MTL NOVEL Chapter 116: Does Riko want tomorrow to be the last day?
Ryan watched the sea, the waves breaking against the sand in a calm and steady rhythm. The clear sky reflected the deep blue of the ocean, and the salty breeze gently swayed his hair. His voice sounded lost, almost like a thought escaping involuntarily.
"Arona, can you tell me if something is happening with Yuno?"
The answer came quickly, but loaded with uncertainty.
"I-I don't know, Sensei... I was sure Yuno would be ecstatic to know the location of the next fragment... But she just..." Arona's voice hesitated, clearly as confused as he was.
Ryan ran a hand through his hair, letting out a sigh. "Yeah... Maybe I should give her some space..."
Before he could reflect further on the matter, a soft and hesitant voice called out to him. "G-good morning, Ryan..."
He turned around and found Riko standing there, her hands hidden behind her back, a shy blush coloring her face. The dark green bikini with delicate ruffles highlighted her fair and soft skin. Over it, a loose white shirt slipped off her shoulders, open enough to reveal the subtle curves of her body. The breeze stirred the bluish strands of her hair, creating an almost ethereal effect.
Ryan gave an easy smile, his eyes tracing every detail of her with an analytical yet appreciative gaze. "Good morning, dear."
The sun reflected on the shiny skin of her thighs, and Ryan allowed himself a brief moment of visual delight before the girl clenched her fists in front of her body, biting her lower lip as if fighting against something inside herself.
"R-Ryan... that girl... she's very pretty, isn't she?"
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
Riko looked away towards the sea, hesitant. "Are you sure she's not your girlfrie—... Like, your real girlfriend? Not like us, who are just..."
Ryan smirked, waving his hand in a dismissive gesture. "No, nothing like that, Riko. As I told you, Yuno and I are just... friends who share the same goals."
She lowered her gaze, playing with a loose strand of hair. "Ah..."
Ryan tilted his head, his smile becoming smug. "You look adorable jealous... and to think we're just fake boyfriend and girlfriend."
Riko widened her eyes, her expression quickly transforming. "I-it's not jealousy! I just don't want to cause you problems just because of..." Her voice trailed off, almost a whisper. "Just for a whim..."
Ryan took a step forward, reducing the distance between them. "You're not causing any problems... my dear."
Riko's heart skipped a beat, and she pressed her lips into a thin line, feeling vulnerable. Before she could react, Ryan leaned in and sealed her lips in a soft and brief kiss, a fleeting touch that made her hold her breath. She felt the warmth and moisture of the touch, and when he pulled away, her fingers touched her own lips, her eyes shining in a mixture of surprise and emotion.
"T-that was my first kiss..." she murmured, her voice weak.
Ryan blinked, feigning surprise before letting out a playful laugh. "It was a pretty simple gesture. So, did you like it?"
Riko continued to touch her own lips, a shy smile emerging. "It wasn't bad..."
The moment was abruptly interrupted by a booming voice coming from afar.
"HEY, YOU TWO LOVEBIRDS! I JUST GRILLED SOME MEAT!"
Riko jumped in place, turning around quickly. "G-Gojo-san?!"
Ryan just laughed, wrapping his arm possessively around her waist as he guided her towards the others. Riko blushed violently, but allowed the touch, feeling her body mold to his as they walked.
As soon as they approached, Kuroi narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, casting a suspicious glance at Ryan's hands, which were dangerously close to Riko's modest chest.
"Watch that hand, young man..."
Ryan didn't answer. He just smiled sarcastically and winked at her, while Riko looked away, visibly embarrassed.
The group gathered to enjoy the meal, with Geto bringing some seafood treats to complete the feast. After filling their bellies, Gojo suggested a game of beach volleyball, and the idea was immediately accepted.
Time passed amidst laughter and fierce disputes. After a few hours, Gojo and Geto decided to go into the sea. Ryan couldn't help but laugh when he saw Gojo floating with a pink buoy in shallow water, while Geto, a little further out, had the posture of a contemplative monk, as if reflecting on the secrets of the universe.
But what really captured Ryan's attention was the sight of Riko, leaning in front of him, her eyes shining with excitement as she called him to dive with her. Kuroi watched the scene with a slight smirk, seeming pleased with the girl's vibrant energy.
"I need more days like this..." Ryan thought, as Riko took his hand, pulling him into the water with a laugh.
The day continued with games and shared stories. Ryan was surprisingly getting along well with Gojo, and despite being surrounded by beautiful waifus, sometimes it was good to have a friend to talk to man to man.
As the sun began to set, tinging the waves with gold, Ryan sat on the sand, letting the warm sea foam touch his feet. A peaceful smile rested on his face.
Beside him, Riko rested her head on his shoulder, her knees hugged against her chest. Her hat swayed gently with the breeze, and her cheeks were slightly flushed from the heat of the day. The contrast between her dark blue hair and the golden glow of the sunset created a scene worthy of being immortalized in a photograph.
Ryan sighed, feeling the moment engrave itself in his memory. Days like these were rare. And precious.
"It's time for us to go to the resort." Kuroi's voice sounded firm behind them, carrying a tone of authority reminiscent of a general calling her troops.
Ryan sighed heavily, his voice dragging in mock lament. "Geez, Kuroi... Riko and I were having such a cute moment here..." Sarcasm dripped from his speech, as clear as the sunlight that was dissipating on the horizon.
Riko pouted adorably, reinforcing the protest. "That's right, Kuroi! The sun hasn't even set properly yet!" Her expression was that of a child about to lose a candy.
Kuroi crossed her arms and closed her eyes momentarily, as if already predicting this would happen. "Okay... You can wait for the sunset..." She then opened her eyes, narrowed, staring at Ryan with a cutting seriousness. "But... I'm going to watch it with you."
Ryan raised an eyebrow, observing her for a moment. Internally, a realization occurred to him with a tinge of amusement. "Definitely, Kuroi is the kind of mother who interrupts things from unfolding..."
And so, the three of them watched the spectacle of the sun slowly drowning in the ocean, tinging the sky in golden and orange hues before disappearing completely. A brief silence settled between them, laden with the sea wind that made Riko's hair sway gently.
After a while, they followed together back to the resort.
Upon arriving, they found Gojo sprawled on the sofa, his legs thrown haphazardly up, holding a book or magazine of some kind. "Look who showed up. I thought you were going to stay out there all night..." He said with a smirk, without taking his eyes off his reading.
Riko puffed out a cheek, clearly annoyed by his teasing. "It's not even that late! The sun literally just set!" She put her hands on her hips, adding an extra touch of indignation. Which, for Ryan, only made her even more irresistible.
In the other corner of the room, Geto was sitting on the floor, tossing an almost empty water bottle up and catching it distractedly. "Go take a shower... You're covered in sand and salt." He said without taking his eyes off the object in his hand.
Gojo, always with that mocking tone, completed with a mischievous smile. "Just, the shower is one at a time, you know? I don't think Kuroi will let you in with Riko, Ryan... To your misfortune."
Before Ryan could retort, Kuroi already had a mop in her hands, aiming a sure blow at Gojo's head.
But as expected, the blow stopped before hitting him, tilting his head and laughing. "Come on... Do you always carry that around?" Then, his smile widened even more. "Good thing you're not like Ryan, and my Mugen works as it should."
Ryan just smirked, preferring not to engage in the albino's game.
Riko sighed, shaking her head, and started walking towards the hallway. "Well... I'm going to shower first." She then stopped for a moment, turning to Ryan with a subtle sparkle in her eyes. "I'll take a little while... I hope you don't mind."
Kuroi, arms crossed, cast a warning glance at Ryan. He, however, kept his smile and spoke in a gentle tone. "Take as long as you need."
She watched him for a moment, then looked away at Riko, who disappeared down the hallway. There was something in her expression that seemed loaded with an unspoken emotion.
Then, in a lower and almost hesitant tone, she called him. "Ryan..."
He turned his face in her direction, noticing the subtle change in her posture. There was a weight in Kuroi's voice that wasn't usually there.
"You... Aren't you being cruel to Riko?"
Ryan's gaze narrowed slightly. "What do you mean by that?"
Kuroi sustained his gaze, her eyes seeming to shine under the room's lighting. "Making her experience these things... Moments that a girl her age idealizes so much..." Her voice became heavier, almost trembling. "Even knowing that it will all end. It will all end tomorrow."
She clenched her fists, and her tone became nasal, as if holding something back inside herself. With each word, her anguish became more evident.
Before she could say anything else, Ryan gently placed his hand on her shoulder. Kuroi blinked, surprised by the gesture, and met his eyes. There was something there... Something calm, yet unfathomable.
Then, he leaned slightly closer to her ear and murmured in a serene but meaningful tone. "Does Riko want tomorrow to be the last day?"
He stepped back immediately afterwards, without waiting for an answer. He left only those words in the air, hovering like an uncomfortable doubt.
Then, without further ado, he walked to the sofa and threw himself down next to Gojo. "Whatcha reading?" He asked casually, as if nothing had happened.
Gojo turned his head slightly to face him and gave a smug smile. "Something you certainly wouldn't understand."
The two fell into a relaxed conversation, while Kuroi remained there, standing, watching Ryan with a lost expression. Her gaze carried uncertainty and something deeper... An attempt to understand the true meaning of what he had said.
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