The bed entered my vision. “There it is,” I breathed, saliva practically dripping. I lowered her onto it with desperate haste and jumped after her, kissing her—devouring her lips, almost roaring with need.
“Ah… ah… ah…”
I pulled back just enough to see her face. She looked ethereal, lips swollen, eyes glassy with lust. I dove in again, this time sliding my hands up to grope her breasts more boldly.
Alice suddenly laughed, soft and wicked, and whispered against my mouth, “You can touch lower…”
I licked my lips, gaze dropping. The untouched lands. The place only I got to claim.
I hesitated for half a second, mind racing—Rubber… "we need a condom, don’t we?"
She shook her head, eyes sparkling. “It’s a safe day.” Her voice dropped even lower. “Let’s do it like that… I want to feel you. Just like that.”
Really? Fuck. I needed to learn more about this later. Right now the hunger was louder than any fear.
Still, a flicker of caution remained. I reached toward the drawer beside the bed and yanked it open—nothing. Maybe…
My eyes flicked around the room. Bingo—there was a coin machine on the wall.
As I shoved my hand into my pocket for more money, my fingers brushed the small object.
The ring.
Everything stopped.
I turned the cool little circle between my fingers, feeling its smooth surface. Then I looked to the side.
My own reflection stared back from the mirror—eyes wild, mouth slightly open, almost predatory. My stupid face didn’t look charming. It looked crazed.
And right behind me in the same glass, I saw her.
Face crimson, lips still parted, clothes disheveled. That innocent little face. That small, delicate body trembling with the same need I felt.
This isn’t right.It’s not the right order.
Something inside me snapped.
I bit down hard on my tongue, tasting blood, and turned around. In one smooth motion I scooped her small body back into my arms.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Her voice came out surprised, breathy.
I pressed my forehead to hers, voice soft but steady. “Our families. Let’s not make them wait anymore.”
I rushed toward the exit before the hunger could change my mind again. Alice struggled for a second in my arms. “Wait… at least a quickie… let’s just—”
I kept walking, opened the door, and didn’t look at her face. I knew if I did, I’d lose control again—and this time I might actually cross the line.
“We can do it later,” I whispered. “We have the rest of our lives… please, dear Alice. My love.”
We escaped.
Only after we were far enough away did I set her down so she could walk on her own. The rest of the journey passed in heavy silence. By the time we boarded the train, her expression was thoughtful—almost distant.
When we arrived at her home, I gave the signal.
Knock. knock. knock. knock… knock.
And opened the door.
“Surprise!”
Confetti exploded into the air as we stepped inside. A huge banner unfurled above us: Happy 16th Birthday, Alice!
Yui snapped a picture instantly. “Look here, Alice! Iryoku-boy!”
Snap. Snap.
I smiled, already knowing I’d look weird in the photo, but I didn’t care. Alice only managed a small wave. Yui kept clicking—close-ups, group shots, the two of us together, everything.
Finally Alice raised her hands. “No more… This is enough. Thank you all for celebrating my birthday.”
She looked around at her sisters, her mother, and then at my mom and dad. Her eyes softened.
Yui Onee-san grinned wide. “But don’t just stand there all night, Lovebirds—come here!” She waved us over. “We made everything you like: cake, curry, tofu, and even that hotteok you kept talking about last time!”
Everyone swarmed in for hugs. Alice laughed softly as arms wrapped around her from every side.
“I’m grateful,” she said, voice warm. Then, almost like she was escaping, she hurried toward her room. “I need to freshen up. I’ll be right back!”
We sat down and started eating. Laughter filled the room almost immediately.
“Hahaha!”
“I’ll tell you,” Yui said through a mouthful of food, “back when she was tiny and super sassy, she would straight-up cry if I didn’t give her enough attention!”
Alice shot her a glare. “That’s not true.” But she immediately went back to devouring her third plate, cheeks slightly pink.
My hand reached out and gently brushed a stray piece of food from her cheek.
I chuckled.
The rest of the table joined in.
My mom smiled, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Our Iryoku once cried all day—grumpy because his favorite program ended while he was in the restroom. He actually begged us to call the TV station and ask them to rewind the channel!”
My dad burst out laughing. “Oh yeah, I remember that one!”
I blinked, chopsticks halfway to my mouth. I don’t… Did that really happen?
Yui clutched her stomach, laughing so hard she could barely speak. “Hahaha! That’s so you! I can totally imagine tiny Iryoku-boy whimpering, all small and chubby!”
Chubby?
We were having a good time.
Haruka smiled softly. “Really? I guess they were both pretty willful kids,” she said, nodding toward my mom and dad.
Mio and Reina stood up and carried some of the empty plates to the kitchen. My eyes almost followed them out of habit—but not this time. I kept my focus on Alice.
“Happy Birthday!” the sisters chanted together as Mio carried out the cake. Candles lit up the room in a warm glow. They set it right in front of her. The flickering light danced across Alice’s face.
Reina started handing out plates. “I hope you still have room for cake?”
“Thanks… I—” Alice began.
Suddenly her hand flew to her mouth. Her face twisted in pain.
We all froze.
She shot up from her chair and rushed toward the kitchen. We hurried after her.
“Waaaaargh!”
Alice vomited hard into the sink, the sound echoing painfully.
“Wahh… ahh…”
Everyone stood there, staring.
Haruka rubbed gentle circles on Alice’s back while Yui helped, one hand resting on her stomach. “You probably ate too much,” Yui said, half-teasing, half-worried. “Look at you—belly full to the brim already.” She tugged lightly at Alice’s waistband. “Let me loosen this a little… your stomach’s way too tight.”
Then, suddenly, Yui stopped moving.
I stood at the back, craning my neck to see Alice. “Alice, what’s wrong? Did the food upset you?” My mind was already racing. I should probably run out and buy some medicine.
But she didn’t respond. The kitchen fell into heavy, suffocating silence. Nobody spoke.
What’s happening?
One by one, the adults turned toward me. Reina first. Then Mio. Then Mom. Then Dad. Then Haruka. And finally Yui. They slowly faced me, eyes wide and unblinking.
Alice gargled weakly. Mio turned on the faucet; water rushed loudly into the sink. Reina grabbed a clean kitchen towel. But Yui and Haruka never looked away from me—their glares burned straight into my face.
“You,” Yui said, her voice cold as ice. She turned her whole body toward me. “Did you get her pregnant?”