"Rion…" Risa stood beside me, fingers knotting together.
"Yes?" I straightened up on the couch.
The lights above cast the room in a warm, bright glow—comfortable, lived-in.
Risa shifted her weight, eyes flicking up to mine. "Is it really okay… for my friend to come over tonight…?" Her gaze was cautious, almost shy, but there was a spark of hope in it.
God.
Super cute.
My face softened before I could stop it, and my hand reached for hers like it had a mind of its own. "What's the matter?"
Her shoulders rose in a tiny, tense shrug. "It's just… she's… energetic."
"Energetic?" I echoed. "Like… a super extrovert? Like Daiki?"
She hesitated, then dipped her head. "Mm. Kind of…"
Right.
Extroverts.
I guess both me and Risa are extrovert magnets.
Normally, I'd avoid loud people like they were contagious—
Then her eyes dimmed.
Ah— Crap.
Did I pause too long?
Her lips wobbled. "O-On second thought— Maybe I should call it off—"
She tried turning away, reaching for her phone, but my hand was still wrapped around hers.
I tightened my hold just enough to stop her. "I-It's okay, Risa."
She froze, then looked back at me.
"I introduced you to Daiki," I said, relaxing my grip but not letting go. "So… introduce me to your friend, alright?"
Her eyes brightened like sunrise, and she squeezed my hand back—firm and relieved.
"I will!"
***
I washed the cutting board while Risa strained the karaage,[1] steam curling around her face in soft waves. This was only the second dinner we'd ever made together…But this time, we had extra portions.
I flicked the water off my hands, dried them on a towel, and turned to her. "She should be here any minute, right? I'll prepare the drinks."
"Mm!" Risa nodded, giving me that signature angelic smile of hers.
God, I cannot thank the universe enough.
I brought the glasses to the living room table, arranging them neatly. The doorbell chimed at that exact moment.
"Ah, that must be her." Risa wiped her hands on a cloth. "I'll go get the door."
I sat down on the couch as she stepped into the entryway.
The door slid open—
"Pardon my intrusion!!!"
The voice hit me like a holy blast wave.
Short red twin-tails.
Bright pink sweater.
Shorts.
So many bracelets she could double as a percussion instrument.
And a smile brighter than a thousand suns.
The sheer force of her presence practically blew my hair and clothes backward.
Yup.
Confirmed.
A super loud, omega-level extrovert.
Seriously just like Daiki.
And the moment her eyes landed on me:
"Oh! You must be Risa's infamous fabled husband!"
Risa peeked from behind her, hands clamped on her friend's shoulders like she was trying to restrain a rocket. "Kanaa… calm down!"
Kana puffed out her chest proudly. "Allow me to introduce myself! Yoshikawa Kana! Risa's emotional support idol!"
Urk—
Idol?
Is she serious?
I rose from the couch, offering a polite nod. "Meguriya Rion. Risa's infamous fabled husband. Nice to meet you."
In a blink, Kana slid right into my personal space, eyes sparkling.
"Whoaa! You're tall—Ack—!"
I grabbed her face by instinct.
"A—Ah! S-Sorry, I—" I blurted, releasing her from my grip.
***
Finally, we settled down on the rug. Kana set her drink on the table with a clink.
"Ahahaa! Sorry for barging in!" She rubbed the back of her head. "I was just so excited to see Risa's crush-turned-husba—"
Risa lunged, pressing a pillow straight onto Kana's face. "S-Stop—!" Her own face disappeared behind her hair as she blurted.
I let out a nervous laugh as Kana flailed dramatically beneath the pillow, kicking her legs like she was being exorcised. Once the chaos died down, they sat again—Risa flustered, Kana smug, both of them still catching their breath.
"U—Uh... Kana-san," I started, "Sorry for grabbing your face like that earlier..."
"A-Ah— It's fine, it's fine." Kana waved. "Sorry for intruding your personal space." She scratched her head, then exhaled, exasperated. "You're just like Risa when we first met. No wonder you get along!"
Huh?
Seriously?
Risa was like that?
I turned to Risa.
This Risa?
The most gentle woman I've ever come across?
Risa noticed my gaze. "I-It's not like that!" She blurted. "I just—"
"She shoved me back with a book to my face." Kana explained, deadpan.
"Wh—" Risa twitched.
"U—Uh-huh... I see..."
Okay.
Somehow I can totally see that happening.
Then Risa reached for Kana's hand, her fingers brushing over the tangle of shimmering bracelets. "Kana, this one's new, did you go somewhere?"
"Yeah!" Kana beamed. "I went out with the girls earlier today."
Urk—
She went out already today?
And she still has this much energy?
That's not human.
That's a biological marvel.
Honestly terrifying.
Kana grinned, then turned her gaze around the living room.
"Risa," she said softly, "you've only been here a day, but this place already feels like you."
Risa's eyes widened—just barely—and her cheeks colored. I felt something warm bloom in my chest at the sight.
Because… yeah.
She really filled the space.
With her presence.
With her quiet rhythms.
With something I didn't even know I was missing.
Risa exhaled, a little exasperated. "Jeez, you just keep saying things… I'll go prepare snacks."
"Oh! Risa's homemade snacks! Yay!" Kana practically sparkled.
Meanwhile, I watched Risa move toward the kitchen.
Her hands moved with that familiar, soft precision.
Her hair swayed as she leaned forward.
Her eyes—focused, gentle—poured quiet care into every small motion.
And something inside me loosened, just watching her.
Then I felt it—
A stare.
Hot. Focused. Too knowing.
I glanced across the table.
Kana had her chin propped on her hands, studying me like I was an interesting new species. And that grin—mischievous, sharp, and way too satisfied—made me want to call the police.
"W-What??" I jerked back.
She didn't answer at first. Just kept staring. Then she nodded to herself. "Mm. You're good."
Blink.
"…Good… for what?"
"For my bestie, of course!" She lifted both hands like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Other guys would stare at her like some depraved human being with mommy issues."
"Wh—Other guys??"
"Of course!" she barked out, completely unfazed. "She's gorgeous! What do you expect?"
"U-Uh… Yeah…"
"But you," Kana leaned in, eyes narrowing playfully, "I can feel your love radiating toward her."
My soul tried to detach from my body. "Wha—hang on—"
Kana burst out laughing, flailing her limbs across the living room.
But buried inside that teasing… was something warm. Something unmistakable.
Acceptance.
And for a moment, I didn't know what to do with the relief blooming in my chest.
Then the doorbell dinged.
Huh?
Delivery?
I didn't order anything.
"Risa," I called, standing up and walking toward the kitchen.
"Hm?" She turned, holding a plate of karaage.
"Did you order anything?" I pointed to the door.
"No?" She shook her head.
I blinked, glancing back at the door. "…Huh."
The doorbell chimed again, twice this time.
"Alright, alright." I rubbed the back of my neck and trudged toward the door.
I opened it—
"Yeaaaaaah~!" Daiki struck a ridiculous pose, plastic bag in hand.
His energy didn't just radiate—it assaulted me like a microwave set on max.
I slammed the door shut. Cold sweat pricked at my temple.
"Rion? Are you okay?" Risa stepped out of the kitchen, concern written across her face.
Kana peeked from the living room. "A guest?"
"I'm good! Really, it's fine!" I forced a shaky laugh, trying to calm the lingering storm of chaos in my chest.
What is this?!
The extrovert just… multiplied?!
No. I must be hallucinating from absorbing Kana's energy.
Then—the doorbell dinged. Three times.
Damn it!
[1] Japanese Fried Chicken. You should try it. It's amazing.