I had just sunk into the armchair, finally breathing like a normal person, half-listening to Ryusuke humming through a popsicle and Zay tapping his knuckles on the coffee table in rhythm with the rain.
That quiet moment? Yeah, it lasted a solid twelve seconds.
Because I felt it.
The presence.
Someone behind me, standing too close. Looming. Silent.
I tilted my head backward—craning my neck until I was practically upside down in the chair—and came face to face with my older brother, Ray Nakahara.
Towel still around his neck. Expression blank. Arms crossed.
"...What?" I asked, still upside-down.
He raised an eyebrow. "You sure about this?"
"About what?"
He gestured vaguely to the entire scene.
Zay sitting with one knee drawn up, blank-eyed. Kiro politely holding a mug of warm tea. Ryusuke now lying sideways on the carpet, making ice cream soup in the lid of his popsicle with scientific precision.
"You invited them?" Ray asked flatly.
"No," I said.
"You didn't stop them."
"Because it was raining."
Ray leaned in a little closer. "You like one of them?"
My chair immediately tilted back dangerously. "WH—?!"
He caught it before it fell.
I glared at him, now sitting straight. "Stop reading my life like a manga. I don't like anyone."
"Just asking. You're of age."
"Don't say 'of age' like that!"
Zay, without looking away from the window, said calmly:
"She yelled that exact tone at Ryusuke last semester too."
"Hey!" I said, pointing at him. "No flashbacks allowed!"
Ryusuke held up a hand from the floor. "Confirmed. It was during the winter project. She almost broke a mechanical pencil."
"She did break it," Kiro corrected gently.
Ray just blinked. "...You did a group project with them?"
"Only with him," I muttered, jerking a thumb toward Zay.
Zay, still leaning back with one arm on his knee, replied without emotion, "You almost spilled glue in my hair."
"You moved on purpose."
"I was reaching."
Ray turned to leave. "If you kiss anyone, do it outside."
I groaned so hard I almost vibrated into the floor.
Ryusuke whispered with a grin, "He's my hero."
"Get out!" I yelled, aiming a throw pillow at him.
Kiro caught it midair with one hand, like a ninja monk. "Careful. Ray might be listening."
I collapsed back in my chair. Face-first into the cushion this time.
Zay finally cracked the tiniest smile.