“What’s your relationship with Rin?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at the Ryusei boy like some TV drama detective interrogating a suspect. The poor kid looked startled, like a deer caught in headlights.
“Uh… classmate friend. We just had a group study session, the four of us,” he stammered.
“Really?” I leaned in closer, squinting. “Then why are you the only one bringing her home?”
Before he could say anything, Rin butted in, arms crossed and an annoyed expression plastered on her face. “Because his home’s in the same direction as mine, duh.”
I blinked, then looked around as if I’d suddenly forgotten how common sense worked. “Okay… but where’s the other two friends then, huh?”
Rin shot me a face like are you seriously asking me that? “Obviously they went home to their own places!” she snapped.
“…Oh… right… ahahah,” I laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of my head like an idiot. Honestly, it was late, I was cold, and my brain was running on fumes. Could you blame me?
I wasn’t done though.
“So, you guys really aren’t dating?” I asked again, this time raising a brow dramatically.
“WE’RE NOT!!” they both shouted at the same time. The synchronization was so perfect it could’ve won them a talent show prize.
We were now all sitting together in the living room—me, Keiko, Rin, and Ryusei boy. The room felt like an impromptu interrogation chamber. I kept switching between glaring at the kid and checking Rin’s neck.
“But…” I leaned in again, whispering dramatically, “you did it without being in a relationship?! That’s worse!”
“D-Did what?!” Ryusei practically leapt out of his skin.
Rin looked confused too. “What are you even talking about?”
I motioned towards Rin’s neck, cheeks a little pink. “Uh… y’know… it…”
Before I could say anything too incriminating, Keiko, in her usual calm, deadpan way, pointed out casually, “Rin… we saw your hickeys.”
Ryusei gasped like he’d just witnessed a crime. “H-H-Hickeys?!”
Rin sighed like she was dealing with kindergarteners. “I… It wasn’t with him.”
Me and Keiko looked at her expectantly, waiting for the rest of the story like kids about to hear a ghost tale.
“I’ll introduce you later,” she muttered.
Okay, guess we’d reached the limit for tonight. Me and Keiko exchanged glances and both nodded.
Ryusei boy cleared his throat. “Uh… sorry, but can I go home now? It’s getting kinda late.”
“Oh… right. I’m sorry for keeping you and uh… y’know, misunderstanding things,” I awkwardly apologized. He smiled weakly like someone who’d just escaped a war zone.
“But…” Rin cut in, frowning. “You can’t catch the last train. It’s already almost eleven.”
We all glanced at the clock. She was right.
“Ryusei,” Keiko suddenly called.
“Yes?” I instinctively responded at the same time as the boy.
We both turned to each other like wait, what?
“Yes? Ah, uh, sorry! I just… got a phone call! Yes? Hello?” I blurted, pretending to grab my non-ringing phone and walking off like a total idiot.
Keiko and Rin both stared at me with the look while Ryusei just seemed confused about whether to laugh or run.
After my super fake phone call, I came back only to find out the boy was sleeping over at our house.
“Wait, what?! But we don’t have a spare room!” Rin protested.
“He can sleep with me,” I volunteered. Well, we’re both boys… inside. And heck no was I letting this mystery kid sleep near Keiko or Rin.
The boy turned pale like he’d seen a ghost. “N-No, I-I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Keiko chuckled softly. “No way. That’d be weird.”
“I-I’ll just sleep in the living room,” Ryusei said quickly, raising his hands in surrender.
“You sure?” Keiko asked.
He nodded. “Just… uh, a blanket and a pillow please.”
“Okay. Deal.” I clapped my hands together, eager to end this circus. “Good night, everybody!”
While Keiko and Rin went off to set up the living room, I shuffled to my room, dead tired. This was supposed to be my day off, but I hadn’t even had time to properly sit down.
I let out a long, dramatic sigh as I flopped onto my bed.
Keiko peeked into my room with a knowing grin. “Rough night?”
“Today was insane,” I groaned. “Junpei, Ruka, Rin, that Ryusei kid… I swear I aged ten years in one day.”
Keiko chuckled and sat at the edge of my bed. “Doesn’t even feel like a day off.”
“Right?!” I shot up, waving a hand. “It was supposed to be chill! Maybe nap a bit, watch TV… instead I’m playing detective, chaperone, overprotective dad, and awkward sister—all in one day.”
Keiko laughed quietly. “Well… chaos or not, it’s kind of fun having a full house, huh?”
I sighed, leaning back against the wall. “Yeah, I guess. I just worry about Rin, you know?”
“I know you do. But you’ve gotta give her space too,” Keiko said gently. “She’s growing up. Let her stumble a bit. It’s how we all figure things out.”
“…Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll behave.”
Keiko smiled, ruffling my hair like I was a kid. “Good.”
As I finally started dozing off, one last thought crossed my mind.
‘Wait… why the heck does that kid have the same name as me?!’
I groaned and rolled over.
This house was cursed.