The success of the rainy day hangout triggered something unexpected: another plan.
"Sleepover," Aiko announced the next day during lunch. "This Friday. My house."
Rika blinked. "You're inviting everyone?"
"Obviously." Aiko grinned. "It's not a real sleepover unless it gets chaotic."
"I thought sleepovers were supposed to be calm," Sora said.
"Wrong. They're supposed to be chaotic and full of regret."
"I'm in," Yuto said instantly. "Can we bring snacks?"
"You can bring your whole pantry if you want."
Even Naoto smiled.
---
Friday Night
Aiko's house was a strange mix of cozy and wild—just like her.
There were string lights in the living room, scented candles everywhere, and a cardboard sign taped to the front door that said: "NO BORING PEOPLE ALLOWED."
Mei arrived first with a bag of books and snacks. Rika showed up with a stuffed animal hidden in her bag. Sora brought a pillow bigger than his torso. Yuto carried a box labeled "emergency supplies" which turned out to be nothing but chips and soda.
Naoto came last, a little unsure… but was greeted by everyone shouting his name.
"Now it's a party!"
---
The Chaos Begins
The night began with movies—but no one actually watched them.
They talked over everything, quoted cheesy lines, threw popcorn, and laughed too hard.
Then came the games.
Uno ended in betrayal.
Charades turned into interpretive dance.
Pillow fights broke out, and Aiko's poor lamp didn't survive.
Naoto, somehow, was always the one getting hit in the face with a pillow. Rika laughed so hard at one point, she fell off the bean bag chair.
---
Late Night Talks
After the chaos settled, they made a blanket fort—massive, unstable, and magical.
Everyone squeezed inside, limbs tangled, snacks everywhere.
Yuto shared a story about his fear of the dark as a kid. Sora admitted he used to sleep with his closet light on until middle school.
Even Aiko, always loud and fearless, confessed she sometimes felt alone in a crowd.
Mei was quiet for a while, then softly said, "You guys feel… like home."
It was silent for a moment.
Then Rika murmured, "Yeah. I like this version of my life."
Naoto didn't say anything, but he felt the same way.
---
A Whisper in the Dark
Sometime past midnight, most of them had dozed off inside the fort.
Naoto and Rika were still awake, lying side by side in the dim light.
"You're always there when it matters," she whispered.
Naoto turned his head slightly. "Huh?"
She smiled. "Just saying thanks. Again."
He looked at the ceiling made of bedsheets and said quietly, "I never knew I could laugh like this."
She chuckled. "You're cute when you let your walls down."
He didn't know what to say.
So she added, "Goodnight, Naoto."
"…Goodnight, Rika."
---