Chapter 41: Testing Boundaries

The week started with a deceptive calm, like the quiet before a storm nobody saw coming. Riku and Aiko had settled into a rhythm—secret smiles at breakfast, careful distance at school, stolen moments in the hallway at night. But Tuesday morning cracked that rhythm wide open.

It began in homeroom. Riku slouched at his desk, doodling in the margins of his notebook, when Mr. Tanaka—their perpetually frazzled teacher—dropped a bombshell. "Class, we're starting a group project. Pairs will be assigned, and you'll present next week. No swaps, no complaints."

The room erupted in groans, but Riku's stomach sank for a different reason. He caught Aiko's eye across the room—she was smirking, probably plotting how to bribe their way into pairing up. Then Tanaka read the list.

"Riku Sato and… Haruka Nishida."

Aiko's smirk vanished. Riku felt the air shift, like a spotlight had swung his way. Haruka, beside him, perked up, her smile bright but nervous. "Looks like we're a team!" she said, nudging his shoulder.

"Yeah," Riku managed, glancing at Aiko. Her expression was neutral now, too neutral, the kind that meant trouble later.

The assignments continued. Aiko got paired with Kota, who shot her a sheepish grin. She nodded back, but her eyes flicked to Riku, a silent *we'll talk*. The bell rang, and the day rolled on, but the tension lingered like static.

---

Lunch was a battlefield. The usual crew claimed their table—Yuna sprawled across one end, Mika picking at her bento, Haruka chatting about the project, and Kota trying to keep up with Aiko's sharp retorts. Riku sat between Haruka and Aiko, an unintentional buffer in a brewing storm.

"So," Yuna drawled, twirling a chopstick, "how's it feel to be partnered with Miss Perfect, Riku? Bet Aiko's thrilled."

Aiko stabbed a piece of chicken with her fork. "Ecstatic," she said, her tone dry enough to parch the room. "Riku's lucky to have someone so… organized."

Haruka blushed, laughing it off. "I'm not *that* bad! Besides, we'll crush this project. Right, Riku?"

"Sure," he said, forcing a grin. Aiko's foot nudged his under the table—harder than usual—and he winced. "I mean, yeah, totally."

Mika glanced up, her quiet voice cutting through. "It's just a project. No big deal."

"Exactly," Kota chimed in, oblivious. "Aiko and I are doing ours on urban legends. She's already got half the script written."

Aiko smirked, softening slightly. "Someone's gotta keep you on track, Kota."

Yuna cackled. "Oh, this is gold. Riku's stuck with the goody-two-shoes, Aiko's babysitting Kota—where's my popcorn?"

"Shut it, senpai," Aiko snapped, but her lips twitched, betraying a laugh. Riku relaxed a fraction. Maybe they'd survive this.

---

After school, the library became ground zero. Riku and Haruka set up in one corner, books and laptops spread out, while Aiko and Kota claimed a table nearby—close enough to overhear, far enough to pretend they weren't watching. Haruka dove into the project (something about renewable energy), her enthusiasm almost contagious.

"We could build a mini solar panel model," she suggested, sketching a design. "It'd stand out."

"Cool," Riku said, nodding. "I'm good with the tech stuff. You handle the presentation?"

"Deal." She grinned, then hesitated. "Hey, um… you and Aiko are okay with this, right? Me and you working together?"

Riku blinked, caught off guard. "Yeah, why wouldn't we be?"

Haruka fidgeted with her pencil. "I don't know. She seemed… tense. I don't want to step on anything."

"You're not," he said firmly. "It's just school stuff. She gets it."

Haruka nodded, relieved, but her eyes lingered on him a moment too long. Across the room, Aiko's pen scratched louder against her notebook, a subtle warning shot.

The session stretched late. By the time they packed up, the library was nearly empty. Haruka stretched, her shirt riding up slightly—a fleeting ecchi moment that Riku pretended not to notice. "See you tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Good start today."

She smiled and left, leaving Riku to face Aiko, who was leaning against her table, arms crossed.

"Having fun?" she asked, her tone teasing but edged.

"It's a project, not a date," he said, stepping closer. "You know that."

Her smirk softened. "I know. Just… keep it that way."

He grinned, brushing her hand. "Always."

---

Home brought a different test. Hana had noticed the shift—Riku and Aiko's careful distance at school hadn't gone unchecked. That night, she cornered them in the living room, hands on hips.

"You two are awfully quiet lately," she said, eyeing them over her tea. "Everything okay at school?"

"Fine," Aiko said, sprawled on the couch. "Just busy."

"Mm-hmm." Hana's gaze flicked to Riku. "And you? No trouble with that project of yours?"

"Nope," he said, keeping his voice steady. "Haruka's great to work with."

Hana's eyebrow arched. "Haruka, huh? Nice girl. Polite. Smart."

Aiko's foot nudged Riku's again, a silent *watch it*. "Yeah, she's a saint," Aiko said, her smile tight. "Riku's lucky."

Hana sipped her tea, unconvinced. "Just stick to the rules, you two. School first."

"We are," Riku said, meeting her gaze. "Promise."

She hummed and let it drop, but the air felt heavier as she left the room. Aiko leaned closer, whispering, "She's onto us."

"She's always onto us," Riku muttered back, squeezing her hand under the throw blanket. "We're fine."

---

The real test came Friday. The project pairs presented in class, and Riku and Haruka went last. Their solar panel demo worked flawlessly—Haruka's polished explanation paired with Riku's quick fixes when the wires sparked. The class clapped, Tanaka nodded approval, and Haruka beamed, hugging Riku on impulse.

"Thanks for being an awesome partner!" she said, pulling back quickly, her face red.

"No problem," Riku said, grinning—then froze. Aiko's eyes were on him, sharp and unreadable from her seat. Kota whispered something to her, and she laughed, but it didn't reach her face.

After class, she caught him by the lockers. "Nice show," she said, leaning against the wall. "You and Haruka are quite the team."

"It's just a project," he said, echoing his earlier defense. "You crushed yours too."

"Yeah," she admitted, softening. "Kota's hopeless without me."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You're not mad, right?"

She smirked, poking his chest. "Not mad. Just… keeping you on your toes."

He caught her hand, pulling her into a quick, hidden hug behind the locker bank. "Good. 'Cause I'm all yours."

Her laugh was soft, real. "Damn right you are."

---

That night, the house buzzed with its usual chaos—Hana cooking, Dad grumbling about overtime, the harem group chat lighting up with Yuna's latest antics. Riku and Aiko sat at the kitchen table, knees brushing, their secret safe for another day. But as they traded glances, a new message pinged on Riku's phone.

From Emi: *Heard about your project. Impressive. We should hang out sometime—clear the air more?*

Aiko peeked over his shoulder, her smirk returning. "Trouble's back."

Riku groaned, but his grin matched hers. "Guess we've got more boundaries to test."

"Bring it on," she said, nudging him under the table.

The storm was still brewing, but for now, they'd weather it together.

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