The soft ticking of the clock filled the guest room. The night was quiet… too quiet.
Reina lay on her side, facing the window. Her glass of wine was long finished, yet the taste of something else lingered on her lips—something dangerous.
Something like him.
She had closed her eyes, but her mind refused to rest. Her heart had never raced like this before—not since her husband died years ago. But now, an image haunted her.
His body. His voice. That look in his eyes.
"Confident," she whispered to herself in the dark. "Too confident."
She turned again, pulling the blanket higher.
But it was already too late.
---
The dream came slowly. Like mist creeping in through an open door.
Reina found herself standing in the hallway of the house—but it wasn't night. It was warm, golden… like summer sunlight glowing through sheer curtains.
She wore a different nightgown, shorter, thinner. She felt exposed… but excited.
Then came footsteps behind her.
Bare. Heavy. Male.
She turned—and he was there.
Rikuto.
He was shirtless again. But this time… he wasn't the son-in-law.
He was something else.
Powerful. Dominant. Hungry.
And his eyes—those eyes devoured her.
"You shouldn't look at me like that," she said in the dream, but her voice trembled.
He stepped closer.
"I've been patient," he whispered, brushing his fingers along her cheek. "But you keep coming into my space…"
She backed against the wall. Her breath hitched as he pressed one hand beside her head.
"You're my daughter's husband," she said.
"And you're the one who can't sleep because of me."
His hand grazed her waist—then trailed lower, slowly. Her knees weakened.
She wanted to protest.
She wanted to resist.
But her lips parted… not to say no.
To invite him.
"I shouldn't—"
"You already are," he murmured, leaning closer.
And just as his lips grazed hers—
---
Reina shot upright in bed.
Sweat clung to her skin. Her nightgown was damp. Her hand instinctively pulled the sheets higher—but it did nothing to hide the heat between her thighs.
"God," she whispered, breath shaky. "What the hell is wrong with me…"
Her fingers trembled. She didn't dare look at the door—as if he might be standing there, knowing.
> [System Notification: Emotional Link Triggered]
Target: Reina Hoshino
Desire Spike: +17%
Affection: +8%
Reward: ₲500 added to host's personal reserve
Hint: Some feelings are harder to erase once they take root.
Back in the master bedroom, Rikuto sat awake, eyes closed, a slow smile on his lips.
He hadn't received a skill.
He didn't need one.
But he knew she'd never look at him the same again.
Not after that dream.