Rika strolled down the bustling streets, her predatory grin never leaving her face as she licked her lips, savoring the memory of the kiss she had stolen from Aoto just moments ago.

The soft warmth of his lips still lingered in her mind, and every time she thought about the surprised look on his face, it made her grin even wider.

There was something thrilling about catching Aoto off guard like that. He was so... different from the other guys she had dealt with in the past. Most Warrior Class boys were used to the intensity of their interactions, but Aoto—an Earthling, no less—wasn't prepared for her boldness, and that made it all the more fun.

That was too easy, she thought to herself, her sharp teeth glinting as she weaved through the crowd. The other Como around her paid no mind, though a few noticed her mischievous smirk and steered clear. Rika's reputation as someone who enjoyed pushing boundaries was well-known, and few dared to get in her way when she was on a mission.

And now Maite's all worked up, Rika chuckled inwardly, remembering the fury in Maite's eyes when she had caught her sitting on Aoto's lap. It was like throwing fuel on a fire, and Rika couldn't help but revel in the chaos she had caused.

But poor Maite doesn't realize something... Rika thought, her eyes narrowing as she licked her lips again. I'm not done with Aoto yet. Not by a long shot.

The truth was, she hadn't expected Aoto to affect her the way he did. At first, he was just another Earth boy—interesting, sure, but nothing more. But after the gym incident, when he had stood his ground and even managed to land a hit on Kay, Rika's curiosity had been piqued. And the more she watched him, the more intrigued she became.

He wasn't like the usual Warrior Class guys who were all about proving their strength and dominance. Aoto was different—softer, more thoughtful, but with an underlying courage that drew her in. He didn't back down when things got tough, and even though he clearly wasn't used to the intensity of Comorian culture, he was handling it better than most Earthlings would.

And now, after that kiss... well, Rika had to admit, she wanted more.

I could feel him tense up, completely unprepared, she thought, chuckling to herself. But he didn't push me away, did he? The memory of his flushed face and the way he had stammered afterward only made her more determined to get under his skin again. There was something incredibly satisfying about seeing him so flustered, so out of his element.

Rika's mind raced with possibilities. She wondered how far she could push him, how much she could tease him before he finally broke. There was something intoxicating about the way he reacted to her—the mix of confusion, hesitation, and that hint of curiosity in his eyes. It made her want to see what else he was capable of.

Maybe next time, I'll go for more than just a quick kiss, she mused, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Let's see how long he can resist me.

But then, a new thought crept into her mind, one that made her grin even wider. And what about Maite? She knew Maite wasn't going to take what happened lightly. The Warrior Class girl was fiercely protective of Aoto, and now that Rika had stolen his first kiss—well, things were about to get a lot more interesting.

Maite's tough, but she's predictable, Rika thought. She'll want to fight for him, but that just makes it more fun for me. If she thinks she can stop me, she's got another thing coming.

Rika loved a challenge, and now she had two of them: getting closer to Aoto and pushing Maite's buttons in the process. The combination of the two was irresistible to her, and she couldn't wait to see how it would all play out.

As she continued walking, her mind buzzing with plans and schemes, she couldn't help but replay the kiss in her head. It had been impulsive, but oh so satisfying. And now that she had tasted it, she knew she wanted more.

Next time, Earth boy, she thought with a devilish grin. Next time, you won't know what hit you.

Rika's footsteps quickened as she headed toward her next destination, already plotting her next move. There was something thrilling about pursuing Aoto, something that made her blood race with excitement. And now that she had a taste of what it was like to kiss him, there was no turning back.

For Rika, this was just the beginning. And she was determined to see how far she could take things—with Aoto, with Maite, and with anyone else who dared to get in her way.

As the sun began to set over the bustling streets of Planet Comoros, Rika licked her lips one last time, savoring the memory of that kiss. The game was on, and she was ready to play.

Watch out, Aoto, she thought with a smirk. I'm coming for you.

At her house, Maite stood in her personal training room, her fists connecting with the heavy punching bag in a steady rhythm. Each punch echoed through the room with a satisfying thud, the impact sending the bag swaying back and forth. Her muscles were relaxed, but her strikes were sharp and controlled, the way any Warrior Class fighter would move when they were focused.

But today, Maite wasn't just training for the sake of it. Today, her heart was light, and a small, almost uncharacteristic smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

She could still feel it—the warm, fleeting kiss that Aoto had planted on her cheek. It was unexpected, but it had sent her heart racing in a way she wasn't used to. The fact that he had been bold enough to make the move after their intense conversation had caught her completely off guard, but she wasn't complaining. In fact, every time she thought about it, her punches landed a little harder, her smile a little brighter.

That sneaky Earth boy... Maite thought as she threw another punch, her grin widening. I didn't think he had it in him.

She was enjoying the moment, her mind replaying the memory of his lips on her skin, when the door to her training room creaked open. Maite's mom and dad stepped inside, watching her with curious expressions.

Her mother, Sana, was a tall Giant Class woman, towering at just over seven feet. She had long blonde hair tied back into a loose braid and strong, muscular arms that could rival any Warrior Class fighter.

Despite her imposing figure, her face was gentle, and her smile was warm as she watched her daughter. Her father, Riken, was from the Warrior Class, standing a little over six feet tall. He had sharp features, a powerful build, and dark tribal tattoos that decorated his arms and shoulders.

They stood together in the doorway, exchanging a glance before turning their attention to their daughter, who was still happily pounding away at the punching bag, clearly lost in her thoughts.

Sana raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Well, someone seems to be in a good mood today," she said, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorframe.

Riken chuckled softly, his arms also crossed as he observed Maite. "You've been grinning like that for a while now, Maite. What's going on?"

Maite's hands froze mid-punch as she realized her parents were watching her. Her face flushed slightly, and she quickly tried to regain her composure, dropping her fists and turning to face them.

"It's... nothing," Maite said, her voice a little too casual as she wiped the sweat from her brow. But the smile that had been lingering on her lips refused to fade, and it wasn't long before her parents both noticed the light blush on her cheeks.

"Nothing, huh?" Sana teased, pushing off from the doorframe and walking into the room. "You've been smiling like that ever since you got home. And I can't remember the last time I saw you in such a good mood after training."

Maite's father, Riken, stepped up beside his wife, his eyes narrowing slightly in playful suspicion. "Come on, kiddo. You're not usually this... distracted." He leaned in closer, his sharp eyes studying his daughter's face. "Does this have something to do with that Earth boy you've been talking about?"

Maite froze, her blush deepening. She opened her mouth to deny it, but before she could, her mother burst into laughter.

"Ohhh, it is about him!" Sana said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Look at how red your face is!"

"Mom!" Maite groaned, trying to keep her voice steady, but the embarrassment was clear on her face. "It's not... it's not like that!"

Her dad raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Not like that, huh? Then why are you smiling like someone just gave you the best gift in the world?"

Maite fumbled for words, unsure of how to explain the situation without sounding too flustered. "I mean... we just... talked. And... maybe there was... a kiss... on the cheek."

The moment the words left her mouth, both her parents stared at her, their expressions shifting to surprise—and then, almost simultaneously, they broke into wide grins.

"A kiss?" Riken asked, his voice full of playful disbelief. "On the cheek, huh? That's pretty bold for him, don't you think?"

Sana giggled softly, clearly thrilled by the news. "Oh, this is adorable. Our little Maite, getting all flustered over a boy. I never thought I'd see the day!"

Maite rolled her eyes, though she couldn't hide the blush that spread across her cheeks. "It wasn't like that! He was just returning the favor after... well, after I confessed to him first."

Sana's eyes widened, and she gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "You confessed first? Oh, Maite, I'm so proud of you!"

Maite groaned again, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment. "Mom, stop it. It's not a big deal."

Her father chuckled, stepping closer to her. "Well, whether it's a big deal or not, I think it's great that you're putting yourself out there. The fact that you're still smiling about it tells me it went better than you thought."

Maite peeked out from behind her hands, her smile still lingering despite her parents' teasing. "Yeah... it did. He's a good guy. I wasn't sure how he'd react, but... I think it'll work out."

Sana clapped her hands together, her excitement clear. "Well, now I'm even more curious about this Earth boy. When are we going to meet him?"

Maite's face went pale at the thought of introducing Aoto to her parents. "Uh... I'm not sure if he's ready for that yet."

Her mother laughed, ruffling Maite's hair affectionately. "Whenever you're ready, sweetheart. Just know that we're excited for you, and we're proud of you no matter what."

Her father nodded in agreement, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You've always been strong, Maite. But it takes more than strength to put your feelings out there. That's a different kind of courage, and I'm proud of you for showing it."

Maite felt her heart swell with warmth at her parents' words. She had always been close with them, but hearing their support in something so personal meant a lot to her.

"Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Mom," Maite said, her voice softer now, the teasing atmosphere giving way to something more sincere.

Sana smiled warmly, stepping back as she motioned toward the door. "Alright, we'll leave you to your training. But don't think we're done asking about this Aoto boy. We're invested now!"

Maite rolled her eyes playfully, watching as her parents left the room, but as soon as they were gone, her smile returned in full force.

With a deep breath, she turned back to the punching bag, throwing a few more solid punches with renewed energy. But now, every strike was accompanied by the memory of Aoto's kiss, the warmth of it lingering on her cheek.

Next time, Maite thought, her grin widening, I'm getting the real thing.