Chapter 5 - Ryosuke’s Revenge

The next morning felt like a hangover without the alcohol.

I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her—standing in my room, so close, too close.

I had almost kissed my step-sister.

No. Not my step-sister.

Himari.

My childhood friend. My best friend's ex. The girl who had always been just a little too close, a little too familiar.

I thought things would settle down after last night, that we could pretend nothing happened.

I was wrong.

—

When I arrived at school, the first thing I noticed was the way people were whispering.

Not just any gossip. Our gossip.

I stopped in my tracks, my grip tightening on my bag.

My stomach turned.

I found Ryosuke leaning against a wall near the lockers, arms crossed, a smug grin on his face.

"Yo, Haruto."

I already knew. I didn't want to ask.

But I had to.

"What did you do?"

Ryosuke chuckled, tilting his head. "Man, you're really tense today."

I didn't move. "Ryosuke."

He clicked his tongue. "Relax. I didn't say anything too bad. Just… told a few people that you and Himari have been acting weird lately."

My blood ran cold.

He leaned in slightly, voice lowering. "You should've seen their reactions when I told them you two live together now."

My jaw tightened. "Why the hell would you—"

"Because I'm not stupid, Haruto." His grin dropped, replaced by something sharper, darker. "She broke up with me, and the next thing I know, she's clinging to you? Sneaking around?"

He scoffed. "Yeah. I put the pieces together."

I swallowed hard.

This was bad.

Ryosuke might not know the full truth, but he was planting seeds of suspicion. If people started talking—if rumors spread—then Himari and I…

No. I couldn't let that happen.

I forced a smirk. "You're overthinking things, man. She's just my step-sister now. That's all."

Ryosuke stared at me for a long moment, as if trying to decide whether I was lying.

Then, he laughed. "Sure. Whatever you say."

But something about his smile sent a chill down my spine.

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

—

By the time I got home, my head was pounding.

I pushed open the door, kicking off my shoes, when I heard a soft voice behind me.

"You're late."

I turned. Himari stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed.

Something about the way she looked at me made my chest tighten.

"You're still mad about last night," she said.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "It's not about that."

Her eyes narrowed. "Then what is it?"

I hesitated. "Ryosuke. He's spreading rumors."

Her expression darkened. "About us?"

I nodded. "He's suspicious."

A sharp breath. "So what now? Are we supposed to pretend like we don't even know each other?"

"Maybe we should."

She flinched.

For a moment, she didn't say anything.

Then, she walked down the stairs, stopping just a step away from me.

"You're serious," she whispered.

I clenched my fists. "I'm trying to protect you."

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "And what about what I want?"

I swallowed. "Himari—"

She grabbed my wrist.

The touch sent a jolt through my body.

My pulse quickened.

She wasn't just close. She was too close.

Her fingers curled tighter around my wrist. "Tell me, Haruto."

Her voice was softer now, but there was something dangerous in it.

"If I kissed you right now… would you stop me?"

My breath caught.

I should've said yes. I should've pulled away.

But I didn't.

I just stood there, heart pounding in my chest, trapped in the weight of her gaze.

I had already lost.

And when she leaned in, closing the last bit of distance between us—

I didn't stop her.