The next day, they woke up.
Byakuya couldn't even remember what time he'd fallen asleep. It was now around noon.
Thankfully it was Saturday—Touka didn't have class, or she'd have been absent.
Seeing Touka still asleep in his arms, Byakuya decided not to rush getting up.
He casually pulled out his phone and nearly thought he'd been text-bombed.
Looking closer, they were all from Rize—along with several missed calls from her number, all concentrated in the early morning.
Clearly, Rize had seen Byakuya's 12:30 AM message when she woke up and immediately exploded.
Because his message said he was spending the night at Touka's place...
He hadn't deliberately hidden anything—he'd been quite straightforward about being at Touka's.
It was hard for Rize not to suspect what he'd been doing there...
He hadn't replied to all those texts and calls, and Rize hadn't sent more afterward—probably because she'd already figured it out...
Byakuya quickly replied via text, explaining he'd just woken up and hadn't seen the messages.
Ding!
Rize's response was almost instant.
[You were "busy" with that Touka girl until late, weren't you? Is that why you're only waking up now?]
Even through text, he could feel Rize's displeasure.
[Yes...]
Byakuya answered honestly.
Rize went silent for a moment before sending another message.
[Bring Touka over. There's something I want to discuss with her...]
[Okay.]
Byakuya could only agree.
But he couldn't help wondering—was Rize planning to team up with Touka and give him the axe...?
He didn't know what was going on yet. He'd just have to wait for Touka to wake up.
Byakuya put down his phone. No more notification sounds came.
About half an hour later, Touka groggily stirred from her slumber.
Her first glimpse of Byakuya beside her caught her off guard—then she remembered what they'd done last night...
"Awake?"
Byakuya's voice reached her.
"Mm, is it already late?"
Touka rubbed her eyes. Even with the curtains drawn, she could tell the sunlight outside must be blinding.
"Yes, almost 1 PM."
Byakuya replied.
"Then I'd better get up and make lunch."
Touka immediately sat up, full of energy as she prepared to head to the kitchen.
She didn't need lunch herself, but Byakuya did.
"I should get up and wash my face and brush my teeth too. Do you have a disposable toothbrush?"
Byakuya got out of bed.
"Yes, I'll get you one."
Touka retrieved a disposable toothbrush from the bathroom, though there were no disposable cups or towels.
Touka needed to wash up too, so they'd have to share the cup and towel.
That wasn't a problem. Byakuya and Touka stood naturally at the sink, brushing their teeth.
They took turns using the same cup to rinse—though it was their first time living together, they moved with practiced ease.
Same with sharing the towel...
After using it, Byakuya carefully washed it as clean as possible while Touka went to make lunch.
Sitting at the dining table, eating the lunch Touka had prepared, Byakuya quite enjoyed this feeling.
"Say... doesn't this make us look like newlyweds?"
Touka suddenly asked.
"It does, a bit."
Byakuya nodded.
"Right? If you like it, I can cook for you every day."
Touka looked delighted.
"Sure, if it's not too much trouble..."
Byakuya happily accepted.
It wasn't inconvenient at all. When it was time to eat, he could simply teleport from CCG to Touka's place via Kamui. It would be cleaner than eating out anyway.
...
After lunch, Byakuya told Touka, "Rize says she wants to talk to you about something. She asked me to bring you over. Is now a good time?"
"Oh, okay..."
Touka felt slightly apprehensive.
Why would Rize suddenly want to see her at a time like this? Had she figured out what happened with Byakuya...?
She knew Rize definitely had feelings for Byakuya, and she knew Byakuya was very close to Rize too.
So it wouldn't be strange if Rize confronted her directly...
"Byakuya, do you think Rize-san found out about last night...?"
Touka asked tentatively.
"Yes, she found out."
Byakuya answered directly.
"..."
Before Touka could wonder how Rize had discovered this, Byakuya pulled her into the Kamui dimension.
The next moment, they arrived at Byakuya's home.
Rize was already sitting in the living room, waiting for them.
"Finally back."
Rize wore a smile, showing no trace of hostility.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Touka gave a polite bow.
"Touka, come sit over here."
Rize beckoned to her.
"Okay."
Though Rize's smile was somehow unsettling, Touka gathered her courage.
Whatever comes, comes. No matter what Rize-san wants, I'll face it head-on!
"Wait."
Byakuya was about to sit nearby and listen in, but Rize stopped him.
She pushed him toward the stairs.
"This is girl talk—you don't need to hear it. You probably didn't rest well last night, did you? Go upstairs and get some more sleep."
Rize showed no signs of anger.
But her calm reaction made Byakuya even more concerned. Am I really about to get the axe...?
Still, he obediently headed upstairs. If Rize didn't want him listening, he wouldn't listen.
Rize then returned to sit beside Touka.
"Touka-chan, you and Byakuya... you've already done it, haven't you?"
Rize cut straight to the chase, asking bluntly.
...
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