We came back to our room in silence.

No one said anything as we dropped ourselves onto the bed. The soft hum of the heater was the only sound in the room. The tension from earlier still lingered in the air, not heavy with anger, but with something we didn’t want to admit out loud—nerves, excitement, uncertainty.

I lay on my back, hands behind my head, eyes tracing the ceiling patterns as my mind wandered. Keiko had curled up with her phone but wasn’t really scrolling. She looked like she was replaying the day, the same way I was.

After nearly an hour of lying like that, the time on my phone reminded me that dinner was in less than 20 minutes.

“I—I need to take a shower,” I said, pushing myself up.

Keiko didn’t even look at me, just nodded quietly.

As I reached for my towel and stepped toward the bathroom, her voice stopped me.

“Should I… go out?” she asked, still not meeting my eyes.

I turned to her and grinned. “You don’t. Just see what you want.”

Her face went crimson instantly. She poked my arm hard. “W-What are you talking about!?”

I leaned close, my voice lowering as I whispered into her ear, “Let’s do it tonight. This is the perfect moment. We don’t get times like this often.”

She bit her lower lip, visibly hesitating, then looked down.

“But… we’re on a company trip…”

“I won’t force you,” I said gently. “But let me know if you make up your mind.”

With that, I slipped into the bathroom.

The hot water helped me relax, but my heart was still beating fast.

When I stepped out in clean clothes and ran a towel through my hair, Keiko was sitting upright on the bed. Her eyes met mine immediately. There was a nervous energy in her gaze, but something else too.

“Did you see?” I teased, brushing my damp bangs out of the way.

She didn’t answer with words—just a tiny, shy nod.

That was all the answer I needed.

I walked over to her slowly, heart thudding, and leaned down to press a soft kiss on her lips. She didn’t pull back. Instead, after a beat, she leaned in, kissing me deeper.

And just like that, it was like something ignited between us. I cupped her face in my hands, pulling her closer as our lips moved in sync, slow and heated. Her breathing quickened, her fingers gripping my shirt tightly.

I gently pushed her back against the pillows, hovering above her as we continued to kiss. My hand brushed along her waist, feeling her warmth through the fabric. She trembled under my touch, not from fear—but anticipation.

“You’re beautiful,” I whispered, brushing my lips against her jaw.

Keiko looked away, blushing deeply, her hands nervously clutching the sheets beside her. I gently unbuttoned her top, revealing her soft skin and delicate bra underneath. Her chest rose and fell rapidly.

Our lips met again, and this time, there was no hesitation. Keiko's hands found my neck, pulling me closer as our bodies tangled beneath the soft sheets.

Each kiss grew deeper, hungrier—our breath warm against each other’s skin. I held her close, letting my hands explore every curve as she trembled under my touch.

Her soft moans guided me, and in the dim room, we moved together with a rhythm that only we understood—slow, intense, full of the love and tension we’d been holding back.

“I miss holding you like this,” I whispered. Keiko smiled, her fingers brushing my cheek as she replied, flirting gently, “I miss your touch too.”

We were messy, half undressed, wrapped in each other’s warmth.

I pressed kisses down her neck as my hand traced the curve of her thigh. She gasped softly, her voice catching in her throat.

Then—

Knock knock.

We both froze.

“Heyyy… Keiko!!! Ryukooo!! What are you guys doing?” came Aki’s loud voice through the door.

Oh god.

Suzuka chimed in next. “Let’s have dinner now, the boss is waiting!”

Keiko was still catching her breath beneath me, cheeks flushed and lips parted. She glanced at me in panic, then scrambled to find her shirt.

“A-ahh—w-wait! We’ll be there soon!” she called out, trying to sound composed.

“Okay!” Suzuka shouted back, clearly amused.

As the footsteps faded, we both exhaled.

I looked down at her, grinning despite the moment being ruined. “I should’ve finished you first. You’re still all needy and—”

“Stop!” she laughed, smacking my chest lightly, still breathless. “We’re late!”

I glanced at the clock. We were already 20 minutes behind.

“…Right,” I muttered, frustration bubbling up. “We were in the middle of something way better, though.”

Keiko chuckled as she sat up, buttoning her shirt again. “Well… we’ll continue later.”

That made me smile.

We got dressed, fixed ourselves up, and left the room, our fingers brushing together before we opened the door. No words were needed.