Someone on another site reviewed and told me not to end it on the last chapter. I figured, if I am updating that I might as well update here. Even though none of you deserve it. I'm joking, please be my friend.

also, this chapter is very short because there is a lemon in the M rated version which has to be taken out here.

I Really Really REALLY Like You

An hour later, Ren was stood in her kitchen, the bright lights of her apartment shining down on the cosy scene. The aroma of simmering Oyakodon filled the air, a comforting blend of chicken, onions, and eggs that made the space feel more like home than it ever had. Although she had a feeling it had something to do with the boy next door, not the food. Ren stood at the stove, her dark hair damp and pulled over one shoulder, occasionally glancing at the clock on the wall.

She wore a soft, oversized sweatshirt that hung loosely on her frame, paired with comfortable shorts and slippers. She could hear the little taps of water from her hair falling onto the floor as she crossed her arms, stifling a yawn.

The sound of the shower turning off in the adjacent bathroom caught her attention, and a small smile played on her lips. She and Shoto had attempted to shower together earlier, but their vastly different temperature preferences had made it a comical and slightly frustrating experience. The memory brought a quiet laugh from her as she stirred the contents of the pan.

As Ren began plating their dinner, she heard Shoto's footsteps approaching. He entered the kitchen, his dual-colored hair damp and tousled, a towel draped around his neck. He wore a simple t-shirt and sweatpants, his usual guarded expression softened by the comfort of the scene in front of him. He had no idea Ren could cook, had never seen her in anything than her usual polished appearance; seeing her by the stove in her pyjamas warmed his right side a little.

His eyes fell on Ren's fuzzy sweatshirt, and he tilted his head slightly. "That looks soft," he commented, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity but Ren was barely paying attention, she was focused on arranging the bowls and replied absently:

"It is soft. Ah!" She let out a small gasp of surprise as Shoto suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind, burying his face in her shoulder. The gesture was unexpectedly affectionate, something they had never actually ventured into.

"Sho, I have to-" Ren began, but her words trailed off as she caught sight of their reflection in the living room window. The image before her made her pause - Shoto holding her so tenderly, his face nestled against her shoulder, his arms secure around her waist. It was a picture of genuine affection that went beyond their physical connection.

Something shifted inside Ren at that moment. She turned in Shoto's arms, cupping his face gently in her hands. Their eyes met, and for a breath, the world seemed to stand still. Ren leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Shoto's lips. Unlike their previous passionate encounters, this kiss was tender, filled with an emotion that neither of them was quite ready to name but both were happy existed.

As they parted, Ren's voice was soft. "Dinner?"

Shoto nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He took the bowls and moved to the living room, settling on the floor by the coffee table. "Coming?" he called back to Ren, who still stood in the kitchen, looking slightly dazed.

"Yeah, just getting a drink," Ren replied, opening the refrigerator door. "You want one?"

But she was no longer listening. As she stared into the cool interior of the fridge, Ren found herself lost in thought. The image of Shoto hugging her so affectionately struck something inside of her. The way he had looked at her, touched her - it spoke of something deeper than just physical attraction or a casual fling.

The realisation hit her like a punch to the gut: Shoto really cared about her. And what terrified her even more was the knowledge that she cared about him too. Had she really been so stupid, so caught up in the superficial physical aspect of things, to not realise this could happen? And if it was happening, if they really were falling for each other, if this was real….

Guilt began to build in the pit of her stomach, a heavy, nauseating feeling that threatened to overwhelm her. She gripped the edge of the refrigerator door, her knuckles turning white with the force of her grip.

Because the truth was, Ren was raised in the world of media and TV. She was used to the polished appearance she showed to the public. She had become so used to being something she wasn't. And what she really was, deep down, was a liar.

I feel like I'm making Ren too unlikeable, I mean of course I'm going to give her a whole backstory and explanation and try to justify it but…against Shoto's 100% lovely personality maybe she comes across really badly?

What do you think?