Chapter 15: The Line That Trembled (mild r18)

Rina's side

In her quiet dorm room, Rina sat cross-legged on her bed, laptop open in front of her, yet untouched for the past hour. Her eyes stared blankly at the Word document titled "Group Project - Urban Economy."

But her mind was elsewhere.

Why did I dream of him like that?

She had teased Rikuto many times. Dared him with touches. Played with danger. But she never expected to feel what she felt now — a deep, gnawing ache in her chest and lower belly that flared every time she thought of his scent, his strength, his eyes when they locked with hers.

She pressed her thighs together and let out a frustrated groan.

"I need to stop this."

But the system inside her buzzed softly — a presence she hadn't acknowledged before.

> [Suppressed Desire Detected. Emotional Conflict Level: High.]

"The heart already knows what it wants. The mind just hasn't admitted it."

Rina slammed the laptop shut and pulled the covers over herself, but the warmth didn't help. Not when her heart beat for something she couldn't — or shouldn't — have.

---

Morning sun filtered gently through Aya's living room as the doorbell rang.

Rikuto opened it, surprised.

"Reina?"

Aya's mother stood there in a white blouse and a pale peach skirt, looking poised yet anxious, a bag in her hand.

"I thought I'd return the storage box I borrowed. Aya said she'd be out today, but I figured you'd be home."

She avoided his eyes.

But he saw the subtle flush in her cheeks.

"Come in," he said, stepping aside.

Reina nodded, brushing past him. The scent of her subtle perfume stirred something primal inside him — a quiet hunger he tried to ignore.

She moved gracefully into the kitchen, placing the box on the counter.

"Would you like some coffee?" he offered.

She hesitated. "If it's no trouble."

Minutes later, they sat opposite each other at the table, silent save for the soft clink of cups. Every now and then, Reina would glance up — and immediately look away when their eyes met.

The air was heavy.

Thick.

Electric.

---

Noon – Forbidden Fire

Aya had left earlier for a lunch gathering with her friend's family and wouldn't return till late evening.

Reina remained.

She claimed she was waiting for a package.

But Rikuto knew.

So did she.

By noon, the house was quiet, and the living room felt far too intimate.

She stood by the window, arms crossed, staring out at nothing.

Rikuto approached behind her, his voice low. "You've been avoiding me."

She tensed.

"I had to," she whispered. "You don't understand what I'm feeling…"

He gently touched her shoulder. "Then tell me."

She turned — and their eyes met.

Longing. Guilt. Hunger.

It all swirled together.

Her lips trembled. "You're my son-in-law."

"I'm also a man. And you're… breathtaking."

Her breath hitched.

"I shouldn't be here."

"But you are."

Then silence.

Their bodies closed the space for them.

Reina's hand moved first, brushing his chest through his shirt, then trembling as it paused at his abdomen. Rikuto gently held her wrist, his thumb caressing the skin.

"You've been holding back," he said.

Her throat moved with a swallow.

"I dream of you," she confessed, voice barely audible. "I… touch myself and think of you. And I hate it."

Rikuto's hand slid along her side, resting on her waist.

"You don't have to hate it," he said softly.

She didn't resist when he leaned in.

Didn't pull away when his lips pressed gently to her neck.

She gasped, clinging to his arms, her body already melting.

But he didn't kiss her lips.

Instead, his hands slowly traveled downward, one slipping behind to gently squeeze the swell of her rear, the other sneaking under her blouse, tracing the soft skin of her belly.

Her body trembled with every touch.

"Let me help you," he murmured.

"W-What are you doing?" she asked, voice breathy, but her thighs rubbed together instinctively.

"Just this," he said, as his hand dipped lower, fingers brushing the waistband of her skirt.

She hesitated.

Then nodded.

He slid his hand inside.

Her underwear was already damp.

When his fingers found her wet folds, Reina whimpered and leaned against the wall, arching slightly as he slowly stroked her sensitive core.

His other hand covered her mouth gently, muffling her moans.

"Soft… wet… aching for touch," he whispered, his fingers teasing her pearl with expert ease.

She buckled at the knees, gripping his shirt with both hands as he rubbed gentle circles.

"Mmh—Rikuto—!"

He didn't enter her — not fully — just let his fingers caress her from the outside, building waves of pleasure until her breath caught in her throat and her entire body tensed.

Then she cried out against his palm, shuddering as a warm flood pulsed into his fingers.

She collapsed against him, trembling.

"I… I'm sorry," she whispered, burying her face into his chest. "I couldn't… stop…"

He held her close, stroking her hair.

"You don't have to say sorry," he said softly. "You needed this. You deserve to feel wanted."

Tears pricked at her lashes.

But for the first time in weeks, Reina exhaled.

And let go.