It was a calm morning at Kenta's house. Shiori sat at her vanity, gazing into the mirror as she adjusted her appearance. Her movements were deliberate, but her reflection betrayed lingering traces of last night's tension. Nearby, Yuzuru stood in front of the wardrobe, browsing through his clothes for the day. The morning air was warm, but a subtle undercurrent of unease still hung between them.
Shiori rose from her seat, her steps soft as she approached Yuzuru. He was focused on organizing his suits, seemingly unaware of her presence until she stood beside him. This was the first time Shiori had made an effort to approach him with sincerity, her gestures devoid of the reluctance that had often characterized her actions before.
"Yuzuru," she said softly, her voice almost hesitant. "Let me help you."
Without waiting for his reply, she reached for his tie, her fingers moving gently to adjust it. Yuzuru froze for a moment, caught off guard by her sudden kindness, but a small smile tugged at his lips. He remained silent, watching her intently as she worked. Then, in a move that surprised her, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
Their faces were now just inches apart, and his voice was low, filled with warmth and curiosity. "You're not mad at me anymore, are you?"
Shiori's eyes widened at the unexpected intimacy, and a flush of red crept up her cheeks. She inhaled deeply, trying to compose herself. Her sharp gaze softened, revealing the vulnerability she rarely allowed anyone to see.
"I'm not mad," she admitted quietly, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "I'm just... confused."
Yuzuru's smile deepened, and he leaned in slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. The air between them grew heavier, laden with unspoken feelings. In her gaze, he saw a sincerity that touched something deep within him, a reminder of why he cherished her despite their differences.
"I'm glad," he murmured, his tone tender. "I don't want to make you feel burdened anymore."
The tension thickened, their closeness radiating an undeniable intimacy. But just as the moment seemed to draw them closer, a cheerful voice broke the spell.
"Good morning, Uncle, Aunt!"
Both Shiori and Yuzuru turned abruptly to see Kaito, wide awake and sitting up in bed, grinning innocently. His bright voice carried no awareness of the charged atmosphere he'd interrupted. "I'm hungry! Can we have breakfast?"
Yuzuru quickly released Shiori, and she stepped back, flustered, her hands busying themselves by smoothing out the creases on her dress. She turned away, retreating to her vanity as if to compose herself, while Yuzuru chuckled softly, still affected by their almost-confession.
"Let's go," Shiori said briskly, her voice steady but her face slightly pink. "Your parents must be waiting."
Yuzuru glanced at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. He straightened his jacket before looking at Kaito. "Alright, buddy. Breakfast it is."
As they headed for the door, Yuzuru paused, his gaze lingering on Shiori. His smile was subtle yet meaningful, a silent promise of a conversation they weren't finished having.
"We'll talk later, Shiori," he said, his voice light but filled with a quiet resolve.
Shiori didn't respond, but the faint warmth in her expression spoke volumes. As the three of them left the room together, the tension had eased, leaving behind a fragile but growing sense of connection.
The morning sun shone brightly over Kenta's house. Yuzuru stood at the front steps, adjusting his suit jacket and preparing to leave. The atmosphere was calm, yet an unspoken tension lingered among the group gathered outside-Shiori, Kenta, Miyu, and Akarin.
Shiori moved closer to Yuzuru, her expression unusually gentle. Taking a small but deliberate step forward, she reached out and softly clasped his hand. The gesture was so unexpected that everyone, including Yuzuru, seemed momentarily frozen. Shiori's warm smile, however, melted the stiffness in the air, her gaze holding a newfound tenderness.
"Take care of yourself, Yuzuru," Shiori said softly, her voice filled with genuine concern. "Come home early tonight, okay? I hope you're not too busy."
Yuzuru blinked, taken aback by her sudden show of affection, especially in front of everyone. His usual composure wavered as he glanced at her, trying to process the shift in her demeanor. He attempted to mask his discomfort with a small, awkward smile.
"Uh, sure... I'll come back early," he stammered, his tone uncertain. "Don't worry."
Shiori's smile deepened, her sincerity shining through. There was no hint of pretense in her actions; she was truly concerned for him, though her timing made it all the more perplexing. Yuzuru couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth despite his unease.
"I mean it, Yuzuru," Shiori added, her tone firm yet kind. "Make sure you're home on time."
As she spoke, Akarin stood a few steps behind them, her gaze narrowing as she took in the scene. The unexpected closeness between Shiori and Yuzuru unsettled her, sparking a twinge of jealousy she couldn't suppress. Her lips tightened, and her hands clenched slightly at her sides.
"What's going on...?" Akarin muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible. She watched intently, her eyes darting between the pair, feeling an unwelcome pang of alienation. Shiori's sudden shift in behavior toward Yuzuru left her feeling uneasy and excluded.
Sensing the tension, Kenta stepped forward, his cheerful tone cutting through the silence. "Come on, Akarin. Let's get going. Shiori, Yuzuru, take care on your way."
With that, Kenta led Akarin toward the car, but Akarin's expression remained conflicted, her mind racing with doubts and insecurities. She cast one last glance at Shiori and Yuzuru, struggling to mask the jealousy that burned quietly in her chest.
Shiori, seemingly unaware of Akarin's internal turmoil, turned back to Yuzuru. Her smile remained serene as she gave his hand a light squeeze before letting go.
"Have a good day, Yuzuru," she said sweetly, her voice soft and filled with sincerity.
Yuzuru nodded, his movements stiff and awkward as he turned to leave. His thoughts were a jumble, the morning's events leaving him both confused and oddly touched. He walked toward his car, glancing back briefly to see Shiori still standing there, her eyes following him with an expression he couldn't quite decipher.
Shiori remained on the steps for a moment longer, watching as Yuzuru drove away. A mix of emotions swirled in her heart-hope, uncertainty, and something she couldn't yet name. For now, she simply held on to the warmth of the moment, ignoring the subtle undercurrents of tension surrounding them.