Ryu nodded, feeling a connection to both of their stories. "I think we all have our own ways of coping with the pressures and expectations placed on us. But being in Class 3-E, with all of you, has been a game-changer for me."
The conversation flowed naturally, each of them sharing pieces of themselves that they rarely revealed to others. As they spoke, the chemistry between them became palpable, a sense of mutual understanding and respect that went beyond mere friendship.
As the night drew to a close, they decided to take a walk through the city, enjoying the cool evening air and the quiet streets. The tension between them was no longer just friendly; it had evolved into something more.
Rio, ever the instigator, broke the silence. "You know, Ryu, I think I've figured out what my type is," she said, her voice low and playful.
Ryu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what's that?"
Rio's eyes locked with his, the flicker of mischief replaced by something deeper, something that made his heart race. "Someone who can keep up with me."
Ryu's breath caught in his chest. The words hung in the air, thick with meaning. He could feel his pulse quicken, the tension between them palpable. He looked from Rio to Rinka, who was walking beside him, her expression unreadable but her eyes full of quiet understanding.
Before he could respond, Rio moved closer, closing the space between them. Her voice dropped even lower, a whisper meant only for him. "Someone who isn't afraid to take a chance."
Ryu's heart was pounding now, his thoughts scattered. The chemistry between him and Rio had been undeniable from the start, but he hadn't expected it to escalate like this—not with Rinka here, too.
He opened his mouth to say something—anything—to diffuse the building pressure. But before he could, Rio reached up, her fingers lightly grazing his cheek. It was a soft touch, but it sent a shock through him, and before he could process it, she leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a kiss that was bold and unexpected.
His mind went blank. For a moment, he couldn't think, couldn't move, his entire focus narrowed to the sensation of Rio's lips on his. He kissed her back, albeit hesitantly, unsure of what to make of this sudden shift in their dynamic.
When they pulled apart, breathless, Rio gave him a wicked smile. "Told you I could keep up."
But just as he was trying to regain his composure, Rinka, who had been silently observing the exchange, took a step forward. She tilted her head slightly, eyes flicking between him and Rio, then back to Ryu, a small but knowing smirk playing on her lips.
"Well, well," she said, voice laced with playful sarcasm, "looks like someone else is keeping up with you."
Ryu's heart skipped a beat as Rinka took a daring step closer to him. She reached up, her fingers curling gently into the fabric of his jacket, and pulled him toward her in a swift, bold move. Before he could even register the sudden shift, her lips were on his—gentler than Rio's kiss, but no less intense.
It was disorienting. The first kiss had left him stunned, but this one was softer, slower, full of a different kind of energy—one that made him feel as though time had stopped, just for a moment, as he lost himself in the kiss with Rinka.
When they finally broke apart, Ryu stood there, breathless, utterly speechless. His heart was racing faster than he could keep up with, and his mind was a whirl of confusion.
Rio, a few steps away, was watching him with an amused but expectant expression. "Well, seems like I was right," she said, a playful grin on her face. "You are someone who can keep up."
They all kissed once again.
Under the soft glow of the streetlights, as they walked through the city after their dinner, the air between them shifted. It wasn't just the usual casual talk anymore; there was something deeper in the way Rio and Rinka exchanged glances, something unspoken but understood.
Rio, who usually took the lead in conversations with her mischievous energy, slowed her pace as she glanced at Rinka, who was walking beside Ryu. Rinka met her gaze, and without a word, they seemed to come to an unspoken agreement. Ryu, still trying to process the earlier remarks, sensed the change in their demeanor.
Rinka was the first to speak, her voice softer than usual but filled with an unmistakable sincerity. "Ryu, we both… we both like you," she said, her sharp eyes softening as she met his gaze.
Ryu blinked, caught off guard by the directness of her words. He opened his mouth to say something, but Rio quickly added, her usual playful tone tinged with something more serious, "It's true. We've both been thinking about this. And we don't want to choose between you."
Rio smirked, nudging Rinka lightly with her shoulder, before turning back to Ryu. "Yeah, we've been pretty obvious about it. But the thing is, we don't want to keep it a secret anymore. We don't need to fight for your attention. We both just… want you. All of you."
Rinka nodded in agreement, her gaze unwavering. "We're both willing to share, Ryu. If you're okay with it, we'd like you to be with both of us."
The words hung in the air for a moment, and Ryu's heart began to race. It wasn't something he'd ever considered before—being in a relationship with both of them. But the more he thought about it, the less it felt like an impossible idea. These were the two people he trusted the most, and the connection between them felt so natural.
"Are you… sure about this?" Ryu asked, still uncertain. His eyes darted between Rio and Rinka, trying to gauge if they were truly okay with sharing him, and if he could handle such an arrangement.
Rio's smile softened, and she reached out to gently touch his arm. "We've talked it through, Ryu. It's not about one of us winning over the other. We both care about you, and we're both willing to give this a try—together."
Rinka, normally reserved, gave him a rare, soft smile. "If you're willing to take that step with us, we'd like to try. We want to explore this together."
Ryu stood there for a moment, the weight of their words sinking in. It was a lot to take in, but the sincerity in both of their eyes told him they weren't just playing games. They meant it.
"Okay," he finally said, his voice quieter now, but filled with something more sure. "I'll do it. I'll share."
Rio grinned, her usual mischievous glint in her eyes returning. "Good. We won't disappoint you."
Rinka nodded, her gaze soft but intense. "We'll take it slow, but this… this is what we want. All three of us."