Chapter 19: Accidental Moments ( 19 )
Haruki opened the front door and stepped inside, the house quiet and dim. He knelt down carefully and set Kyouko on the edge of the step to remove her shoes.
She watched him in silence, her heart unsteady—not just from the fever but from how gentle, attentive, and close he was.
Once her shoes were off, Haruki lifted her again without a word, carrying her up the stairs with quiet strength. Kyouko wrapped her arms loosely around his neck, gazing at his face.
He pushed open the door to her room with his shoulder, reached for the light switch, and the warm glow of the lamp filled the space. Haruki moved toward the bed, gently lowering her onto the mattress.
But as he shifted his grip to stand back up—
His foot slipped.
"Ah—!"
In an instant, Haruki lost his balance and fell forward—right on top of her.
Their lips met.
Soft. Warm. Still.
It wasn't a brief brush; it lingered.