The night air was crisp as Riku Kazehaya unlocked the door to their shared apartment, gym bag slung over his shoulder. His shirt clung to him from boxing drills that ran longer than expected.
He let out a sigh as he slipped off his shoes, his voice barely above a mutter.
"I'm home..."
No reply.
The lights were dim in the hallway, but Aika's bedroom door was open slightly, and the scent of her shampoo lingered in the air. He padded toward his room quietly, eager to crash on his bed and call it a night.
But when he opened the door…
"What the hell?"
There was no bed.
Just… space. Blank and clean.
He blinked twice.
"…Did someone rob me? But like, selectively?"
He walked to the living room, scratching the back of his head — until he saw her.
Aika Hoshino, sitting on the couch in oversized shorts and a loose shirt, casually sipping soda.
"Oh. You're back." She didn't even look up.
"Where's my bed?"
"In my room," she said without missing a beat.
"…Why?"
"You're sleeping with me now."
Riku paused mid-step, one brow lifting higher than he thought physically possible.
"…Huh?"
She looked up, eyes calm. "I moved your bed. It fits perfectly next to mine. Or we can just use one, I don't mind."
"You don't mind—? Wait, hold on, Aika. We've only known each other for like, what… three months?"
"And you're my boyfriend."
He blinked again.
"That's… not the issue here."
"Do you have a problem with me?" Her tone sharpened just slightly.
Riku held his hands up in surrender. "No! No problem! I'm just… surprised."
"Good." She stood, walked toward him, and poked him in the chest. "Besides, that spare room is better for installing your punching bag anyway."
"Oh. I mean, I was thinking about putting one up, but—"
"I already ordered the wall mount."
"You what?"
"And," she said, holding up two fingers, "from tonight, you follow two new rules."
Riku tilted his head. "Rules?"
"One." She held up a finger. "You must avoid every other girl in school."
"…That's a little intense—"
"Two." She raised the second finger. "You are forbidden from accepting any other girl's feelings. Ever."
"That's the same thing twice."
"Exactly." She smiled. "So you don't forget."
Riku looked at her, deadpan.
"…You're insane."
"I'm in love."
He sighed and slumped into the couch beside her. "You're lucky you're cute."
"I know," she said, leaning against his shoulder.
He could feel her warmth through the shirt, and for a moment, neither said anything. Just the soft hum of the fan, the low buzz of the city outside, and her heartbeat against his side.
Maybe she was crazy.
But maybe… that's what made this work.