Under One Roof: Riku's Romantic Ruckus

Tuesday morning at Yamato High buzzed with whispers and stolen glances, the camping trip's drama trailing Riku and Aiko like a persistent shadow. Riku shuffled through the crowded hallway, his backpack stuffed with textbooks and the weight of unspoken questions. Aiko strode beside him, her trademark smirk in place, though her eyes hinted at exhaustion from the constant attention.

"Think they'll drop it anytime soon?" Riku asked, sidestepping a gaggle of first-years giggling behind their hands.

"Not likely," Aiko said, her voice dry as she adjusted her bag. "Ren's ego took a public beating. That's premium gossip material."

As if summoned, a trio of third-years brushed past, their laughter edged with venom. One—probably Ren's lackey—threw Riku a dirty look, muttering something about "arrogant second-years." Riku clenched his jaw, but Aiko's fingers grazed his, a fleeting anchor.

"Let them pout," she said, her smirk sharpening. "They'll tire themselves out."

"Hope you're right," he replied, though uncertainty lingered. The camping trip had kicked up more than just rumors—Emi's note and Ren's bravado had knotted their lives in ways he hadn't expected.

At their lockers, Haruka greeted them with a tentative smile, her usual brightness dimmed by worry. "Hey, you two. Surviving the storm?"

"Barely," Riku said, forcing a grin as he shoved his bag into his locker. "Just another day, right?"

Mika joined them, swapping her novel for a notepad, her tone quiet but firm. "The third-years are restless. Ren's pride's wounded—he might push back."

Aiko's smirk turned icy. "He's welcome to try. I'm not done with him."

Before Riku could respond, Yuna swooped in, her grin wide and mischievous. "Morning, troublemakers! Heard Ren's sulking in a corner—great job, Aiko. You too, knight-in-shining-awkward."

"Knock it off," Riku muttered, slamming his locker shut. "It's done. Let's move on."

"Fat chance," Yuna teased, leaning against the lockers. "But guess what? Emi's been hovering. She's got that look—big move incoming."

Aiko's eyes narrowed. "She can scheme all she wants. I'm not sweating it."

Yuna's grin widened. "Oh, you should. Quiet girls like her? Sneaky. Dangerous."

Haruka frowned, nudging Yuna. "Quit it. Emi's just sorting herself out."

"Sorting out her crush," Yuna corrected, winking at Riku. "Right, prince?"

Riku's cheeks burned, and he turned away. "I'm not doing this."

Aiko's hand snagged his wrist, her smirk softening. "Chill, knight. She's no threat."

He met her gaze, the knot in his chest loosening. "Yeah. I know."

But as they headed to class, Emi's shadow loomed in his thoughts, a thread he couldn't quite cut.

---

### Lunchtime Showdown

The rooftop at lunch was a fragile escape, the autumn breeze tugging at their hair. Aiko lounged beside Riku, her bento half-finished, her tank top slipping as she stretched—a distraction he studiously ignored. Haruka and Mika sat opposite, picking at their meals, while Yuna sprawled nearby, her grin a loaded weapon.

Then the door creaked, and Emi appeared, tray in hand, her smile nervous but resolute. Silence fell, thick and heavy.

"Room for one more?" Emi asked, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.

Aiko's knee pressed into Riku's under the blanket they shared, a subtle warning. He cleared his throat. "Sure. Plenty of space."

Emi settled next to Haruka, her eyes darting between Riku and Aiko. "I wanted to talk. Clear things up—again."

Yuna sat up, grinning. "This I gotta hear."

Aiko shot her a look, then faced Emi, her tone cool. "Say what you need to."

Emi inhaled, her cheeks pink. "I'm sorry about the note—and sneaking around. I was worried about Ren, but I messed up. I didn't mean to stir things up more."

Riku nodded, keeping his voice gentle. "It's fine. We understand."

Aiko's smirk tightened. "Just don't pull that again."

Emi flinched but pressed on. "And… Riku, I know it's messy with us. I don't want to complicate things. I'd like to be friends—if that's okay."

Her gaze lingered on him, a flicker of longing buried in her words, and Aiko's knee dug harder into his leg. Riku swallowed, picking his response with care. "Friends works. No grudges here."

Emi's smile bloomed, relief softening her features. "Thanks. I'll keep the weirdness to a minimum."

Yuna snorted, shattering the tension. "Too late, but welcome aboard, newbie."

Haruka elbowed Yuna, laughing softly. "Behave."

"I'm a saint," Yuna shot back, grinning, and the air lightened—though Aiko's grip on Riku's hand stayed firm.

---

### Family Friction

Dinner at the Sato house was a tightrope walk. Hana bustled around the table, her movements sharp, her eyes flitting between Riku and Aiko like a detective mid-case. His dad stayed buried in his paper, either clueless or willfully checked out.

"So," Hana began, dishing out soup with precision, "the camping trip. Sounds like quite the adventure."

"Yeah," Riku said, aiming for casual. "Team-building stuff. Hikes, games."

"Uh-huh." She slid him a bowl, her gaze piercing. "And this Emi—she's the note girl, right?"

Aiko's spoon clinked loudly against her bowl, her smirk gone. "How'd you hear that?"

Hana raised a brow. "Small town. Word travels. You know how it is."

Riku's appetite vanished, the soup turning sour in his mouth. "It's nothing, Mom. Just a mix-up."

"Mix-ups don't sneak around with notes," she countered, her tone edged. "She's still got her eye on you, doesn't she?"

Aiko's foot nudged his under the table—support or a plea, he couldn't tell. "We're just friends," he said, firm. "That's it."

Hana's expression softened, just a fraction. "Good. You've got enough going on without extra baggage."

The unspoken *with Aiko* hovered, and Riku nodded, throat tight. "Yeah. Got it."

Aiko's hand found his under the table, a quick squeeze, and the moment passed—though Hana's watchful eye lingered.

---

### Romantic Reassurance

Later, with the house hushed, Riku and Aiko lingered in the hallway, their bedroom doors cracked open. She leaned against the wall, pajamas loose, her smirk weary but warm. "Your mom's a bulldog," she said, brushing his cheek.

"She's just… being Mom," he replied, catching her hand. "Overprotective."

"About us?" she asked, her voice quieter.

"About all of it," he said, pulling her closer. "But we're solid. Right?"

Her smirk softened, fingers sliding into his hair. "More than solid."

He kissed her then—slow, sure, channeling all his certainty into it. She pressed against him, hands fisting in his shirt, the world shrinking to their shared breaths.

When they parted, grinning and breathless, she bumped her nose against his. "Told you. We've got this."

"Always," he murmured, and she slipped into her room, leaving him with a glow that outshone the chaos.

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