After a brief hesitation, Kurona Yasuhisa quickly added,
"Of course, it's just a little bit! And I mean maybe! Just a little!"
Nashiro Yasuhisa blinked.
Her sister's words were all over the place, contradicting themselves every few seconds.
Even though Nashiro wasn't the most knowledgeable about relationships, she was still an adult—
She understood what the word "like" meant.
And right now?
Kurona was clearly flustered about Kanzaki Ryoma.
But… wasn't this a little too fast?
"Kurona… do you actually like him?" Nashiro asked, skeptical.
"Is it just because he saved you?"
Kurona shook her head immediately.
"Of course not! It's… not that simple."
She paused for a moment, then muttered,
"But I can't explain it clearly."
Her voice dropped.
"All I know is… there might be a little bit of something there…"
The instant she said it, she regretted it.
Why did she even tell Nashiro this?!
Nashiro let out a small sigh.
"Well… as long as it's not just because of one moment," she said.
"I was worried you'd fall for someone too easily."
Kurona frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Nashiro chuckled.
"If you really like him, kurona, I'll support you."
Kurona immediately turned away, mumbling—
"I said it's just a little… I never said I actually like him…"
Nashiro smiled softly.
She didn't say anything else.
But… deep down, she knew.
Kurona was bad at being honest with herself.
And if this was how she was acting now…
Well.
Maybe her feelings for Kanzaki were stronger than she thought.
Still, Nashiro decided—
She had to get to know Kanzaki Ryoma better herself.
After all, she couldn't just hand her sister over to someone so easily.
---
By the time Kanzaki arrived home, it was already past 6 PM.
Luckily, his fridge was well-stocked, so he didn't need to stop by the store.
However—
Just as he reached his front door, he noticed someone waiting outside.
A familiar figure.
Standing there, drawing the attention of countless passersby, was—
Rize Kamishiro.
Her long, silky violet hair swayed in the breeze.
With a face like a goddess and a figure that made heads turn, she stood there—
Looking every bit the perfect woman.
"Rize-san?" Kanzaki called, confused.
"Why are you here?"
Instead of answering normally, Rize's expression shifted.
She suddenly pouted, her eyes filled with mock hurt, and in the most delicate tone, she said—
"Dear…"
Kanzaki froze.
Rize continued, voice filled with feigned heartbreak—
"You're finally home… How long were you planning to leave me out here?"
Kanzaki's eyes widened in horror.
Wait.
Did she just call me 'dear'?!
Before Kanzaki could shut her up, it was too late.
The crowd around them had already locked onto the scene.
Whispers erupted instantly—
"Did she just say 'dear'?!"
"Wait—did that guy lock his girlfriend out?!"
"What a trash boyfriend! She's so beautiful, and he left her out here?"
"That guy? Seriously?! What does she even see in him?!"
"…Life is so unfair."
"Bro, I want her to step on me…"
The girls in the crowd were glaring daggers at Kanzaki.
The guys were radiating pure jealousy.
And Kanzaki?
Was experiencing the ultimate 'misunderstood protagonist' moment.
With his sanity on the verge of collapse, Kanzaki grabbed Rize's wrist.
Without another word, he dragged her inside and slammed the door shut.
Silence.
Then—
Kanzaki let out a long, exhausted sigh.
Rize simply giggled mischievously.
---
Inside the Apartment
"Alright," Kanzaki said, deadpan.
"Care to explain why you just publicly humiliated me?"
Rize tilted her head, smiling innocently.
"What do you mean~? I was just waiting for you."
"You know exactly what I mean."
Kanzaki rubbed his temples.
Rize pouted again.
"Well, I went to your apartment earlier, but you weren't there."
"Then I waited at the Anteiku coffee shop, but you never showed up."
Her voice suddenly took on a slightly dangerous edge—
"So I thought… maybe my dear Kanzaki-kun was hiding something from me."
Kanzaki felt a chill down his spine.
She was sniffing him again.
Then—
With zero warning, she pushed him down onto the couch and straddled him.
Before Kanzaki could react, she buried her face into his neck, inhaling deeply.
Her warm breath tickled against his skin.
"...Rize-san."
She ignored him, continuing to sniff him like a bloodhound.
And then, she froze.
She lifted her head, eyes narrowed.
Her face was unusually serious.
"…Your scent."
Kanzaki gulped.
"What about it?"
"It's… stronger than usual."
She leaned in, nose barely an inch from his own.
"And more than that—it's mixed."
Her gaze darkened.
"You reek of multiple ghouls. Why?"
Kanzaki stared at her.
Shit.
"Can i keep it a secret?" Kanzaki asked casually.
Rize's expression didn't change.
"No."
"Everyone has their own secrets, Rize," Kanzaki countered. "Even you."
Silence.
Rize studied him for a moment.
Then—
She sighed dramatically and rolled off him.
"Fine," she said. "I guess that's fair."
But—
Kanzaki had a strange feeling…
For just a second…
Did she seem… unhappy?
Was she bothered that he wasn't telling her?
He shook the thought away.
Rize suddenly perked up again.
"But you know…"
She grinned playfully.
"There's still one thing I have to do every day."
Kanzaki instantly knew what she meant.
"...Right. That."
"Exactly," Rize said cheerfully.
"Time to taste you again."
"Can we do this after I eat?" Kanzaki sighed, heading to the kitchen.
"I'm starving."
Rize followed him inside.
Then—
As he put on an apron, she suddenly—
Hugged him from behind.
Her lips brushed his ear, and she whispered—
"How about we make a game of it?"
Kanzaki froze.
"What kind of game?"
Rize's grin widened.
"I'll be tasting your ear… while you try to cook."
Her fingers traced his collarbone.
"Let's see if you can handle both at the same time."
/////////
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