The kiss ended, but the moment didn't.
David looked into Airi's eyes. She wasn't confused. She wasn't hesitating.
She wanted him.
The system pinged faintly, like a whisper at the edge of reality.
[Quest Complete: Airi's Route Milestone – Emotional Bond Achieved]
Reward: ¥100,000 / New Shop Unlocked / Main Route Branching – Reika Saionji (Parallel World Access Enabled)
But David didn't care.
Not now.
Because Airi pulled him toward the bed, her hand in his. Her voice was soft, but unwavering.
"Stay... just for tonight."
He followed, heart pounding. Clothes were discarded with quiet urgency. Touches lingered longer than necessary, each one an answer to a question they'd both been too afraid to ask.
When they lay skin to skin, there was no awkwardness—only heat, breath, and a weight that made it all real.
David entered her slowly, his hand intertwined with hers, forehead resting against hers. Airi gasped, trembling beneath him.
Her eyes fluttered open. "David…"
The rhythm started slow. Every motion was deliberate, every inch of her explored like a fragile secret.
Her soft moans broke the silence.
"Ahh… y-yes… keep going…"
David bit his lip, trying to pace himself, but her body, her voice—it was driving him wild. He moved deeper, harder, every thrust drawing out another gasp, another cry of his name.
"Mmm... right there… David… faster…"
Her hips rolled beneath him, desperate for more. Their bodies found a rhythm, a fierce and frantic beat that matched the pounding of their hearts.
David groaned, sweat clinging to his skin. "You feel… amazing…"
She moaned louder now, unrestrained. "Ahhh! Yes! Just like that—don't stop! Please!"
The bed creaked, sheets twisted, her legs wrapped tight around him.
"I want all of you," she gasped. "Tonight… just be mine…"
Their skin slapped together, hot and slick. He grabbed her thighs, angled deeper. She cried out—sharp and breathless.
"AHH! D-David—I'm… I'm gonna—!"
She arched her back, head thrown against the pillow, and came hard—shaking beneath him.
The sound of her breaking apart under him—the feeling of her pulsing around him—dragged him over the edge too.
With one final thrust, he groaned her name, spilling inside her, every muscle tensed, eyes squeezed shut.
And then stillness.
Only their breathing filled the room, shallow and fast. Airi's body clung to his, her arms around his neck, her legs refusing to let go.
"I… I love you," she whispered, too soft for him to be sure if she meant for him to hear it.
David didn't say anything.
He just kissed her forehead and pulled the blanket over them.
The system, respectful for once, waited until the moment passed.
Then it returned.
[Parallel World Access Activated]
Route: Reika Saionji – Main Path Unlocked
Notice: Time Freezes in Alternate Routes. This world will pause until return.
David stared at the glowing prompt, lying next to Airi as her breathing slowed in sleep.
He had a choice.
A new world, a new mission.
But the cost was leaving this—this fragile, stolen night with Airi.
He watched her for one more minute. Memorizing her smile. Her warmth.
He whispered, "Thank you... for being my first home in this game."
Then he tapped Accept.
The world shimmered—and froze.
Airi, mid-breath, stilled like a statue. The curtain fluttered one last time, and the wind stopped moving.
David sat up slowly.
A portal opened on the far side of the room.
Cool air flowed from it, and on the other side
David gasped awake.
Panting.
Sweaty.
Alone.
He looked around. Same dorm room. Same pale ceiling. Same old wooden desk.
No Airi. No warm body pressed beside him. No soft breathing. No lingering perfume.
Just the weight of silence—and memory.
He reached to the other side of the bed instinctively.
Nothing.
"...Was it a dream?" he whispered.
Then the system pinged.
Welcome to Parallel World Branch: Reika Saionji Route
Time in Previous Route: PAUSED
Warning: Emotional Entanglement Detected – Heart Progress May Become Cross-Linked
New Objective: Meet Reika – Location: Elite District Plaza (30 min)
David sat up, rubbed his eyes, and groaned.
"This is just like the first day," he muttered. "Except now I've got emotional damage and... post-coital time travel."
He looked down.
Still shirtless.
Still tired.
Still haunted.
"Guess we're doing this again," he sighed, swinging his legs out of bed.
The game had reset.
But he hadn't.
Not even close.
"Let's get started"