Chapter 6 - Crossing the Line

The moment her lips touched mine, my mind went blank.

It wasn't supposed to happen.

It wasn't supposed to feel like this.

Her kiss was slow, hesitant, as if waiting for me to push her away.

But I didn't.

I couldn't.

Somewhere in the back of my head, a voice screamed at me—this is wrong, this is dangerous, this is everything we shouldn't do.

But her warmth drowned out all reason.

Her fingers tightened around my wrist, pulling me closer.

My body reacted on instinct. My hands found her waist, gripping the soft fabric of her sweater. She let out a quiet gasp, her breath warm against my skin.

The world outside didn't exist.

It was just the two of us, tangled in something forbidden, something we couldn't name.

Then—

A sharp knock on the front door shattered everything.

We jerked apart, breathing hard.

I stepped back so fast I nearly stumbled. My heart was pounding, my mind racing.

Himari touched her lips, her face flushed.

Neither of us spoke.

Then the knock came again, louder this time.

Reality slammed back into me.

I turned, still dazed, and opened the door.

Ryosuke stood there.

My stomach dropped.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes flickering past me—toward the stairs where Himari was standing.

Something in his gaze shifted.

He knew.

I swallowed hard. "What are you doing here?"

Ryosuke tilted his head, a slow smirk curling his lips. "Just thought I'd drop by. You don't mind, do you?"

My throat went dry.

This was bad.

This was really bad.

I glanced back at Himari. Her face was pale, her hands clenched at her sides.

We were one step away from being caught.

And from the way Ryosuke was watching us—like a predator that had just found its prey—

I knew he wasn't leaving without answers.