Under One Roof: Riku's Romantic Ruckus

Wednesday morning crept into the Sato household with a soft drizzle, the patter against the windows a muted backdrop to Riku's restless thoughts. He'd barely slept, Haruka's fragile confession and Ren's smug retreat replaying in his mind alongside Hana's piercing scrutiny. He rolled out of bed, tugging on a hoodie, and shuffled downstairs, craving the steadiness of routine.

Aiko was already at the kitchen table, her hair a damp tangle from a quick shower, her smirk lighting the room as she sipped tea. She wore his oversized sweatshirt—stolen again—over shorts, her bare legs catching the gray light. "Morning, knight," she said, sliding a coffee mug his way. "You look like a zombie."

"Feel like one," he replied, taking the mug with a faint grin. Their knees brushed under the table, a quiet tether in the morning gloom. "You?"

"Slept fine," she teased, her foot nudging his. "Dreamed of burying Ren in a shallow grave."

He chuckled, the tension easing. "Should've invited me."

"Next time," she promised, her smirk softening as she leaned closer. "You okay after yesterday? Haruka stuff?"

"Yeah," he said, sipping his coffee. "Just… didn't expect her to still feel that way."

Aiko's gaze held his, steady and sure. "She'll bounce back. We'll help her."

"Always do," he agreed, their hands brushing—a small knot tightening in the tangle of their lives.

Hana bustled in, her apron tied tight, her eyes sharp as she set a plate of toast on the table. "Morning," she said, her tone clipped. "Big day?"

"Midterm prep," Riku replied, keeping it neutral. "Studying."

"Good," she said, her gaze flicking between them. "Keep your heads on straight."

Aiko's foot pressed harder against his—a silent *here we go*—and she smirked. "Always, Aunt Hana."

Hana hummed, unconvinced, and Riku focused on his toast, the unspoken weight of her watchfulness settling over them.

---

### Homeroom Huddle

Class 2-B was a subdued hum when they arrived, the drizzle outside mirroring the class's post-festival slump. Haruka sat at her desk, her pencil tapping a slow rhythm, her smile brighter than yesterday but still fragile. Mika was lost in her novel, a quiet anchor, while Yuna sprawled across her chair, her grin a beacon of chaos.

"Morning, chaos royalty!" Yuna chirped, tossing a crumpled candy wrapper at Riku. "Ready to conquer midterms?"

"Barely," he muttered, catching it and tossing it back. Aiko slid into her seat beside him, her knee nudging his—a steady pulse.

Haruka glanced up, her smile tentative. "Hey, guys. Sleep okay?"

"Like a rock," Aiko teased, her tone light. "You?"

"Better," Haruka said, her pencil stilling. "Thanks—for yesterday."

"Anytime," Riku replied, his voice gentle. "We've got your back."

Her smile warmed, a flicker of her old spark returning, and Mika peeked over her book. "Teamwork makes the dream work," she said, deadpan, earning a laugh from Haruka.

Yuna leaned in, grinning. "Speaking of teamwork, heard Ren's licking his wounds. Third-years are calling him 'Aiko's Reject' now."

Aiko's smirk turned wicked. "Good. Keeps him in line."

Emi slipped in then, her steps cautious, her smile small but genuine. "Morning," she said, settling near Haruka. The air shifted—a ripple of eased tension—and she nodded at Riku and Aiko. "No hard feelings?"

"None," Riku said, keeping it light. Aiko's knee pressed his—a silent *we're good*—and Emi's relief was palpable.

Mr. Tanaka strode in, his clipboard a shield against the subdued mood. "Alright, folks," he said, tapping the desk. "Midterms start Monday—study hard, no excuses."

Groans rippled through the room, and Riku sank lower, the coffee doing little to lift his spirits. Aiko nudged him, whispering, "Think we can bribe him with Yuna's chaos?"

"Worth a shot," he murmured, grinning, but his eyes lingered on Haruka, her pencil tapping again—a quiet signal she wasn't fully back.

---

### Lunchtime Promises

The rooftop at lunch was their haven, the drizzle gone, leaving a crisp breeze and a sky streaked with pale blue. Aiko sprawled beside Riku, her bento open, her legs stretched out as she tossed a rice ball into her mouth. Yuna lounged nearby, plotting aloud about sneaking snacks into the exam room, while Mika scribbled notes, her calm a counterpoint to the chaos. Haruka sat closer this time, her smile steadier as she joined the chatter.

Riku nudged Aiko, keeping his voice low. "She's better today."

"Yeah," Aiko murmured, her gaze softening. "Still fragile, though."

She turned to Haruka, her tone casual but pointed. "Hey, sunshine—study group later? Us, Mika, maybe Yuna if she behaves?"

Haruka blinked, then grinned. "I'd like that. Thanks, Aiko."

"Anytime," Aiko said, her smirk warm. "Team thing."

Riku caught Haruka's eye, adding, "We've got you. No falling behind."

Her laugh was soft, real. "I know. You're the best."

Yuna swooped in, grinning. "Aw, mushy time? I'm in—study snacks on me!"

"Only if they're quiet snacks," Mika deadpanned, earning a chorus of laughs.

The rooftop settled into a lighter hum, the group's knot tightening—though Riku felt the threads of Haruka's quiet struggle still pulling.

---

### After-School Ambush

After the final bell, the group gathered in the library, textbooks and snacks spread across a table. Yuna munched loudly on chips—ignoring Mika's glare—while Haruka flipped through notes, her focus sharpening. Riku and Aiko sat close, their knees brushing as they tackled math problems, their banter a steady undercurrent.

Then Ren appeared, leaning against a bookshelf, his smirk smug but brittle. "Study party, huh? Too good for the third-years now?"

Aiko's head snapped up, her tone icy. "Too good for your bullshit, yeah."

Ren's smirk twitched, but he pressed on. "Heard you're cozying up with the whole crew. What's next—dumping Sato for someone better?"

Riku bristled, standing. "Back off, Ren. She's not interested."

Ren chuckled, stepping closer. "Sure she is—just hasn't admitted it."

Aiko rose, her smirk cold and lethal. "Keep dreaming. You're not even a blip."

The library hushed, heads turning, and Ren's bravado cracked. "Whatever," he muttered, slinking off, his retreat a victory.

Haruka laughed, breaking the silence. "You two are unstoppable."

"Always," Aiko said, sinking back beside Riku, her hand finding his—a knot tightening.

---

### Homefront Promises

Dinner was a cautious dance. Hana's gaze was less sharp, her questions softer as she served curry. "Study group?" she asked, eyeing Riku and Aiko.

"Yeah," Riku said, keeping it light. "Helping Haruka with math."

"Good," she said, her tone thawing. "She's a sweet girl—needs friends like you."

Aiko's foot nudged his under the table—a silent *we're winning*—and she smirked. "We've got her, Aunt Hana."

Hana's lips twitched, almost a smile. "Keep it that way."

The meal passed in tentative peace, the threads of scrutiny loosening—though not fully unraveling.

---

### Nighttime Knots

Later, in the hallway's dim glow, Aiko leaned against her door, her pajamas loose, her smirk warm. "Haruka's tougher than she looks," she said, brushing Riku's cheek.

"Yeah," he agreed, catching her hand. "And us?"

"Tougher," she teased, pulling him into a slow, steady kiss—a promise woven into every touch. Her hands slid up his back, anchoring him, and when they parted, breathless, she grinned.

"Night, knight," she whispered, slipping inside.

"Night," he murmured, the knots of their lives tightening—but stronger than ever.

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