Morning arrived far too quickly. Sunlight spilled through the curtains, warm and intrusive, catching Yumi right in the middle of a very dangerous realization—she was still holding Pherrie's hand.
She stiffened. Her fingers twitched. Her heart nearly betrayed her by racing even faster.
Pherrie stirred beside her, eyes opening slowly, lazily, like he had all the time in the world. The moment he noticed their hands intertwined, a slow, wicked smile curved his lips.
"Well," he murmured, voice rough with sleep, "this is new."
Yumi gasped and tried to pull away, but his fingers tightened just enough to stop her—not forceful, just teasingly firm. "Pherrie!"
"Relax, Princess," he said, propping his head up with one hand. "You're the one who didn't let go."
Her cheeks burned. "That's not— I fell asleep!"
"Mmm," he hummed, eyes sparkling. "Convenient excuse."
She finally managed to free her hand and rolled away, burying her face in the pillow. "You're impossible."
"And yet," he replied smoothly, leaning closer, "you keep choosing to stay near me."
That made her go quiet.
Before she could respond, the door burst open.
"GOOD MORNING, LOVE BIRDS—"
Kai froze mid-step. Damian, standing just behind her, went rigid.
The sight before them was… unmistakable. Pherrie relaxed against the headboard, entirely too comfortable. Yumi sat up in bed, hair messy, cheeks pink, eyes wide.
Damian's jaw tightened. "You stayed the night."
Pherrie didn't even look at him. "Observation skills intact, I see."
Kai scoffed, arms crossing. "Wow. That didn't take long." Her gaze lingered on Pherrie, calculating, then flicked to Yumi with something unreadable.
Yumi stood quickly. "Nothing happened."
Pherrie chuckled. "Disappointing confession."
"PHERRIE!"
He laughed outright now, clearly enjoying her flustered state. "I'm joking, Princess. Mostly."
Damian stepped forward, voice low and sharp. "You're doing this on purpose."
Pherrie finally met his eyes, expression shifting—calm, confident, dangerously possessive. "I don't need to try. She chose where she feels safe."
Yumi's chest tightened at that word. Safe.
Damian clenched his fists. "Yumi, come talk to me. Alone."
She hesitated—only for a second.
Pherrie didn't stop her. He only leaned in and whispered, just for her, "Whatever you decide… I'll be right here."
That did it.
Yumi lifted her chin. "There's nothing left to say, Damian."
Silence slammed into the room.
Kai's eyes widened slightly, then she laughed softly. "Oh… this just got interesting."
Pherrie smiled again—slow, teasing, victorious. "Careful, Princess," he said, brushing past Yumi as he stood. "You're starting to sound like you know exactly what you want."
Her heart pounded.
And for the first time, she didn't deny it.