The room was dim, the only light a faint glow from the fireplace down the hall that barely reached through the doorway.
Ai lay on her side on the bed, her cheek nestled against the pillow, her long lashes trembling faintly with every slow blink.
Her gaze wasn't on the ceiling or the blankets—no, it was on Shiki.
He sat in the chair beside her bed, elbow propped on the armrest, chin in his palm, looking relaxed in a way that still carried that smug charm.
But he wasn't teasing right now. Not really. His other hand rested out, reaching across the small space between them.
Ai's smaller, softer hand was nestled into his palm. Their fingers weren't interlaced—at least not yet—but the quiet contact was enough to make Ai's chest warm.
Her thumb brushed once across his skin, tentative, as if confirming he was real.
"Shiki?" her voice came out small, soft, almost fragile.
"Hmm?" He tilted his head, studying her with that easy grin.
"Don't log out early. Not like yesterday."
His brows lifted slightly. "Ohh?"
She pouted faintly, her lower lip trembling just a little. "You disappeared before I fell asleep. I… I don't like that. It feels… lonely."
Shiki's smile softened—less of his usual teasing curve, more something warm that reached his eyes.
He squeezed her hand gently. "Alright. I'll wait. I'll stay right here until you drift off, kitten. Promise."
Ai blinked quickly, her cheeks pink. "…Good."
For a few minutes, there was only silence. The faint rustle of blankets when Ai shifted, the warmth of their joined hands.
Ai closed her eyes, trying to will herself into sleep, but the longer she lay there, the more her heart refused to slow down.
She turned her head a little, peeking at him through her lashes. He hadn't moved. Still watching her, still smiling faintly.
"…Shiki?" she whispered again.
His voice was low, amused. "What's wrong, Kitten? Still awake?"
Her lips pressed together before she answered. "…Every time I try to fall asleep, it feels like… you'll logout."
Shiki blinked, and then a chuckle slipped from his lips. "You're worried about me dozing off instead?"
"I'm serious," she mumbled, squeezing his hand harder. Her gaze darted down, away from his. "It's like… if I close my eyes, you'll be gone before I wake up."
His smile softened again. He didn't tease her for that.
Instead, he leaned closer, brushing the back of her hand with his thumb. "I'm not going anywhere, Kitten. Not tonight. Not while you're awake."
Her throat tightened. She nodded faintly but didn't let go of his hand.
Seconds passed. Then, almost too quiet to hear, she whispered, "…C-Can you… hold me? Close?"
Shiki froze. His eyes widened, his posture straightened, and he blinked at her as if his brain had short-circuited. "…Huh?"
Her blush deepened, spreading across her cheeks like fire. She turned her face into the pillow and mumbled, "D-Don't make me say it again."
For a second, Shiki only stared. Then a slow grin spread across his lips. "Well, well… you've gotten bold, kitten."
She peeked out with one eye, glaring faintly. "Shut up."
His chuckle was low, warm, not mocking this time. "Alright then." He pushed himself up from the chair and walked around the bed, sliding in beside her.
The mattress dipped under his weight, and Ai's entire body tensed in anticipation.
He lay on his side, facing her. Now that he was so close, his warmth radiated into her, his scent curling around her nose. He didn't reach for her first. He just waited.
Ai's lips pressed together, her heart hammering.
Slowly—so slowly—she scooted closer, burying her face into his chest. Her free hand clutched at his shirt as if afraid he might vanish.
"…Good now?" His voice was low, amused, vibrating softly against her cheek.
Ai's blush was practically glowing. "Y-Yes."
Shiki chuckled. "You're adorable when you ask for things like this. All shy, yet demanding."
Her pout was muffled against his shirt. "…Baka. Don't tease me."
He tilted his head down, resting his chin lightly on her hair. "Can't help it. You make it too easy."
Her chest squeezed at the gentleness in his voice, and after a moment of silence, she whispered, "Don't you understand yet… how much I like you?"
Shiki's brow arched. His smirk returned, but softer. "Only like?"
Her head jerked up, eyes wide and cheeks burning. "Y-You…!" She puffed her cheeks, glaring with watery eyes before blurting out, "…Fine! I love you, okay?! Now hold me closer, idiot!"
For a moment, Shiki simply stared. Then his grin faded into something smaller, more genuine.
His arm slid around her waist, pulling her gently until there was no space left between them. His lips brushed her hair as he murmured, "…That's better."
Ai's breath caught. She buried her face back against him, her whole body trembling with embarrassment. "S-Shut up."
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other's warmth.
The world outside the room didn't matter—the only thing that existed was the steady thump of Shiki's heartbeat under Ai's ear.
After some time, she whispered again. "…It's been a week."
Shiki hummed. "Since what?"
Her grip on his shirt tightened. "…Since all of this started."
He tilted his head, watching her quietly. Then he nodded. "Feels longer, doesn't it?"
"…Mm." She smiled faintly against his chest. "But it's… nice."
"Yeah." His voice dropped lower, softer. "It's nice."
Silence settled again, but this time it was comfortable.
Their breaths fell into rhythm, and Ai's body slowly relaxed.
Yet, her heart wouldn't stop pounding. Something itched at the edge of her thoughts, something unsaid, unfinished.
She tilted her head up slightly, meeting his gaze.
The dim light from the hall traced the edges of his face, highlighting his dark eyes, his slight smirk, the way he looked at her like she was the only thing worth seeing.
Her breath caught.
"…Shiki?"
"Mm?"
"I… um…" Her voice trailed, her courage faltering.
His brow arched. "Spit it out, kitten."
She gulped, then whispered so softly he almost didn't hear it. "…C-Can I… kiss you?"
For once, Shiki's smirk vanished completely. His eyes widened, and he blinked. "…Huh?"
Ai's face flamed. She buried her face back into his chest, mumbling, "D-Don't make me say it again!!"
Shiki stared down at her, stunned silent. Then, slowly, a smile—different from any before—spread across his lips.
Gentle. Warm. His hand lifted to her chin, coaxing her face up again.
Her eyes widened, trembling under his gaze. "Sh-Shiki…?"
He leaned in, his forehead brushing hers. "Then don't. Let me."
And before Ai could overthink, his lips met hers.
It wasn't deep. It wasn't heated. Just a soft press, tender and fleeting, like the brush of a whisper.
Ai's eyes went wide, her breath catching in her throat as the world seemed to stop around her.
When he pulled back, her face was bright crimson. She stared at him, lips trembling, utterly speechless.
Shiki chuckled softly, brushing her cheek with his thumb. "That counts as your answer, right?"
Her lips trembled. She buried her face into his chest again with a muffled squeak. "…I hate you…"
"Mm. You love me."
"…Shut up."
His arm tightened around her, and she clung to him harder, her blush refusing to fade.
Slowly, finally, her eyelids grew heavy. Her breaths evened out. And for the first time in days, Ai drifted into sleep while wrapped in his arms, their warmth tangled together.
Shiki's eyes softened as he looked down at her peaceful face. He pressed one last feather-light kiss to her hair.
"…Goodnight, kitten."
He held her close, keeping his promise.
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END OF CHAPTER 25: A NIGHT WITHOUT GOODBYE!
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