Chapter 22: Morning After
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting gentle rays over Kazuki's face. He stirred, eyes fluttering open to the unfamiliar sight of Elara's room. For a moment, he lay still, letting the memories of the previous night wash over him — the heat of Elara's body pressed against his, the soft gasps and whispers they'd shared.
A soft rustling sound brought him back to the present. He turned to see Elara sitting up beside him, the bedsheet wrapped loosely around her body, her bare shoulders exposed to the morning light. Her hair was tousled, her cheeks flushed as she met Kazuki's gaze.
"Morning," Kazuki said, his voice husky with sleep.
Elara smiled, a shy, almost vulnerable expression that Kazuki wasn't used to seeing on her. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Better than ever," Kazuki replied, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. "You?"
Elara nodded, leaning into his touch. "Yeah. I did."
For a moment, they stayed like that, just looking at each other in the soft glow of the morning light. But the moment was broken by a loud, familiar voice echoing from the hallway.
"Kazuki! Hey, where are you?!"
Kazuki's eyes widened. "That's Tara."
Elara's expression darkened, her jaw clenching as she pulled the sheet tighter around her. "What is she doing here?"
Before Kazuki could respond, the door burst open, and Tara stepped inside, her eyes immediately locking onto Kazuki and Elara, still tangled together in bed.
"Oh," Tara said, her eyes widening as a slow, wicked grin spread across her face. "Well, well. Looks like I missed quite the party."
Kazuki's cheeks burned as he scrambled to sit up, the sheets pooling around his waist. "T-Tara, I..."
Tara crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe as she eyed them both. "Didn't take you for the type to move so fast, Elara."
Elara's eyes narrowed. "Get out, Tara."
Tara chuckled, pushing off the doorframe as she sauntered closer, her eyes never leaving Kazuki. "Oh, don't worry. I won't interrupt your 'quality time.'" She leaned over the bed, her face inches from Kazuki's as she whispered, "But don't forget, Kazuki. You and I still have unfinished business."
Before Kazuki could reply, Tara straightened, flashing Elara a smug grin before turning on her heel and sauntering out, her hips swaying with every step.
Elara let out a frustrated sigh, dropping back onto the bed and covering her face with her hands. "She's going to make this difficult."
Kazuki reached out, taking Elara's hand and squeezing it gently. "I don't care about Tara. Last night... that was real."
Elara's eyes softened as she looked up at him. "Yeah. It was."
Kazuki leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "And I want more of it."
Elara's lips curved into a smile, her arms sliding around his neck. "Then stay with me."
Kazuki grinned, capturing her lips again as the morning sun bathed them in its warm, golden light.