Yuna. "Out, fox-girl, or I'll drown you in curry!"

Yuna dodged, cackling, and the kitchen erupted—shouts, laughter, and a flung carrot that missed her by inches. Riku sank against the counter, watching Aiko chase Yuna out, his heart thudding. New normal, sure—but with her, it'd never be calm.