Yumi hesitated at the top of the stairs, her bag heavy on her shoulder. Kade had already disappeared down the hallway, leaving only the faint echo of his footsteps. Sister? The word and that smirk of his lingered, impossible to shake.
Her mother's gentle voice floated up the staircase, full of warmth and hope. "Go on, Yumi… he'll show you your room."
She took cautious steps after him, the mansion's halls stretching endlessly before her. Every painting, every marble pillar, every soft click of her shoes made her feel smaller, more like an intruder.
Finally, she reached the door at the end of the corridor. Kade stood there, leaning casually against the frame, silent and still. Without a word, he pushed the door open and stepped aside.
Yumi entered, her eyes scanning the space. Soft lighting, a neatly made bed, shelves of books, and a desk by the window overlooking the garden. Everything was perfect, yet she felt a strange emptiness in the luxury.
Kade stayed at the doorway, arms crossed, his presence heavy and silent. He didn't speak. He didn't need to. Just standing there, watching, made her heart race.
Finally, he straightened, giving the smallest shrug, and walked away without another word. Yumi stayed in the room for a long moment, staring out the balcony at the drifting cherry blossoms, letting the quiet tension settle around her.
Her thoughts raced. Why is he so… distant? she wondered. Why does it feel like he's already judging me? Her mind swirled with questions, and a strange pull toward the boy who seemed impossible to reach.
Downstairs, laughter floated up from the living room—her mother and her new father, sharing a joke, the sound warm and easy. Yumi's lips pressed into a thin line. So they're happy. And I… I'm just… here.
She shook her head and set her bag down, carefully unpacking her few things. Clothes folded neatly, books stacked on the shelves—small steps to make this room feel like hers, even if everything else in the house screamed otherwise.
Then, a sudden roar of a motorcycle outside caught her attention. She peeked through the balcony curtains and saw Kade speeding away on a sleek black bike, disappearing down the driveway. Her stomach twisted, part irritation, part… curiosity.
A sharp call from her mother brought her back. "Yumi! Dinner's ready!"
She walked downstairs into the dining room. Everyone was seated, plates arranged neatly, the smell of food filling the air. But one seat remained empty. Kade's.
Her mother glanced at her husband. "Where's Kade?"
Her father shrugged. "He's busy with his college work. I've been tied up with business all day, so I didn't get to spend much time with him. That's why he's a little distant sometimes. Nothing personal."
Yumi nodded quietly, the tension in her chest still lingering. They talked softly, making small conversation while eating, the clinking of cutlery filling the gaps. Kade's absence was like a shadow over the table, a silent presence that made her pulse quicken every time she glanced at his empty seat.
And still, she couldn't stop thinking about him—about the smirk, the word sister, and the black bike that had carried him away from the house… leaving her alone with her racing thoughts.
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Night Tension
The family dinner had ended, the table cleared, and the laughter and soft chatter from earlier had faded into quiet. Her mother and father decided to take a walk in the garden, and Yumi's mother sweetly suggested she join them.
"I'm tired… all the unpacking," Yumi murmured, leaning back in her chair. "I just… I want to rest."
Her mother smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from Yumi's face. "Alright, sweetheart. Good night then."
Yumi quietly retreated to her room, her bag set aside, and her thoughts still buzzing from the day—the mansion, the new school tomorrow, the strange, smirking boy who had already made her pulse jump. She sighed and decided a bath would help her unwind.
She filled the tub with warm water, scattering flower petals across the surface and adding a few fragrant oils. Light music floated from her small speaker, a soft melody that mixed with the scent of jasmine and rose. Relaxing into the water, she let her mind drift, thinking about the challenges of shifting here, meeting new classmates, and navigating this strange, luxurious household.
So absorbed in her thoughts, Yumi forgot to lock her door, the hallway dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the curtains. Downstairs, her parents strolled through the garden, speaking in soft, happy tones. Their laughter and murmurs of affection drifted up faintly, barely touching the quiet of Yumi's room.
After washing, Yumi stood in the bathroom, the warm towel and bathrobe draped loosely around her, blow-drying her hair, letting the lingering scent of the petals wrap around her. She felt relaxed, safe, yet a subtle tension lingered in her chest—the unease that came with a new life, a new school, and Kade's smirking presence from earlier.
Outside, the faint hum of a bike grew closer. Midnight. Kade returned, the sound of the engine slicing through the still night. He parked silently, the black machine glinting under the garden lights, and made his way up the stairs to his room—right next to Yumi's.
His steps were uneven, unsteady, hinting at intoxication. Passing Yumi's open door, he paused, a thought creeping into his mind: Where is she… at this hour?
Curiosity—or something deeper—pushed him back toward her room. He moved cautiously, scanning the space. The soft glow from the bathroom seeped into the bedroom. He paused at the door. Barely a sound reached him, only the faint hum of the music.
Kade reached for the bathroom door—just as Yumi stepped out, towel in hand. Neither saw the other in time. Their hands collided on the door, the wet floor making Kade lose his footing.
He slipped, and in a chaotic instant, both tumbled toward the bathtub. Yumi's bathrobe gaped at the front from the sudden fall, water splashing around them.
Yumi landed on top of him, her chest pressing against his, robe loosening at the front. Panic flooded her—she couldn't risk standing up like this, naked in front of the boy she'd just met. His hands instinctively went to her waist, trying to steady them both on the slippery floor. She could feel the warmth of his body beneath her, the weight of him, the faint smell of alcohol on his breath.
Her breaths came in short, heavy gasps, heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the tension, the closeness, every nerve on fire from the accidental contact. Kade's mind raced—he froze, unsure what to do, yet acutely aware of her soft skin and wet hair brushing against him. She looked mesmerizing, the dim bathroom light highlighting the drops of water on her face, her blue eyes wide and alert. Every detail—her pretty features, the curves hinted beneath the bathrobe—made his pulse spike, and for a moment, he struggled to control the sudden rush of desire.
Then his mind slammed into reality: No. She's just… she's not mine to— but even as he fought the thoughts, the closeness of her above him made it impossible to ignore.
Suddenly, a voice from downstairs pierced the air. "Is everything okay up there?"
Yumi froze, voice trembling. "It's… nothing, Mom! Really!"
Kade leaned close, whispering low into her ear, "I'll close my eyes. You get up… and fix your robe."
Yumi gave a small nod, heart hammering, and carefully shifted off him. She held his hand to steady herself, her pulse still racing from the adrenaline and proximity. They managed to untangle themselves, Yumi straightening her robe, and then gave him the signal.
He opened his eyes—but didn't look at her. Instead, he hurried out of the room, stiff and flustered, closing the door behind him with a sense of urgency, his steps echoing down the hallway. Yumi exhaled shakily, leaning against the bathroom counter, hair damp, robe clinging, and heart still pounding from the intense, forbidden proximity.
The room was quiet again, but the tension lingered in the air—heavy, charged, and impossible to ignore.
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