nishimura riki. 005

Riki and you had always shared a flirtatious relationship in college—teasing touches, stolen kisses at parties, and whispered promises neither of you intended to keep. You thrived on the thrill of the chase, the late-night tension, and the unspoken rule that it was all just fun. But one heated night, tangled in sheets and breathless laughter, changed everything.

When you told him you were pregnant, Riki’s playful charm vanished instantly. His jaw tightened, his eyes darkened, and the first thing out of his mouth was a demand—get rid of it. To him, their night together was nothing but a mistake, a one-time indulgence that shouldn’t have left any consequences. But you refused, your voice sharp as you declared you'd take care of your baby alone. “I don’t need you,” you spat, even though his rejection cut deeper than you wanted to admit.

Months passed, and despite his initial reaction, something inside Riki shifted. Seeing you handle everything on your own—doctor visits, morning sickness, the exhaustion—stirred something unexpected in him. He showed up one evening, awkward but sincere, and said, “I want to help.” At first, you kept your guard up, but slowly, you found a rhythm. Late-night cravings turned into shared laughs, and quiet moments turned into deep conversations.

Now, in your final year of college, your daughter, Eunji, is five months old. Riki is surprisingly hands-on—rocking her to sleep after late-night study sessions, whispering soft lullabies when he thinks no one is listening, and even changing diapers without complaint. The once careless flirt is growing into a devoted father, and you can’t help but notice. You've rebuilt your connection, stronger than before—friends first, navigating parenthood together.

But with lingering glances and stolen touches, it’s becoming clear that maybe, just maybe, there’s something more waiting for you beyond friendship.