POV: Ren
Airi's room was quiet.
Too quiet.
She sat cross-legged on the bed, brushing her hair out slowly in the late afternoon light. Her school uniform had been replaced by a soft lavender dress, and her eyes—warm, bright, and sharp—were watching me carefully from beneath her lashes.
I stood awkwardly just inside her doorway, still clutching the drink I'd brought her like it was a protective charm.
"Come sit," she said sweetly, patting the bed beside her.
My face flushed. "O-okay…"
I sat stiffly, not too close, but not too far either. A safe, polite distance.
She tilted her head and smiled. "You've been quiet today."
"I'm always quiet," I murmured.
"That's true," she said, amused. "But this is next-level quiet. You practically jumped when I held your hand earlier."
"I-I didn't jump. I was just… surprised…"
She giggled, inching closer, until her knee gently bumped mine.
"Ren?" she said in a coaxing tone.
"Yes…?" I answered, far too quickly.
Her smile softened, and then she leaned slightly closer.
"…Kiss me."
My soul evacuated my body.
"I—I—" My words scrambled into a high-pitched squeak. "A-Airi—"
Her eyes twinkled with delight. "You heard me."
"I-I c-can't," I stammered, hands tightening around the cold drink. "Wh-what if you get p-pregnant?!"
She blinked.
Then blinked again.
A pause.
And then—
She burst into laughter so sudden she had to cover her mouth to stop it from echoing through the house.
"Oh my god," she gasped, clutching her stomach, "Ren… it's just a kiss."
My face was already glowing red, but it somehow deepened to a dangerous shade.
"I-I know that!" I said, unable to meet her eyes. "But I—I read that—if you're really close and—and if it's your first—your body might—"
She doubled over again, tears of laughter gathering in her eyes. "You precious idiot!"
I didn't know whether to be offended or relieved.
Airi finally wiped her eyes, then looked at me, warmth overflowing from her expression. "You're really too much sometimes, Ren. Too pure. Too soft."
I swallowed hard, still unable to look directly at her.
"I-I'm sorry…"
"Don't apologize," she whispered, crawling closer across the bed until she sat directly in front of me, our knees touching now. "I love it. I love you."
My heart fluttered violently at those words.
Then she extended her hand to me, palm up. "Okay then. Since kissing my lips is too dangerous for your innocent heart…"
I looked up hesitantly.
"…Then kiss my hand."
I hesitated.
My eyes locked on her hand.
It trembled slightly—not with fear, but anticipation.
Slowly, I leaned forward. Every movement deliberate. Careful. My breath caught halfway, and I nearly backed out.
But her fingers reached out, gently touching my jaw.
And so I closed my eyes.
Softly, reverently, I pressed my lips to her knuckles.
The moment was silent. Breathless.
Airi didn't say anything for a full ten seconds.
Then she whispered, voice low and shaking, "That was… way more romantic than I expected…"
I lifted my head, still flushed.
She looked down at her hand like I'd placed a crown there.
Then she smiled again, this time quieter. More heartfelt.
"Thank you," she said gently. "I love you so much."
"I… I love you too," I whispered, nearly afraid to say it aloud.
We stayed like that, hand in hand, until the sun dipped low and the sky began to bleed orange through her window.
And even though I hadn't kissed her lips…
…I felt like I'd given her my whole heart.
Later That Evening
The walk back home was unusually quiet. The streets were bathed in orange light, but my mind was far louder than the world around me.
I kissed her hand…
I actually kissed her hand…
And she's my fiancée… so maybe that's why it was okay… right?
My heart fluttered all over again. I stopped at a crossing and leaned against the pole, dizzy.
But… what if it's still too much?
What if that's still enough to… to…
I couldn't finish the thought.
I just started walking faster.
At Home: The "Big Question"
When I got home, I went straight to the living room, where my mother was folding laundry and Astraea was lounging on the sofa, reading.
"M-Mom…?" I peeked around the corner.
She looked up and smiled. "Yes, dear?"
"I… I have a question."
Astraea glanced up too, intrigued. "Oh? A question?"
I stepped in, hands clenched at my sides. "If someone… k-kissed… someone's hand…"
My mother paused mid-fold. "Yes?"
"W-would that… get them p-pregnant?"
Dead silence.
Astraea stared. Then blinked.
Then her hand went up to her mouth and she started giggling uncontrollably.
My mother… somehow kept a straight face, but her eyes twinkled.
"Sweetheart," she said gently, "no. Kissing someone's hand won't do that."
"Are you sure?" I asked seriously.
"Absolutely sure," she replied.
Astraea practically collapsed into the sofa cushions, laughing.
"Ren," she wheezed between snorts, "you've ruled entire worlds and you still think that's how it works?!"
My face was crimson. "I-I just wanted to be careful…"
My mother gently walked over and patted my head. "And that's why we love you."
"Love him? I worship this level of innocence," Astraea teased, wiping tears from her eyes. "You're like a human cinnamon bun. I don't even want to corrupt you."
"I'm going to my room," I mumbled, turning away.
"Be careful!" Astraea called after me. "If you kiss your pillow tonight, it might get pregnant too!"
"Astraea!" my mother said sharply, though she was laughing too now.
And as I climbed the stairs, I smiled faintly despite myself.
Maybe being innocent was embarrassing.
But it was mine.
And they let me keep it.