Chapter 42: Storm Watch

Saturday morning dawned with a deceptive brightness, sunlight spilling through Riku's window and jolting him awake. Emi's text—*"We should hang out sometime—clear the air more?"*—had sat unanswered on his phone all night, a quiet threat to the fragile peace he and Aiko had carved out. He groaned, rolling out of bed and tugging on a hoodie, determined to tackle it before it grew claws.

Downstairs, Aiko was in the kitchen, sipping orange juice and scrolling her phone, her hair a messy cascade over one shoulder. She wore a loose tank top and shorts, her bare legs catching the light, and Riku's brain stalled for a second before he shook it off.

"Morning," he said, grabbing a mug for coffee.

"Morning," she replied, smirking up at him. "Sleep off your Haruka-induced stress?"

"Barely," he muttered, pouring coffee. "And now Emi's texting me."

Aiko's smirk faltered, her grip tightening on her glass. "Oh, great. What's she want?"

"To 'hang out,'" he said, air-quoting. "Clear the air, she says."

"Clear the air," Aiko echoed, her tone dry. "Sure. She's just dying to be buddies again."

He sat across from her, nudging her foot under the table. "Relax. I haven't replied yet. We'll figure it out."

Her smirk returned, softer. "Better figure fast, knight. She's not subtle."

Before he could respond, his mom breezed in, apron tied and humming. "Morning, kids! Plans today?"

"Nope," Riku said, too quick, and Aiko's foot nudged him again—a warning.

"Just chilling," she added, sipping her juice. "Maybe some homework."

Hana arched a brow, stirring pancake batter. "Good. Keep it low-key. I heard from Emi's mom yesterday—she's excited about Family Day. Mentioned you two hanging out soon."

Riku choked on his coffee, coughing as Aiko's smirk turned wicked. "Did she?" she asked, all innocence. "How sweet."

"Very," Hana said, oblivious to the undercurrent. "She's a nice girl, Riku. You could use more friends like her."

Aiko's foot pressed harder, and he winced, muttering, "Yeah, maybe."

Hana hummed, flipping a pancake, and Riku shot Aiko a glare. "Stop that," he hissed under his breath.

"Make me," she whispered back, grinning, and the morning teetered on the edge of chaos.

---

School on Monday was a storm watch in full swing. Emi's text had sparked a group chat frenzy—Yuna leading the charge with *"New girl alert! Riku's harem grows!"*—and Riku muted it before homeroom, his head already pounding. Aiko walked in beside him, her shoulder brushing his, a silent claim amidst the buzz.

Haruka greeted them with a smile, handing Riku a granola bar. "You looked tired yesterday," she said, her tone gentle. "Fuel up."

"Thanks," he said, taking it, and Aiko's knee bumped his under the desk—a subtle *watch it*. He nudged back, grinning despite the tension.

Mika slipped in next, her book clutched tight, and offered a shy nod. "Morning," she murmured, her eyes flicking to Aiko, then away. The air was thick with unspoken questions, but no one pressed.

Yuna was the spark, bursting in with a grin and a loud, "Morning, harem king! Heard Emi's back in play—spill!"

"Shut up," Riku muttered, shoving his bag under his seat. "It's just a text."

"A text that's got Aiko's hackles up," Yuna teased, leaning over his desk. "Right, princess?"

Aiko smirked, crossing her arms. "I'm fine, senpai. Riku knows who he's with."

"Does he?" Yuna shot back, winking. "Emi's got that sweet-girl vibe—he might waver."

Riku groaned, sinking lower, but Haruka intervened, tugging Yuna back. "Leave them alone," she said, her smile strained. "It's not funny."

"Fine, fine," Yuna relented, flouncing to her seat. "Spoilsports."

The day rolled on, the storm brewing quietly. At lunch, Riku and Aiko escaped to the roof, bentos open, the breeze cool against their skin. "Emi's gonna be a problem," Aiko said, popping a rice ball into her mouth.

"Maybe," Riku agreed, leaning back on his hands. "What do I even say?"

"'No thanks' works," she teased, smirking. "Or I could reply for you—something short and sharp."

He laughed, nudging her shoulder. "Tempting. But I'll handle it."

She stretched, her tank top riding up to flash her stomach, and his eyes flicked there, then away, his face warm. "Caught you," she said, grinning.

"Shut up," he muttered, shoving her lightly, and she laughed, rolling onto her side to face him.

"Handle it fast," she said, her voice dropping. "I don't share."

He met her gaze, smirking. "Noted."

---

That afternoon, Emi appeared. She caught Riku by the lockers after class, her smile hesitant but warm. "Hey," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Did you get my text?"

"Yeah," he said, adjusting his bag, Aiko's warning echoing in his head. "Been busy."

"I get it," she said, stepping closer. "I just… I feel like we left things weird after Family Day. I'd like to fix that—friends, you know?"

Her blouse shifted as she moved, a fleeting glimpse of collarbone catching the light, and Riku's brain stuttered, quickly refocusing. "Friends sounds good," he said, keeping it light. "No fixing needed, though."

She smiled, relieved. "Cool. Maybe we could grab coffee sometime? Catch up?"

"Uh, maybe," he hedged, glancing down the hall where Aiko was watching, her arms crossed, her smirk a blade. "I'll let you know."

Emi nodded, oblivious, and left with a wave. Aiko sauntered over, her eyes glinting. "Smooth, knight. 'Maybe'?"

"Shut up," he said, grinning despite himself. "I kept it vague."

"Vague's dangerous," she teased, poking his chest. "She's still in the game."

"She's not," he insisted, catching her hand. "You're the only one I'm playing with."

Her smirk softened, and she squeezed his fingers. "Good answer."

---

That night, the storm crept closer. Hana cornered them in the living room, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. "Emi's mom called," she said, folding laundry. "Said you two talked today."

"Yeah," Riku said, sinking into the couch beside Aiko. "Just catching up."

"Nice girl," Hana said, stacking shirts. "She'd be good for you."

Aiko's hand tensed on his knee under the blanket, her voice light but edged. "Riku's got plenty of friends, Aunt Hana."

Hana glanced up, her smile tightening. "True. But it's good to branch out. You two are awfully… attached."

"We're fine," Riku said, meeting her gaze. "Just us."

Hana hummed, unconvinced, and left with her laundry basket. Aiko leaned into him, whispering, "She's pushing."

"She'll stop eventually," he murmured, squeezing her hand. "We've got this."

"Better," she teased, resting her head on his shoulder. The TV flickered, but they didn't watch, the storm watch humming beneath their calm.

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