Emiko immediately started unpacking the groceries. Soon, peppers, garlic, parsley, oil, pasta lay on the kitchen island – all arranged with a naturalness as if she were at home here. "You can sit down, Oka," she said without looking at me. "It's been a long day. I'll handle this." I hesitated. "Are you sure? I can help." She glanced up briefly. "It's okay. I just… don't want anyone to disturb us." "At most my mother," I replied. "But she's usually late. My father isn't coming anyway." Something in her face changed – barely noticeable. A short sigh of relief. Or was there a hint of disappointment too? "Good," she said softly. "Then I guess we're alone." I sat on the sofa, watching her. She hummed quietly, chopped vegetables with confident movements, stirred a small pot. Something about it calmed me. "What are you actually cooking?" I asked eventually. "Spaghetti aglio e olio," she replied. "You like that, right?" I blinked. "How do you know that?" "You mentioned it once. A long time ago… but I remembered." I smiled. Emiko was often so attentive it was almost uncanny. We ended up cooking together. I helped with the chopping, she made the sauce. We laughed, talked about old stories, about teachers who had annoyed us, and little memories we had almost forgotten. When the food was ready, we set the table together. It was simple, but somehow special. Quiet. Warm. While we ate, there was a comfortable silence. Then Emiko suddenly said, "Do you remember how we always used to study together as kids?" I nodded. "You taught me math, and I explained the battles in history to you." She smiled. "You could tell them like you were there." A moment passed, then her gaze turned serious. "Oka… I missed you." My heart beat faster. "I missed you too," I said honestly. After dinner, she cleared the table, not letting me help. I should get ready for the evening, she said – but studying was no longer on my mind. When she came back, she looked around the living room. "Where is your room, actually?" "Back there." I pointed down the hall. Curiously, she opened the door and stopped. "Wow… cleaner than expected." I grinned. "I made an effort." She stepped inside, looked around, then went to the window. "The view is incredible." Finally, she sat down carefully on the bed. I was about to follow when I tripped over the rug – and landed right on top of her. "Oka!" she gasped, startled. Our faces were suddenly very close. I felt her breath, saw the blush on her cheeks. "Sorry! That was… unintentional." I tried to straighten up, but she held me fast. Her fingers wrapped around my arms, her eyes looked at me – calm, open. "It's okay," she whispered. "It's fine." I looked at her, uncertain. Everything inside me felt frozen – and yet it was blazing. Then she closed her eyes, her lips slightly parted. Waiting. I leaned forward. And kissed her. It was soft. Hesitant. New. My first kiss – yet it felt as if I had waited forever for it. She returned it – more demanding, warmer. Her fingers slid into my hair. I pulled her closer, letting myself fall completely into her. Then something suddenly vibrated. Emiko flinched and reached for her phone. "My mother," she mumbled. Her voice was hoarse. She answered. "Hello? Yes, Mom… I'm at Oka's. Studying. Yes, I know, I should have… Yes. I'll be right there. Okay." She hung up, looked at me, slightly embarrassed. "I didn't tell her I was here. She always worries right away." I sat down next to her on the bed. The air in the room was still electrically charged. "Oka…" She spoke softly, almost whispering. "I don't know if you notice… but I feel drawn to you. Have been for a while." I swallowed. My thoughts were chaos. Emiko. The one who was always there. The one I grew up with. But then there was Hana – my girlfriend. And Kasumi… the mysterious woman from another world I wanted to see. With whom I wanted to experience something. Emiko knew nothing about it. I couldn't blame her. "I'm sorry I held you," she said. I looked at her. And in that moment, I let everything go – the doubts, the brooding. I kissed her. Again. More intensely. She pulled me to her, our bodies merging. Hands, breath, heartbeats. Everything became one. Her fingers slid under my shirt, her lips found my neck. I caressed her waist, her back. Felt the trembling under my hand. She whispered my name. I lost myself in her. Her voice was just a breath: "Do you… really want this?" I hesitated. Thought of Hana. Of Kasumi. But they suddenly felt far away. "Yes," I said. And then… then it happened. It was like intoxication, a fire spreading uncontrollably. I forgot everything around me – time, place, consequences. There was only Emiko, her closeness, the heat that had ignited between us. Our bodies merged, our movements instinctive and passionate. I lost myself in her, in the moment, where everything else became unimportant. Her hands wandered over my body, exploring me. I felt her rubbing against me, the heat of her body against mine. I moved beneath her, my hands searching for purchase. I felt her writhe beneath me, her body tense and full of desire. It was more than just a kiss. It was a need, a longing, a fire that had long slumbered within us and was now ignited. I felt myself losing control, swept away by a vortex of passion and desire. I was hard as stone, and Emiko moved rhythmically on top of me. It was within reach. My first time. Emiko moaned softly, her eyes half-closed, her breath shallow and rapid. Her hands dug into my shoulders. I felt myself losing control, swept away by a vortex of passion and desire. Just when… Suddenly, my phone rang. Loud and shrill. I flinched and my eyes snapped open. Reality crashed down on me like an icy shower. Emiko froze. Her eyes were wide, her cheeks bright red. The ringing wouldn't stop. I blindly fumbled for my phone on the nightstand. Who was calling at this hour? I looked at the display. My mother. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my agitated feelings, and answered. "Hello?" I said, my voice sounding hoarser than intended. "Nobuyuki? Everything okay?" my mother asked worriedly. "I just wanted to tell you that it's going to be late tonight. I probably won't be home until very late. You don't have to wait up for me." "Okay, Mom," I said. "Thanks for the call." "And don't go to bed too late, okay? You need your sleep." "Yes, Mom," I repeated. I hung up and sighed. The whole mood was gone. The passion, the desire, the intimacy – everything had burst like a soap bubble. I straightened up and sat on the edge of the bed. Emiko did the same. There was a tense silence between us. Neither of us said anything. Then I stood up and started getting dressed. Emiko followed suit. Her movements were quick and somewhat clumsy. She seemed embarrassed and wanted to leave the situation behind as quickly as possible. "I… I need to use the bathroom," she finally mumbled, grabbing her things. I nodded silently. Emiko disappeared into the bathroom, and I got dressed in the bedroom. The silence was now uncomfortable, full of unspoken words and feelings. After a while, Emiko came out of the bathroom. She had freshened up, but her cheeks were still slightly flushed. She looked at me. "It… it was nice," she said quietly. "But… it was too much." I nodded. "Yes." "I… I didn't want it to go this far," Emiko continued. "I was… I was just overwhelmed." "Me too," I said. We stood there silently for a moment. "Is… is everything still normal between us?" Emiko asked cautiously. "After this?" I hesitated. "I hope so." Emiko nodded. She reached for her school things. "I… I have to go now. My mother is expecting me." "Yeah, sure," I said. I walked her to the door. "See you tomorrow at school," Emiko said. "Yeah," I replied. I opened the door, and she stepped out. "Good night, Oka," she said softly. "Good night, Emiko," I replied. I closed the door and leaned against it. I replayed everything in my head. What had just happened? I was glad it hadn't… gone further. That I had caught myself in time. The feelings had overwhelmed me. I had almost lost myself. But there was also a hint of regret. A quiet question of what might have been. And above all, there was uncertainty. What would happen now with Emiko? What would happen to us?

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