bout half a week had passed.
Nacina and I were walking to school together, like usual.
"So… have you spoken to Shion since that day?" Nacina asked with a teasing tone. Her words hit hard. I bit my lip and shook my head no. It was already hard not to miss him—did she have to bring him up?
"That sucks… but honestly, his reaction was a total confirmation. He must just be busy with college or something. Next time you see him, you should confess!" she encouraged brightly.
"You don't understand... Even if I like him—or if he likes me back—nothing can come of me confessing," I sighed, feeling despondent. He has every reason to reject me. I can't think of a single reason he'd choose to be with someone like me. Being with a human comes with complications...
"Well, it doesn't hurt to try," she said. "I doubt he'd stop being your friend if you confess. Would you stop being his if he turns you down?"
Again, I shook my head no.
"Thought so." She patted my head. "I believe in you. But if you really don't want to confess… maybe I'll just tell him I'm interested instead." She winked.
I gasped. "Please no! I'll tell him. It might not be the next time I see him, but I will!" I hope she wasn't even slightly serious. I don't think I've ever felt anger toward Nacina until now.
"That's my girl," she said with a grin.
So much pressure. Just in case she was serious, I'll keep my word... even if it kills me.
We waved goodbye and split up in front of the school. Will was there today—his nose in a splint and bandages, one eye bloodshot and swollen, and the area he'd been hit still bright red. I avoided looking at him too much. I didn't want to give him a reason to speak to me.
That night, I got ready for bed again—still no message from Serco. I was giving up on hearing from him when there was a knock on my window.
I live on the second floor.
I must be hallucinating. Still, I checked—and there he was. Hovering outside. His beautiful wings were spread wide in the moonlight.
I flung open the window and hissed, "What are you doing?!"
"I wanted to see you," he said with a pained smile. Even speaking looked like it hurt. I looked down—and froze. A large gash ran across his torso. I barely stopped myself from screaming or fainting at the sight of all that blood.
"Get inside. You're hurt," I said, pulling him in. He stepped in quickly and sat down with his back against the wall beneath the window.
"What happened?" I asked, rummaging through my dresser for an old oversized souvenir T-shirt from a beach trip years ago.
"I was in a fight," he said curtly.
I pressed the shirt to his wound to stop the bleeding. Last time he was hurt like this, he healed almost instantly. So… why wasn't it stopping?
He must've noticed the panic in my eyes.
"The person I fought was using a poisoned blade," he explained more softly. "It's a bioweapon made only on Afaria. It weakens my healing."
His breathing was uneven. I touched his forehead—no idea if he had a fever or if he's just normally this warm. That didn't help.
"Hold this in place," I said. When he did, I grabbed pillows to support his back, then snuck downstairs for the first-aid kit. I also skimmed a few articles on treating poison and wounds.
Step one: stop the bleeding and clean the cut.
Luckily, my room has a bathroom. I filled a bottle with warm water, grabbed some soap and a clean washcloth, and returned to him.
That's when I finally noticed—he was shirtless. His injury had distracted me so much that I hadn't registered the rest of him until now.
And now I was blushing. Hard.Keep it together, Akina.
"W-Why don't you go to a hospital?" I asked, trying to sound casual as I lathered the cloth.
"I can't go to a human one. And if I returned to Infaniya, I'd be gone for a while." He looked at me, his voice softer now. "But… I felt it was important to see you first."
Important, he said.My heart skipped. He didn't want to leave without seeing me?
"L-Let me see your cut, please," I murmured.
He moved his hand, and I carefully cleaned the gash. It was clean—long, but straight. It should heal evenly. I tried not to panic at the blood, gently wiping it and applying pressure until the bleeding stopped. Then, slowly, I stitched it shut.
Serco winced but didn't complain. In fact, he looked… relieved. I wrapped it in gauze.
Then he leaned in close, his face just inches from mine.
"Thank you," he said, his voice low.
I dropped my gaze, cheeks on fire."You should still go back to Infaniya," I whispered. "I'm not a doctor, and… I want you to be okay."
Serco cupped my face, gently tilting my chin up until I had no choice but to meet his eyes.
"I will. But… may I stay with you a little longer?" His voice was quiet, almost shy.
I nodded quickly, avoiding his gaze. Eye contact is not safe right now.
"I don't mind," I added, trying not to sound too eager.
He let go of my cheeks but took my hands in his instead.
"Thank you again," he said softly.
Something in his tone—so warm, so unguarded—made my thoughts scatter.I leaned in and kissed his cheek.
The second I did, I froze.I gasped and pulled back, horrified. What was I thinking?!I needed to say something—anything—before this ruins what we have.
His eyes were wide with surprise.
And then—he kissed me.
Really kissed me.His arms wrapped around me, lips finding mine again and again, each kiss deeper, more certain. I melted against him, too dazed to think, too thrilled to stop.
When he finally pulled back, he was smiling. Wide. Pleased.
"Sorry," he murmured. "I lost control for a second there."
His face was still close. My skin tingled where his breath brushed it.
"N-No, I did too. It's okay," I whispered, breathless.I'd never imagined a kiss could feel like that.
Part of me knew I should pull away, but his arms stayed around me—and I didn't want to move.
"Did my actions bother you?" he asked, lifting my hand to his lips.
The kiss on my fingers made me squirm. And his scent—why did he smell so good?
"...I like you. A lot," I confessed, hoping to reassure him.
He chuckled and kissed my wrist."That didn't answer my question. But… hmm, really? I had no idea," he teased, smirking.
I pouted. "What about you? How do you feel about me?"
"I'm not sure…" he said with a mock-serious expression. "I just enjoy kissing people—especially ones I'm not attracted to."
"Don't be a jerk. I want to hear it for real."
He sighed and released my hand. His expression softened.
"Yes. I like you too," he admitted quietly.
"…Are you embarrassed?" I asked, a little too gleeful.
His body temperature spiked.
"Is that a problem?" he growled playfully.
I kissed his cheek again."No. I find it charming. And I hope you'll be comfortable showing me all your feelings from now on."
He kissed my lips—deeper, slower. His tongue teased mine until butterflies exploded in my stomach. He lightly bit my lower lip, then whispered:
"I should go."
He said that… but didn't let me go.
I pressed my hands against his shoulders and met his eyes. "I wish you could stay."
He rested his head against my neck.
"You shouldn't say things like that… I might be tempted to agree."
His lips brushed my skin and I jerked—it tickled.He laughed softly, then finally released me.
I sat across from him, heart still pounding."So… what are we?"
I needed to know. If this was just a fling…
"Lovers," he said simply.
My whole face ignited.
"Do humans kiss people they don't want to be romantically involved with?" he asked.
"W-we-well…" I cleared my throat. "Sometimes."
He tapped his chin. "Strange. Then I guess I should ask if you want to be my lover. Since your kiss wasn't a clear answer."
I flushed deeper. That word again.
"I would like to… but maybe just call me your girlfriend instead of... lover?"
Serco pouted. "I could… but it wouldn't make you blush nearly as much as calling you, my lover." He's doing this on purpose! "We're together now, Akina. And I don't intend on ever letting you go."
Before I could reply, he leaned forward, wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and began gently nibbling on my neck.