The phone buzzed just as Konoko sat on the edge of her bed, still trying to calm her racing heart. Seeing Yuta's name on the screen gave her a small wave of relief, a distraction from the storm twisting inside her. She quickly answered, her voice a little too sharp at first before softening.
"Konoko! I've got good news," Yuta's tone was bright, eager. "Remember what you asked me about—volunteer work? I talked to a friend, and they'll take you in. Tomorrow, after your shift, just stop by the café near the station. We'll finish your registration there."
Her breath caught for a moment. He really did it… That fast, that simple. She tightened her grip on the phone.
"Y-you really…? Ah… that's… amazing, Yuta," she stammered, forcing a smile though no one could see it. "I… I don't know how to thank you."
He chuckled warmly on the other end. "You can thank me by showing up tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll be there with you. It won't take long. Then you'll be all set."
Her chest swelled with a complicated mix of gratitude and guilt. Gratitude because Yuta always, always had her back—like when they were kids. Guilt because even while listening to him, her body still hummed faintly with the lingering unease of Kazuo's words at breakfast.
She squeezed her phone tighter and whispered, "Okay… I'll be there."
After they hung up, she sat in silence, staring at her hands. A new sense of responsibility pressed down on her shoulders—this was good, she told herself. This was real. Something to ground her.
And yet… her eyes drifted toward the clock, counting the hours until tonight.
Konoko had thought the tighter yoga clothes would help her focus—stretching fabric hugging her waist, the snug top pressing her chest flat enough that she wouldn't feel so exposed. But the opposite happened. Every time Kazuo adjusted her posture, or his calm voice echoed behind her, her pulse betrayed her.
They had only just begun the session, and already she was trembling, her breathing uneven.
"Relax your shoulders, Konoko. Don't force it," Kazuo said with that measured patience of his.
She tried. She really did. But her thoughts weren't on the stretches. They kept spiraling back to the breakfast table, to his casual promise of a massage, to how she had agreed. Her face burned hot, sweat beading along her brow, though the movements themselves weren't even that demanding.
When he guided her into a balancing pose, her mind slipped entirely. Don't think about it. Don't think about—
Her ankle wobbled. Her knee gave way.
She gasped, lost her balance completely, and in the flailing second that followed, she toppled—straight into him.
The air left her lungs as she landed seated squarely in his lap.
The shock froze her solid. And then she felt it. Even through the layers of fabric, the heavy, solid weight pressing beneath her, unmistakable in size and shape. Her thighs clenched instinctively, heat jolting up her spine like an electric current.
Her whole body locked up. She didn't dare move, her hands gripping his shoulders for balance but holding herself as still as possible.
"Ah—Konoko, are you hurt?" Kazuo's voice was steady, calm as ever, but she could hear the faint edge of surprise under it.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Her face was burning, blood rushing to her cheeks so fast it almost made her dizzy. She shook her head furiously, hair falling into her eyes.
"N-no…! I-I'm fine… I'm so, so sorry!" she stammered, scrambling up clumsily, her limbs shaking more from mortification than exertion.
The yoga outfit clung tighter now, every movement reminding her of the cling of the fabric, of how close she had just been.
She stood there, unable to meet his eyes, her heart pounding like it would burst out of her chest. The memory of that hidden, massive presence under her lingered vividly—so vivid it almost hurt to breathe.
And all she could think was: Why… why does it feel like my body reacts before my mind can stop it?
Konoko tried to shake the sensation from her mind, but once the thought had lodged itself there, it wouldn't let go. Her body moved like it was made of glass—fragile, stiff, afraid of shattering with the slightest touch.
Kazuo, ever composed, simply told her to try again. He guided her back into position, voice calm and unbothered, but every adjustment made her heart stumble.
When her arms sagged, he stepped behind her, sliding his palms lightly under her elbows to lift them. The heat of his touch seeped into her skin, and though it was nothing more than a correction, she nearly forgot to breathe.
Why does it feel so hot? His hands are steady… but I feel like melting…
"Keep your spine straight," he reminded her, placing a firm hand between her shoulder blades and pressing gently. The pressure sent a jolt through her, her chest thrusting forward as if he had uncovered something she shouldn't be showing.
She bit her lip, trembling, and adjusted as he asked. Her thoughts, however, betrayed her. It's too close… too much… I can almost feel the weight of him again…
Later, when they moved into a lunge pose, her balance faltered. Kazuo reached instinctively, his hand landing low at her waist, fingers grazing the curve of her hip. She gasped softly, her throat tightening. He held her steady for just a breath longer than necessary before letting go.
That… that wasn't really an accident, was it? she thought, her face burning as her knees weakened. Or maybe it was… but why do I wish he hadn't moved his hand away?
Finally, as they transitioned into a seated stretch, he kneeled beside her, one hand braced against the floor, the other guiding her ankle forward. His thigh brushed hers—firm, warm, unyielding.
The contact froze her again, every nerve in her body alight. The memory of sitting in his lap came flooding back, magnified by the closeness now. Her eyes blurred, her breathing ragged, though she tried desperately to stay silent.
Kazuo, oblivious or simply too controlled to acknowledge it, spoke in that same steady tone:
"Better. You're improving. Don't fight the movement so much."
But in her mind, Konoko was unraveling, her thoughts a torrent of heat and shame. I can't take this. I… I'm melting just from these little touches…