The door creaked open softly. It was Mr. Hanabira, his face etched with worry.
"We weren't hearing anything and started to get a little concerned," he said, glancing around. "Is everything alright?"
"Y-yeah," I replied with a nervous smile.
Kaori, still blushing and silent, stood up without looking at me and entered the house first. I followed behind, at a slower pace.
"Coming in, Haruki?" Mr. Hanabira asked before closing the door.
"Of course. I was just… thinking how kind you all are."
He smiled and gave me a pat on the back.
Inside, Mrs. Miyako waited calmly in the living room, as if everything was under control.
"Are you two okay now?" she asked gently.
Kaori and I nodded at the same time.
"I'm glad," she said, eyes closed in a warm smile. "Family shouldn't fight. You understand, right?"
Her words, soft but firm, hit me with a strange sting in the chest. It was like being scolded with kindness.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll try not to argue with Kaori again," I said.
"I... I'm sorry too," Kaori murmured, looking down.
Mrs. Miyako watched us with tender eyes, then added:
"Now you just need to make up with Ailany, right, Haruki?"
I bit my lip.
"Yeah... I'll talk to her tomorrow. I also want to speak with you about the trip… and about Uke Mochi."
"Then for tonight, I think it's best everyone gets some rest," Mr. Hanabira chimed in with a soothing tone.
Mrs. Miyako glanced at Kaori, then at me, with a smile that spelled trouble.
"Kaori, you'll be sleeping with Haruki tonight. The house is small, and Ailany's locked herself in her room."
Silence fell over the room like a cold breeze. I felt my soul freeze.
"I don't think it's a problem," Mr. Hanabira added with a chuckle. "You two were practically raised like siblings."
"N-no, it's fine. Thank you for letting Kaori stay," I said quickly, my face burning.
"Then it's settled," Mrs. Miyako concluded. "Good night, Haruki. Kaori."
Before leaving, Mr. Kazuo placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You'll always be welcome in this humble home."
Once they left, Kaori and I stood in silence in the middle of the room. The air was heavy.
"I guess… we should get to bed," I said, finally breaking the tension.
"Yeah…"
The room was simple, but I noticed they had swapped out the futon for a larger one. I swallowed hard.
"Go ahead. It's not luxurious like what you're used to, but… it's comfy."
Kaori stepped inside quietly. As usual, I took off my shirt before bed.
"H-hey! What do you think you're doing, stripping like that?!" Kaori squeaked, visibly flustered.
"Ah! N-no, I just… sleep without a shirt. But if it bothers you, I'll put it back on!"
"It's fine. Just… caught me off guard."
A brief silence settled between us. Then she asked in a low voice:
"Aren't you going to say anything… about earlier?"
"Do you want to talk about it now?" I asked, lying down.
She hesitated, then shook her head and lay down beside me.
"Good night, Haruki…"
An hour passed. Neither of us could sleep. I could hear her uneasy breathing.
"You can't sleep either, huh?"
"This outfit's uncomfortable… I'm not used to sleeping like this."
"You could wear one of my shirts. They're big—might be more comfortable."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea… I'm already nervous enough."
"Still," I said, sitting up, "I'll find a long one. When we were kids, this wasn't a big deal."
"That was years ago! I'm a woman now. My body's… different. And besides, after earlier…"
"It's okay," I said firmly, handing her a shirt. "I won't do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I promise."
Her eyes softened slightly. She hesitated, but took the shirt with trembling hands.
"Can you turn around?"
"Of course."
I turned immediately, though my mind was a storm.
"Get it together, Haruki! Don't think anything weird! She's your aunt… well, technically…"
"Something wrong, Haruki?"
"N-no! Are you done?"
"Not yet…"
I heard the gentle rustle of her shorts. I swallowed hard. "Don't think. Don't imagine. Don't—!"
"Okay… I'm done. Though it's a bit short…"
I wasn't supposed to look. I knew that. But I did.
There she stood, the shirt barely covering her thighs, hair tousled, cheeks flushed, eyes shy but resolved.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah! Just… it's hot, right? Or is it just me?"
"You're… you're nose is bleeding."
She rushed over, touching my forehead in concern.
"You're burning up… Are you really okay?"
"Of course I'm burning up! Look at you!"
I jumped back like I'd been electrocuted.
"W-we should get to the futon!"
"Eh? Why—?"
But then she got it. She covered herself up to the nose.
"P-pervert! You said you didn't see me that way!"
"I thought I didn't! But… you're beautiful. Your body, your face… I can't help it. I'm sorry."
"And Ailany? What about your feelings for her?"
"That was harsh…"
"Now I don't know if I should sleep next to you."
"I agree…"
A long silence passed. I was already eyeing the floor when her trembling voice stopped me.
"But… I don't want you to sleep cold because of me. You can sleep here, Haruki. Please."
"Are you sure?"
"We're adults. If anything happens, it's because we both wanted it. So come on… and just sleep."
This is probably the worst decision of my life. I slid under the blanket, heart pounding like a war drum.
The next morning, I woke up sore, my back twisted… and Kaori asleep on my shoulder, her hand resting on my chest, as if nothing had happened.
I stared at her, trying to make sense of what I was feeling. Confusion. Warmth. And something else.
I glanced at the time.
"EIGHT in the morning?! You've got to be kidding me!"
I bolted upright, heart in my throat.
"If Ailany—or anyone—sees us like this… I'm dead!"