Volume 1 – Chapter 14

I woke up without opening my eyes. Just… listening.
Breathing – calm, warm, close.
Beneath my cheek – his chest. Beneath my hand – his T-shirt.
Above my head – his arm, wrapped around me like I’m the most precious thing in this home.
And maybe… I really am?

I peek open one eye. Then the other. Slowly – afraid to scare this miracle away.
He’s asleep. My Senpai…

His face is relaxed. A faint smile on his lips – like he’s dreaming about… me.
I hope it’s me.

I lift myself just a little. And watch. Just watch.
He really is beautiful. No filters. No poses. Just… him. And it makes my heart ache in the softest way.

I can’t resist. Quietly, almost in a whisper:
– Are you really here?.. Sleeping in my arms?.. In my bed?..
My heart jumps so wildly it almost hurts. I reach out and gently run my fingers through his hair. Soft. Messy. So impossibly soft.

Then my fingertips trace his cheekbone. He stirs slightly in his sleep, and I laugh – softly, into my palm.

And then… I don’t know why. I just want to. I nuzzle into his neck and breathe him in.
That scent – his scent. Quiet. Familiar. So mine.

– Remember it, – I whisper. – Remember this, Mirai. He’s your person.

For a moment, a wave of shy warmth washes over me. It feels almost too intimate, too sweet.
But so what? He’s my boyfriend! Right?.. Right?..

I glance up. He’s still asleep.
Then, carefully, I touch his lips with my fingertip – slow, gentle.
Remembering how he kissed me last night. How every touch felt like a promise to stay.

– I really love you, – I whisper. – And maybe I’ll say it a hundred times. Or a thousand.

And then… his eyes open. Slowly. Warmly. As if he already knew I was here, waiting for this moment.
He looks at me. Smiles.
– Good morning…

My heart drops straight to my stomach. I smile back, hiding my face.
– Goooood morning…

– If this is a dream, – he murmurs, – don’t ever wake me up.

I blush. Laugh. Move a little away.
– Then I must be dreaming too. Because things like this don’t happen in real life.

He smiles. And we both laugh.
Just lying there. Under the blanket. In my bed. The whole world somewhere beyond the door.

…

– Um… hey, – I begin a few minutes later, pressing my forehead to his shoulder. – So are we… like… actually dating now?

He looks at me, surprised.
– Aren’t we? You confessed first, didn’t you? You kind of… started it.
– I… I don’t remember! – I squeak. – I was so nervous I’m not sure if I said it out loud! In my head it was just “I love you,” and then – blur!

He laughs softly, brushing his hand through my hair, then says in the gentlest voice I’ve ever heard:
– Mirai, I love you with all my heart. As much as a person can love. Will you be my girlfriend?

I don’t even hesitate.
– Yes!

We both burst out laughing. He pulls me tighter into his arms.
– Well then, – he whispers, – it’s official now. We’re together.

Then he kisses me again. Warmly. Slowly. As if we have all the time in the world.

…

I’m floating. Looking up at the ceiling while resting on his chest. Thinking:
How silly I was to even ask. Of course we’re together. Of course he loves me. Just look at how he looks at me…

And most of all – how kind he is. How gentle. He didn’t laugh. He didn’t get awkward. He just said it again.
He chose me.

I love him. So, so much.

I press against him again. He wraps me in his arms, holding me as if he’s afraid to let go.

And that’s how we stay – until morning comes.
Under one blanket.
With one heartbeat.