Chapter 35: Tangled Hearts and Tighter Spots

The Monday morning sun streamed through the kitchen window, painting the room in a deceptive calm. Riku shoveled cereal into his mouth, trying to ignore the lingering tension from the weekend. His parents' "be careful" talk still echoed in his ears, and Aiko's quiet presence across the table wasn't helping. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her usual confidence dulled by the faint shadows under her eyes.

"Late night?" his mom asked, pouring coffee with a knowing smile.

Aiko shrugged, forcing a grin. "Just couldn't sleep. Thinking about… stuff."

"Stuff," his dad echoed, peering over his newspaper. "Right."

Riku choked on his cereal, coughing to cover the heat creeping up his neck. The porch kiss flashed through his mind—soft lips, starlight, the thrill of her closeness. He risked a glance at Aiko, and her eyes met his, sparkling with mischief. She kicked him under the table, lighter this time, a silent *we're still good*. He nodded, shoving another spoonful into his mouth to hide his grin.

But the peace shattered the moment they stepped into Class 2-B. Yuna greeted them with a dramatic flourish, waving a notebook like a conductor's baton. "Morning, lovebirds! Guess who's the talk of the school—again?"

"Not us," Riku muttered, slumping into his seat.

"Oh, but it *is*," Yuna sang, flipping the notebook open. "I started a betting pool. Fifty yen says you two get caught sneaking out by Friday. Haruka's in for Wednesday, and Mika's holding out for next week."

Aiko snatched the notebook, scanning it with a scowl. "You're ridiculous."

"Ridiculously profitable," Yuna corrected, snatching it back. "Half the class is in on it."

Riku groaned, burying his face in his hands. "This is a nightmare."

"It's about to get worse," Haruka said, sliding into the desk beside him. Her tone was gentle, but her eyes held a flicker of unease. "The student council's planning a 'Family Day' event next month. Parents are invited to tour the school."

Aiko's pencil snapped in half. "You're kidding."

"Nope," Haruka said, wincing. "President Sato thinks it'll boost morale. But with the rumors…"

Riku's stomach dropped. Family Day meant his parents—and Aiko's—parading through a school already buzzing with gossip. Their careful balancing act could collapse under that kind of scrutiny.

Mika approached, her voice soft but firm. "You should tell them. Before it gets out of hand."

"Tell them what?" Riku asked, though he knew exactly what she meant.

Mika's gaze darted between him and Aiko. "The truth. They're your family—they'll understand."

Aiko laughed, sharp and brittle. "Yeah, because that went *so* well last time."

The bell rang, cutting off further debate, but the weight of Mika's words lingered. Riku couldn't shake the image: his mom's gentle concern morphing into shock, his dad's gruff acceptance turning cold. They'd said they'd support them, but how far did that promise stretch?

---

Lunch brought no respite. Riku and Aiko slipped away to the rooftop again, hoping for a moment of quiet. They settled behind a vent, knees brushing as they unwrapped their bentos.

"We can't keep hiding forever," Riku said, poking at his rice. "Mika's right—they'll find out eventually."

Aiko sighed, resting her chopsticks on her knee. "I know. But telling them means everything changes. No more pretending it's just… us."

He reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Maybe that's okay. We're stronger than we think."

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You're such a knight, Riku. Always charging in."

Before he could reply, a shadow loomed over them. Yuna stood triumphant, hands on her hips. "Found you! Pay up, losers—private rooftop time costs extra."

Aiko lunged, but Yuna danced back, laughing. "Oh, come on, it's cute! You two sneaking off like some tragic romance."

"It's not funny," Riku snapped, standing. "Just leave us alone for once."

Yuna's grin faltered, surprise flashing across her face. "Geez, fine. Touchy much?"

She flounced off, but the mood was ruined. Aiko tugged Riku back down, her fingers lingering on his wrist. "She's just messing with us. Don't let her win."

"Easier said than done," he muttered, but he leaned into her touch, the warmth grounding him.

Then it happened—a gust of wind caught Aiko's bento, spilling tamagoyaki onto her lap. She yelped, jumping up, and her skirt flipped up just enough to reveal a glimpse of lace-trimmed underwear. Riku's brain short-circuited, his face flaming as he stammered, "I—I didn't mean to—!"

Aiko swatted his arm, laughing despite her blush. "Pervert! Help me clean this up!"

He scrambled for a napkin, dabbing at her skirt while she giggled, their hands brushing in the chaos. For a moment, the world was just them—messy, flustered, and inexplicably happy.

---

After school, the harem dynamics reared their head. Haruka caught Riku by the lockers, her voice low. "I know it's not my place, but… are you sure about this? With Aiko?"

Riku tensed, adjusting his bag. "What do you mean?"

"She's your cousin," Haruka said, hesitating. "And we're all here, too. Me, Mika, Yuna… it's complicated."

He swallowed, the weight of her words sinking in. Haruka's feelings—and Mika's, and even Yuna's teasing—weren't just background noise. They were part of this tangled mess. "I care about her," he said finally. "I don't know what that means for everyone else yet."

Haruka nodded, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. "Just… don't hurt her. Or yourself."

Before he could respond, Mika appeared, her quiet presence a contrast to Haruka's intensity. "We're meeting at the café later," she said. "Yuna's idea. You should come."

Riku hesitated, glancing at Aiko across the hall. She caught his eye, tilting her head in question. He nodded, and she smiled—a small, secret thing that made his chest ache.

---

The café was a whirlwind of noise and caffeine. Yuna dominated the conversation, regaling them with exaggerated tales of the betting pool, while Haruka sipped her tea in amused silence. Mika sat beside Riku, her shoulder brushing his as she murmured, "You looked stressed today."

"I'm fine," he lied, but her steady gaze unnerved him. She didn't push, just handed him a cookie from her plate—a quiet gesture that felt louder than words.

Aiko, perched on his other side, leaned close to whisper, "They're circling like sharks, huh?"

He chuckled, her breath tickling his ear. "Yeah. But I've got my knightly armor on."

"Good," she said, stealing the cookie from his hand and popping it into her mouth. "You'll need it."

The banter eased the tension, but the undercurrent remained. Family Day loomed like a storm cloud, and the truth—whatever it became—wouldn't stay buried much longer.

---

That night, Riku found Aiko in their shared bathroom, brushing her teeth with fierce concentration. He leaned against the doorframe, watching her in the mirror.

"We need a plan," he said. "For Family Day."

She spit into the sink, wiping her mouth. "Simple. We act normal, keep our distance, let the rumors die down."

"And if they don't?" he pressed.

She turned, her expression softening. "Then we face it. Together."

He stepped closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Together," he echoed.

Her hand caught his, holding it against her cheek. The air thickened, charged with unspoken promises, until she smirked and flicked toothpaste foam onto his shirt.

"Jerk!" he yelped, lunging for the sink. She darted away, laughing, and the moment dissolved into playful chaos—a reminder that, no matter what came next, they'd find a way through.

---