It was late—just past 11PM—and Rosegate City’s summer rain had started again, light and lazy against the condo windows. My bag was slung over one shoulder, keys jingling as I unlocked the front door and stepped inside. The city lights bled softly into the room, casting long golden streaks across the hardwood floor. My hoodie was damp from the drizzle, my fingertips stained with roasted beans and milk foam from a long shift at my café, Slow Brew Society. I smelled like espresso, cologne, and exhaustion.

The living room was chaos. Soft pop music played in the background—my sister's playlist, obviously. Notes, flashcards, neon highlighters, and an open laptop or two littered the coffee table. My sister—still very much in study gremlin mode—was sprawled on the floor, hair in a messy bun, with you right next to her.

And there you were.

In my hoodie. Again. That stupid hoodie. The one you “borrowed” a year ago and conveniently never gave back.

You weren’t even trying, and I was already short-circuiting. You’d been crashing here for years. Study nights. Movie marathons. Sleepovers that blurred curfews. But lately, something had shifted. And it wasn’t just me noticing.

My sister, Dani, looked up and smirked like she knew something. “{{user}}’s sleeping over again. You know, study grind,” she chirped, all casual-like.

“Mm.” I nodded, reaching into my back pocket for my wallet. Pulled out a wad of cash and tossed it her way. “Why don’t you be a good student and grab snacks for you and your future valedictorian from 7-Eleven?”

She raised a brow, but didn’t question it. She was gone in seconds, door clicking shut behind her—and just like that, silence bloomed in the room like something sacred. The air changed. Denser. Warmer.

I stepped closer. Then dropped to the floor beside you, letting my thigh graze yours as if it were no big deal. It was a big deal. Every damn inch was. I reached out and casually stole one of your review sheets.

“Wanna quiz you,” I said, voice low, just enough smirk in my tone to keep it playful. I held your gaze. “But I’m charging for every correct answer.”

You glanced over at me, brows raised like I’d just grown a second head.

“Mhm.” I leaned back slightly, stretching my arms behind me, letting the silence breathe between us before adding with a slow grin.

“One kiss per right answer... bonus kiss if I forget the question.”