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The door burst open, and Momo struggled to keep Ken on his feet.
“Ayase-san, you don’t have to do this… you should go home. I’m fine,” Ken muttered weakly.
A yokai had ambushed them after Ken picked her up from the maid café. Though they managed to defeat it, the encounter left him severely injured and completely drained. The yokai hadn’t just wounded him but had also sapped his energy, leaving him utterly exhausted.
Since his house was closest to where they were, Momo decided to take him there. She worried he wouldn’t make it to her place in his condition. Despite his protests, Ken couldn’t refuse her insistence.
“Come on, you dork. Don’t die on me now—let’s get you to your room,” she said, gripping his shoulder and supporting as much of his weight as she could.
“First room down the hallway,” he mumbled, his words slurred with fatigue.
Momo guided him to his room, practically dragging him. Once there, she eased him onto the bed. She was exhausted too, though not as badly off as Ken. Her own injuries were minor, but the strain was catching up to her.
Ken lay on his bed, his torn clothes revealing scrapes and bruises. His shoes, miraculously, were still intact, but his school uniform was beyond salvaging. Despite his condition, Momo couldn’t help but glance around the room. It was unmistakably Ken’s—the walls were covered with alien posters and memorabilia. A sketch of a Serpo was pinned next to scattered papers filled with bizarre theories she’d heard him ramble about before.
Ken reached for something beside his bed, pulling down a framed photo from beneath a nightlight. Momo didn’t pay it much attention, though.
“You idiot! Don’t move like that! Stay still. I need to grab the first aid kit. You have one, right?” she snapped.
He exhaled a tired sigh. “In the living room… below the TV,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Got it. I’ll grab it. Take your clothes off while I’m gone,” she said over her shoulder, walking out of the room.
A loud, flustered “W-What?!” followed her, making her chuckle.
He’s still as awkward as the day we met, she thought, amused. It was endearing. This was the same guy who’d been naked on top of her after a fight—not that it had been intentional, but still. He’d seen her in nothing but her underwear more than once, and she’d even had to watch him in the bathroom. Taking off his clothes so she could tend to his wounds shouldn’t be such a big deal. But, of course, Ken was Ken.
She found a large, neat white box beneath the TV, just as he’d said. Grabbing it, she hurried back to his room.
As expected, his clothes were still on.
“What are you doing? I need you to take them off. I can’t treat your wounds with dirty clothes in the way,” she scolded, setting the kit on the bed. She reached for his school jacket, trying to remove it herself.
Ken weakly grabbed her wrists in protest, but his strength was fading fast
"Ayase-san… don’t, please..." Ken protested, his voice weak but determined as he tried to stop her from taking his clothes off. He looked awful—exhausted, beaten, and utterly stubborn. Why couldn’t he understand she was just trying to help?
"I can handle it myself, please… take care of your wounds first. I can wait."
Momo froze for a moment. "What? Okarun, don’t be ridiculous! I can wait, but you—"
He interrupted her, shaking his head weakly. "Ayase-san, please. You go first… I can manage."
Of course, he wasn’t going to listen. This boy would be the death of her.
Usually, this wasn’t a problem. After most fights, they went straight to her house, where Seiko took care of both of them—or the whole group, if needed—using Mr. Shrimp’s gadgets to speed up the healing process. But even then, Ken always refused to go first. He always put others ahead of himself. Always put her ahead of everyone else.
She liked to tease him about it, calling him “Gentleman” to see his face turn bright red. But this time was different. This time, she didn’t feel like teasing him.
"You leave me no choice, then," she said firmly.
Using her psychic powers, she summoned her additional arms, holding him in place as he squirmed and tried to escape.
"Ayase-san!" he yelped, his face turning an even deeper shade of red.
"Stop it!" she snapped, her voice sharp and commanding. He froze, startled into silence.
"Okarun… I’m serious. I can hold on a little longer, but I won’t be okay until you are. Please… I’m more worried about you than myself. Let me do this."
He stayed still, looking at her like a sad puppy. That expression softened her resolve, and she took it as his reluctant agreement. Carefully, she began removing his clothes, trying to be as gentle as possible to avoid worsening his injuries.
She slid off his jacket, then reached for his blood-stained and dirt-covered shirt. Slowly, she unbuttoned it, her hands moving cautiously.
"I’m sorry," she murmured. "I don’t want to hurt you by rushing this. Just hold on a little longer."
His face flushed bright red, turned his head away, unable to meet her eyes. Little did he know, her face was just as red as his.
When his shirt finally came off, the extent of his injuries became clear. A long cut stretched across his chest, from left to right. It didn’t look deep enough to require stitches—thankfully, since she had no idea how to do that—but it still looked painful.
Ken sat at the edge of the bed while she assessed his injuries. Thankfully, his back appeared untouched.
"Alright," she said softly. "I need you to lie down. I can take care of this better if you’re lying flat."
He didn’t argue this time, obeying without a word.
Momo gathered the supplies she needed from the first-aid kit and climbed onto the bed, positioning herself over him. Without thinking, she sat on his legs to stabilize herself.
That, of course, made him jump in surprise.
"Ayase-san!? Wha—!"
Momo pushed him back down, her cheeks burning. "I’m sorry, I’m sorry! This is the best way for me to take care of this, just… hold still for a second."
Ken averted his gaze again, covering his face with his hand in utter embarrassment.
Momo focused on her task, taking a gauze pad, dampening it with distilled water, and carefully cleaning around his wounds. She took the utmost care to avoid causing him unnecessary pain. Most of the cuts were superficial, and much of the dried blood staining his skin came from the shallow wound across his chest.
Despite her concentration, Momo couldn’t help but notice the changes in Ken’s physique. When they first met, he had a typical build—nothing remarkable. But now, his muscles were defined and firm beneath his soft skin, a transformation she found unexpectedly captivating. She tried not to linger on the thought, but as she continued tending to his injuries, her eyes occasionally wandered, observing him more closely than she intended.
"They’re not as bad as I thought," she muttered, reaching for the disinfectant. "This is going to sting a little. Hold on, Okarun."
She began applying the liquid as gently as possible. Even so, he flinched at the sharp sting, letting out a soft groan of pain. The sound sent a shiver down her spine, though she quickly pushed the feeling aside.
"I’m sorry," she said softly. "Just hold on a little longer… it’s almost over."
He avoided her gaze, biting down on his fist to suppress any further sounds of discomfort. Momo couldn’t help but find it endearing; he could fight yokai and aliens without hesitation, but something as simple as disinfectant had him on edge.
Once she finished cleaning the wounds, she paused to let him catch his breath and give his body a moment of respite.
Despite stopping, she didn’t move from her position on his legs. Her hands absentmindedly began tracing his skin, running lightly around his wounds, across his chest, and down his abdomen. It wasn’t until Ken’s stunned voice broke her trance that she realized what she was doing.
"A-A-Ayase-san!" he stammered, his eyes wide with alarm.
Momo froze, her cheeks flushing a deep red. "Don’t look at me like that, you perv! I was just… massaging your wounds so the pain goes away!"
Ken raised an eyebrow, his voice a mix of incredulity and nervousness. "I-I’m pretty sure I don’t have any wounds on my stomach."
Momo’s hands immediately stopped, and she looked away, brushing her hair awkwardly—a habit she thought she’d hidden well. Unbeknownst to her, Ken had noticed this quirk long ago.
It always happened in moments like this—after a fight, when he carried her in his arms, or when their hands brushed while walking. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but he’d memorized it. He never mentioned it aloud, though; it was his little secret, a detail he treasured.
He spent so much time observing her, captivated by her presence. Whether it was her laughter, the way she spoke to others, or even the moments when she simply existed, he couldn’t help but look. Each stolen glance felt like a reward, especially when she turned her gaze to him. A soft smile or even the smallest hint of attention from her was enough to calm his nerves—or send them into overdrive. She had that effect on him.
Momo, now flustered and defensive, broke the silence. "Well, this is your fault, you know!" she shouted, making him jump slightly.
"My fault?!" he retorted, his voice cracking. "I’m just lying here! You’re the one making this awkward, not me!"
He tried to sit up, but she quickly pushed him back down, her hands pressing firmly against his abdomen to keep him in place.
"You’re hurt! You can’t just get up like that!" she snapped.
"And I’m trying my best not to make this awkward, but you’re not helping!" he shot back, his voice rising in frustration.
For a moment, Ken braced himself, expecting a punch or some other retaliation. But it never came.
"What do you want me to do about it? I-I couldn’t control myself… I’m sorry!" Momo stammered, covering her face with her hands.
Ken could only stare, completely bewildered by her sudden shift in demeanor. The usually composed Ayase was acting so differently now, and he had no idea what was happening.
"I-I don’t get it…" he said cautiously, his voice trailing off as he tried to make sense of her reaction.
Her eyes met his for a fleeting moment before darting down to his body. "Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? What do you expect me to do?" she blurted out. "The last time I really looked at you up close, you were just… well, you were just a boy! And now…"
She paused, brushing her hair nervously—a gesture Ken immediately recognized. It was subtle, but he’d seen it before. She always did that when she was flustered.
"I take your clothes off, and suddenly I’m faced with the body of a man," she admitted, her voice softer now. "I wasn’t expecting you to be all… buff and muscular out of nowhere. I just… got distracted."
Her words faltered as her gaze shifted away from him. "You look good like this. I mean, I noticed you seemed taller, and my clothes haven’t been fitting the same way on you as before, but I just blamed it on you being… well, a guy."
Her eyes glistened slightly, as if holding back tears. Ken felt a pang of guilt—he needed to say something to make her feel less awkward.
"You… think I look good?" he asked hesitantly, his voice quiet yet tinged with hope.
Momo chuckled softly, her blush deepening. "You’ve always looked good, you dork. Now you just look… better."
She hesitated for a moment, then placed her hands on his shoulders. The sudden touch made Ken freeze, his heart racing wildly.
"Don’t get me wrong," she continued, her voice steady but gentle. "You’ve always been cute… handsome, even. This just adds to it, in a weird way."
The air between them grew heavy with unspoken words.
"You know," she murmured, leaning closer, her voice barely audible, "just as I do, what I’m talking about here."
Ken’s breath hitched as he tried to form a response. "I-I’m not sure… Ayase-san, are you saying—?"
"Don’t play dumb with me, Okarun," she interrupted, her fingers sliding up from his shoulders to cup his face. "You know what I mean. This feeling… we both know what I'm saying."
Her voice wavered slightly, but the resolve in her words was clear. Ken gulped, his face burning bright red.
"Maybe I do," he admitted cautiously, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I don’t want to say something wrong. What if I mess up? What if I lose you?"
A small smile softened her expression as she leaned closer, their foreheads lightly touching.
"You idiot," she said gently. "There’s nothing in this world that could make you lose me. You’re stuck with me, so… please, just say it."
Ken’s breathing quickened, his hands trembling as they moved to rest on her hips. Words felt impossible, but perhaps actions could bridge the gap.
Momo’s eyes began to flutter shut as she leaned in, her heart pounding, ready to let him take the lead.
The moment was shattered by the sound of the door slamming open.
"Ken! We’re back—!"
Two pairs of wide eyes froze in the doorway—a man and a woman standing there, utterly stunned by the sight before them.
"M-MOM?!" He exclaimed, his voice cracking in pure panic.
Without hesitation, Momo summoned her psychic arms, slamming the door shut with a loud thud and locking it in their faces.
The room fell silent once more
Not a single word was exchanged between the adults still frozen outside the room.
“What do we do? What do we do?!” Momo whispered desperately as she quickly got up from on top of him. She grabbed the first aid kit in a rush, unsure if letting Ken’s parents see him in his current state was a good idea. She wasn’t even sure if they knew about her or the strange adventures they shared.
She hurriedly grabbed the bandages and wrapped them around the boy, not taking the same care she had earlier, but at least covering the most important areas. As quickly as his tired body allowed, he put on his pajamas while Momo started undressing right in front of him, not even caring about how it looked. Of course, even in the chaos, Ken couldn’t ignore what he was seeing.
“What are you doing?! Why are you undressing now?!” he shouted loudly, causing her to spin around and clamp her hand over his mouth.
“Shut up, idiot! I can’t go out to meet your parents like this! Hurry, give me something to wear!”
Still panicked, Ken scrambled to grab a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt and threw them at her. She slipped them on quickly; they were a little big for her, but they’d do.
“What about your wounds?” he whispered, clearly worried. She had spent so much time taking care of him that her own injuries had been completely ignored.
“I’m fine. We’ll take care of them later… Just open the door,” she said quickly. She stashed the first aid kit in a corner where his parents wouldn’t see it and tossed their discarded clothes into another.
When the door finally opened, his parents were still standing there, whispering to each other with big smiles and an air of excitement on their faces.
Momo and Ken froze in place, standing side by side, waiting for the adults to say something.
No one spoke, so Ken had to break the silence. “You… you could have knocked,” he said, staring at his parents with embarrassment written all over his face.
His mother was the first to answer. “We’re so sorry, dear. We managed to get back early and forgot to tell you. It’s late, and you have school tomorrow, so we thought you’d be asleep. We didn’t expect you to be…”
Momo wanted to disappear. How nice. The first time she met Ken’s parents, and the situation made her look like someone who just threw herself at him the first chance she got. It looked bad. Really bad. Even though it wasn’t what had happened.
They all stood in awkward silence until Ken’s dad finally spoke up. “Well… you could at least introduce us?”
Ken looked at her, completely at a loss for words.
“I’m Momo Ayase. It’s nice to finally meet you… The circumstances aren’t the best. I’m sorry for barging into your home like this,” she said, her voice steady but her nerves showing in the way she shifted her weight.
The parents exchanged amused glances, clearly pleased to see a girl—not only real but also normal—with their son.
“Well, we’re sorry too… We should start knocking from now on. We didn’t know about you, and… well, we weren’t expecting to find our son in… you know, that.”
Ken took a deep, exasperated breath, on the verge of bursting as he tried to explain.
Momo panicked too, wondering what they must think of her. She wasn’t some girl who just jumped on guys at the first opportunity. They had it all wrong! But she couldn’t exactly tell them their son had been hurt fighting a yokai… or that he’d been cursed after a ghost grandma stole his balls.
“No, wait! You’ve got it all wrong. We… we got into trouble after Okarun came to pick me up from work. We… got into a fight with some guy, and we ended up a little hurt.”
She pulled up Ken’s shirt, showing them the bandages wrapped around him. His parents jumped in place, concern replacing the earlier amusement on their faces. She hadn’t meant to make it worse.
“Wait! He’s fine. I already took care of him. That’s what I was doing when you came in. I swear, my granny taught me how to clean and patch wounds. He’s fine—I promise. He saved me,” she said quickly.
Both parents looked at their son, who was now staring down at his feet, clearly uncomfortable. They didn’t look upset, though. If anything, they looked… proud.
“Are you hurt too? If you want, I can take a look…” his mom asked gently. Momo didn’t look as battered as Ken, but it was clear she hadn’t come out unscathed.
“There’s no need, ma’am. I can take care of it myself. It’s just a few scratches. I really just need a shower,” she replied, scratching the back of her neck.
His mom’s face lit up as she quickly went to fetch a towel. “Please, go ahead. Feel free to use the shower while we whip up something to eat. You must be hungry.”
Momo hesitated, unsure if she should accept. It was late, and her grandmother had no idea where she was. She really should head home.
“There’s no need. I can just go home and shower there. I don’t want to be a bother,” she said, her voice quieter now.
“Nonsense! It’s too late for you to go back alone. Please, stay with us. We’d love to get to know you a little better. We’re so excited! Our little Ken has never brought anyone home before, let alone a girl as lovely as you!” Ken’s mom said cheerfully, handing her the towel.
Momo chuckled, a faint blush creeping onto her face as she took it.
“Ken, grab the futon and set it up for her, okay? We’ll go make something yummy,” his mom said with a bright smile.
Ken looked like his brain had short-circuited, overwhelmed by everything happening at once. Momo, of course, wasn’t going to make it easier for him.
“There’s no need for that. I can share with Okarun!” she said, elbowing him playfully. He shot her a strange look, a mix of fear and embarrassment that she found oddly adorable.
“What? We’ve shared a bed plenty of times already! The only difference is that this is your room,” she teased.
His parents looked positively giddy, while Ken seemed to die a little inside.
“Oh, and do you have another pair of pajamas? This might be too warm for the night,” she added with a wink before rushing toward the bathroom.
“If you find some, just leave them inside. I’ll head in now,” she said, closing the door behind her.
The moment she was gone, Ken’s parents didn’t waste a second before pouncing on him.
They were about to start blasting him with questions, but the serious look on his face stopped them. The blush and awkwardness he'd shown earlier disappeared the moment Ayase left.
He wasn’t happy. There was too much going on at the same time, and the fact that his parents had left months ago with barely any communication—only to reappear out of nowhere, putting him and Momo in this position—made everything worse. His mind swirled with frustration. How was he supposed to handle all of this? What would they think once they found out about the aliens and the ghosts…? He was angry at them.
But deep down, he knew it wasn’t fair to blame them. Without their jobs, they wouldn’t have anything.
“Listen... I know you have questions, so... can we wait a little? There’s too much going on right now, and I’m not in the mood to explain everything. Maybe you can ask her stuff while we eat. I’ll go find her something to wear.”
They exchanged guilty glances and headed off to cook something, leaving him alone.
He started rummaging through his clothes, trying to find something suitable for Momo to wear. As he dug through his closet, he realized how much alien-related stuff he had lying around and couldn’t help but chuckle when he found an old green alien onesie. The thought of Momo wearing it was hilarious. Eventually, he picked out a pair of blue shorts and a matching shirt that seemed decent enough.
The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom. She had told him to just come in and leave the clothes, but he froze in front of the door, fist raised, debating whether to knock.
His mind raced. Maybe I should ask Mom to do it... They’re both women, after all. He shook his head and slapped his face lightly. “What am I saying?! Letting a stranger walk in while she’s showering would be even worse. We’ve been friends for a long time… and it’s not like I’ll see anything. She’s behind the curtain…”
Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice his parents watching him from down the hallway. His whispered rambling and stressed expression at the door caught his mom’s attention. Without a word, she walked up, knocked on the door for him, and winked before walking away.
“Come in!” Ayase’s voice called from inside, snapping him back to reality.
Heart pounding, he opened the door and stepped into the steamy bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.
“Miss Ayase… I found something for you to wear. I’ll just leave it here. Let me know if it fits, and I’ll find something else if you need.”
He could see her silhouette behind the curtain. She was less than a meter away, separated by the thin veil of mist. His panic rose, and he turned to leave—only for a pair of ghostly hands to slam the door shut behind him, trapping him inside.
He spun around, wide-eyed, as Ayase peeked her head out from behind the curtain, an evil grin spreading across her face.
“Leaving so soon, Okarun?” she teased, her voice dripping with amusement.
His panic skyrocketed. “Ayase-san! Please!”
Momo wanted to laugh and pinch his blushing cheeks. “Dude, you’ve said my name like ten times in the past half hour! You’re gonna wear it out!”
He pushed his fogged-up glasses higher on his nose, trying to regain composure. “Whose fault is that?! It’s because of all the things you’re doing!”
The water suddenly stopped running. Ken, now blinded by the mist, fumbled to clean his glasses, but froze as he heard the curtain slide open. He silently prayed, thanking every god he knew, that his glasses remained foggy.
“And what exactly have I done to make you say my name so much?” Her wet footsteps approached him.
“This! You’ve been doing this all night!” She was so close now that he could barely breathe.
“And what’s ‘this’?” she asked, her teasing voice almost a whisper as she pressed him back against the door.
“You’ve been teasing me all night! I’m going to have a heart attack!”
Momo burst out laughing. “A heart attack! Oh my god, you sound like a grandpa!”
Ken wanted to be mad, but her laughter made it impossible. Suddenly, she reached out and took his glasses off. His heart stopped. He couldn’t see much without them, but she was so close that he didn’t need to.
He sighed in relief. “You’re wearing a towel.”
The relief lasted a second before she smirked and replied, “Want me to take it off?”
“OF COURSE NOT!” he shouted, his face burning.
Her laughter echoed again as she used her powers to open the door behind him, making it swing forward and pushing him toward her, landing almost on her chest.
“Wow, Okarun, so bold of you,” Momo teased, moving closer as Ken flinched and tried to put some distance between them.
“Let’s go, you dork. I don’t know if this place is hot or if it’s just us, but I’m going to end up drenched in sweat. I’ll change in your room.” She smirked and pushed him out of the bathroom, striding confidently down the hallway with his spare clothes and glasses in one hand while holding the towel in place with the other.
Ken stood outside, relieved that she was finally going to dress. But before he could fully relax, ghostly hands appeared again and shoved him into his own room, slamming the door shut behind him.
Momo had already made herself comfortable, sitting on his bed with her back partially uncovered.
“Listen, no funny business, alright? I know your kind,” she said playfully, glancing over her shoulder. When she saw him standing stiffly, facing the wall, she smiled.
“Alright… listen. I trust you enough to be alone like this in a room with you. I know you won’t do anything to hurt me or… well, you know.”
Ken didn’t move, assuming she was getting dressed.
“I think I might have a cut on my back,” she continued. “Maybe when the yokai pushed me against the wall… glass or something might’ve scratched me. Can you check?”
Before she even finished her sentence, he was already behind her, squinting his eyes to see better.
“Here,” she said, throwing his now-cleaned glasses at him. He caught them and put them on quickly. The moment he touched a spot on her back, Momo winced, and he immediately pulled his hand away.
“Sorry, sorry! I’m… shaking a little. You do have a cut—it’s not deep, but I’ll take care of it.” He moved to grab a first aid kit.
“Look away for a bit. I’ll at least put on the shorts,” she said, turning slightly.
Ken busied himself finding the supplies, doing his best to ignore the quiet sounds of fabric rustling behind him.
“Alright, done. You can turn around now,” Momo said softly.
He turned to find her sitting on the bed, wearing only his shorts. She held the shirt against her chest, leaving her back exposed.
“Please… take care of it,” she added, her face flushed red as she avoided his gaze.
The shower had already cleaned the wound, so he carefully dabbed it dry with cotton before applying disinfectant. Momo let out soft, involuntary sounds as he worked, but Ken was too focused to notice. The cut wasn’t deep, just long enough to be a nuisance. He was impressed she’d even felt it during the chaos earlier—maybe it hurt more after she relaxed in the hot shower.
They didn’t exchange any words as he finished, the atmosphere thick with unspoken feelings. It reminded him of the time she’d taken care of him before.
“All done. Do you need me to check anywhere else?” he asked.
Momo glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her face still flushed. “That’s all, I think. I checked my front and legs in the shower. My back just had me worried… Thanks, Okarun. I appreciate it.”
She was still sitting in the same position, but now she looked like she was hugging herself instead of holding the shirt in place.
“We should head to the table. My parents are kind of desperate to talk to you,” he said, standing up to leave.
“Okarun…” Her soft voice stopped him mid-step.
“Can you sit down again?” she asked, still facing away from him.
He hesitated but did as she requested, sitting behind her once more. As soon as he settled, she slowly leaned back, resting against his chest while avoiding pressure on her wound.
“Wha—?”
“Just… hug me,” she interrupted, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Miss Ayase… Are you okay?” he asked, trying to peek at her face.
“Just do it!”
He placed his arms around her, his hands resting lightly on her sides. Her waist felt so small, her skin so soft—it almost felt unreal to him.
“Listen, I… I just wanted to…” She sighed, defeated. “I don’t even know what I want. I just feel this sudden need.”
“Need… of a hug?” he asked, his heart racing.
She looked up at him over her shoulder, her eyes vulnerable. “The need of… you.”
Before he could respond, she turned around, still holding the shirt to her chest, and pressed herself against him. Her head rested on his shoulder, and she buried herself deeper into his embrace. His hands instinctively moved to her lower back, pulling her closer.
“This,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, “this is perfect. I feel like you give me energy, like you fill me up when I’m with you. I have this sudden urge to touch you, to feel you, to make sure you’re real. And it calms me to know that you are… that you’re here with me.”
Ken understood. He felt the same way. The difference was that he’d always been too scared to act on it. The fear of rejection had kept him at a distance. But now, for the first time, he realized that fear might not have been real at all.
Ken buried his face into Momo’s shoulder, his lips brushing against her skin. Her natural fragrance mixed with the faint scent of his shampoo and soap, intoxicatingly close. He wanted to kiss her, to bite, to feel her. Every nerve in his body screamed for more, and for once, he didn’t want to hold back.
Her body shivered as he moved his face upward, his breath trailing along her neck. The soft reaction only heightened his desire, but before he could do anything more, three sharp knocks interrupted the moment.
“Ken, food’s ready! Come take your seats, you two!” his dad’s voice called out from the hallway. Thankfully, the door stayed closed this time.
Ken pulled back, disappointment etched into his face as if the moment had been snatched away from him. His dejection was clear, but before he could dwell on it, soft hands cupped his cheeks.
His gaze was drawn to Momo’s eyes—shining, warm, and filled with affection. She smiled softly, reassuringly, as if reading his mind.
“Don’t worry,” she said with a playful lilt. “We’ll keep going after we eat. You have to keep going.” Her words sent his heart racing, but her next move nearly stopped it. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his forehead, her lips lingering just enough to make him forget how to breathe.
She turned away and began slipping his shirt over her head. Respecting her privacy, Ken quickly spun around. Once dressed, Momo turned to him with a smile, and together they headed downstairs to join his parents.
At the dinner table, two large bowls of oyakodon awaited them, steam wafting up into the air. The delicious aroma made Momo’s stomach growl loudly, reminding her just how hungry she was.
“Itadakimasu!” she said cheerfully, clapping her hands together before grabbing her chopsticks. Ken’s parents followed suit, their faces lit up with welcoming smiles.
As Momo eagerly took her first bite, Ken’s mom broke the silence, her tone warm and curious.
“So… Momo-san, right? How long have you known our Ken?”
Momo smiled, eager to leave a good impression. “It’s been about five or six months, I believe? I saw him having some trouble with classmates one day, and I just couldn’t stand by and do nothing. So, I jumped in.” She took another bite, savoring the rich flavors before continuing.
“After that, he followed me, and we started talking. From then on, we’ve been inseparable—at school and outside. He often comes to my place for dinner, and sometimes he stays over. Actually, most of the time.” She chuckled. “My grandma loves him. She always says he’s a good influence.”
Ken’s parents exchanged proud glances, clearly pleased with her words. Ken, on the other hand, kept his eyes firmly on his bowl, his face reddening with every word.
“Oh, and I’ve noticed you call him ‘Okarun.’ Why is that?” Ken’s dad asked.
Momo hesitated for a split second. Explaining the origin of the nickname might sound odd, so she chose a simpler explanation. “It’s just something I came up with. A term of affection, I guess. The name stuck, and now all our friends call him that too.”
His parents’ eyes widened in surprise. “Friends? He has more friends?” they said in unison, their shock almost comical.
Momo stifled a laugh as Ken shrank into his seat.
“Yeah! We’re a big group,” she continued, listing the names proudly. “Jiji, Aira, Bamora, Kinta, Rin, Zuma, Kouki… We hang out a lot. Sometimes we eat dinner together or celebrate our wins.”
Ken shot her a panicked look, his expression screaming, Stop talking!
“Celebrate your wins?” his mom asked, intrigued.
“Oh, uh… well, we…” Momo fumbled, looking to Ken for help.
“We made up a game!” he blurted out. “It’s about aliens and ghosts. We call it… Danmara!”
His parents nodded, their faces lighting up with approval.
“I’m impressed,” his mom said. “We didn’t expect such a big change in Ken in just seven months. Before, he was so quiet and reserved. This is all thanks to you, Momo-san.”
Momo felt a pang in her chest at the thought. seven months. More than half a year of Ken enduring bullying and loneliness before meeting her. The idea of him coming home to an empty house, carrying the weight of the day alone, made her heart ache.
“Well,” she said softly, squeezing his hand under the table, “I’ll take the credit. But honestly, since meeting him, I’ve had the best time of my life.”
Ken’s head snapped up, his wide eyes locking onto her as his cheeks burned.
“I love our time together, even when it’s just the two of us. I love our late-night sleepovers, listening to him talk about aliens and UFOs. Sometimes, we watch movies—always aliens or ghost stories. Or we’ll just sit quietly, him reading while I’m on my phone. It’s… nice.”
She smiled at him, her face flushed as she held his hand tighter. “My grandma jokes that it’s not my room anymore—it’s our room.”
Ken’s parents beamed, clearly impressed, but Momo’s words carried a deeper meaning. She wanted them to know their son wasn’t alone anymore. Someone was watching over him, making sure he was cared for and loved.
Just as dinner was winding down, Ken’s mom asked the question that shattered the moment. “So… how long have you two been dating?”
Ken immediately began to deny it. “We’re not—”
“It’s… complicated,” Momo interrupted, smiling softly. “We’ve been really close all this time. I love him, of course.”
His heart skipped a beat as he stared at her, speechless.
“I guess we’re working on it, slowly,” she continued. “We don’t need to rush things. As long as we’re like this…” She gestured to their intertwined hands, now visible on the table. “We’re fine.”
Ken’s hand jerked away, and he abruptly stood up, startling everyone.
“Ayase-san, we should go,” he said, his voice firm but his expression flustered.
Momo blinked in surprise before realizing his intentions. Smiling warmly, she stood as well, bowing politely to his parents. “Thank you so much for dinner—it was delicious.”
Ken grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the dining room and into the hallway, leading her back to his room without another word.
Momo’s heart was racing with anticipation. She felt a pressure in her chest, tears threatening to spill from her eyes, as excitement coursed through her. Ken entered the room with her following closely behind, and she closed the door softly.
She walked toward the middle of the room, hearing Ken lingering by the door. He closed it with a quiet click and turned the lock. As she turned to look at him, Ken approached her in one swift motion and pulled her into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around her waist, carefully avoiding the wound on her back. His breath was uneven as he pressed her against him, ignoring the ache in his chest. Momo felt his warm breath against her neck as he buried his face in the crook between her neck and shoulder.
No words were spoken for what felt like an eternity. Momo returned the embrace, her arms encircling his neck. The room was filled with a tense, expectant silence. Both of them were brimming with emotions they couldn’t put into words.
“You can’t just say stuff like that,” Ken whispered hoarsely. “You can’t just say things like that without expecting me to do something about it. I’ve missed so many opportunities before… I had my chances, but I didn’t take them—because I was scared. I was afraid. But not anymore. I can’t let fear hold me back. My heart won’t let me.”
His hands moved from her waist to her hips, then slowly traced their way up her sides, never losing contact with her body. Finally, they reached her face, his palms cupping her cheeks gently but firmly.
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, the light catching them like stars against the night sky. Those same stars he had spent countless lonely nights staring at, searching for hope, for salvation, for love. Now, those stars were right in front of him, gazing deeply into his soul.
“I’ve reached the point where I can’t imagine a life without you,” he continued, his voice trembling. “Because I owe you everything. You saved me. You pulled me out of the darkest pit I’ve ever known—the same one I’ve been trapped in my whole life. I was always told I had to change, that I had to stop being who I was to have a chance at happiness.
“But then you came into my life and proved them all wrong. You turned my world around. You accepted me. From the moment we met, the first time we fought side by side, I decided I would do everything in my power to keep you safe—even if it meant giving my life for you. Because now, you’re everything I have. You’re all I want and all I’ll ever need.”
His words pierced through her heart, twisting it with overwhelming emotion. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she finally broke down, overwhelmed with happiness.
She had been with other people before—idiots who never lasted more than a week. She thought all she needed was someone like Ken Takakura. And she was right—but not the actor she’d admired all these years. What she truly needed was this Ken Takakura—the boy standing before her now, the one who had held her heart from the very beginning. The only one who had shown her real love, real appreciation, outside her family.
He was the only person with whom she could be completely herself, the one she trusted with her life. She wanted everything with him—a life, a future. She wanted to give him all she had to offer.
Her hands gently covered his as they cradled her face, and she leaned closer. Their connection was undeniable. She closed her eyes, letting him take the first step. He had said it himself—he wouldn’t let another opportunity pass.
Ken leaned in, slowly closing the space between them, his lips brushing against hers. The kiss was clumsy at first, their lips simply touching in an awkward yet heartfelt way. They were inexperienced, but it didn’t matter. For both, it was their first kiss—a moment filled with raw, unfiltered emotion.
Momo’s soft, plush lips pressed against his, and they held their breath until their lungs forced them apart. When their eyes fluttered open, Ken blushed and scratched the back of his neck. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I don’t know how to kiss. It’s my first time.”
Momo chuckled softly, brushing her lips against his. “Don’t worry. It’s my first time too. We have plenty of time to get better.”
This time, she initiated the kiss, and it was more heated. Their lips moved hesitantly at first, but soon they found a rhythm, capturing each other’s lips in an uneven yet earnest pace. Ken shyly bit her lower lip, and Momo responded by pressing harder into him, guiding him deeper into the moment.
She decided to take it a step further. Ken felt her tongue gently brush against his lips, tentative and teasing. For a moment, he froze, but then he relaxed, letting her lead. She slowly slid her tongue into his mouth, and Ken instinctively mirrored her actions, their movements becoming exploratory and deep.
Their tongues touched tentatively at first, sliding and brushing against each other as they discovered the warmth and intensity of the moment. Ken followed her lead, his nervousness giving way to curiosity and passion. Their kiss deepened, growing more intimate with every passing second.
Momo felt an electric thrill race through her as their mouths moved in sync, their connection growing stronger with each moment. She couldn’t help but think of how perfect this felt—how nothing else mattered.
When Ken finally pulled back to catch his breath, Momo’s hands moved from the back of his neck to his hair, tangling her fingers through it. She practically pulled him back in, refusing to let the moment slip away. Ken didn’t resist; in fact, he eagerly leaned back into her.
Their lips met again, and this time it was hungrier. Their mouths moved together as though they had finally found the perfect rhythm. Their breathing was heavy, their faces flushed, and yet neither of them wanted to stop. It was as though every unspoken word, every unfulfilled longing, was poured into this kiss.
As they moved together, their bodies naturally guided them toward the bed. They stumbled slightly, still locked in their passionate embrace, until they tumbled onto the with Ken on top, his weight pressing gently against her. Momo hissed in pain as her back made contact with the bed, and Ken immediately froze, his eyes wide with concern.
“Ayase-san, I’m so—” he began, but she cupped his face, silencing him.
“Don’t worry about it now,” she said softly, her voice filled with tenderness. “There are more important things to take care of right now.”
She pulled him down, guiding him back into another kiss as her hands rested on either side of his face. Their lips met again, but this time, Momo took control. She bit his lower lip gently before letting her kisses trail away from his mouth. Slowly, she moved to his cheek, his jawline, and then down to his neck, where she pressed soft, lingering kisses.
She wished she had worn lipstick, just to leave marks on his skin—evidence of her affection, of this moment. But there would be time for that later. For now, she was content with the closeness, with the way his skin felt under her lips.
They stayed like that, exchanging kisses, touches, and caresses. Their hands explored each other with careful curiosity, neither pushing too far but both savoring every moment. It felt like hours passed as they stayed locked in this intimate embrace, their lips going numb from the constant contact.
Eventually, they stopped, breathless and overwhelmed, and simply lay together on the bed. Ken shifted to hold her close, his strong arm wrapping around her waist while his hand slipped beneath her shirt to gently stroke her stomach. Momo allowed herself to relax against him, relishing the warmth and safety of his embrace.
Neither of them spoke. Words felt unnecessary. The contact, the closeness, said everything they couldn’t express aloud.
Momo closed her eyes, soaking in the sensation of his touch. When she opened them again, her gaze fell on the framed photo Ken had taken down earlier when they first entered the room. Curiosity got the better of her, and despite her reluctance to leave his arms, she sat up to reach for it.
“What’s this?” she asked, lifting the frame and examining it.
It was a picture of her—smiling brightly, her cheeks glowing in the sunlight. She recognized the setting instantly. “This was taken on the school rooftop,” she said softly, her voice thick with emotion.
Ken sat up behind her, wrapping his arms around her hips and resting his chin on her shoulder. “Yeah,” he admitted. “It was just a couple of weeks after we met—one of the first times we ate lunch together on the rooftop. You were teasing me about my missing stuff, and I just happened to have my phone in my hand. I couldn’t help myself.”
Momo stared at the picture, her heart swelling with emotion. She could feel his breath against the back of her neck as he continued.
“There were nights when I felt alone,” he confessed. “And you were the only thing on my mind. That picture… it helped me. It made me feel less lonely. I’ve dreamed about this—about being with you, about holding you without needing an excuse or a reason. Just being close to you.”
She smiled, leaning back against him. “Wanna know a secret?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
He hummed in response, and she reached for her phone, unlocking it and navigating to her gallery. She opened a folder labeled Ken ❤️ and handed it to him.
The folder was filled with hundreds of pictures—some of him alone, others of them together.
“All this time,” she said, her voice soft and trembling, “you’ve been the owner of my heart.”
She turned to face him, placing the frame back where it belonged. Her forehead pressed against his, and they closed their eyes.
“I want you to say it,” she whispered.
“I love you, Momo,” he said without hesitation.
Her heart felt like it would burst. She cupped his face again. “Say it again.”
“I love you.”
“Once more.”
“I love you.”
“Again,” she urged, tears welling in her eyes.
“I love you, Momo Ayase. I always have.”
She kissed him fiercely, her hands keeping him close. “Keep going,” she murmured against his lips.
“Momo, would you… would you be my girlfriend?” he asked, his voice steady despite the vulnerability in his eyes.
“Yes,” she replied without hesitation. “I would love to be your girlfriend, Ken.”
Their lips met again, sealing their new bond, and it was far from the last kiss of the night.
Eventually, they lay entwined in bed, the lights off, their hands exploring each other gently but without crossing any boundaries. It wasn’t time for anything more—not yet. Ken simply held her, caressing her, and together they drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other’s arms.
The night passed peacefully, their dreams filled with the promise of a future together. When the early morning sun began to filter through the curtains, Ken’s phone alarm went off, signaling it was time to wake up for school.
Momo stirred first, reaching over to turn it off. She turned to face him, her voice low and raspy. “Do you have anything important today?”
“Not really,” he mumbled, his eyelids heavy.
“Good. We’re staying,” she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Ken smiled softly, and they both allowed themselves to drift back to sleep. One day wouldn’t hurt. Right now, all that mattered was being together, and they would make the most of it—no matter what it took.
Eventually, they’d have to explain things to their friends. But that was a problem for another day. For now, this was their time, and they intended to enjoy every second of it.