The house felt different that day—quieter than usual, as if it were holding its breath.
"All right, we'll be back late," Mrs. Ishida said cheerfully while tying her scarf in front of the mirror. "There's a big sale across town."
Mr. Ishida jingled the car keys in his hand. "Don't wait up for dinner."
Ayaka stood near the door, arms crossed, watching them with narrowed eyes. "You're leaving us alone again?"
Her mother turned, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "Behave."
Before Ayaka could respond, the door closed behind them.
The sound of the lock clicking echoed through the house.
Silence settled in—soft, unfamiliar, almost heavy.
Kai stood in the living room for a moment, listening to the faint sound of the car pulling away down the street. "…So it's just us."
Ayaka turned away instantly, cheeks faintly pink. "D-Don't say it like that."
He scratched the back of his neck, chuckling awkwardly. "I'll… make tea."
"I'll help," she said immediately—too quickly—then paused. "I mean—since they're not here."
They moved around the kitchen together, sharing the small space in a way that made everything feel closer than it should. Kai reached for cups at the same time Ayaka did; their fingers brushed.
"S-Sorry."
"Ah—me too."
They bumped shoulders once, then twice, apologizing in unison and laughing softly. The kettle began to heat, filling the room with a low hum. When it finally whistled sharply, Ayaka jumped in place.
Kai smiled. "You're jumpy."
"S-Shut up," she muttered, ears red.
They carried the mugs back to the living room, evening light spilling through the windows in warm, golden streaks. Kai sat down on the couch and absentmindedly rubbed his hands together.
Ayaka noticed immediately.
"…Your hands are cold."
"It's nothing," he replied casually.
She hesitated, fingers tightening around her mug—then set it down and scooted closer. Much closer.
Before Kai could react, she took his hands between hers.
Warm. Soft.
"There," she muttered, eyes averted. "You're terrible at taking care of yourself."
Ayaka was red, but didn't pull her hand away.
Kai froze for a heartbeat—then slowly relaxed, letting the warmth seep into him. "…Thanks."
Their hands stayed together longer than necessary.
The TV murmured quietly in the background, some random program neither of them was actually watching. At some point, Ayaka leaned her shoulder against his. Kai stiffened instinctively, then—after a moment—let himself settle into it.
"…Kai," she said softly.
"Yeah?"
"…About that girl. The one who asked you out."
He turned to her at once, seriousness replacing his usual awkwardness. "I'm going to reject her."
Ayaka blinked. "…You are?"
He nodded. "I don't feel that way about her."
Her heart leapt , and her lips tugged into a tiny–but real smile before she could stop it.
"…Oh."
Dinner ended up being something simple they cooked together. Ayaka nearly burned the food when she got distracted; Kai laughed and stepped in to help, guiding her hands away from the heat. They ate at the table, knees brushing beneath it, both painfully aware of every small contact.
Afterward, Ayaka gathered the plates. "I'll wash."
Kai stood up. "I'll help."
They stood side by side at the sink. Ayaka washed; Kai dried. Their arms brushed again and again, each touch sending a tiny spark through the air. With every accidental bump, Ayaka grew stiffer.
"…You're splashing water everywhere," Kai said gently.
"T-That's because you're standing too close!"
He tilted his head, stepping just a little nearer. "Like this?"
Ayaka's face turned red instantly. "D-Don't tease me!"
She splashed water at him. Kai laughed—and splashed back.
"Hey!"
"Payback!"
They laughed quietly, careful not to make too much of a mess. At one point, Kai's hand slipped, and their fingers intertwined again—wet this time. Neither of them pulled away.
"Can we do this more frequently, if it's okay for you...?" Kai said softly while his face burned a deeper shade of red.
Ayaka froze for a second, her cheekks turned redder, but then,
she said softly : "Y-Yeah.. okay..."
"…Your hands are warm now," Ayaka murmured.
"…Yours too." Kai added
They finished the dishes and stood there for a moment.
Then Ayaka abruptly turned away. "L-Living room."
They returned to the couch. Night had fully fallen now, the windows reflecting the soft glow of the room. Ayaka sat close again—closer than before.
"…Kai," she said, barely audible. "About that girl…"
He looked at her. "I told you. I'll reject her."
Her eyes softened, something gentle and relieved passing through them.
Before she could stop herself, she leaned in and pressed a light, fleeting kiss to his cheek.
Time stopped.
Ayaka realized what she'd done.
"…WAIT—!"
She let out a small, broken sound and immediately buried her face into a couch pillow. "I'M SORRY—! I—That was—Forget it!"
Kai sat frozen, cheek burning, heart hammering so loudly it drowned out every other sound.
"Onee-Sama…"
She peeked out from behind the pillow, face completely red. "I-I didn't mean to! I'm sorry if that was weird!"
He swallowed. "…I didn't hate it..."
Her head snapped up. "…Huh?"
"I mean—" his voice shook, "—I liked it, I guess?"
Silence fell between them, thick and fragile.
Kai's gaze lingered on her flushed face, on the way her fingers twisted nervously into the fabric of the pillow. His heart was still racing, but this time, he didn't look away.
After a few unsteady breaths, he leaned closer.
Before Ayaka could ask what he was doing, Kai pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek—soft, careful, just as fleeting as hers had been.
"We're… even now," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper.
For a split second, Ayaka froze.
Then—
"—?!?"
A tiny, high-pitched squeak escaped her as her entire face turned an explosive shade of red. Steam might as well have been coming out of her head.
"K-K-KAI—!!"
She grabbed the nearest pillow and smashed it against her own face, curling in on herself. (pouting cutely) : "I hate you...stupid idiot..."
Kai's ears burned as he turned away, flustered beyond belief. "I-I just thought—since you did it first—!"
Ayaka peeked out again, eyes wide and shimmering, cheeks so red it almost hurt to look at. "…Y-You're really unfair," she whispered again, this time barely holding together.
Her fingers slipped into his once more, gripping tighter than before.
They stayed like that—hands held, shoulders touching. At some point, Ayaka noticed his fingers trembling slightly.
"…You're cold again."
She tightened her grip, pressing their hands together, slipping her fingers fully between his this time, as if to share all the warmth she could.
Kai's breath hitched. "…Onee-Sama.."
"Just—be quiet," she whispered.
" O-Okay..." he nodded
She leaned her head against his shoulder. Kai carefully adjusted so she'd be more comfortable, his other hand hovering for a moment before gently resting over hers.
Neither of them spoke.
Their breathing slowed.
They fell asleep.
Outside, the world grew quiet.
The front door opened softly.
Mrs. Ishida froze. "…Oh."
Mr. Ishida blinked. "…Well."
On the couch, Kai and Ayaka slept peacefully—hands intertwined, heads leaning together, expressions calm and unguarded.
Mrs. Ishida covered her mouth, eyes shining. "…They look so comfortable."
Mr. Ishida smiled. "They've grown close."
"Not fighting," she whispered. "Not pushing each other away."
"They trust each other."
She nodded softly. "…That's enough for me."
They turned off the lights and let them sleep.
Later that night—
Kai stirred. "…Onee-Sama?"
She blinked "mmhm…?"
They noticed the darkness.
Then—
Mom.
Dad.
Ayaka yelped, jerking upright. "W-WHY ARE YOU BOTH HERE?!"
Mrs. Ishida smiled brightly. "Holding hands and sleeping together? My, my~"
Ayaka's face exploded red. "IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE—!!"
Kai hid his face in his hands. "P-Please stop…"
Dinner afterward was awkward, filled with teasing laughter and nonstop embarrassment. Ayaka kept kicking Kai under the table; Kai kept apologizing for things he didn't even understand.
By the time they finally retreated to their rooms, both of them were exhausted—hearts still racing.
As Ayaka closed her door, she pressed her fingers briefly to her lips, then to her chest.
"…Good night, Kai."
Across the hall, Kai smiled softly, his hand still warm.
"Good night."