The days that followed blurred. Aika walked the halls, smiled at Mina's jokes, answered questions in class — but inside, she was unraveling.
She could still feel the phantom weight of Kaito's hand against hers. The way his voice lingered, low and magnetic.
She hated him. She wanted him. And worse — she knew he knew it.
---
It happened late one evening. She was leaving the studio after practice, the corridors quiet, when she sensed him again.
Kaito leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching. Always watching.
Her chest tightened. "What do you want?"
His smirk curved. "Honesty. From you. Just once."
"I—" She stopped. Words tangled in her throat. She wanted to deny him, to spit venom, to walk away… but her body betrayed her.
Her steps slowed. Her eyes lingered.
Kaito pushed off the wall, closing the space between them. Not rushing, not forcing — just moving with the certainty of someone who already knew the outcome.
"Aika," he murmured, tilting his head down, his breath brushing her lips. "Say no, and I'll stop."
Her heart thundered. Her mind screamed. But her lips trembled open — no word came.
And then, his mouth claimed hers.
---
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't sweet. It was fire and danger, every ounce of tension between them exploding into that kiss. His hand slid to the back of her neck, holding her steady, while her fists clenched against his chest, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.
The world vanished. No classes, no campus, no Mina — just the taste of him, sharp and intoxicating.
When he finally pulled back, Aika gasped, dizzy, her lips tingling.
"You can hate me tomorrow," Kaito whispered, eyes dark and unreadable. "But tonight, don't lie."
She stood frozen as he walked away, leaving her in the shadows with her heart hammering, her breath ragged, and her soul in pieces.
---
The next morning, Mina eyed her carefully over breakfast.
"You've been… weird lately," Mina said, tilting her head. "Sneaking off. Zoning out. Smiling like you're hiding something."
Aika choked on her tea. "What? No! I— I've just been busy!"
Mina smirked. "Busy, huh? Sure. With what… or who?"
Aika's stomach dropped. Mina didn't know the truth — not yet. But suspicion was already blooming, and Aika knew one thing for certain: Mina would not stop digging until she uncovered everything.
---