Chapter 4 – The Shared Blanket

The wind howled outside the cottage, rattling the shutters and sending curls of frost across the windows.

Inside, the fire crackled steadily, but the chill still crept in—thin and sharp, like it was searching for warmth to steal. Kaito rubbed his hands together, breath misting in the dim light of the hearth.

Lyria returned from her bedroom holding a folded wool blanket in her arms.

“The temperature’s dropping faster than usual tonight,” she said, setting it gently on the chair by the fire. “It’ll be colder before dawn.”

Kaito nodded. “We’ll be alright, though… right?”

She hesitated.

“I only have one spare blanket,” she said, looking at him, then glancing quickly away. “The one I gave you yesterday is already on your bed.”

“Oh,” he said, then immediately shook his head. “That’s fine. I can sleep by the fire tonight. You take the bed.”

Her brows pinched. “You’re still recovering. You should be warm.”

“Then I’ll sit here by the fire,” he said, gesturing to the floor with a grin. “See? Problem solved.”

She stared at him for a long moment. Then, after a quiet sigh, she walked over to the fire and sat down.

“I’ll sit, too,” she said. “At least until it’s warmer.”

Kaito blinked. “Together?”

Lyria’s eyes narrowed just slightly, as if daring him to make a joke.

He didn’t. He just nodded and sat beside her.

The blanket was thick, and just wide enough for two if they sat shoulder to shoulder. They draped it around their backs like a cape, edges tucked just over their legs. The fire flickered in front of them, casting long shadows on the cottage walls.

For a while, they said nothing. Just listened to the wind outside and the soft snapping of embers.

Kaito risked a glance at her.

Lyria’s eyes were half-lidded, reflecting the firelight. Her long hair shimmered in the glow, and a strand had fallen across her cheek. She looked peaceful… but tired. Maybe she was always tired, but just never showed it.

He shifted slightly, trying not to disturb her, but she leaned—just a little—closer.

Minutes passed.

Then, without a word, her head slowly tilted and came to rest gently on his shoulder.

Kaito froze.

His heart started racing in his chest like it had been startled awake.

He didn’t move. Didn’t even breathe too loudly.

Her hair brushed against his neck. Her body was warm beside his. And her breathing was soft, steady—completely at ease.

He glanced down at her sleeping face. The lines in her brow had vanished. Her lips were parted slightly, relaxed. She looked… vulnerable. Human.

Not the distant healer. Not the mysterious magical girl.
Just Lyria.

He leaned his head back carefully, trying not to disturb her. The fire crackled and popped, throwing sparks against the stone hearth. The wind outside howled again—but inside, wrapped in the blanket, everything felt still.

Kaito smiled.

He didn’t know what tomorrow held. He didn’t know why he was here, or how long this strange peace would last.

But in that moment—sitting by the fire, Lyria asleep on his shoulder—he felt warm.