Night had fallen over the forest.
After making sure Yuno was comfortable, Asta stepped outside and contacted Sister Lily through his communication device.
Asta: Sister, Yuno's staying with me tonight.
Sister Lily: With you?
Asta: Yeah. He's still weak, and I don't think he should travel back tonight.
There was a short silence.
Sister Lily: Alright. Take care of him.
Asta: I will.
Sister Lily: And Asta?
Asta: Yeah?
Sister Lily: Don't cause trouble.
Asta: I never cause trouble!
Sister Lily: Good night, Asta.
The communication ended.
Asta stared at it.
Asta: ...She definitely doesn't believe me.
A little later, Asta returned with food.
Yuno had changed into one of Asta's spare outfits.
Surprisingly, it fit perfectly.
Asta stared for a second.
Asta: Huh.
Yuno: What?
Asta: Nothing. It fits you.
Yuno looked down at the clothes.
They carried Asta's familiar scent.
For some reason, Yuno found himself smiling.
Yuno: They're comfortable.
Asta: Keep them tonight.
Yuno looked at him.
Yuno: ok
They sat down and ate together.
After dinner
Yuno made one decision very quickly.
He positioned himself close to Asta.
Not touching.
Just close.
About fifteen centimeters away.
Asta noticed.
He understood exactly why.
After everything that had happened, Yuno didn't want to be alone.
Asta didn't tease him.
Didn't comment.
He simply stayed there.
Asta: You okay?
Yuno: Yeah.
Asta: Good.
After dinner, they prepared the small sleeping area.
Asta lay down on one side.
Yuno lay beside him.
The shelter became completely quiet.
Yuno stared at the ceiling.
He remembered Asta's words from earlier.
"If it's you, I'd probably let you."
His face became warm.
Yuno's thoughts: That wasn't an ordinary sentence.
He turned toward Asta.
Asta was already asleep.
Completely peaceful.
Yuno's thoughts: How can he sleep so easily after everything that happened?
Yuno smiled faintly.
Then he closed his eyes.
Eventually, sleep came.
Hours later
Yuno suddenly jolted awake.
His breathing became uneven.
For one terrifying second, he thought he was back in the place.
The darkness.
The helplessness.
The feeling of being unable to move.
He sat upright.
Yuno: Ah...
His heart raced.
He looked around the shelter.
Nothing.
Nobody.
Only Asta.
And Asta was still sleeping.
Completely undisturbed.
Yuno stared at him.
Yuno: Seriously...?
Asta didn't move.
Yuno slowly lay back down.
He turned toward Asta.
Watching his sleeping face somehow calmed him.
His breathing gradually slowed.
Then Yuno remembered something Sister Lily had told him earlier that day.
Past
Sister Lily: Yuno, someday you'll probably meet someone special.
Yuno: Someone special?
Sister Lily: A partner.
Yuno had been curious despite himself.
Yuno: How do you know if you really like someone?
Sister Lily smiled.
Sister Lily: Sometimes, your heart tells you before your mind does.
Yuno: That's vague.
Sister Lily: If you like someone, you might feel butterflies when you look at them.
At present
Yuno looked at Asta.
Thump.
His heart skipped.
Yuno's thoughts: Butterflies...
Tick
Past
Sister Lily had continued.
Sister Lily: And sometimes, when that person gets close to you, you'll feel unusually warm.
Present
Yuno remembered the river.
Asta holding him.
His face became bright red.
Yuno's thoughts: That happened.
He covered his face with his hands.
Yuno: No way...
Tick
Past
Then he remembered another thing Sister Lily had said.
Sister Lily: But those signs aren't always enough.
Yuno: Then how do I know for sure?
Sister Lily had smiled mischievously.
Sister Lily: Come here.
Yuno had reluctantly leaned closer.
She whispered something into his ear.
Sister Lily: The biggest sign is when you touch that person , just a slight touch ,you will feel like wanting more
Yuno's face had turned completely red.
Yuno: Sister!
She had simply laughed.
Sister Lily: I'm teasing you.
Present
Now, lying beside Asta, Yuno remembered those words.
He looked at Asta again.
To be continued...