Careful What You Think, Pervert! (My Dirty Thoughts Became Real)-Chapter 29: “I’m the Guy She Used to Like, Nice to Meet You.”

Friday – After School – Apartment

Kazuki walks in expecting leftover curry and the quiet hum of regret.

Instead, there's a stranger in the living room.

A tall, smug-looking guy. Hair slicked back. Expensive shoes on the couch table. Casual smirk like he owns the oxygen.

Aya sits beside him with a soda in her lap.

"Oh," she says. "You're home."

Kazuki freezes in the doorway.

The guy turns.

Stands.

Offers a hand.

"Yo. I'm Riku. Aya's ex."

Kazuki.exe has stopped working.

Aya doesn't flinch.

She sips her soda.

Riku says:

"She told me you're the 'roommate.' Didn't expect a high schooler."

Kazuki blinks.

His mouth opens.

No words. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Aya saves him—by making it worse.

"He's a special case."

Riku laughs. "That's one way to put it."

Five Minutes Later – The Most Awkward Couch Triangle in Human History

Kazuki sits between Aya and Riku.

Riku's arm rests behind the couch—just far enough from Aya to not technically be touching her.

Kazuki's eye twitches.

"So," Riku says. "Aya and I go way back. University days. You know how it is—midnight ramen, failed confessions, pretending to be just friends for three years."

Aya hums. "Good times."

Kazuki: "I need to lie down."

Aya: "You are lying down."

Kazuki: "I mean permanently."

Riku leans in."Hey, kid. Not to rattle you, but she used to call me 'Darling Riku' when she got tipsy."

Kazuki turns to Aya, betrayed.

Aya nods. "It was ironic."

Riku: "It was not ironic."

Aya: "It started ironic."

Kazuki: "I hate this timeline."

Riku grins."So how's living with her? Exhausting, right? You fall for her a little more every day, don't you?"

Kazuki opens his mouth.

Closes it.

Opens it.

Riku smirks. "Gotcha."

Aya watches, sipping soda like it's popcorn.

Later – Kitchen (Private)

Kazuki corners Aya while Riku's in the bathroom.

Kazuki: "What is this? Some emotional stress test? Interrogation? Passive-aggressive prank?!"

Aya shrugs. "Riku's in town. I didn't know he was visiting until yesterday. Thought you two should meet."

Kazuki glares.

Aya sips her soda. "Also I wanted to see your jealous face. It's cute."

Kazuki: "I knew it!"

Meanwhile – Bathroom

Riku checks his hair in the mirror and smirks to himself.

"Kid's got no chance if he keeps looking at her like she's the sun he's afraid to stare at."

Dinner – Takeout Sushi

Aya puts on jazz.

Riku says he hates jazz.

Aya turns it up.

Kazuki spills soy sauce on himself.

Aya laughs.

Riku dabs it off with a tissue, like he owns Kazuki's soul.

After Dinner – Balcony

Kazuki steps out to breathe.

Riku joins him.

Silent night.

Cool wind.

Then:

"Look," Riku says. "I'm not here to steal her back."

Kazuki blinks.

"I mean, I could," Riku adds. "But I'm not."

Kazuki: "...Thanks?"

Riku: "Just wanted to see what kind of guy she's anchoring herself to now."

Kazuki: "I'm not—"

"Don't," Riku interrupts. "If you're about to say 'I'm not that important to her,' I'm throwing you off this balcony."

Kazuki shuts up.

Riku glances back through the glass door.

"She's happier now, you know. Since you showed up. Laughs more. Worries more too—but in a good way. Means she cares."

Kazuki swallows.

"...So what's the point of this whole ex-boyfriend visit?"

Riku grins.

"To scare you into growing a spine."

He pats Kazuki's back.

Hard.

Then goes inside.

Later – Kazuki's Room

Kazuki lies in bed.

Still emotionally confused.

Still emotionally destroyed.

But now with an ego that's been publicly challenged.

He whispers:

"Brain... please don't turn Riku into a recurring character."

The closet shakes slightly.

He panics.