The morning sun filtered through sheer curtains, casting soft golden light across the quiet living room. Reina stood near the kitchen counter, her back straight, arms crossed, tension hidden behind a mask of calm.
Rikuto sat opposite her at the table, coffee untouched.
"I thought we should talk," Reina finally said, breaking the silence that had lingered since the last incident between them.
Rikuto raised an eyebrow. "About?"
"You know very well."
He leaned back, eyes calm but alert. "You mean the tension? The looks? The way your body reacted when I touched your hand yesterday?"
Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't back down. "It has to stop, Rikuto. We've gone too far."
He leaned in slightly, voice low. "Then why are you trembling right now?"
Her breath hitched — just for a second — but he noticed.
"I'm married to your daughter," he said, softer now. "You should've shut the door on this… but you didn't."
"And you should've never opened it," she shot back, though her voice faltered at the edges.
Their eyes met. Neither spoke for a long moment. Every breath between them felt loaded.
"I only came to talk," Reina said, turning away.
But as she moved past him, Rikuto's hand brushed her wrist.
It wasn't a grab.
It wasn't forceful.
But her feet stopped.
Her heartbeat didn't.
"I didn't plan any of this," she whispered.
"I know," he replied.
They stood like that — barely touching, shoulders almost brushing, the quiet between them now deafening.
Then Reina pulled away.
Not quickly, not with conviction. Just… enough.
"Don't," she said, retreating down the hallway.
Rikuto didn't follow. Not yet.
---
Afternoon Passed in Quiet
Aya returned just before lunch, humming softly as she placed some grocery bags down.
Reina and Rikuto pretended nothing had happened.
But their silence was charged — electric.
Reina busied herself in the kitchen, barely speaking, hands moving a little too quickly.
Rikuto kept stealing glances at her. The way her body tensed every time he entered the room. The way her breath hitched when he stood too close.
---
Evening – The Catalyst
As dinner was finishing, Aya's phone buzzed.
She checked it, her brows furrowing.
"Oh no," she murmured. "My friend Emi just broke up with her boyfriend. She's devastated. She asked if I could stay with her tonight."
Reina looked up. "Is she okay?"
"She will be," Aya replied. "But I think she needs someone tonight."
Reina gave a soft nod. "Go. Be there for her."
Aya turned to Rikuto. "You okay with it?"
He smiled. "Of course. Go help your friend."
Within fifteen minutes, Aya was packed and ready.
Before leaving, she gave Reina a quick hug and leaned in to kiss Rikuto on the cheek.
"Don't let Mom overwork herself," she teased, then disappeared through the door.
---
Reina sat in the living room, scrolling aimlessly through her phone.
Rikuto stood nearby, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching her silently.
The ticking of the clock grew louder.
Every sound, every breath, every shift of clothing felt amplified.
"Strange, isn't it?" he said finally. "How quiet the house feels without her."
Reina gave a tight smile. "It's just for one night."
"Plenty of time to... talk," he said, stepping a little closer.
She froze.
He came to sit beside her, his leg barely brushing hers.
Her body stiffened, but she didn't move away.
"I thought we already tried talking," she muttered, eyes still on her phone.
"We did," he said, voice calm. "And it didn't go anywhere."
He shifted slightly, his fingers resting on the back of the couch behind her head.
Reina swallowed. "This isn't right."
"But it's real," he whispered near her ear.
His voice sent a tremor through her spine.
She turned to face him — face flushed, eyes defiant but flickering with uncertainty.
His hand moved slowly, brushing her hair back behind her ear.
Reina flinched.
But again… didn't pull away.
"You've been holding back," he said, eyes locked on hers.
"You don't know what you're doing," she whispered, lips trembling.
"I know exactly what I'm doing."
He leaned in, breath warm on her skin, lips just grazing her temple.
Her hands trembled in her lap.
His fingers grazed down her arm, featherlight. Just enough to make her skin ache for more.
Reina's breath caught.
She turned her face away.
"Rikuto…" she warned, her voice barely holding together.
But his hand reached her waist, fingertips resting lightly, just suggestive enough to make her shiver.
"I see it, Reina," he said softly, voice a deep murmur. "You're trying to be strong. But you're drowning in this… just like I am."
Her lip quivered.
"I can't," she whispered.
"You will."
He didn't push further. Not yet.
But the fire was lit.
And Reina didn't leave.
They stayed like that — close, burning, neither saying a word.
Then she moves away from him to stand by the window.
Both knowing exactly where the night was headed.
---