Seika sat on her bed watching her sister Reika come in looking like she just found treasure. Her cheeks were red and she smiled wide.
"What's got you so happy?" Seika asked, leaning back on her hands.
Reika dropped her bag and flopped down next to her. "You won't believe what happened at the cafe today."
Seika raised an eyebrow. "Tell me."
Reika smiled like she had a secret. "David came by again. Yeah, that David."
Seika smiled. "The guy who always acts like he knows everything?"
"That one." Reika's cheeks got even redder. "He was so clumsy when he got his drink. It was actually kind of cute."
Seika laughed. "I don't think I've heard you say 'cute' about him without joking before."
Reika poked her. "No, really. It was."
Seika's smile got smaller. "Okay, what else?"
Reika's face lit up. "He asked me what music I like. Who even talks about music in a cafe? It felt normal but nice."
Seika looked at her. "And?"
"We talked for almost an hour," Reika said quietly. "About silly things and serious stuff. I felt like I could just be me with him."
Seika looked at her sister's red face. "Sounds like he made a good impression."
Reika shrugged but smiled. "He's not what I expected. And it's kind of nice."
Seika's heart skipped a beat. "You don't sound mad."
Reika laughed softly. "I'm not. But don't think I'm falling for him or anything."
Seika nudged her. "Jealous?"
Reika rolled her eyes. "No way."
Seika stared a little longer than she meant to. Something inside her stirred. "Maybe I should meet this David sometime."
Reika raised an eyebrow. "You mean the guy who avoids looking at people and runs away?"
Seika giggled. "Yeah. He's mysterious."
Reika smiled. "Maybe. But don't steal him from me."
Seika grinned. "No promises."
They both laughed. It felt warm between them.
But deep down, Seika wondered if David was more than just someone to notice. Maybe he was someone to chase.
Back in Present
David slammed his dorm door and dropped his bag hard. He fell on his bed and covered his face with his hands.
What just happened?
That accidental kiss with Seika kept playing in his head. How do you mess that up? One second he was standing there, next his lips touched hers.
He winced. His cheeks felt hot like a small fire.
Why did she have to fall on me like a missile? Why am I so clumsy?
David sighed and lay back. He could almost hear people whispering about it. He was sure Reika saw everything.
Great.
He was sure that kiss erased all the progress with Reika. Or made things worse.
His phone buzzed. A system message showed.
"New Sub-Route Activated: Seika Wild Path."
He blinked and rubbed his eyes. Wild path? What was that?
David groaned and threw his phone on the desk.
"This is a nightmare," he said.
He sat up and ran a hand through his hair. It wasn't just the kiss. It was how his chest jumped. How Seika's eyes got soft and wide when they kissed.
He didn't want to feel anything.
But he did.
And now he was stuck.
He looked out the window. The sky was getting dark. Tomorrow would bring more problems.
He wasn't ready. Not for jealous sisters, rivals, or accidental romance.
He just wanted a break.
But this game wouldn't give him one.
David closed his eyes and leaned back. Deep down, he knew things were about to get harder.
And that scared him.