Ren thought his day would end in peaceful silence.
He was wrong.
Kaito leaned against the school gate, spinning his phone in his hand. "Yo, Ren! Let's go out to eat! There's this new shoyu ramen place that opened near the station. You in?"
Ren was already halfway turning him down, when Kaito added with a grin: "You can bring your cute little sister too. I wanna get to know her better."
Ren froze. Behind him, Lilia peeked from under her sunhat, smiling radiantly. "Are we going somewhere, Ren?" "...Tch. You're coming too?" he muttered, eyes twitching.
She beamed. "Well, I am your sister now, aren't I?"
He regretted every life choice that led him here. Scene: The Ramen Shop – Brewing Tension The ramen place was small but packed. Wooden booths, warm lighting, and the comforting scent of miso and soy sauce filled the air. Kaito waved at the hostess like he owned the place.
They slid into a corner booth — Ren and Lilia on one side, Kaito across. "So, 'sis,'" Kaito said, leaning forward, "Where exactly are you from?"
Lilia blinked. "Ah, um... a small country. Very rural. Very secret."
Ren facepalmed. This is a disaster.
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Never heard of that one. Must be new."
Just then, footsteps approached — heels clicking with practiced poise.
Ren looked up. His stomach dropped.
Miyako Sera — student council secretary, straight-A perfectionist, and the one girl at school who took genuine interest in him.
She wore a waitress apron and held a notepad. Her long black hair was tied in a sharp ponytail.
And she was very surprised to see him. "...Ren-kun?" she said, blinking in disbelief. "You're here?" "...I could say the same," he replied, voice tight.
Kaito leaned back, smirking. "Oh, right! You work here, Miyako."
Her eyes flicked to Lilia — who, at that moment, had her arms subtly looped around Ren's.
Miyako's smile tightened. "And who's... this?"
Ren opened his mouth to explain. Lilia beat him to it. "I'm his little sister!" she chirped. "We're very close!"
Miyako's gaze darkened by a fraction. "...Is that so?" Dinner Begins – Spilled Soup, Spilled Emotions As they ordered, the air grew heavier. Ren stayed silent, eyes on his bowl. Kaito kept trying to tease them both. "So, how long have you two been living together?" he asked. "Since yesterday!" Lilia said brightly.
Ren nearly choked. "Don't say it like that—!" "Oh my..." Miyako muttered. "So soon?"
The table rattled as someone's knee hit it. Lilia flinched — she'd dropped her spoon.
Miyako immediately bent down to pick it up — at the same time as Ren.
Their hands brushed.
Ren jerked back. "Sorry—" "It's fine," Miyako said softly, but her smile was a little too sharp. "You seem... flustered tonight." "Don't start," Ren muttered. "You know," Miyako continued, straightening, "I've always admired how calm and distant you are. It's... oddly charming."
Lilia scooted closer. "Ren can be very warm once you get to know him."
Kaito burst out laughing. "Man, this is gold."] Things Spiral – A Glass Tips, A Jealous Heart Just as Ren reached for his drink, Miyako leaned in to refill it — too quickly.
The glass tipped.
Water splashed onto his lap. "Ack—!" "Oh no!" Miyako gasped. "I'm so sorry!"
Ren stood up, dripping wet. Lilia stood too, her eyes narrowed. "It's alright," she said, voice calm. "Accidents happen. Right, Ren?"
Ren sighed, grabbing napkins. "I just wanted ramen..."
Miyako watched the two from behind her glasses, expression unreadable. Later – Back at Home Ren trudged back into his apartment, sighing. Lilia spun around barefoot on his hardwood floor. "I enjoyed that!" she said, flopping onto his couch. "But that Miyako girl... she doesn't like me." "No kidding," Ren muttered, drying off. "You basically challenged her to a duel over ramen." "She started it. I just finished it."
Ren collapsed next to her, utterly drained. "You're a walking disaster."
She leaned over, head resting gently on his shoulder. "But I'm your disaster, right?"
He stiffened. "D-Don't say weird things."
She giggled softly, closing her eyes. "I don't mind if you get flustered. It's cute."
He groaned, face red. "Give me one day of peace..." Epilogue – A Suspicion Grows Kaito's phone buzzed late that night. He reread the photo he'd secretly snapped: Ren and Lilia at the table, her hand wrapped around his arm. "...No way they're siblings."
He smirked, saved the picture, and muttered to himself: "This is gonna be fun."