The night deepened.
Streetlights flickered as the last pedestrians vanished. Buildings darkened into silence.
Takakai kept watching.
Maki, unable to bear his gaze any longer, looked down.
Thump-thump—
Her heartbeat roared.
This atmosphere... is he planning to...?
Memories resurfaced—last month at his apartment, nearly crossing the line after being pinned to his bed. The recollection burned as vividly as yesterday.
Now, that same tension coiled in her stomach.
If I stay... he'll definitely...
She hunched slightly.
Anticipation? Fear? The urge to flee?
But what filled her mind was the hallway scene—Takakai carrying Chika away.
"I've held back for days," he'd said.
Days? But we've been together constantly! Unless... unless he and Fujiwara already...
Her nails dug into her palms. How shameless! And now she "generously" yields her turn? Is this pity?!
Yet... had she not resisted Takakai that day, perhaps—
No. These thoughts are pointless. I must decide now.
Her mind churned chaotically.
Thump-THUMP—
She almost resented Takakai's silence—his gaze offering the choice entirely to her. If only he'd force her like before, she could surrender to inevitability...
But would she truly accept it?
This dishonest, self-denying fool... What should I—
"Maki."
His voice shattered the spiral.
"...Mm."
A fingertip lifted her chin. She trembled as he studied her face.
Ba-dump.
Eyes fluttering shut instinctively—
"Wondering if you'll punch me this time instead of kicking," he teased.
"H-How dare you... you're the one bullying me..."
She weakly thumped his chest.
"Then close your eyes for me?"
His whisper brushed her ear as he leaned closer.
Maki's breath hitched. His gaze swallowed her whole—dizzying, intoxicating.
And somehow... she knew.
Eyelids fluttering shut, she tilted forward.
The kiss was featherlight.
Takakai treated her like glass—each movement patient, guiding the skittish girl through unfamiliar rhythms.
Gradually, he pulled her closer, arms encircling her waist.
Only when Maki grew impatient did he finally rise, carrying her inside.
Thud—
Footsteps echoed like heartbeats.
Despite countless imagined scenarios, reality left her breathless with nerves.
"Scared?" His breath warmed her ear.
"...Don't tease me."
Her murmur blurred between plea and pout.
Thump-THUMP—
Then—the softness of bedsheets beneath her. She curled instinctively, trembling.
"I love you, Maki."
The words melted into her skin with his kiss against her cheek.
"Will you stay with me?"
Dazed, all she could manage was a tiny nod.
The night grew deeper.
Thin mist drifted quietly through the mountain forests, enveloping everything in a dreamlike haze.
Birds and beasts slept peacefully in their nests, curled up for the night.
Insects buzzed noisily, taking flight in the darkness, dancing where no one could see.
A small snake slithered through the grass with soft hisses.
A startled rabbit suddenly jumped out, only to be caught by the pursuing snake, their bodies tightly entwined.
Drops of water fell silently from fruit on the tree branches.
And along the hot spring mountain, the scalding waters continued their daily flow downward.
Plop—plop—
The clear waters fell from the steep slopes, shattering against the rocks and splashing in all directions.
Plop—plop—
Amid the rising steam, the ceaseless flow of water continued its endless descent.
The night carried on.
This cacophony of noise and tranquility continued leisurely, waiting to greet the coming dawn.
Until the light gradually spread and shimmered.
Until the dreamer slowly awoke.
Takakai opened his eyes.
He turned his head to see the disheveled bed and the girl sleeping beside him, her small hand resting lightly on his chest.
He saw her closed eyes, her slightly messy hair, and the strands sticking to her lips.
He saw her trembling eyelids and knew she had already woken up—perhaps she had been silently watching him sleep before hurriedly closing her eyes when he awoke, pretending to still be asleep.
He saw her open her eyes with resignation, her cheeks flushed and expression shy as she instinctively tried to avoid his gaze before stubbornly meeting it head-on, her emerald eyes sparkling like amethysts as she stared unblinkingly at him.
"Takakai-kun, I love you."
The girl gently rested her head against his chest and whispered to him.
"I'm... a coward. A fool who never has the courage to act."
"So... words like these... I probably won't be able to say them again easily. You have to remember them, okay?"
"I love you. I want to stay by your side. I will stay by your side. To me, you're the most important person. These are my true feelings that I want to tell you. You absolutely, absolutely must not forget them, Takakai-kun..."
Her voice trembled with vulnerability, like a plea.
He understood the fragility and fear in her heart at this moment. So he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly once more.
Then, by her ear, he gave her the response she longed to hear.
"Mm, I'll definitely... remember them in my heart."