Chapter 45:TRAPPED IN THE DARKNESS

Chapter 45: Trapped in the Darkness

The sudden blackout sent a wave of silence through the room. The only sound was the faint rustling of fabric as Retina and Iris froze in place.

Rio, lying motionless on the bed, felt his heart pounding louder than ever. His face was already burning from the sight he had just witnessed, but now, the darkness made things even more intense.

"Why did the lights go out?" Iris's voice broke the silence, sounding more curious than concerned.

"Maybe a power issue?" Retina guessed, her voice calm but slightly hesitant.

For a moment, no one moved. Then—

Thud!

"Ow!"

Retina bumped into something—or rather, someone.

"…That's not a wall," she mumbled.

"Wait… what did you just touch?" Iris asked suspiciously.

A long pause followed. Then, both girls suddenly gasped.

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Rio's Crisis

Rio, who had tried his best to remain unseen and unnoticed, realized—it was over.

In the darkness, Retina had bumped into him.

"R-Rio?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with shock.

"What are you doing awake?" Iris asked, her ears twitching in suspicion.

Oh no.

Rio swallowed hard. He had been caught.

"I-I was sleeping!" Rio blurted out, forcing himself to stay calm. "The lights went off, and I woke up just now!"

Silence.

"…Really?" Retina asked, skeptical.

"Y-Yeah! Why would I lie?" Rio laughed nervously, forcing himself not to let his voice shake.

Another silence. Rio could feel their eyes on him, even in the darkness.

"Hmm…" Iris moved closer.

"W-Wait, what are you—?!"

Before Rio could react, Iris sniffed the air near him.

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The Test

"You're lying," she suddenly declared.

Rio froze. "W-What do you mean?!"

Iris smirked in the darkness. "Your scent… you were awake before the lights went out."

Retina gasped. "So you saw everything?!"

"N-No! I didn't—"

"Then why are you blushing so hard?"

"I-I'M NOT BLUSHING!"

Iris giggled. "Even in the dark, I can sense it. Your heartbeat is so fast~"

Retina sighed dramatically. "Rio… you pervert."

"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG!!"

"Then why do you sound so guilty?"

"I—"

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A Dangerous Turn

Suddenly, the lights flickered back on.

The room was filled with awkward silence as Rio, Retina, and Iris stared at each other.

Retina and Iris were half-dressed, their clothes still in their hands.

Rio, lying on the bed, looked like he had just seen his life flash before his eyes.

The situation was clear.

"…So," Retina began, slowly putting on the rest of her outfit, "how are you gonna make up for this, Rio?"

Iris grinned playfully. "Yeah, we should punish him."

Rio gulped. "…W-What kind of punishment?"

Retina smiled sweetly. "You'll see."

The chapter ends with Rio's fate uncertain as the girls decide what to do with him, leaving readers in suspense.

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