Under One Roof: Riku's Romantic Ruckus

Tuesday morning draped the Sato household in a tentative hush, the chaos of the weekend still echoing faintly in the walls. Riku stirred awake to his alarm's soft buzz, the memory of Aiko's impulsive hallway kiss lingering like a warm ember. He rolled out of bed, pulled on a rumpled T-shirt, and trudged downstairs, craving a moment of normalcy.

In the kitchen, Aiko perched at the table, cradling a steaming mug of tea. Her hair was swept into a messy ponytail, and she wore his oversized hoodie—paired with shorts that left her legs bare in the morning light. She glanced up as he entered, her smirk a quiet anchor.

"Morning, knight," she said, sliding a coffee mug his way. "Sleep off your big hero moment?"

"Barely," he replied, grabbing the mug and settling across from her. Their knees nudged under the table, a subtle tether. "You?"

"Same," she admitted, her smirk softening. "Kept replaying… everything."

"Everything?" he teased, sipping his coffee. "Like what?"

She leaned forward, propping her chin on her hand. "Us. That stupid photo. Yuna's meltdown when we snapped back."

He chuckled, the weekend's weight lifting slightly. "She had it coming."

"Always does," Aiko said, her foot brushing his—a playful prod. "Think we're safe now?"

"For now," he said, warming his hands on the mug. "Mom's still simmering, but Dad's… Dad."

"Grumpy but soft," she filled in, grinning. "He's half on our side."

"Half," he agreed, their laughter weaving a fragile calm.

His mom swept in then, apron tied and smile strained but there. "Morning, you two. Plans?"

"School," Riku said, keeping it breezy. "Maybe homework."

"Good," she replied, stirring something on the stove. "Keep it quiet. No more… excitement."

Aiko's foot pressed harder against his, a silent *yeah, right*, and he hid a grin. "We'll try," he said, earning a dubious hum from his mom.

---

Yamato High hummed with its usual chaos, though the gossip had dulled to a murmur. Riku and Aiko arrived together, shoulders brushing, a wordless stand against the stares. The harem had recalibrated: Haruka offered a cautious wave from her locker, Mika nodded over her book with quiet approval, and Yuna—well, Yuna pounced.

"Morning, lovebirds!" she chirped, swooping in with a grin. "Ready for round two of infamy?"

"Shut up," Riku grumbled, stuffing his bag into his locker. "You've caused enough trouble."

"Me?" Yuna feigned shock, hand to her heart. "I'm just the spark. You two are the fire."

Aiko leaned against the locker, smirking. "Careful, senpai. I've got ammo on you too."

Yuna's eyes sparkled. "Oh, spill it. I live for drama."

"Later," Aiko teased, winking. "When it'll hurt most."

Yuna cackled, sauntering off, and Riku exhaled. "She's a nightmare."

"Always has been," Aiko said, her hand grazing his as they headed to class. "Keeps us sharp."

"Too sharp," he muttered, but her laugh softened the edge.

---

In Class 2-B, the photo's buzz had faded to giggles and sidelong glances. Haruka slid into the seat beside Riku, passing him a pencil. "You dropped this yesterday," she said, her tone light but her eyes probing.

"Thanks," he said, taking it. "You good?"

"Yeah," she murmured, her smile small but real. "Just… settling in."

He nodded, catching her drift. "We're cool, right?"

"Always," she said, and the tension between them thawed.

Mika arrived next, book in hand, her gaze flicking to Aiko. "Morning," she said softly. "The photo… it's bold."

Aiko smirked, leaning back. "Or dumb. Depends."

Mika's lips twitched. "Maybe both."

Yuna strutted in last, flopping into her seat. "So, harem king, what's today's plot? More rooftop heroics?"

"Shut up," Riku shot back, but the jab felt routine now, almost comforting.

---

Lunch brought refuge on the rooftop, the sky a crisp, endless blue. Aiko kicked off her shoes, sprawling on the concrete with her bento, the hoodie riding up to flash a strip of skin. "Nice up here," she said, tossing a rice ball into her mouth.

"Yeah," Riku agreed, his eyes darting there before jerking back to her face. "No Yuna, no chaos."

"For now," she teased, smirking at his flush. "She'll hunt us down."

He leaned in, planting a quick kiss on her cheek—daring but fleeting. She froze, blushing, then shoved him. "Warn me, knight!"

"Payback," he grinned, and she tackled him, laughing. They rolled, her hair a mess, his hands brushing her waist, until the door creaked.

Yuna loomed, grinning wickedly. "Round three already? You two are relentless!"

"Get lost!" they yelled in unison, but she just laughed, tossing them a candy bar.

"Keep it tame, kids," she said, vanishing, leaving them breathless and giggling.

---

Drama club rehearsal that afternoon was a chaotic escape. They ran the final scene—Riku's knight rescuing Aiko's princess from a flimsy dragon prop. The director wasn't satisfied.

"More passion!" he barked as Riku lifted Aiko into his arms. "You're her savior, not her Uber!"

Aiko smirked up at him, arms around his neck. "Yeah, knight. Save me harder."

He flushed, nearly dropping her, and the club dissolved into laughter. "Shut up," he hissed, tightening his hold, and she grinned, her breath tickling his cheek.

The director groaned. "Fine. Take five."

By the props, Aiko's hand brushed his as they leaned against the wall. "Think we sold it?" she asked.

"Too well," he said, voice low. "Might spark more rumors."

"Let them talk," she teased, leaning closer. Her blouse slipped, baring a hint of collarbone, and his pulse spiked, eyes lingering before snapping up.

"Caught you," she whispered, grinning.

"Shut up," he muttered, but his smirk mirrored hers, the world narrowing to just them.

---

That night, with his parents out for dinner, the house felt still. Aiko lingered by her door in loose pajamas, her smirk weary but warm. "Day two of being out," she said, brushing his cheek. "Still alive."

"Barely," he said, catching her hand. "But yeah."

She pulled him into a slow, tender kiss—a quiet vow in the dim light. "Night, knight," she murmured, slipping inside.

"Night," he rasped, watching her door shut softly.

The storm had passed, but clouds loomed—family talks, school whispers, the harem's watchful orbit. For now, they'd savor the calm.

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