Morning arrived too gently.
As if it had nothing to do with the night before.
Soft light slipped through the curtains, painting pale gold across the walls of Emi's room. The world outside carried on as usual—quiet, distant, unaware.
But inside—
Something had changed.
Aoki Kokoro hadn't slept.
Not even for a second.
He sat beside the bed, his back slightly hunched, his eyes fixed on Emi Takahashi's face. Even now, long after the episode had ended, he couldn't shake the image from his mind.
The blood.
The trembling.
The fragile way her body had reacted to something as simple as sleep.
"…This is her reality," he murmured.
Not once.
Not rarely.
But again and again.
Every time she closed her eyes.
His hands tightened slightly.
And yet—
She slept.
Peacefully.
As if nothing had happened.
As if her body hadn't betrayed her just hours ago.
Aoki exhaled quietly.
"…How do you do it?"
He didn't expect an answer.
He just—
Stayed.
Watching.
Waiting.
Until—
Her eyelids fluttered.
Slowly.
Gently.
"…Aoki?" her voice came out soft, still heavy with sleep.
"…Yeah."
"You're still here."
"…I said I would be."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"…You didn't sleep, did you?"
"…No."
"…Why?"
Aoki hesitated.
"…I didn't want to."
"That's not a reason."
"…It is."
Emi blinked, studying his face.
"…You look tired."
"I'm fine."
"You're lying."
"…Probably."
She let out a soft laugh.
"…You're really bad at taking care of yourself."
"I'm fine."
"…You said that already."
A small silence followed.
Then—
"…Did it happen?" she asked quietly.
Aoki didn't respond immediately.
"…Yeah."
"…Bad?"
He looked down.
"…Yeah."
Emi closed her eyes for a moment.
"…Sorry."
"Stop apologizing."
"…I always do that, don't I?"
"…Yeah."
She smiled faintly.
"…I can't help it."
Aoki looked at her.
"…Does it hurt?"
She paused.
"…It did."
"And now?"
"…I'm okay."
He didn't fully believe her.
But he didn't argue.
Because arguing wouldn't change anything.
—
They sat in silence for a while.
The kind of silence that wasn't empty.
But full.
Full of things neither of them could say.
"…Aoki," Emi said softly.
"Hmm?"
"…You saw everything now."
"…Yeah."
"…Does it change anything?"
The question lingered.
Aoki thought for a moment.
Then—
"…No."
Emi blinked.
"…Really?"
"Yeah."
"…Even after that?"
"…Even after that."
She stared at him.
As if trying to understand something impossible.
"…You're strange," she whispered.
"…You keep saying that."
"Because it's true."
A small smile.
"…Most people would run away."
"I'm not most people."
"…No," she said softly. "You're not."
—
They eventually moved to the living room.
Emi walked slower than usual.
Her steps careful.
Measured.
Aoki stayed close.
Not touching.
But ready.
Just in case.
"…You don't have to follow me like that," she said lightly.
"…I know."
"Then why?"
"…Just in case."
Emi smiled faintly.
"…You're worried."
"…Yeah."
"That's new."
"…You said that before."
"And I'll say it again."
Aoki sighed.
"…Fine."
She laughed softly.
—
Breakfast was simple.
Toast.
Tea.
Nothing special.
But somehow—
It felt different.
"…This feels strange," Emi said, holding her cup.
"How?"
"Having breakfast with someone."
Aoki blinked.
"…You've never done that?"
"Not like this."
"…I see."
A small pause.
"…It's nice," she added.
Aoki felt something shift in his chest.
"…Yeah."
They ate quietly.
But not awkwardly.
Just—
Peacefully.
—
After eating—
They sat by the window.
The sky was clear now.
As if the rain from last night had never happened.
"…Aoki," Emi said.
"Hmm?"
"…Do you think people can get used to anything?"
He thought for a moment.
"…Probably."
"Even pain?"
"…Maybe."
Emi looked outside.
"…That's scary."
"…Why?"
"Because it means even something like this…" she gestured slightly, "…can become normal."
Aoki didn't respond.
Because he knew—
For her—
It already had.
—
Time passed slowly.
Neither of them checked the clock.
Neither of them mentioned school.
Because somehow—
It didn't matter right now.
"…Aoki."
"Yeah?"
"…Let's skip today."
He looked at her.
"…You sure?"
"Yeah."
"…Okay."
No hesitation.
No argument.
Just—
Agreement.
Because some days—
Were more important than others.
—
They stepped outside together.
The air felt fresh after the rain.
Cool.
Clean.
Alive.
Emi took a deep breath.
"…It smells different."
"…After rain."
"I like it."
Aoki nodded.
"…Me too."
They walked slowly.
No destination.
No plan.
Just—
Walking.
"…What's next on the list?" Aoki asked.
Emi thought for a moment.
"…Holding someone's hand."
Aoki stopped.
"…That one?"
She nodded.
"…Too difficult?"
"…No."
A small pause.
The air felt heavier suddenly.
Not uncomfortable.
Just—
Different.
Aoki looked at her.
Emi looked back.
For a moment—
Neither moved.
Then—
Slowly—
Aoki reached out.
Carefully.
Hesitantly.
And gently—
He took her hand.
Warm.
Soft.
Fragile.
Emi's fingers twitched slightly.
Then—
They held back.
A small squeeze.
"…This is strange," she whispered.
"…Yeah."
"…But nice."
Aoki nodded.
"…Yeah."
They stood there for a moment.
Not moving.
Not speaking.
Just—
Holding hands.
As if time had paused.
As if the world had stepped back.
And left them alone.
"…Aoki," Emi said softly.
"Hmm?"
"…I'm scared."
He tightened his grip slightly.
"…I know."
"But right now…"
"…Yeah?"
"…I'm not."
Aoki felt his chest tighten.
"…Good."
They started walking again.
Hand in hand.
Step by step.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like everything else between them.
Not rushing.
Not forcing.
Just—
Existing.
And for that moment—
That simple, fragile moment—
It felt like enough.
Even if it wouldn't last.
Even if it couldn't.
Because sometimes—
Even the smallest warmth—
Can make the fear disappear.
Even if only for a little while.
And right now—
That was all they needed.