Chapter 15: Sleep together
Haruto was absolutely exhausted by now. The walk to Jun’s house took about fifteen minutes through the quiet residential streets. Most people were already inside, settling in for the night. Street lamps cast long shadows between the houses, and Haruto found himself checking over his shoulder more than once. Ever since his abilities had awakened, he’d become hyperaware of his surroundings in a way that was both useful and exhausting.
Jun’s house was a modest two-story building with a small garden in front. The lights were on in what Haruto knew was Jun’s room on the second floor. He knocked on the front door, and Jun’s mom answered with her usual warm smile.
"Oh, Haruto! Jun said you’d be coming over to study. Such dedicated students, staying up late like this."
"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Nozomi."
The long day had drained every ounce of energy from his body, and all he wanted was to collapse into Jun’s bed and sleep for twelve hours straight.
But as he lay there in the darkness, his body started to feel strange. At first it was just a general warmth, like he was running a slight fever. Then the warmth became heat, spreading through his limbs and making him restless. He tried to ignore it, figuring it was just stress or exhaustion, but it kept getting worse.
When he woke up, Haruto found Akiko hugging him tightly in her sleep. He was shocked, wondering how she had gotten in, but he didn’t want to wake Jun, so he whispered, "How did you get here?"
Akiko didn’t answer. She remained as mysterious as ever, her silent presence only deepening the enigma surrounding her.
Haruto sighed, trying to try to make her let go.
But Akiko had other plans. She clung to him with a determination that would make a koala proud, her slender arms wrapped around his torso like she was afraid he’d disappear if she let go even for a second.