This was Sakiko's second visit to Kikukawa Kyo's home.
Her first visit had come so suddenly that Sakiko had no mental space left to even notice the details of Kyo's place. Since that day, so much had happened between them, shifting her mindset completely for this visit—especially considering she'd likely be staying overnight this time.
They quickly arrived at Kyo's apartment complex. Sakiko vividly remembered this place; she'd considered visiting once before, back when Kyo had pretended to be sick to skip school.
"Oh! Welcome home, Kikukawa-sama!" greeted the building manager cheerfully as soon as they stepped inside. Her eyes swept over Sakiko's drenched form, then lingered a bit longer on Kyo, who was even more thoroughly soaked. She wore a knowing expression, as if she'd expected this all along.
"The moment I saw it start raining, I figured you'd come back dripping water all over my lobby, Kikukawa-sama!. Looks like I nailed it."
What she hadn't anticipated was Kyo dragging along another girl, equally soaked. In truth, the manager had no clue that Kyo had convinced two girls to join her out in the rain—she'd just happened to bring only one back.
Meeting the manager's amused gaze, Sakiko's face flushed hotly. Being seen so disheveled, her soaked clothes clinging awkwardly, was genuinely mortifying for someone who held herself to such rigid standards of dignity.
"Luckily the rain wasn't too heavy today. Any more, and I'd be calling the janitors to mop up after you again," the manager teased gently. Noticing Sakiko's embarrassment, she laughed warmly and waved them toward the elevator without further fuss.
"This is all your fault, Kyo," Sakiko muttered softly as soon as the elevator doors closed behind them.
"Ehh—?" Kyo drawled, deliberately stretching out the sound. "If I hadn't intervened today, you and Soyo would've gotten into a huge fight. And now you're blaming me?"
"You know that's not what I mean." Sakiko fidgeted uncomfortably, tugging at her damp collar. Despite both girls wearing the same school uniform, Sakiko's clothes clung much tighter, making her increasingly self-conscious.
"Every time it rains, Kyo-chan, you totally lose your mind and ignore anyone who tries to talk sense into you. You have no idea how frustrating that is."
"It's not that bad~!" Kyo protested, annoyed. With a mischievous grin, she swung her school bag lightly, giving Sakiko's backside a playful smack.
"Ah!" Sakiko had never been treated so brazenly. Shocked and embarrassed, she spun around instantly, stepping backward as she shielded herself with her bag. Her golden eyes flashed angrily at Kyo, though any intimidating effect was completely ruined by her drenched and pitiful appearance, which only made her seem even easier to tease.
"You—you brat…"
Without hesitation, Sakiko swung her own bag in retaliation, landing a decisive blow on Kyo, who giggled and accepted the hit without dodging.
"Sakiko, you really take yourself too seriously," Kyo said, rubbing the spot with a teasing grin. "It gives everyone else this impression you're unapproachable, you know. Everyone in class keeps saying things like 'Sakiko-san is always polite, but that politeness actually makes her impossible to get close to.'"
"It's not necessary. I have my own priorities," Sakiko retorted stubbornly.
"Hehe~ Even if you don't care about making friends in class, being friendlier and more approachable would be great for your job."
Kyo's casual remark struck Sakiko right in her weak spot. The moment it involved her job at the bookstore, Sakiko immediately started to consider if perhaps she really should loosen up a little…
But the instant she realized Kyo was watching her with a sly smirk, Sakiko understood she'd been deliberately baited into overthinking it.
Smack—
Furious, Sakiko swung her bag again, using considerably more strength this time. It landed sharply on exactly the same spot as before.
"Ow!" Kyo yelped, quickly reaching back to soothe her stinging backside. The wet fabric clung tightly to her curves, causing each smack to resonate loudly in the confined elevator, the sound strangely crisp and embarrassingly suggestive.
If Sakiko hadn't paid much attention the first time, now she was acutely aware of every detail—the unmistakably damp, sticky sound ringing clearly in her ears.
No matter the context—anger, amusement, or something else—Kyo always managed to stir up strange, complicated emotions in her. Even when Kyo wasn't consciously trying, Sakiko found herself oddly drawn into her pace.
"Sakiko, you learn bad habits so quickly…" Kyo muttered, slowly rubbing the sore spot through her skirt, tugging awkwardly at the clinging fabric. Sakiko's eyebrow twitched involuntarily as she watched, fully aware of what Kyo was trying to peel away from her skin.
Wait, was it just her imagination, or had the air inside the narrow, enclosed elevator grown thicker and warmer since they'd stepped in? Perhaps it was just the steam radiating from their drenched bodies.
Either way, Kyo was starting to seem increasingly dangerous, her strange, compelling charm amplified whenever water was involved.
"What's wrong, Sakiko? Why are you suddenly standing all stiff and serious and not looking at me?"
"Nothing."
"You obviously have something on your mind. Are you still thinking about Soyo?"
"No," Sakiko answered tersely.
Fortunately, before Kyo could do anything else unpredictable, the elevator chimed gently.
They had finally reached Kyo's floor.
As the doors slid open, Sakiko exhaled with relief, tension releasing from her shoulders.
They hadn't even entered Kyo's apartment yet, and Sakiko already felt like she was at her limit. She honestly couldn't imagine what kinds of trials (questionable) awaited her inside.
Kyo unlocked the door, and Sakiko dutifully murmured "Pardon my intrusion" as she stepped in after her.
Glancing around at the apartment, familiar yet still largely unknown to her, Sakiko's mind wandered. Her emotions had already been stirred from the earlier confrontation with Soyo, and now memories of her own humiliating state—when Kyo had practically picked her up off the street—resurfaced vividly.
Here she was again at Kyo's home, repeating the same scenario as last time: arriving soaked by the rain and needing a hot shower.
Well, at least this time, she could enjoy a proper bath at her leisure. No rushing, no awkwardness—just a comfortable, relaxing shower in a bathroom significantly nicer than the cramped, run-down one she was used to at home.
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