"...Now she knows I'm yours too."
Rika's breath caught, her eyes locking with Shin's. She shifted slightly in his lap, her cheek resting against his thigh, her fingers curled gently around his knee. The way he looked down at her—so warm, so calm, so hers—made her chest swell with a strange mix of pride and helpless, fluttering affection.
"You're such a romantic sometimes," she murmured, her lips brushing the fabric of his pants as she spoke.
Shin grinned. "Only for the girls I love."
Rika blinked at that, cheeks blooming red. "Girls?"
He chuckled under his breath, fingers idly brushing down her cheek, his other hand playing with a lock of her hair. "What, should we tell your mom that Ai, Haa-Chan, and even Yuki whom she doesn't know yet are living at my place too?"
Rika's eyes widened. She bolted upright, swatting his arm. "No! Are you insane?! If she hears that, she'll never let me be with you again! She'll think you're just—just some heartless playboy who flirts with every girl with a pulse!"
Shin feigned offense. "Hey, not every girl. Just the ones who fall for me first."
"Oh, shut up!" Rika groaned, covering her face with both hands.
But Shin only grinned wider and leaned in, whispering close to her ear, "You don't think that… right?"
Rika's hands slowly lowered, and she peeked at him, lips twitching with reluctant amusement. "Maybe a little… but—" Her voice softened, gaze flickering away shyly. "I know you love all of us. You don't fake it. Not with any of us."
Shin's playful smile melted into something quieter. "Yeah. I do. It's a little ridiculous, isn't it?"
Rika shook her head and looked up again. "No. It's honest."
Their faces were close now, and the moment stretched thin between them like a held breath. Shin leaned down, brushing his lips gently against hers. It was soft, warm, slow—less about heat, more about presence, about grounding. About them.
Rika sighed into it, eyes slipping shut.
But then—
She pulled back with a quiet gasp. "W-What if my mom comes back down and sees us?"
Shin didn't even blink. "She might scold us. Or worse…" He smirked. "She might wait quietly behind the door until we've finished."
"Don't say stuff like that!" Rika cried, slapping his arm. "That's so embarrassing!"
Shin laughed. "Then don't make those cute little gasps, and I won't be tempted."
"Baka…"
Still flustered, Rika swatted his arm again—this time for real—and tried to scoot off his lap, but Shin caught her waist with a firm grip and pulled her close again.
"Sh-Shin—" she protested, her face a full scarlet now.
He was grinning like a fox, fingers digging into her sides in a teasing grip. "What? You can't rest here a little longer?"
"Y-You're the worst…"
"And you're warm."
Before Rika could respond, a voice drifted in from the hallway:
"Well, well. My Rika, already comfortably perched on her boyfriend's lap. Should I pretend I didn't see that?"
Rika's entire body went rigid. She shot up like she'd been electrocuted, face now crimson from chin to forehead. "M-M-Mom!!"
Her mother stood there holding a folded towel in one arm, a knowing little smile twitching at her lips. "I didn't see anything inappropriate, don't worry. Yet."
Shin, surprisingly composed, stood and bowed lightly. "I was just comforting her, Aunty."
"On your lap?"
Rika let out a sound between a squeak and a whimper, trying to hide behind Shin like a scolded child.
Her mother only chuckled. "Relax, I'm not mad. It's just funny to see you act like a drama heroine caught in a compromising scene."
"Moooom!"
"Well, I'll be finishing up the laundry. You two don't get too comfortable again."
With that, she turned on her heel and vanished toward the back hallway.
Rika finally let out a breath she'd been holding for ten years. "I'm going to die. I'm actually going to die."
Shin stretched his arms over his head. "Hey, if she didn't storm in with a broom, I'd say we're still safe."
"Barely…"
He glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed. "Anyway, I should probably head out now."
Rika blinked. "Eh? Already?"
"I promised Ai I'd help her to settle in Yuki and Haa-Chan's stuff."
Rika deflated slightly, her hands coming to grip his arm. "Wait a bit longer. Just a little."
Her voice was small, almost childish, like a girl asking her father not to leave for work. She looked up at him with that soft, gentle pout that made his heart squeeze.
"You're so clingy when we're alone," Shin teased.
"Only with you," she muttered, hiding her face against his shoulder. "You make me greedy."
Her mother's voice floated in again, this time with a laugh. "Should I pretend I didn't hear that either?"
Rika pulled away with a squeak, practically throwing herself backward.
Shin chuckled and reached out to pet her head. "I'll come back later. I promise."
She looked up at him, cheeks still red, but her lips curved into a reluctant smile. "You better."
He stroked her hair a little more before moving toward the entrance.
Rika walked him to the door, her fingers slipping into his hand one last time before he opened it.
"Don't trip over Haa-chan's suitcases," she mumbled, trying not to sound jealous.
"I'll be fine." He turned and kissed her forehead. "Text me if your mom starts interrogating you."
"I will…"
As he stepped outside, her mother appeared again at the end of the hallway.
"Akashi-kun," she said, just before the door could close.
"Yes?" Shin turned politely.
She smiled with that same serene, piercing gaze as earlier. "Don't make her cry."
Shin nodded once, firm. "Never."
And with that, he left.
Rika stood in the entranceway, heart pounding in the lingering silence.
Her mother walked over slowly and handed her the towel she'd forgotten earlier.
"Next time," her mother said gently, "just remember the walls aren't soundproof."
"MOM!!"
Her laughter echoed warmly down the hall.
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END OF CHAPTER: 205 : HER MOTHER!
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