"You guys are way too serious," Kaede continued, dramatically clutching her stomach as if she were in pain from laughing. "It's just a game! Aguri, I thought you were more zen than this."
By the end of the match, Aguri had managed to edge out a narrow win, and she couldn't suppress the smile that spread across her face. Ryu gave a good-natured groan. "Okay, okay, you win this round," he admitted, holding out his hand for a shake.
Aguri shook it with a playful smirk. "I don't play to lose."
Kaede cheered again. "I knew you were secretly competitive! You both were trying so hard not to show it, but it was obvious."
The rest of the afternoon was a whirlwind of fun activities. They popped in and out of quirky stores, trying on ridiculous hats and taking photos with silly props. Ryu even dragged them into an old-fashioned art gallery with contemporary works, where Kaede immediately started making funny faces at the paintings and striking dramatic poses in front of the sculptures. Aguri, though she tried to maintain her usual poise, found herself quietly amused at Kaede's antics, and even joined in for a few impromptu poses herself.
They then wandered through a nearby park, its green expanse offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling district. The fresh air and tranquility were a nice contrast to the earlier chaos, and they sat on a bench by a pond, chatting about life, school, and whatever else popped into their heads. Ryu and Kaede made plans for future adventures, and Aguri found herself caught up in the easy conversation, her usual guarded nature slipping away.
But the real highlight came when Kaede, ever the spontaneous one, decided it was time for an impromptu photoshoot. She pulled out her phone and started snapping pictures, urging Aguri and Ryu to get creative. The photos quickly turned into a series of ridiculous selfies—Ryu pulling silly faces, Kaede making exaggerated peace signs, and Aguri doing her best to hide her laughter behind mock-serious expressions. It was all so carefree, so lighthearted, and Aguri couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness.
She couldn't remember the last time she had just let go and enjoyed a day like this—without expectations, without worrying about appearances or responsibilities. Her usual reservations faded with each passing moment, and for once, she felt like she was part of something fun and unplanned. Kaede and Ryu's infectious energy had chipped away at the walls Aguri had so carefully built around herself,
As the day drew to a close, Kaede said her goodbyes. "This was fun, you guys," she said, giving Ryu a playful side hug. "We should do this again sometime—though next time, I'm picking the activities!"
Ryu smiled. "Definitely! You made the day way more fun than we expected."
After Kaede left, Ryu turned to Aguri, a genuine smile on his face. "I'm glad you decided to join us today. It looked like you had fun."
Aguri, feeling lighter than she had all day, nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. "I did. It was... nice," she said, her voice softer than usual.
As they parted ways, Aguri stood still for a moment, watching Ryu walk off. She hadn't expected to spend time with Kaede in such a carefree way, let alone enjoy it. Though Kaede had never recognized her, the joy she felt in spending time with her sister, even in disguise, filled her with a warmth she hadn't known she was missing.
It had been a simple, fun day, but for Aguri, it meant more than she could explain. And for the first time in a while, she felt truly happy—happy that she had met her sister again, even if it was under the guise of a stranger.
"Thanks, Ryu," she said, her voice softer than usual. There was something about today, about spending time with Kaede and not hiding behind her usual walls, that made her feel vulnerable in the best way. She took a breath, feeling her pulse quicken as she looked at him. "You're not half bad, you know? You made me visit Kaede, right?"
Ryu gave her an easy smile, a little shrug, as if it was nothing. "I just thought it would be fun. You deserved a day off from all the usual stuff."
Aguri smiled, but her thoughts were already racing. She wasn't used to thanking people, especially not in such a personal way. But today had been different, and she felt a surge of gratitude she hadn't anticipated. Without really thinking, she stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek, the soft gesture lingering longer than either of them expected.
Ryu blinked in surprise, his usual playful demeanor momentarily fading as he processed what just happened. But then, a slow, knowing smile spread across his face. "Guess I'm not half bad after all, huh?"
Aguri felt her heart race, but she didn't pull away. "No," she said, her voice quieter now, "you really aren't."
Without a word, Ryu stepped a little closer, his gaze shifting from her eyes to her lips, then back up again. Aguri's breath hitched, and before she could react, Ryu leaned in, his hand gently cupping her cheek as his lips met hers in a soft, unexpected kiss.
The kiss was brief, but it sent a jolt of warmth through her, something that sent her pulse racing even faster. Aguri's eyes fluttered open as they pulled back, the world snapping back into focus. Ryu was still close, his expression now a little more serious, but there was that familiar glint in his eyes—amusement, affection, and something else she couldn't quite name.
"I wasn't expecting that," Aguri said, her voice a little shakier than she intended as she looked up at him, feeling her cheeks flush. She was unsure of how to process what had just happened, but the feeling of his lips on hers lingered like a spark.
Ryu, still close, smiled softly, his thumb gently brushing the side of her cheek. "You don't have to thank me with a kiss," he said, his tone low and teasing, but there was an undercurrent of something genuine in his voice that made Aguri's heart skip.
Aguri let out a soft laugh, feeling her nerves dissipate slightly as she looked up at him, her heart still racing. "Maybe I just wanted to," she said quietly, her gaze softening as she allowed herself to relax in the moment. She wasn't used to this kind of openness, this kind of connection, but for some reason, with Ryu, it felt... right.
His smile grew, and he took a step back, giving her some space but still watching her closely. "Well, in that case," he said with a wink, "you're welcome, I guess."
Kaede was secretly looking at Aguri and Ryu from a corner. For some reason, this unknown girl felt familiar. She shook her head. She was probably overthinking.