Rina StarLai: Issue 004

Hi loves, I've been so addicted to writing this story. I hope you're all enjoying it!!!

Muah

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7. LAIA:

Rin sat at the kitchen table, nervously bouncing his leg as he stared at the clock. His mom was humming as she chopped vegetables. His dad scrolled on his phone across the room. And Rin... was sweating through his hoodie.

"Relax," his mom said without looking up. "She's just your cousin."

"Yeah, I know," Rin muttered. "It's just... been a while."

The doorbell rang.

Rin jumped out of his seat like it owed him money. He zipped to the door, swung it open- then immediately froze.

"Laia?"

She was standing there in oversized sunglasses, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder, and a grin that could start a revolution.

"RINNNNNNNNIEEEE!" she squealed, lunging forward to wrap him in a rib-crushing hug.

He hugged her back, clinging to the familiar scent of her perfume and the way her presence made everything in the world feel a little more right.

"You look taller," she said, pulling back to squint at him.

"I'm not," Rin said flatly.

"Then maybe it's just the vibe. You're glowing. Like, suspiciously." She stepped inside and kicked off her boots. "Have you been using highlighter or just having wild, identity-shifting adventures?"

Rin gave her a look. "Please. Not in front of the parents."

From the kitchen, his mom peeked around the corner. "Laia, sweetheart! Come give me a hug!"

Laia lit up. "Auntie!" She breezed past Rin and into the kitchen like she lived there- which, for many summers, she basically did.

His dad gave her a respectful nod. "Good to see you, kiddo."

"You too, Uncle. Still pretending yogurt is a personality, I see."

He grunted. "Yogurt doesn't talk back."

Rin followed them in, watching as Laia immediately began charming both his parents like nothing had changed. But the minute they turned their backs, she caught Rin's eye and mouthed, we are TALKING later.

-

Laia sits cross-legged on Rin's bed, sipping boba and already suspicious. Her overnight bag is tossed in the corner. Rin stands by his desk, nervously clicking through his laptop, which is connected to the little TV on the dresser.

"Okay," he says, taking a deep breath. "I need you to promise not to laugh."

"No promises," Laia says, slurping loudly.

Rin clicks the first slide.

[SLIDE 1: "THE HOTTEST ORIGIN STORY (LITERALLY)" -- in bold rainbow Comic Sans]

A blurry picture of a flaming temple and a very crude stick figure labeled "me" stands in the center.

Laia raises an eyebrow. "Oh no."

Rin points dramatically. "So! It all started when I found a mysterious envelope hidden in grandma's room- yes, that room. It led me to this abandoned temple where I kissed a wall and accidentally unlocked a hidden magical girl dimension."

"... You kissed a wall?"

"It had lipstick on it! It was instinctual!"

[SLIDE 2: "THE FLAMING BAPTISM"]

An MS Paint-style drawing of a stick figure engulfed in flames, mid-scream.

"I touched this glowing gem thing and immediately combusted. But, like, in a hot way. Not in a stop-drop-and-roll way."

Laia stares. "You're so unserious."

[SLIDE 3: "TRANSFORMATION: HOW TO TURN INTO A GORGEOUS GODDESS"]

This slide has a glittery diagram of Rin's transformation device... with a pixelated image of a butt plug over it, censored with a "✨tasteful✨" sticker.

Rin clears his throat. "So the amulet lives in this... device. And when I, uh, insert it..."

Laia SNORTS.

"-DON'T. You promised."

"I said no such thing. Rin, you're saving people by pegging yourself. That's power."

[SLIDE 4: "ME BUT HOTTER -- RINA STARLAI"]

A very glam mockup of Rina's full look: bodysuit, heels, fire effects, and all.

Laia gasps. "She's stunning. Is that contour from the transformation or do you have to do it manually?"

"All natural, baby."

Laia fake-wipes a tear. "Your femininity is in the fire. Grandma would be so proud."

Rin smiles softly at that one.

[SLIDE 5: "POWERS: FIRE. AND MORE FIRE. AND A LITTLE ORGASM MAGIC, I GUESS?"]

Rin clicks the next slide sheepishly. "So I can control fire. Kinda. But if I overdo it or hold it in too long, I get this... ache."

Laia squints. "Ache?"

Rin mumbles, "Like, an... itch I have to scratch. With toys."

Laia blinks. Then dies laughing.

"You're telling me your powers are literally horniness?? You're a thirsty Sailor Mars?!"

"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT." Rin huffs, red-faced. "It's a side effect. I think the gem's trying to sync to my body through-ugh, never mind!"

[SLIDE 6: "THE BASE: MY MAGICAL BISEXUAL PALACE"]

Photos of the temple base, complete with labeled rooms: Glam Room, Training Room, Transport Room, etc.

Laia claps. "Oh, she has real estate?!"

Rin nods. "Yeah. Sis runs it. She's my AI assistant. And a huge bitch."

[SLIDE 7: "VIRAL MOMENT™️"]

A screenshot of Rina mid-fireball toss, thigh out, wig flawless. TikTok comments line the slide.

"Anyway, now I've gone viral. People think I'm a drag queen with a lighter fetish. The cops almost arrested me. I had to teleport out."

Laia leans back, stunned. "You've had a whole season of an anime without me."

Rin throws himself onto the bed, groaning.

"I'm trying to figure it out. It's a lot. I'm not used to... being her. Or feeling this strong. Or seen."

Laia quiets down, her expression softening.

"You're kind of amazing, y'know."

Rin peeks up.

"You're also still dramatic as hell," she adds. "But I love you. This is insane. And I'm so proud of you."

Rin smiles.

Laia holds up her boba. "To Rina StarLai. Hot bitch, hero, and my new role model."

They clink cups.

The chaos of the slideshow has settled. Laia's boba is almost finished, and Rin is curled up at the foot of his bed, clearly debating whether or not to speak.

Laia notices. "Why do you look like you're about to confess to a crime?"

Rin clears his throat. "Okay so... when I was first poking around the temple stuff... after that actually- I, um... I found something."

Laia raises an eyebrow. "What kind of 'something'?"

"In your old room."

Her eyes narrow.

"In a box under the bed."

Laia leans forward, very still. "... Which box?"

"The one that was like... dark red? Kinda gold trim? You know, like... elegant slut vibes?"

Laia's eyes go wide. "RIN-"

"I didn't mean to open it! I thought it was grandma's! I was having an identity crisis, okay?!"

"You FOUND THE BOX?!"

"IT HAD A GIANT DILDO IN IT, LAIA."

They both burst into overlapping panicked squeals.

"I THOUGHT I BURIED THAT THING-"

"I THOUGHT IT WAS A FAMILY HEIRLOOM-"

"WHY WOULD AN HEIRLOOM BE NINE INCHES?!"

Rin flops backward, hand over his face. "I thought it was some kind of ancient cursed sword!"

Laia throws a pillow at him, howling. "Why would I hide a cursed sword under grandma's bed?!"

"I DON'T KNOW, LAIA. WE'RE MAGIC NOW!"

There's a long beat of silence as they both catch their breath from laughing.

Then Rin mutters, "I used it."

Laia pauses. "Wait... used it how?"

"Rin- be SO serious with me right now. You but that thing inside of you?"

"I was desperate. The ache, remember?" Rin waves vaguely. "And the gem was gone and it helped and now I don't know who I am anymore and I'm questioning everything and I might be like... super into that thing now."

Laia processes this.

Then grins like the demon she is.

"So you mean to tell me... my emotional support dildo is now part of a cosmic magical girl identity crisis?"

"I HATE YOU."

"You are so welcome."

They collapse into another round of laughter, louder than the first. The moment feels ridiculous, but also weirdly healing. It's not just magic and mayhem - it's a return to how they always were. Loud. Stupid. Safe.

Laia wipes a tear from her eye. "Rin?"

"Yeah?"

She leans in. "We are absolutely buying you one of your own."

"Yeah whatever... you did clean that thing before you left to college, right?" Rin teased

"Shut up" she shot back.

"You really went through my stuff, huh?"

Rin thought back to the whole reason he even snooped.

"I wanted to see if you left any clothes behind... I don't know... I was feeling lost. And what was I supposed to do, not open the sexy Pandora's box under your bed?"

Laia smiled.

"Awwww Rinnie, you should've just called me if you wanted a slumber party... But uh - just wondering..." (She props herself up on her elbows, more serious now) "Are you, like... gay? Or... is that what this is?"

Rin paused. Not offended, but definitely caught off guard.

"I don't know."

(He shrugs, flops down beside her.)

"It's not like I look at a guy and go 'YES, please.' At least not so far? I think... I like how I feel. When I'm her. Rina. And when people see her."

(A pause)

"It's not about who I want to sleep with. It's about finally feeling like I belong to myself."

Laia stared softly

"Damn. That's kind of beautiful, actually."

-

"So like... firesexual?"

Rin bursts into laughter.

"Shut up-"

"'Cause the way you described riding my dildo into enlightenment, I was like, wow, that's devotion."

"I hate you so much." He grinned.

Laia flops onto her side, still giggling. "God, you're such a mess."

Rin, staring at the ceiling: "You say that like I haven't always been one."

There's a pause. The air settles. The laughter fades into something softer.

Laia, after a beat: "So... Rina StarLai, huh?"

Rin hums. "Yeah."

She turns toward him, studying his face. "You always hated your name growing up."

"I still do," he says. "But... 'Rina' felt right. Strong. Pretty. Me, but not me."

Laia smiles gently. "It suits you."

"And... the 'StarLai' part..." He trails off, cheeks coloring slightly. "It's kind of a play on 'starlight.' Like, shining bright, seen from far away... untouchable. But also..."

Laia raises an eyebrow. "Also?"

"... It has your name in it," he mumbles. "Laia. StarLai. You always made me feel like I could be this version of myself. Back then. The only one who ever did."

Her eyes widen a little. "Wait, what?"

"I wanted to carry you with me," Rin says, barely above a whisper. "Even if you weren't here."

Laia goes very still. Her eyes shimmer. "Rin..."

He shrugs, suddenly awkward. "Sorry if that's weird."

She smacks him with the pillow again. "Weird?! That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me, you idiot."

Rin laughs nervously. "So, like... it's okay?"

Laia throws her arms around him. "You absolute loser, I love you. You named your superhero alter ego after me. You're never living that down."

He groans, face in her shoulder. "I know."

She pulls back, wiping her eye dramatically. "God, you're gonna make me cry in full glam."

He grins. "We can't have that. You still need to help me put mine on."

Her face lights up. "OH. Right. You are not going out looking like an off-duty foot model again."

And just like that, the sparkle returns.

"Now take me to your drag dungeon or whatever!"

The pair tip-toed down the hallway like a pair of guilty teens sneaking out past curfew.

"Don't be out too late guys!" His mom yelled from the living room

"Why do I even bother trying to be sneaky" he muttered.

They hurried to the temple.

"Jeez we haven't been here in forever." Laia stared at the run-down building.

Rin held Laia's hand tight as they crept through the dark, dusty temple basement.

"This better not be a jumpscare," she muttered. "If something pops out, I will slap you."

"Trust me. You're gonna wanna slap me anyway," Rin said, smirking nervously. He stopped in front of the lipstick wall.

"This is going to be weird. Just... go with it."

He leaned in and kissed the wall.

The room shuddered.

Laia let out a sharp gasp as the walls glowed red and gold, velvet spilling down like fabric from the heavens, and the jade door lit up like a portal from a dream.

"... Okay I take it back," she whispered. "You are Sailor Moon. You're Sailor THOT Moon."

Rin just laughed, tugging her through the glowing doorway.

The Control Room lit up as they entered. Laia's jaw dropped. She spun slowly in place, taking in the lavish red-and-gold interior, the glowing mirror, the massive crystal chandelier.

"What is this place?!" she asked, eyes sparkling.

"My magical girl headquarters," Rin said proudly.

"Sis," Laia whispered reverently. "You live in a Lisa Frank volcano."

*GREETINGS, MISS LAIA. PLEASED TO SEE YOU IN REAL-TIME*

The voice of Sis echoed around the room.

"Okay, who's that... and how does she know me" Laia asked.

"Sis, my... AI assistant. She's like if Siri had sass and questionable ethics. She's tapped into my memories- something about me bonding with the amulet... I don't really know actually."

*ALLOW ME TO GIVE YOU LADIES THE RUNDOWN*

"did she just call you a lady?" Laia whispered.

"Shhh" Rin reverted her attention.

-

Rapid-Fire Hallway Tour:

Hall 1: Training Room

Laia stared at the dummy targets and obstacle beams. "Okay but why is this sexier than my gym?"

Hall 2: Med Room

She stuck one toe in the hot spring. "Oh no. Ohhh this is bougie. This is 'I get healed with lavender steam and trauma processing' energy."

Hall 3: Glam Room

Laia physically screamed. "YOU HAVE A DRESSING ROOM?! You have a WHOLE CLOSET DIMENSION?!"

Hall 4: Forge Room

She touched nothing. "I don't trust any of this. One of these combs is secretly a weapon."

Hall 5: Living Quarters

Laia flopped dramatically onto the floating bed. "If you ever need a sidekick-slash-roommate-slash-sexy side character, I live here now."

Hall 6: Transport Room

She gawked at the glowing portals. "Wait. Wait. You have fast travel?!"

-

By the time they circled back to the Glam Room, Laia had hearts in her eyes and absolutely zero chill.

She turned to Rin.

"You're literally a hot magical diva with a sex temple. I cannot stress this enough: if you ever complain about your life again, I will bite you."

Rina just grinned and winked. "You ready to play dress-up again?"

Laia smirked. "I've been waiting my whole life."

8. GIRLS NIGHT:

The moment the club doors opened, Rin was hit with a wall of bass, perfume, and pure electricity.

It was packed - a neon wonderland of crop tops, glitter, and bodies grinding in every direction. Strobe lights flickered across mirror balls. Music pulsed through the floor and up into his spine.

Rin clung to Laia's arm, heels clacking unevenly as they stepped inside.

"I feel like I'm in a fever dream," he whispered.

Laia grinned, tugging him closer. "You look like one, babe."

Tonight, Rin was decked out in something Laia insisted was "tasteful-slut" a mesh crop top with rhinestones, high-waisted faux leather shorts that barely covered his ass, and yes, very questionable underwear beneath. ("For confidence," she claimed.)

His makeup was flawless, thanks to Laia's skilled hand: smoky, sultry, soft sparkle at the corners of his eyes. Lips glossed to perfection.

He looked hot. He felt terrified.

Laia guided them toward the bar, effortlessly gliding through the crowd while Rin teetered behind her like a baby deer on a runway.

The bartender clocked them immediately - a guy in his 30s with tattoos, rolled sleeves, and a smile that could melt steel.

"Well damn," he said, eyes landing on Rin. "What can I get for you, gorgeous?"

Rin opened his mouth. No sound came out. He looked to Laia, panicked.

She didn't miss a beat. "Two cosmos," she told him smoothly. Then to Rin, she added, "Classic. Feminine. Carrie Bradshaw would be proud."

As they waited, Rin leaned in. "I forgot how to talk. Like, actually forgot. Is this how it's gonna be all night?"

"Only if you keep acting like prey," Laia teased, elbowing him. "You're the baddest bitch in here. Own it."

He took the drink, sipped, and immediately coughed. "This is juice made of lies."

Laia laughed. "You'll live. Now lets go dance!"

The moment they hit the dance floor, Rin tensed. Bodies moved around him, hips grinding, people twirling, laughter rising. The air was thick and electric, and he felt seen. Every inch of him. His cheeks burned.

Laia caught his hesitation. "Hey. You're safe. You're hot. And if anyone touches you weird, I'll castrate them with a stiletto."

That got a laugh out of him.

Then the beat dropped.

Laia started to move, slow and sensual, rolling her hips and throwing her hands into the air. People made space for them, curious glances thrown like sparks.

Rin swallowed hard.

Then took a breath.

And moved.

His hips swayed. Not perfectly. Not confidently. But honestly. The way he always dreamed he could dance when no one was watching. Except now... they were watching. And he didn't care.

He felt free.

The crowd had grown thicker, the lights dimmer, the music dirtier.

Laia had disappeared somewhere into the crowd - probably flirting with the DJ - leaving Rin swaying awkwardly near the edge of the dance floor, still trying to figure out if his butt was jiggling in a cute way or an oh-no-what-was-that-snap way.

"Hey," a voice said beside him.

Rin turned - and nearly stepped into the man now smiling at him. He was tall, tanned, broad-shouldered, with curls that looked like they'd been kissed by sea breeze and eyes that definitely saw too much.

"You're new here," the guy said.

Rin blinked. "Is it that obvious?"

The man's smile widened. "You've got that 'first time in heels' look. Cute, though. Confident."

Rin flushed. "Confident is a strong word."

"You wear it well," the guy said, offering a hand. "Wanna dance?"

And before Rin could even answer, he was pulled into the crowd - into motion, heat, touch.

They swayed together. Not too close. Not quite far enough. The guy's hand rested on Rin's hip, fingers brushing exposed skin where the crop top rode up. His breath tickled Rin's ear.

They moved like they'd done this before.

The guy's hands had found a home on Rin's waist, then lower, thumbs brushing the exposed skin above his shorts, fingers slipping around the back like he owned the moment. The crowd throbbed around them, but Rin's world narrowed to the heat against his body, the smell of cologne and skin, and the deep voice in his ear.

"You've got dangerous hips," the guy said, words curling into Rin's neck like smoke. "You know that?"

Rin laughed breathlessly. "Not on purpose."

"Makes it better," the guy murmured. "Like your body doesn't even know what it's doing to me."

His hand slid further down, fingers brushing the top curve of Rin's ass.

Rin jolted slightly. But... didn't pull away.

He could feel the guy now - fully hard through his jeans, pressed flush against Rin's thigh. It sent a shot of adrenaline up his spine. His breath caught.

"Is this okay?" the guy asked, voice low but respectful, lips barely grazing the edge of Rin's ear.

Rin didn't trust his voice, so he nodded.

That was all it took.

The guy's hand squeezed softly, fingers curving around the bottom swell of Rin's cheek. The crop top was riding high, and Rin's shorts - already too short - offered no protection. His skin was bare under the stranger's hand, and he was letting him.

The ache pulsed again. Warm. Wanting.

The guy chuckled against his throat. "You're unreal," he said, voice thick. "The way you move... the way you breathe."

His hand moved around, fingertips dragging along the waistband of Rin's shorts... and lower. Just a little. Just enough.

"You wearing anything under this?" he asked, eyes dark and locked on Rin's lips.

Rin hesitated.

Then whispered, "Barely."

"Fuck," the guy growled.

And then he kissed him.

It wasn't soft. It wasn't gentle. It was heat, teeth, lips that wanted. The guy kissed like he had no patience, like Rin was a question he needed answered now.

Rin kissed back.

Hard.

One hand gripped the guy's shirt, the other curled into his hair. Their bodies pressed close, and Rin could feel everything - his own arousal straining against Laia's pick of slutty underwear, the guy's cock grinding against his thigh, the music thudding around them like a second heartbeat.

The ache was white-hot now.

His whole body was trembling... but not from fear.

From want.

From being seen.

From being wanted.

The guy's hand slipped lower again, fingers brushing between Rin's thighs. He was almost there.

Almost.

Rin moaned quietly into the kiss, legs parting instinctively. Just a little.

*WARNING. VITALS SPIKING. AROUSAL AT CRITICAL. THREAT NEARBY.*

Sis's voice sliced through his brain like a bucket of ice.

Rin's eyes flew open.

Not just from the alert - he felt it. A wave of hot, sour energy rippling through the room. Power. Dangerous. Wrong.

He broke the kiss, panting. "I-I have to go."

The guy blinked, dazed. "Wait-did I-?"

"No. You're... you're perfect," Rin said, already stepping back, body screaming at him for the loss of heat, of touch, of everything.

"But I'm not," he added softly.

And then he was gone - slipping into the crowd, dizzy, overwhelmed, heart racing.

The ache howled now. Not for sex. Not for pleasure.

For battle.

Rin backed out of the crowd in a frenzy, nearly tripping over a neon platform boot on the way. He ducked into the dim hallway near the back of the club, breathing hard, pressing a hand to his stomach.

"Sis," he whispered. "Talk to me."

*THREAT DETECTED. 10 METERS NORTH. POWER FLUCTUATION UNSTABLE. USER VITALS SPIKING. AROUSAL LEVEL-*

"NO. Don't finish that sentence."

He crept forward down the hall... and then saw him.

A man, hunched over near the service door, shaking. His skin flickered with veins of green light. His body spasmed with each breath. Nearby, a shattered vial leaked glowing liquid across the floor.

The air sizzled. Power pulsed around him, uncontrolled and radiating off him in waves.

Rin's stomach dropped.

"Oh no..."

The man looked up.

His eyes were glowing.

He growled.

Rin flinched. "OH NO."

Rin's heart thundered in his chest as he backed away from the glowing man near the service door. The air around him was buzzing, warping with heat and raw, chaotic energy. Whatever that glowing green drug was - it had supercharged him, and not in a stable way.

He turned on his heel and sprinted back toward the bar, weaving through the crowd as fast as his heels could manage.

The music still pounded. People were dancing, laughing, unaware of the literal ticking time bomb in the hallway.

He found Laia at the edge of the bar, halfway through her second drink and halfway through charming some poor soul who had no idea she was a walking hurricane.

"Laia!" he hissed, grabbing her arm. "We have a situation."

She blinked at him. "Did the hot guy give you a hickey already?"

"No! There's a dude in the back GLOWING. Like, radioactive rave demon glowing. He's about to blow."

Laia's face dropped the moment she saw how serious he was. "What do you need?"

Rin grabbed her shoulders. "Get everyone out. Pull the fire alarm. Trip the fuse box. Say someone's throwing up glitter in the bathroom, I don't care, just clear the floor."

Laia gave a sharp nod, already pulling her phone out.

"And Rin-" she called as he turned to leave.

He looked back.

"You're gonna be amazing. Just... don't explode in those shorts. They were expensive."

Rin grinned despite the rising panic. "No promises."

He darted through the crowd, slipping behind the DJ booth and into a maintenance hallway. Every breath felt like lava. The ache had shifted, this time, it wasn't just about him. It was like the amulet itself was vibrating with urgency.

His fingers scrambled through his tiny purse until he found it.

His butt plug.

He looked around. Dim. Empty. Just a broken mop bucket and a flickering light overhead. Good enough.

Rin exhaled slowly. "Okay. Showtime."

He hiked one leg up onto the crate, tugged his shorts and thong aside, grit his teeth and-

"mmMh"

POP...

FWOOOOOSH.

The air lit with flames as the magic surged through him.

His body shimmered, hair growing out in waves of inky black silk. His limbs elongated, waist cinched. The power rippled down his skin like firewater.

In seconds, Rin was gone.

Rina stood in his place. Glamorous, glowing, legs for days, and absolutely ready.

She adjusted the strap of her barely-there leotard, popped a flame between her fingers, and smirked.

"Let's burn, bitch."