Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, spilling across the quiet room like liquid gold. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, drifting between the golden strands of Toshio Shinji's hair as he stirred awake.
For a moment, everything was still. The air smelled faintly of cherry blossoms, mixed with the subtle aroma of warm tea from the kitchen. It felt like waking inside a dream.
Toshio groaned softly and blinked. His body felt heavier than usual — like someone had replaced his bones with lead. His hand brushed across soft sheets… then met something warm.
He froze.
His gaze drifted downward — and there, asleep beside him, was Airi Hoshizora. Her hair spilled across the pillow like a silken river of midnight, her breathing steady, face peaceful.
For a long moment, Toshio just stared, dazed. Then, very slowly, he muttered,"…Well. This is new."
Airi stirred, mumbling softly, "Five more minutes…" before burying her face against his shoulder.
Toshio's heart skipped. He stared at the ceiling, fighting the smile tugging at his lips.
"Yup. Definitely not a dream."
By the time Airi finally woke up, the sun had climbed higher. She blinked blearily, brushing her hair aside — and then, realization struck. Her eyes widened, and she sat up so fast she nearly hit him.
"T–Toshio?! Why are you in my bed?!"
He rubbed his eyes, half-asleep. "You dragged me here last night after I nearly died, remember? Unless… you've developed sleepwalking kidnapping tendencies?"
Her face turned crimson. "Y-you—! That's not— I mean—"
He chuckled quietly. "Relax. Nothing happened. You just refused to let go of me. I think you were scared I'd vanish in my sleep."
Airi's lips parted, but no words came. She stared at him, remembering the night before — the moonlight, his kiss, the collapsing worlds. Her hands trembled slightly.
"…I was," she whispered.
Toshio's expression softened. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I'm still here."
Her breath hitched. For a heartbeat, the world outside seemed to pause again — no gods, no blood moons, just the fragile pulse of morning peace between them.
Then Toshio grinned. "But I'm starving. You owe me breakfast for saving the universe."
Airi blinked, flustered. "You… what?"
"Eggs. Rice. Maybe miso soup. You know, hero fuel."
Despite herself, she laughed — softly at first, then brighter. "You're unbelievable."
Breakfast and Banter
Airi moved around the small kitchen, tying her apron with quiet grace. Toshio sat at the counter, chin resting on his palm as he watched her. The sunlight through the window made her hair glow faintly.
She glanced back, catching him staring. "You could at least pretend not to ogle me."
He smirked. "Pretend? That's dishonest."
Airi rolled her eyes. "You're incorrigible."
"Hey," he said, leaning forward. "I almost sacrificed my soul for you. The least you could do is let me stare for a few seconds."
Airi blushed and threw a towel at him. "Eat this instead."
The towel hit his face, and he laughed, tossing it aside. "Domestic violence before breakfast. I see how it is."
Despite the teasing, the air between them was light — filled with small laughter, stolen glances, the kind of easy warmth that comes only after surviving chaos together.
When she placed his plate down, Toshio clasped his hands in mock reverence. "Ah, a meal made by a goddess. I might ascend again."
"Eat before I poison it," she said flatly.
He took a bite, eyes widening. "Wow. So this is divine cuisine. I think I just saw heaven."
"Keep talking and I'll make sure you meet it faster," she muttered, but her cheeks were pink.
A Visit from Aya
Just as Toshio finished his third bite, a familiar voice called from the door.
"Airi~! Are you alive in there? The divine energy readings went off the charts last night!"
Airi froze. Toshio groaned.
Aya burst through the doorway — her purple hair tied in a messy ponytail, tablet in one hand, iced coffee in the other. "Oh. Ohhh. What do we have here?"
Her smirk was instant. "Two lovebirds sharing breakfast after a night of cosmic passion?"
Toshio almost choked on his rice. "It wasn't like that!"
Airi buried her face in her hands. "Aya, please."
Aya laughed, sliding into a chair. "Relax, I'm teasing. But seriously — the entire Tokyo barrier system flickered last night. Whatever divine nonsense you two did almost blew up the dimensional field."
Toshio rubbed his neck. "Sorry. Guess we broke the universe. Again."
Aya sighed dramatically. "And I just recalibrated it last week." Then she grinned at Airi. "Still, you look… lighter. Happier."
Airi blinked, surprised. "Do I?"
"Yeah." Aya's eyes softened. "Like you finally stopped running."
Airi smiled faintly, glancing at Toshio. "Maybe I did."
Aya noticed the look and grinned wider. "Awww. Disgusting. I'll leave before I throw up from the sugar."
As she left, she added under her breath, "Try not to trigger another moon prophecy, okay?"
Toshio snorted. "No promises."
Under the Sakura Tree
Later that afternoon, Toshio and Airi walked through the neighborhood. The streets were lined with blooming cherry trees, petals drifting lazily in the spring air.
Airi carried a small bag of groceries, while Toshio walked beside her, hands in his pockets.
It was peaceful. Almost too peaceful.
Toshio exhaled slowly. "You know… it's strange. After everything, this feels unreal. Like the calm before something big."
Airi looked at him. "Do you… want it to be?"
He smiled slightly. "No. I want it to last."
They reached the park where they first met — the bench still under the same sakura tree, petals falling around it like pink snow. Toshio sat down, brushing off a few blossoms.
Airi joined him quietly.
The wind rustled through the branches, scattering petals over their hair. For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Airi said softly, "When you kissed me last night… I saw everything."
He turned to her.
"The past lives, the wars, the promises under the moon. But what stayed with me most wasn't the power — it was how you looked at me. Like I was human."
Toshio smiled faintly. "You were. You are."
Airi blinked back tears. "Do you regret it? Giving up half your life energy for me?"
He leaned closer, resting his forehead against hers. "Not even for a second."
Her lips curved into a trembling smile. "You're really hopeless."
"Hopelessly in love," he corrected.
And then he kissed her — gentle, slow, like the world itself had decided to hold its breath.
Petals swirled around them in the wind, glowing faintly under the setting sun.
When they finally parted, Airi whispered, "Let's not make any more promises to the moon."
Toshio grinned. "Deal. From now on, just earthly promises. Like… who's doing the dishes tonight."
She laughed, and the sound was music.
Evening Reflections
That night, Toshio sat by the window of his room, watching the moon rise — calm, pale, no longer crimson. He touched his chest where the divine seal pulsed faintly.
"Temporary," the whisper had said.
He frowned slightly.
But then Airi's laughter drifted from downstairs, light and free.
He smiled. "Not tonight. Tonight, we're just… us."
He leaned back, closing his eyes as the soft glow of moonlight filled the room.
For the first time in a long while, the silence felt like peace — not an omen.