I woke to the warmth of the sun spilling across the sky, the soft light filtering through the branches of the lone tree. For a moment, I just lay there, eyes half-open, listening to the peaceful sounds of the morning, birds chirping, the wind rustling the leaves. It felt… strange but in the best way. I couldn't remember the last time I'd slept without nightmares or interruptions, without the constant fear of a sudden attack in the dead of night. It was almost too good to be true.
I stretched my limbs, feeling the familiar ache in my back and arms after a long night's rest. But as I moved, I noticed something soft and plump beneath my head. A muffled gasp escaped my lips, and I blinked, confused.
What was I...?
I looked up, and my heart nearly stopped. Yuna's face was right above me, her cheeks tinted with a soft blush as she leaned down.
"Good morning," she teased, her voice light and playful. "That tickles."
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. "Wha...?"
Before I could fully comprehend what was happening, Yuna's soft giggle reached my ears. I tried to sit up in a panic, but her gentle hand on my shoulder stopped me.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked, a playful smile dancing on her lips. Without hesitation, she moved her hand to my head and, with surprising strength, guided me back down. Before I could react, my head rested on her lap, the warmth of her legs replacing the comfort of the tree.
My eyes widened, my face turning crimson. I lay there, stunned, my body tensing. I didn't know how to respond. It had been so long since anyone had been this close to me… not even in my past life when everything was shadowed by bloodshed and danger.
"Yuna…" I managed to mutter, but my voice was soft, almost hesitant.
She looked down at me with a gentle smile, her eyes warm.
"You were so relaxed here, I couldn't resist. It's not every day I get to play nurse."
I tried to sit up again, my hands pressing against the ground, but Yuna's hand gently stopped me once more.
"You really should rest a little longer. You looked peaceful when you were asleep. I don't think I've ever seen you so relaxed before."
My heart pounded in my chest, though I didn't understand why. There was something about her caring touch, this vulnerable moment, that stirred feelings I had long buried. I wasn't used to letting people close, not in this life or the one before.
"Maybe I'm just not used to it," I muttered, trying to play off the awkwardness.
Yuna's fingers brushed lightly through my hair, the motion soothing.
"That's okay," she said softly, her voice full of warmth.
"You don't have to be strong all the time."
I blinked, unsure of what to say or if I even could find the words. There was something about the way she spoke to me that made me feel lighter, like a weight had been lifted off my chest. This moment was precious. It was fleeting, this brief window of peace, but I wanted to hold onto it for as long as I could.
"I've been thinking," Yuna continued, her voice quieter now.
"About what you said last night. That you'd protect everyone. Even though we don't know what's ahead…"
Her fingers gently combed through my hair again.
"You're not alone in that, Tatsuo. I'll be here, too. For you. Always."
My heart thudded in my chest as I stared up at her. The morning sun cast a golden glow around her, and in that moment, I believed her completely. The burden on my shoulders was still there, but somehow, it didn't feel quite as heavy anymore.
I finally found my voice, though it was barely a whisper.
"Thanks, Yuna. I… I'm not used to people saying things like that."
Yuna's smile softened, her eyes full of warmth. Her hand rested gently on my head, and her voice dropped to a quiet murmur.
"Just don't forget, okay? You're not alone."
A faint blush spread across her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, as if embarrassed by the closeness.
My face grew hotter, but I didn't pull away. I felt… comforted. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in so long. It was as if the bond between us, a bond that had transcended lifetimes, was growing even stronger.
For a brief moment, I allowed myself to close my eyes, savoring the peacefulness of the morning. I knew there was much more to come, darkness, challenges, battles, but right now, with Yuna beside me, it felt like we could face it all together.
I lay still, soaking in the serenity surrounding me. The warmth of Yuna's lap, the soft breeze of the morning, and the distant chirping of birds created a moment so tranquil that I wished I could capture it forever. My eyelids grew heavy, and for just a moment, I allowed myself to relax completely, trusting the solace I found here, with Yuna.
But just as I was beginning to lose myself in the tranquility, a voice broke through the silence, teasing and warm.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Sister Mari's voice rang out, a knowing smile lacing her words. She stood at the top of the hill, arms crossed, her eyes twinkling with playful amusement as she took in the scene before her.
My eyes snapped open, and I bolted upright, my face instantly heating up. Yuna's hands instinctively moved as if to push me away, but she hesitated, her gaze flickering nervously between me and Sister Mari.
I felt a rush of embarrassment flood through me, my heart hammering as I struggled to find my voice. The last thing I expected was to be caught like this, especially by Sister Mari.
She chuckled softly, her teasing smile never faltering.
"It's so early in the morning, and you two are already so cozy," she said, her tone playful but gentle.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," she added with a wink, her eyes sparkling with the unmistakable mischief of someone who knew exactly what she was witnessing.
Yuna's face turned an even deeper shade of red, her eyes wide with panic.
"S-Sister Mari!" she stammered, her voice small and flustered.
"We...It's not what it looks like!"
Sister Mari raised an eyebrow, her expression a mixture of amusement and affection.
"Oh? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you've both found a little peace... together," she teased, her voice softening as she turned her gaze to me.
"I'm glad you're finally getting some rest, Tatsuo. You deserve it."
I could only nod, still unable to form a coherent response. I glanced over at Yuna, whose blush hadn't quite faded, and found myself even more embarrassed, but also strangely touched by the moment.
Sister Mari's eyes softened, and she smiled warmly.
"Well, I'll leave you two to it," she said, her tone shifting back to her usual motherly kindness.
"But don't let me catch you skipping out on breakfast!"
With another wink and a soft chuckle, she turned and began to head back toward the orphanage.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, my shoulders finally relaxing. Yuna stayed silent beside me, her hands fidgeting in her lap. The air between us felt delicate, like one wrong word could shatter the moment completely.
Yuna cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "I...I should go," she murmured, her voice more hesitant than usual. She stood up, brushing off her dress before extending a hand to me.
"Let's head back before she gets any more ideas."
Her words were meant to be lighthearted, but I could see the lingering blush on her cheeks, the way she avoided my gaze. I hesitated before reaching up, my fingers brushing against hers as I accepted her help. Her hand was warm, and for a moment, I was hyper-aware of the softness of her skin.
She pulled me to my feet effortlessly, her strength surprising me, given her gentle demeanor. We stood there awkwardly for a moment before she turned on her heel, already starting down the hill. I followed, trying to shake off the strange, fluttering feeling in my chest.
We didn't say much as we made our way back to the orphanage. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it was definitely... different. I found myself stealing glances at her, catching the soft smile on her lips, the way her hair caught the morning light.
For the first time in a long while, I felt like I wasn't so alone. And maybe, just maybe, that would be enough to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
But as we approached the orphanage, the soft murmur of voices filled the dining room as the children sat around the long table, chatting eagerly in anticipation of breakfast. On one side sat the boys, their usual boisterous laughter and loud chatter adding a lively atmosphere to the otherwise modest room. On the other side, the girls carried on with their own conversations, their voices lighter, but no less enthusiastic.
I glanced at Yuna as she moved to join the other girls, her posture slightly stiff, still shaken from Sister Mari's teasing. Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I saw the flicker of a smile cross her lips before she quickly looked away, her blush returning.
I felt my own face heat up again, but I couldn't help the small grin that formed on my lips. Maybe this new timeline wasn't as lonely as I'd thought. Maybe, with Yuna by my side, I could learn to find peace again, even if only for fleeting moments like these.
I took a deep breath and walked over to join the boys, their laughter instantly enveloping me. For now, I would hold onto this feeling. I'd savor it, carry it with me, and remember that even in this new life, there were still reasons to smile.