The night grew deeper.
The streetlights flickered faintly, the pedestrians dwindled, and the lights in the buildings went out one by one—everything became quieter.
Takakai continued to gaze silently at the girl before him.
Maki, however, had already lowered her head shyly, no longer able to meet his eyes.
Thump—thump—
Her heartbeat quickened once more.
What's with this atmosphere? Is he thinking about doing… that again?
Even now, Maki could still vividly recall what happened last month at Takakai's house—how he had pushed her onto the bed, kissed her, and nearly went too far. The memory was so clear, it felt like it had only happened yesterday.
And now, at this very moment, she could feel the same fluttering in her chest as she had back then.
If I stay here any longer… he'll definitely do it, won't he?
Unconsciously, Maki shrank back slightly.
Am I… looking forward to it?
Am I… scared?
Should I try running away again?
But what flashed through her mind instead was the scene from earlier in the hallway—Takakai carrying Chika away in his arms.
She had heard what Chika and Takakai had said before.
"Takakai-kun said in the hallway that he's been holding back for days."
But these past few days, hasn't he been with me the whole time?
Even though he's groped me so many times, he still says he's been holding back? So… he and Chika have already gone that far?
They've only known each other for a few days, and yet they've already done that? That's just… shameless. Completely shameless. How could they be so careless? And after that, he just… gave the rest of the time to me? What is this, pity?
But… if back then, when Takakai-kun was getting intimate with me, I hadn't pulled away… maybe things would be different now… No, what's the point of thinking about this? What I need to figure out is what I should do right now.
If only making a choice were that easy…
Maki's thoughts were a tangled mess.
Her heartbeat only grew faster.
Suddenly, she felt a little resentful toward Takakai beside her—because he wasn't doing anything. He just kept staring at her in silence, as if he had already handed the choice entirely to her.
If only he would just force me again, like last time at his house… then maybe I wouldn't have to struggle like this. I could just… let it happen.
But… if he really did that, would she truly be able to just accept it?
Someone like me—stubborn, unable to face my own feelings—what should I… really do?
"Maki."
His voice called her name softly.
"Mm…"
She responded in a whisper as his fingers brushed against her chin, gently tilting her face upward.
Maki felt her pulse grow even more frantic.
She was almost ready to close her eyes, waiting for his kiss to fall.
But Takakai simply continued to gaze at her, cupping her face in silence.
"What… are you doing…?"
The girl's cheeks flushed as she muttered in protest.
"I was just thinking… last time, you kicked me. I wonder if this time you'll punch me or maybe kick me twice."
Takakai grinned, teasing her.
"W-What kind of nonsense… You're the one who's bullying me…"
Maki puffed out her cheeks, lightly smacking his chest in retaliation.
"Then… close your eyes for me, okay?"
The next moment, his voice lowered, his face drawing closer.
Maki's body trembled again.
She stared into his eyes, feeling as if she might melt into them.
Her breathing grew uneven, her thoughts hazy.
But even so, she knew what she had to do now.
She closed her eyes.
Leaned forward, just slightly.
This kiss was soft.
So very soft.
Takakai kissed Maki's lips carefully, as though handling fragile art—patient, gentle, guiding the easily flustered girl to adjust to this rhythm.
Slowly, he closed the distance further.
His arms wrapped around her slender frame, pulling her close.
Only when Maki began to think he was taking too long did he finally stand, lifting her effortlessly as he carried her inside.
Thud—
The sound of his footsteps echoed like a heartbeat.
Even though she had imagined this moment countless times in her mind, now that it was really happening, Maki couldn't help but tense up again.
"Scared?"
His voice, warm against her ear, carried his breath with it.
"…Don't tease me."
Her reply was barely audible—a murmur that could have been either pleading or coquettish.
Thump—thump—
The sound of her own pulse was deafening.
Then, he laid her down gently on the soft bed, and she instinctively curled up, her body trembling slightly.
"I love you, Maki."
His words brushed against her ear, accompanied by a light kiss on her cheek, melting into her senses.
"So… will you stay by my side?"
He asked in a whisper.
And the girl, already lost in a daze, could only nod softly in response.
The night deepened further.
A thin mist drifted through the mountain forests, wrapping everything in a dreamlike haze.
Birds and beasts slept soundly in their nests, curled up for the night.
Insects chirped noisily, dancing unseen in the darkness.
A small snake slithered through the grass with a quiet hiss.
A startled rabbit leapt out—only to be caught moments later, tangled tightly in the serpent's coils.
Dewdrops fell soundlessly from the fruit on the branches.
And up along the hot spring mountain, the steaming waters continued their eternal flow downward.
Splash—splash—
The clear currents crashed against the rocks, scattering in all directions.
Splash—splash—
Amid the rising steam, the unceasing rush of water carried on.
The night continued.
A night of both noise and silence—tranquil, waiting, ready to greet the coming dawn.
Until, bit by bit, the light began to spread.
Until, little by little, the dreamer awoke.
Takakai opened his eyes.
Turning his head, he took in the slightly 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, the stray strands clinging to her lips.
He saw the faint tremble in her eyelids and knew she had already woken up long before him—that perhaps she had been watching him sleep, only to hurriedly shut her eyes again when she realized he was stirring.
Then, he saw her open them again, resigned.
Her cheeks flushed, her expression shy—first trying to avoid his gaze, then stubbornly meeting it head-on, her bright amethyst eyes glimmering like gemstones as she stared at him unblinkingly.
"Takakai-kun… I love you."
The girl rested her head against his chest, whispering softly.
"I'm… a coward. A fool who can never gather the courage to act."
"So… words like these… I probably won't be able to say them again easily. I might never say them to you again."
"So you have to remember them properly, 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—the things I wanted to tell you."
"You absolutely, absolutely must not forget them… Takakai-kun…"
Her voice was pleading, fragile, filled with hesitation.
He could feel the vulnerability in her heart, the slight tremble in her body.
So he wrapped his arms around her again, holding her tightly.
And then, against her ear, he gave her the answer she wanted to hear.
"Mm. I'll remember them. Always."