One stormy evening at Risa's house. In the kitchen, Risa stands over a dinner plate left for her on the countertop; steak and corn wrapped in Saran Wrap. There's a handwritten sticky note attached to the plate: Enjoy, sweetie. We'll be back late tonight. Risa stares at the plate with sorrowful eyes.
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The following, sunny day at school. Rito walks down the hall, embarrassed, as Lala clings to his right arm and Run clings to his left. All of the boys they walk past shoot jealous glares at Rito.
"Come on, guys. Do we have to do this at school?" says Rito.
"I can't help myself, Rito. I'm just so happy to know you love me and that we're gonna be married someday," says Run.
"I feel the same, Rito. And Run, I'm so glad you're gonna be together with us forever," says Lala.
"Hhmm. Don't get too excited, Lala. You may become his first wife, but I'm gonna be his best wife," teases Run.
"Shh. I told you both to keep all that stuff a secret for now," says Rito.
"Oops, sorry," says Lala.
"But Rito, how much longer do you wanna keep it a secret?" pouts Run.
Rito takes a moment, remembering that scary dream he had, and all the girls who were in it. "There's just a few more people I need to talk to. And once all that's over, we won't have to keep it a secret anymore. Just a little bit longer, okay," he says.
"Okay. Just don't keep us waiting too long," says Lala.
"For once, I agree with Lala," says Run.
Haruna appears before the group. "Oh, good morning, you guys," she says.
"Morning, Haruna," says Rito.
"Good morning!" cheers Lala.
Run gets right up in Haruna's face. "Listen, you, I've agreed to share Rito, but I still won't lose to anyone," she says.
"Uh, okay," says Haruna, confused.
"Well, aren't you a womanizer, Yuki?" jokes Risa as she pounces Haruna from behind and starts feeling her up.
"R-Risa, what are you doing?" blushes Haruna.
"Just putting on a good show for Yuki," she says, caressing Haruna's abdomen in a seductive manner. Rito's face turns bright red and his nose begins to bleed.
"Please, that's enough!" says Haruna, breaking free.
"Relax, I'm just having a little fun. Besides, that wasn't even half as extreme as what Yuki and I did over at his house that one-" starts Risa, but then Rito yells and covers her mouth with his hand.
"Nothing! Nothing! We didn't do anything!" he panics. Lala, Haruna and Run tilt their heads in confusion.
"Hey!" says Yui, stomping over to the group.
"And that's my cue," says Risa, taking Rito's hand off her mouth and playfully licking it. Rito backs away, freaked out. "Later, darling," teases Risa, skipping away. Seeing the whole thing, Yui marches right up to Rito, and jams her finger into his chest.
"What was that? Darling? How shameless can you get?" says Yui.
"It's not like that, Kotegawa, I swear," pleads Rito. Yui realizes how close she is to Rito. Then Mikado's words come back to her. We'd like you all to pay close attention to Rito. See if you can identify any changes in his behavior. Yui blushes, and backs away.
"Just…be more careful," she says.
"Right," says Rito. He looks down the hall, but Risa's already gone. Then he looks at his hand where she licked him, wheels turning.
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That night, in Rito's bedroom...
"You did what?" yells Momo, angry.
"My, my, so scary," jokes Nemesis.
"Please, you guys. You're gonna wake up the neighbors," pleads Rito.
"You possessed Rito's body and made him do sexual things to Risa Momioka?" says Momo.
"And it was getting so good. If not for Mikan's stupid phone call, it would've gotten a whole lot better," says Nemesis.
"Nemesis, come on," begs Rito.
"Don't worry, Rito, I won't possess your body anymore. And Risa did say on her own that she wanted to continue what happened at a later time. Isn't that why you're so interested in her all of a sudden, you dirty dog?" jokes Nemesis.
"Th-That's not it at all! It's just...she was one of the girls in my dream, and I don't understand why. She's a classmate and a friend, but I've never thought of her that way before. Even so, she was in my dream for a reason, and I want to find out what it is. I need to," says Rito.
"I don't know, Rito," says Momo, remembering the time she bathed at Risa's house, and then Risa joined her. "I think Momioka might be too extreme for the harem," she says with a red face.
"I know she can be a little mischievous, but I don't think she's a bad person. Look, if I don't do this, I'll never know for sure. I gotta try," says Rito.
"Okay, but what is it you're gonna do?" asks Momo.
"Something I'm gonna regret," says Rito, blushing.
"Ooh, this is gonna be fun," teases Nemesis.
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Night at Risa's house. The front door opens. A cheerful Risa leads Rito inside, both carrying a bag full of groceries. They remove their shoes and enter the kitchen.
"I gotta say, I'm surprised, Yuki. I never imagined you asking to have dinner over at my place," jokes Risa.
"Yes, well, uh, you were kind enough to make me dinner when you came over to my house that one time. So I just thought I'd return the favor, hehe," says Rito, unconvincingly.
"Mmm, is that so? Well, then, I'll leave these to you, Chef Yuki," says Risa as she sets the bags on the counter.
"By the way, Momioka, where are your folks?" asks Rito.
"Oh, they're still working. No surprise. In fact, I don't think they'll be back until tomorrow," says Risa.
"Huh?" blushes Rito.
"Guess that means you'll have to take care of me tonight, darling. We've got sodas in the garage. I'll be right back," says Risa, blowing him a kiss and disappearing down the hall. Rito remains frozen, too flustered to move.
"Yeesh, that girl. Maybe Momo was right," says Rito as he unloads the groceries. "No. I can't back out now. I gotta see this through," he says, tossing the grocery receipt into the trash can.
Then he notices something; a crumpled piece of paper on the floor next to the trash can. Risa must've thrown it away, but it didn't land in the can. Curiosity gets the better of Rito, so he picks up the paper and uncrumples it; it's the handwritten note that Risa's parents left with the dinner plate for her the previous night. With that, the relationship between Risa and her parents becomes much clearer to Rito.
"Oh, Momioka," mumbles Rito. Suddenly, cold and wet soda gets dumped all over Rito's head, startling him.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Yuki. It just slipped out of my hand," says Risa, standing behind him with two opened cans of soda. It's painfully obvious she soaked Rito with one of them on purpose.
"Ah, man, it's all sticky," complains Rito.
"I'm really sorry. You can't go home looking like that. Hey, I know! Why don't you take a shower and I'll wash your clothes for you?" proposes Risa.
"Huuuuhhhhhhhh?" squeals Rito.
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In the laundry room, Risa drops Rito's soaked clothes into the wash, and starts the machine.
In Risa's bathroom, steams fills the air. Sure enough, Rito showers himself off, wearing a towel around his waist. He thinks to himself. Man, how did this happen? I only planned on talking with her over dinner. Now here I am using her shower? This is bad. I've gotta do something quick.
"Yuki?" calls Risa from behind the door.
"Uh, yes?" blushes Rito.
"I've left you some of my dad's clothes. Sorry if they're a little big, but they should be enough until your own clothes are ready," says Risa.
"Th-Thank you, Momioka. Sorry I'm having to borrow your shower like this," says Rito.
"It's no trouble at all. In fact, I'd say this is the perfect opportunity," says Risa.
"Eh? Perfect opportunity for what?" inquires Rito. The door opens. Rito's frozen in place. Risa stands in the doorway, completely naked, and smiling.
"For us to finish what we started," declares Risa.
"AHHHHHH! MOMIOKA? WHAT-WHAT-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" squeals Rito. He spins around, eyes shut and hands clasping his towel, keeping it over his waist.
"Mhmm, you're so cute, Yuki. Acting all shy and innocent, even though you were so dominating last time," says Risa as she lathers some soap onto her breasts.
"Th-That wasn't me! I mean, it was, but it wasn't! I mean, uh…" says Rito, overcome with shock and embarrassment. Risa pushes her bare breasts against his back, causing him to squeal again.
"Shh, there's nothing to be afraid of. Just leave everything to me," whispers Risa. Then she rubs her bare body up against his, washing his back. Rito's helpless, too flustered to move. "I admit, it seemed strange for you to wanna come over to my place all of a sudden. It's not like you at all, but I find it so cool," she says in a seductive tone. She traces her hand around his side and across his chest. Then she caresses down his abdomen, heading for the towel. "Now, where's that dominance you had before? Don't tell me you're losing your nerve now?" she teases, kissing his neck, then his ear, then his cheek, working her way ever so closer to his lips.
Rito's mind is a blank. He's completely at her mercy, too aroused to do anything. Then a thought crosses his mind; the handwritten note near the trash. What it said. What it means. Rito bites his lip, and seizes Risa's hand.
"Huh?" says Risa. In a flash, Rito spins around and tackles her to the wet floor. A moment passes. The only noise is the sound of water dripping from the faucet. Rito crouches over Risa's naked body, pinning down her arms, the towel still around his waist. Risa stares up at his serious face, blushing. "Y-Yuki?" she says.
"Momioka, if this is really what you want, don't stop me," says Rito. Risa remains still. Rito lowers himself. His body presses against hers, and his lips land on top of hers. Risa releases a little yelp, then closes her eyes, melting into the kiss. She opens her mouth, and their tongues collide. He releases her arms, and caresses her breasts and butt. She gasps, slides her hands across his back, and wraps both her legs around his waist. The towel remains on Rito as he kisses her with even greater passion.
Oh, wow, thinks Risa. Yuki, you're so…oh.
Rito nibbles on her ear, and slowly slides his hand down her abdomen, heading ever so closer to her area. Come on, Momioka, thinks Rito. Tell me to stop. I know this isn't what you really want, and it's not what you need. So please, tell me to stop. His hand is about to reach between her legs; he's about to stop it himself when-
"Wait," says Risa. Rito stops moving. He looks at Risa, and can see faint tears in her eyes.
"Oh, no," says Rito, springing off of Risa. "Momioka, I'm so sorry! I-I-I didn't mean to-"
She throws herself against him, hugging him tightly, trembling, crying. Rito appears confused.
"Please, Yuki. Just let me stay like this for a while," whimpers Risa. Rito feels the urge to hug her back, but thinks better of it. Instead, he does as he's told, refusing to move until she's done hugging him.
"Take as long as you need, Momioka," says Rito.
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Half-an-hour later, Rito and Risa sit together on her bed. She wears pajamas while he wears a baggy tracksuit.
"I'm really sorry, Momioka. I understand if you want me to leave," says Rito.
"No, it's okay. You didn't do anything wrong. You just surprised me, that's all. After what happened on the school roof and your place, I thought I'd be ready for this new daring side of you. But turns out, I think I prefer your usual innocent self," says Risa.
"Yeah, I think I prefer that side of myself too," says Rito.
"Besides, I'm the one who should be apologizing. The truth is I…" confesses Risa, though she can't bring herself to speak.
"Is it about your folks?" asks Rito.
"How'd you know?" asks Risa, surprised.
"I saw the note they left you. Plus, you said they weren't home tonight, and at school, you're always talking about how they're never home in general. I didn't understand it at first. I've always had Mikan around. Then Lala came, then Celine, then Momo and Nana. Even though my folks are always busy, I've never felt lonely at home. But you must've been feeling that way this whole time, haven't you?" implies Rito.
"Hmm. You know, Yuki, you're not as dumb as you make yourself out to be," teases Risa.
"Wait, what?" says Rito.
"I'm just kidding. But you're right. The reason I behave the way I do, with all the perverted antics and such, it was just my way of getting attention. Since my parents are too busy to give me any themselves, it was the only thing I could think of," says Risa. Her body shakes. Tears fill her eyes. "But the truth is, deep down, I just…I just want them to be around more, you know? I don't mean to cause you, Haruna, Momo or anyone else any trouble. I just…I don't want to feel lonely anymore," she confesses, wiping her eyes, but the tears won't stop. All the hurt feelings she's been repressing for so long begin flooding out of her at once.
"Momioka," says Rito. A moment passes, and then he grabs her shoulders.
"Yuki, what are you…" asks Risa.
"Listen to me, Momi…Risa," says Rito. Risa gasps; he just called her by her first name. "You don't have to feel lonely anymore. I may be able to help you. Just hear me out," he says. Risa listens in earnest.
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An hour later, Rito steps outside Risa's house, wearing his own clothes again. Risa appears behind him. They stand at the front door, both in good spirits.
"Thanks again for having me over. And sorry again for all the trouble," says Rito.
"I take back what I said. You're the dumbest guy I ever met," jokes Risa.
"Ah, come on. I'm doing my best here," says Rito.
"Again, kidding. You know, back at school, when that Nemesis girl announced the harem plan, I thought it was just a joke. But you're seriously gonna go through with it?" asks Risa.
"Well, I gave it a lot of time and thought," says Rito, then he takes a deep breath. "Listen, I love Haruna more than anyone else in the world. But I've tiptoed around Lala and the other girls' feelings for too long. If they believe in me enough to make them happy, then I'm gonna do the same. I'll believe I can make them all happy," he declares, causing Risa to blush.
"Oh, my. There's that cool side of you again," says Risa.
"So..." inquires Rito.
"Hmmm, okay, I'm in. I'll join your harem, Rito," says Risa with the widest smile.
"Oh, that's great to-huh? Momioka, did you just call me by my first name?" asks Rito.
"That's what surprises you? I figured my answer would do the trick," laughs Risa.
"No, no, I'm happy. Just a little shocked to hear you say it, that's all," says Rito.
"Didn't you just say mine back up there?" says Risa, gesturing to her upstairs bedroom.
"Oh, that?" says Rito. "I mean, I was in the moment, and uh-"
Risa takes his hand, cutting him off. She looks up at him with sparkling eyes.
"Say it again," says Risa. Rito is speechless. Maybe it's the night air or the look in her eyes, but all of sudden, he feels himself transfixed by Risa. "You don't want to?" she asks, backing away. "You don't…like-"
Rito yanks her close, wraps her in a warm embrace, and looks her right in the eye.
"I do like you, Risa," admits Rito, making her blush. "And now that I've gotten to see the real you, I know I can grow to like you even more," he says.
"I'm sure I'll grow to like you a lot more too," says Risa, resting her head against his chest. "I promise I'll keep all this secret, including what happened here tonight," she says.
"Thanks, I'd appreciate that. And I promise I'll do my best to make you happy and to never feel lonely again," says Rito.
"That sounds exciting. Kiss on it?" insists Risa. Rito gasps, then steels himself. He and Risa bring their faces closer, and their lips meet. They hold each other close. Everything else disappears as they lock into each others' warmth.
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Some time later, Rito walks home alone, breathing a sigh of relief. Then his phone buzzes. He finds a text message from Risa. It reads: "I love you, darling. Kiss, kiss, heart emoji, kiss."
That girl, Rito thinks, blushing and grinning.
Back at Risa's place, she's sits on her front stoop, staring at her phone. A reply from Rito pops up: "I love you too, Risa." Risa touches her chest, feeling her heartbeat.
She texts back: "Let's finish what we started in the bathroom on our wedding night. Looking forward to it, future hubby. Ring emoji." I bet he's quivering in his boots right now, the cutie, she thinks.
Suddenly, a car pulls up to the house. A man and a woman emerge from the car.
"Risa?" the woman says. Risa looks up; she can't believe her eyes.
"Mom? Dad?" says Risa, standing up.
"Hey, sweetie," says her mom.
"What're you doing here?" asks Risa.
"Well, we finished work and decided to come back early," says her dad.
"And not only that. We requested the whole week off," says her mom.
"What?" asks Risa.
"We've just been so busy, your mother and I thought it was time for a break," explains her dad.
"I know we haven't been around much, sweetie, and we're awfully sorry for that. So if there's anything you'd like to do, please tell us and we'll do it," says her mom.
"That's right, honey. We're here for you, and we always will be," says her dad. Risa stares at her parents for a moment. Tears of joy fill her eyes.
"Mom, Dad," says Risa, running into their arms. The family of three hugs each other tightly. "Welcome home," she says, happier than she's ever been.
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As Rito approaches his house, he reads another new text from Risa. It brings a smile to his face.
"I'm happy for you, Risa. And your folks. Have a fun night," texts Rito, then he pockets his phone. "Still, the future hubby part was a bit much," he says as he enters his house.
Just then, a black probe appears over Rito's house. It starts blinking red.
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The Dark Rover hovers in Earth's orbit.
In the control room, Stem watches video playback from the probe; it followed Rito all the way to his house. Stem pauses on Rito's face.
"There you are," he says to himself.
Author's Note: This isn't a lemon series, which is why I wanted the bathroom scene to be as safe and PG-13 as possible. It's just a wild guess, but the more I learned about Risa, I assumed she acted the way she did because her folks were never around. Naturally, I wanted to give her closure, so her folks will be around a lot more. Good for her, and for Rito for winning another girl over. Who'll be next?