The sun dipped low over the town of Brisden, casting a warm amber glow across the quiet, tree-lined streets. The air had cooled slightly, but Luke Harris's face still burned — not from the heat, but from the lingering embarrassment of being teased by his step-sister Emily.
His hands were in his pockets, but tucked under his arm was a plain brown bag — one that held two freshly purchased manga. Of course, no one needed to know the titles inside.
As he walked, the streets slowly emptied. Porch lights flickered on one by one, the evening settling like a soft blanket over the neighborhood. Birds chirped their final songs before quiet gave way to crickets.
Luke soon found himself in front of a familiar house — clean brick walls, tidy hedges, and a small front porch that always smelled faintly of flowers and something warmer.
Miss Ross's house.
He hesitated for a moment, then rang the doorbell.
Inside, Miss Ross was lounging comfortably in her living room.
Though she was only in her early thirties, the way she carried herself — confident, relaxed, unbothered — made her seem timeless. Her long, wavy dark brown hair fell over one shoulder in a loose side-tie, messy in an elegant kind of way. She wore a silky burgundy robe over a white tank top and snug cotton shorts that barely reached mid-thigh.
She sat with one leg folded beneath her on the couch, scrolling idly on her phone. The soft lamp light cast a warm glow on her smooth, sun-kissed skin. Her deep hazel eyes sparkled with mischief and boredom.
Tonight, her mind wasn't on her phone.
It's been almost a week since Luke came by, she thought, eyes drifting toward the door. I wonder if he still blushes when I tease him...
She smirked to herself.
He's getting older now. Eighteen already. Taller. Quieter. Handsome, too — in that calm, dangerous kind of way...
Truth be told, Luke reminded her of someone from her past. Someone she once loved during her university days. A man who'd broken her heart and vanished. She thought she'd never trust again, never feel anything again.
But then, one day, Luke showed up on her doorstep — kind, gentle, with that same face... but softer. Younger. A little lost. She'd helped him carry groceries once, and since then, they'd become casual neighbors, occasional gaming buddies.
At first, it was nothing.
Now?
It was something.
Something she couldn't quite ignore.
Maybe it wouldn't be so wrong, she thought, to guide him... teach him... keep him close.
The doorbell rang.
Miss Ross stood up quickly, adjusting her robe. As she rushed to the door, her generous chest bounced freely under the fabric. She hadn't bothered with a bra tonight — she knew Luke was coming.
Let's see how red he turns this time, she thought, chuckling to herself.
She opened the door.
There he was — Luke, freshly eighteen. Tall, jet-black hair, steady hazel eyes.A bit of sweat on his brow. And that familiar look of panic in his eyes the moment he saw her outfit.
Her robe dipped slightly open as she leaned against the doorframe.
"Well, well... look who's finally come to see me," she said with a slow smile. "Good evening, sweetheart."
Luke swallowed. "G-Good evening, Miss Ross. It's been a while."
"It has," she replied, stepping aside and motioning him in. "I was starting to think you forgot about me."
"No, no— I just… school's been busy," Luke said, forcing himself to look at her face and not her cleavage. "And, uh, my stepmom asked me to help out more lately."
Miss Ross watched him squirm and inwardly smiled.
Still so easy to read.
She shut the door behind him, letting the lock click softly.
"Come in, make yourself at home. You're always welcome here… especially at night," she added with a wink.
Luke stepped inside, trying to keep his breathing steady. Her house smelled faintly of vanilla — soft and warm, like Sarah's perfume, but with something deeper underneath. Something that made the air feel heavier.
She led him to her bedroom — which doubled as her gaming room — where a sleek console setup stood by the large flat-screen TV. The room was clean but cozy, a mix of modern and personal touches. Posters of older anime hung on the walls, and a small snack tray rested on the side table.
Luke sat down on the edge of the bed. The cushion sank under his weight. This was a familiar place — he'd visited many times before. Yet it never felt quite normal.
Miss Ross returned moments later, holding a tray with two glasses of iced cola and a small bowl of snacks.
"Here we go," she said, placing one drink in front of him and sitting close — too close — beside him. Her robe brushed his arm.
"Thanks," Luke mumbled, taking the glass and sipping.
"So," she said, turning to him with a smirk, "Guess what game I picked out for us tonight?"
Luke blinked. "Uh… something new?"
"Mm-hmm~" She leaned closer, her voice light and teasing. "It's called Dating Life DXD. Ever heard of it?"
Luke raised a brow. "That sounds… familiar."
"It's a dating sim," she said, lifting the game case and showing him the colorful anime-style cover. "Shopkeeper said it was 'perfect for bonding.' Ufufu~"
Luke chuckled nervously. "A dating sim…? That's a little…"
"Embarrassing?" she offered, her lips curving upward. "Don't worry. I'll guide you."
She inserted the disc and grabbed the controller.
"Now… let's see if you've got what it takes to make the right choices. Or if you'll end up rejected and single forever." She glanced at him, eyes twinkling. "You wouldn't want to disappoint me, would you?"
Luke let out a shaky breath.
"N-No pressure, huh?"
The game loaded. Flirty music played. A virtual girl appeared on screen, asking for a name.
Miss Ross handed Luke the controller with a grin.
"Here, player one. Choose wisely."
Their shoulders brushed. Her scent lingered in the air. And for the next hour, Luke wasn't sure whether he was playing a game... or being played.
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"[Author Note: Ara~ra, author here! If you're enjoying the story, feel free to leave a review! I'll be updating 7 chapters per week for the first month. After that, I plan to upload 10 chapters per week,Enjoy! – Ecstasy Crown]"
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