Beyond The Moon

I never realized this before… 

What are my feelings towards her?… 

Why do I feel like I'm betraying someone… 

Uguisu-senpai? No… not her… 

Who…? 

"Himeya"??? 

"Himeya…!"???

Someone was calling my name, pulling me out of my thoughts. 

Twip 

"Ouch, ouch, ouch… it hurts," I mumbled as I woke up to reality, rubbing my eyes. 

"Finally…" 

I looked up and saw her—Touka. She was smiling at me, her usual playful grin stretching across her face. 

"Took you long enough to wake up," she said, teasing. 

"I was just… thinking about something," I replied, trying to shake off the lingering fog of my thoughts. "So, what's the reason you called me, Touka?" 

"We've arrived," she said, glancing out the train window. 

"Oh…" I muttered, glancing around as the station platform came into view. 

"Hiro and the others were calling for you, but you just sat there, completely spaced out. It was like you turned into a zombie! Hahaha," Touka laughed, poking fun at me. 

"…Ugh… Let's get off the train," I said, trying to ignore the embarrassment creeping up my cheeks. 

"Yeah, let's go," she replied with a shrug. 

As we stepped off the train, we were greeted by Uguisu-senpai, who was waiting nearby. 

"There you are," she said, giving a slight wave. 

"Sorry for dozing off, Senpai…" I apologized, rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly. 

"Hehh, you call that sleeping?" Touka snickered beside me. 

"Shut it…" I muttered, shooting her a quick glare. 

"Fhuhu. Well, it looks like everyone else has already headed home. Let's go back to ours," Uguisu-senpai suggested with a gentle smile. 

"Senpai, you can go on ahead. I have something I need to talk about with him," Touka suddenly interjected. 

"Huh…?" I blinked in surprise, not expecting her to say that. 

"Ah, alright then. I'm heading off. See you both later," Senpai said as she turned and walked away from the station, her figure gradually disappearing into the crowd. 

Once Senpai was out of sight, Touka suddenly grabbed my hand, her grip firm and unyielding as she pulled me along. 

"…Touka…?" I started, bewildered by her sudden actions. 

"Just shut up and follow me…" she said curtly, her voice carrying an unusual seriousness. 

I followed her without protest, feeling the cool breeze of the evening as she led us to the seashore, not far from the station. The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the silence between us. 

"Sit down," she ordered, pointing to a spot near the edge of the sand. 

"Alright…" I complied, lowering myself to the ground, the sand cool beneath my hands. 

For a moment, she said nothing, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. 

"What are we doing here?" I finally asked, breaking the silence. 

"I have something to ask you," she replied, still not looking at me. 

"Uh… okay?" 

"What do you think of Uguisu-senpai?" she asked, her voice steady but with an undertone I couldn't quite place. 

'Uguisu? Since when did they get close?' I wondered, caught off guard by the question. 

"She's… a nice senpai?" I answered, unsure where this was going. 

"Just that?" she pressed, finally turning to face me, her expression unreadable. 

"Y-yeah… What's wrong with you today, Touka?" I asked, growing more confused by the second. 

She fell silent, her eyes searching mine as if trying to find the answer to a question she couldn't bring herself to ask.

"Touka?" I called her name, my voice gentle. 

"I… I want to spend more time with you," she finally said, her voice soft but determined. 

"…W-what?" I stammered, caught completely off guard by her confession. 

"I said it already, I want to be with you more," she repeated, her eyes locking onto mine, unwavering. 

Her words hung in the air, carried by the gentle sea breeze. I could see the vulnerability in her eyes, a side of her she rarely showed.

I let out a slow breath, trying to process everything. "…Alright," I said, nodding slowly as I looked out at the sea. "Let's enjoy the scenery here…" 

Touka smiled softly, her grip on my hand tightening just a little. As we sat there, side by side, watching the waves dance under the setting sun, I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me, as if for once, everything was exactly as it should be.

"Himeya…"

"What is it?"

"Thank you…"

...

"You're kinda strange today, haha."

"You think so…? Uh, yeah, I guess I feel the same way…" she said, her voice trailing off as her eyes wandered to the sky. The sky was painted in warm hues of orange and pink, casting a serene and magical glow over the tranquil scene. She seemed to be bathed in the gentle colors of the setting sun, making her look almost ethereal.

She looked at me and then smiled softly.

"I'll think about it…" she said.

"About what?" I asked, tilting my head in curiosity.

"Asking for your feelings," she replied, her voice quiet yet firm.

…

Huh…

"What did you say?" I asked, still trying to process her words.

"I think you're the right person…" she said, her tone filled with a certainty that caught me off guard.

"…."

"Himeya, I'm transferring," she suddenly said, her voice trembling slightly.

"…Huh? What do you mean by transferring?" My heart skipped a beat as her words sank in.

When I heard she was about to transfer to another school, a mix of sadness and anxiety washed over me, leaving my heart heavy with the uncertainty of what the future held for us. Even though I knew the reason behind her transfer, the reality of it felt too harsh to accept.

"I will leave this place… and go far… far away…" she said, her gaze distant as if already looking towards the place she was headed.

"…When will you leave?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"In two days…" she replied.

"Don't leave…" I pleaded, the words escaping me before I could stop them.

"It's impossible… I have to go," she said, her expression pained yet resolute.

"Let's have a date then, tomorrow," I blurted out, grasping at straws.

"Huh? Why, suddenly?"

"It hurts not to say goodbye properly, and I want to make a beautiful memory with you," I explained, my heart pounding.

"Himeya…"

"We can ask Hiro, senpai, and the others to come too. It will be fun!" I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"No, just you… just Himeya," she said, her cheeks glistening with tears that had started to fall.

"Then just me is fine…"

"…hic…hic…"

"Touka…" I said softly as I reached out and pulled her into a hug. She felt so fragile in my arms, as if she might break at any moment.

Touka was murmuring something, her words lost between sobs.

"…Touka…"

As she cried, time seemed to blur, the weight of the moment sinking in. The sun dipped lower, painting our surroundings in a deepening shade of twilight, matching the sorrow that hung between us.

"Let's go home… do you want to have dinner at my house?" I asked, my voice gentle.

"Yeah…" she nodded, her eyes red from crying, but there was a faint smile on her lips.

We went back to school to grab my bike, and I rode us to my house. When we arrived, my mother greeted us at the door.

"Welcome home, Himeya and… Touka-chan," my mother said warmly.

"We're home…" I replied.

"Forgive me for the intrusion," Touka said, bowing politely.

"Ara, don't be so formal with me, okay, Touka-chan," my mother chuckled.

"…Mom," I mumbled, slightly embarrassed.

"Fhuhu, sorry."

We entered the house, and Haruka immediately popped up from her room.

"Ah, welcome back, Meyyaaa!" Haruka chirped.

"Here's the souvenir," I said, handing her a small package.

"Wow, a hairpin… thank you, my dear little brother!!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

Touka was a bit nervous at first, but seeing Haruka's easygoing nature, she quickly relaxed and acted like she was at home.

"Heh?"

"It's true that we really are brother and sister, right, Mom?" Haruka said, looking at our mother with a teasing grin.

"About that… actually…."

"Hey, don't joke about that. And you still call yourself our mother," Haruka pouted.

…

"By the way, Himeya, I thought that Touka-chan would have dinner with us next week. Why the sudden visit?" my mother asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh… that's…" I hesitated, unsure how to explain.

"I'm just curious about you, ma'am, hehe," Touka jumped in, saving me from having to answer.

"Oh, my… what a nice girl we have here," my mother smiled at Touka warmly.

"Beautiful…." Touka murmured, and I wasn't sure if she meant to say it out loud or if it just slipped.

"Huh?"

"Sorry, I…" Touka looked flustered, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

"It's okay… Touka-chan, please take care of our Himeya," my mother said, her tone gentle but earnest.

"M-Mom!" I stammered, surprised by her words.

"What? She's beautiful, don't you think?" my mother teased.

"Uwah Himeya, that's rude, ya know," Haruka said, poking me playfully.

"I don't want someone with no partner to tell me that…" I shot back.

"…Himeya, you idiot, hmph," Haruka pouted, crossing her arms.

"Fhuhu, yeah, I'll take care of Himeya," Touka said, smiling at me. It was a smile that carried a mix of sadness and fondness, and for a moment, I felt like she was teasing me.

"I'm in your care now," I said, trying to match her teasing tone.

"Wh-" Touka blinked, clearly surprised by my response.

"Fhuhu, what a couple we have here," my mother said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"…Give me a break, will ya…" I muttered, slumping back in my chair.

After dinner, Touka continued chatting with my mother, their voices a soft murmur in the background. I couldn't make out what they were talking about, but I felt like an outsider to their conversation.

Ring-Ring

The sudden sound of a notification pulled me from my thoughts. I took out my phone and saw a message—it was from myself, from the future.

[How did it go?] 

[Not that well.] 

[Promise me again, you'll save Touka.] 

[Just tell me the reason behind that.] 

[Don't ever give up on her, okay?] 

[Why would I ever give up on her?] 

[That's good to hear.] 

[You're still not telling me the reason.]

I waited, but no more messages came. I stared at the screen, hoping for more, but it seemed like the conversation was over for now.

"Sorry for making you wait. Let's go," Touka said, appearing beside me with a small smile.

We stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against us. I climbed onto my bike and she got on behind me. As I rode, the city lights blurred past, the hum of the engine the only sound between us. I escorted her to her home—or rather, her apartment.

When we arrived, she dismounted and faced me, her eyes shimmering in the dim light. "Thank you. Once again, you've escorted me and given me some beautiful memories."

"I'll always be here if you need me," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"…Himeya… yeah, I know that." She smiled softly, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Well… I have to go now. Don't forget about tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah… See ya."

"See ya," I said, watching as she entered her apartment building. I lingered for a moment, then turned my bike around and headed home, the weight of her smile lingering on my mind.

The next day, I woke up early, excitement and nerves twisting in my stomach. I sent a message to Touka. 

[I'm on my way to the aquarium.] 

She read the message almost immediately, but there was no reply.

…

"Why isn't she answering…?" I muttered, glancing at my phone for the umpteenth time.

I arrived at the aquarium and waited. Hours passed. 

[I'm still waiting for you.] 

Two, three, then four hours went by. People came and went, families with kids, couples holding hands, but there was no sign of Touka. The realization started to sink in—I might never see her again. She might disappear from my life today, just as I'd always feared.

I had thought that maybe I could change things, that today wouldn't be the day. But even as noon passed and the sun dipped lower in the sky, she still didn't show up. I knew Touka had read the messages. I knew she wasn't coming, and yet, I clung to the hope that she would. So I kept waiting, watching the flow of people around me shift from excited visitors entering to tired guests leaving.

It was around 3 p.m. now. The last admission was at 4 p.m., and even if she came now, there wouldn't be much time left to explore. More people were heading towards the exit, the day winding down, and still, there was no message from her.

"We regret to inform you that the aquarium will be closing in just 5 minutes. We hope you've had a fantastic time exploring the wonders of the underwater world today!" The cheerful voice of the announcer echoed through the area.

"She's not coming…" I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips.

I felt strangely calm, almost resigned. There was no anger, no frustration, just a deep, aching loneliness. I walked away from the aquarium, my feet carrying me to the shore nearby. I sat down on the cold sand, the wind tugging at my clothes.

"Cold…" I shivered, rubbing my arms. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the beach, and the wind picked up, swirling the sand around me in tiny eddies.

My future self had told me not to give up on her. But was that just his wishful thinking? Or was it my own desperate desire not to face regret? As I stared out at the churning waves, I couldn't help but wonder if I had missed something, if there was still something I could do. The line between determination and delusion blurred in the fading light, and I was left alone with the quiet sounds of the sea and my unanswered questions.

"Regret, huh…" I murmured, feeling the weight of the word.

If only I had realized it sooner. I wish I had been kinder to you. If only I had worried more, cared more deeply. If only I had focused on you instead of everything else...

Time passed as I began walking toward the parking lot where my bike was parked. Each step felt heavy, as if the world itself was pressing down on me.

"That was the last time, wasn't it?" I whispered to myself, the reality settling in like a cold, unwelcome guest. I would have never thought that last night would be the final time I spoke to her.

Still, there was no anger toward Touka... or maybe, I just hadn't felt it yet. Maybe the numbness would wear off eventually.

"I wonder if I'll start crying someday…" I mused, staring blankly at the pavement. When the realization truly sinks in—that I'll never see Touka again—maybe then the tears will come.

"Hm?" My thoughts were interrupted by a flickering light in the direction of Enoshima Ohashi Bridge. It wasn't the usual glow of car headlights or the steady beam of a boat's light.

At first glance, the flickering seemed random, but the more I looked, the more I sensed a pattern—deliberate, calculated.

"That's… Morse code…?" I muttered, squinting into the distance. The dots and dashes played tricks on my eyes, but something deep inside urged me to move.

I quickly got on my bike and raced toward the bridge, my heart pounding with a mix of hope and dread.

When I arrived, I stopped and stared, unable to find the words. The scene before me left me speechless.

When I came face to face with Touka, who was standing on the bridge, my words caught in my throat. The silence between us stretched, heavy and awkward. Touka looked just as uncomfortable, her eyes darting away as if she couldn't bear to meet mine.

"Why did you notice it…?" she finally asked, her voice quiet and strained.

"Of course, I'd notice it right away," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I was thinking of not seeing you again," she admitted, her gaze still avoiding mine.

"I also thought I'd never see you again," I said softly.

"But you came after all," she murmured, almost to herself.

"I saw you standing since this morning," she continued.

"Huh?"

"I saw you at the aquarium entrance since 9 o'clock," she said, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Then, why didn't you call out to me?" I asked.

"I told you, didn't I? I wasn't planning on seeing you again," she said, her tone a mixture of frustration and resignation.

"But…I didn't think you'd actually be waiting all day…" she added, her voice softer now.

"I told you, I'd wait until you arrived," I said firmly.

"That was dumb…really…doing something like that for me…" she muttered, her tone carrying a trace of irritation.

"Touka, you're so stubborn…it almost makes me feel sorry for you. That's why I ended up sending you that Morse code message," she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"I didn't really understand what it meant though," I admitted with a light smile of my own.

"How long are you going to wait, idiot?" she said, her voice a blend of exasperation and affection.

"Eh…is that what it meant?"

"I wanted to send you a proper sentence…but it was so hard that I just used one word—idiot…"

"That's… it's just a mean word, huh," I said, scratching the back of my head.

"I thought you wouldn't notice," she confessed, finally meeting my eyes.

"Still, I thought it was okay, so I sent it…"

"Why did you even notice it, idiot?"

"You could say it was the power of love?" I said, half-joking.

"That kind of line doesn't suit you," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, I was just saying that. I didn't really mean—"

Suddenly, Touka started laughing, a light, almost melodic sound. "Pfft… Fuhuhu… Fuhuhuhu…"

"Haha…haha…" I couldn't help but join her. It had been so long since I'd seen Touka smile like this, so long since we'd laughed together. Even though it was just a small moment, it made me incredibly happy.

Yeah… I thought I could say it now. I felt like I could finally be honest about my feelings.

"Touka," I said, taking a step closer.

"Hmm…?"

"I like you," I confessed, my heart pounding.

She didn't say anything, but her cheeks flushed a deep red.

"I've actually been thinking about it a lot… how to say it so you'd really understand how I feel," I said, my words tumbling out. "I was trying to figure out the perfect way to tell you, something that would make you emotional… make you cry… and make you… respond to my feelings."

"But… when I saw your face, all those plans just disappeared."

"So, this is all I can say…" I took a deep breath. "I love you, Touka."

Touka lowered her gaze, her face still flushed, and didn't respond. The silence stretched on, almost suffocating.

"…Say something, will you?" I urged, my voice cracking slightly.

Suddenly, Touka looked up at me, her eyes shining with a mix of emotions I couldn't quite read.

"My place… wanna come?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Eh…" I blinked, caught off guard by her unexpected invitation.

We both rode my bike to her apartment. The journey was quiet, filled with the soft hum of the bike engine and the occasional cool breeze brushing against our faces. When we arrived, Touka quickly unlocked the door and gestured me inside.

"Come in," she said, her voice calm but with an underlying edge of fatigue.

"S-sorry to bother you…" I mumbled as I stepped inside, trying not to let my nerves show. Her apartment was surprisingly bare, with hardly any signs of life. The room was stripped down to the essentials—just a bed, a small table, and a couple of chairs. There were no decorations or personal touches, no warmth. It felt more like a temporary lodging than a home.

No, more than anything…

"…Were you planning to move?" I asked, glancing around the room. From the state of things, it seemed plausible, but something about it felt off.

Touka looked at me with a quizzical expression. "Hmm?"

"Oh…that's a lie," she admitted with a faint smile.

She confessed so openly, almost casually. I knew it was a lie, but hearing her say it so plainly left me unsure how to respond.

"…Why?" I asked, still not entirely sure what was happening.

"I've told you before, haven't I? I never intended to see you again," she replied with a slight shrug. "I wasn't planning on going to school either, so I thought it would be easier just to tell you I was moving."

"B-but there's still a chance you'll run into others around town, right?" I stammered, trying to grasp her reasoning.

"There's no way anyone would care about me even if I did," she said bluntly.

I nodded slowly, piecing together her mindset. "That's why you didn't plan on making friends…huh."

"Correct," she affirmed, crossing her arms as if sealing the truth of her words.

"There's got to be a reason behind that, right?" I pressed gently, hoping to get her to open up more.

"Reason…? Hmm..." Touka mused for a moment. "Well, there is something I want to do."

"What is it?"

"Rather than that, why don't you sit down first?" she suggested, pointing to the floor.

I sat directly on the cold floor, feeling a bit awkward. As I looked around, my eyes landed on a large photo of a woman hanging on the wall. The woman looked familiar.

"Oh, that's my mom," Touka said, noticing where my gaze had fallen. "She died last year."

"…I see." The words hung heavy in the air, difficult to respond to. It was as if Touka had no filter, casually throwing out information that felt intensely personal.

"She was very religious right up until she passed, and it made things… hard," Touka continued, her tone nonchalant. "Oh, I never told you this, did I?"

"N-no, you didn't…"

"Well, just between you and me, there's a part of me that's glad she's gone."

I was taken aback by her bluntness, and the room grew colder.

"I'm joking, fhuhu," she laughed, though the humor didn't quite reach her eyes.

It was hard to react, to know what to say in response to something like that.

"What about your father?" I asked, trying to navigate the conversation.

"Hmm… I only had one parent," she replied, her expression unchanging.

"So… you've been living here alone?" I asked softly.

"Yep. For now, my aunt is technically my guardian, but she's a pretty hands-off kind of person," Touka explained. "Which means I pretty much get to do whatever I want."

"I see… That sounds kind of lonely," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"When my mom died, and with my dad out of the picture, I honestly thought there was no point in going on," she admitted, her voice devoid of emotion as if recounting the weather.

"Hey… don't say things like that," I said, feeling a knot tighten in my chest.

"Shouldn't I?" she asked, tilting her head.

"I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't say stuff like that in front of someone who just confessed to you," I said, trying to keep my tone light.

Touka chuckled softly. "Ahaha, fair enough. But don't worry, I don't plan to die just yet!" she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Yet…? That still doesn't sound reassuring," I muttered.

"Ah, is that so? Well then, I have no intention of dying at the moment," she said, shrugging her shoulders.

"That's… not much better," I sighed.

"Anyway, there's something I need to do first! That's why I can't die until I've done it."

"Huh…?"

"You want to know what it is, right?" Touka's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, like a child eager to show off a secret.

"Well, if you're willing to tell me…"

"Sure, I'll tell you. If Himeya is interested, I'll spill the beans," she said, giving me a sly smile.

After a brief pause, she opened the closet and rummaged around, eventually pulling out a small, steel box that looked like it once held sweets. She handled it carefully, almost reverently, as if it contained something precious.

"Jajaaan," she said playfully as she opened the lid. Inside were old newspaper cutouts, photographs, and maps—scraps of what seemed like a larger, hidden narrative.

It felt like she had just shown me her treasure trove, but the contents were puzzling.

"This… what is all this?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"These are my clues," Touka said, her eyes glinting with a mysterious light. "They're all about someone I'm interested in. When I think about that person, I can't sleep at night."

"…Is that so?" I replied, still trying to piece together the significance of it all. It felt like she was purposely being vague, perhaps to make me jealous or maybe just to keep me guessing. But one thing was clear—Touka was someone who carried a lot more weight beneath her carefree surface.

The name "Kashima Masuoka" was written inside the cutouts, the letters stark and bold against the paper.

"This is the name of the person you're interested in?" I asked, glancing at her.

"Yeah," she replied, her voice unwavering.

A heavy silence settled between us. Her lips curled into a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"He's a killer," she said, the grin still etched on her face, as if it was a casual remark.

I hesitated. "Um..."

I already knew where this was going, but I needed to hear it from her.

"The things that you want to do… what is it?" I asked, feeling the tension coil tighter.

"Revenge," she answered without missing a beat.

"Revenge?" I repeated, the word feeling heavy on my tongue.

"Hmm. Even though Himeya already knows," she added, her eyes sharp and searching, as if waiting for my reaction.

"...Huh? What did you say?" My heart skipped a beat. Did she know about my reincarnation…?

"Revenge," she repeated, this time with more conviction.

"On… whom?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You already know the answer, right? This man." Touka's finger jabbed at the newspaper cutouts, shoving them closer to me.

I looked down. The photo showed a man who appeared to be in his 30s or 40s. Next to it, the headline read, "Kashima Masuoka Arrested." The words seemed to glare up at me, as if daring me to react.

"You know, I'm going to get revenge on this guy… I have to," she said, her voice tinged with a quiet, burning resolve.

I swallowed hard, unable to respond immediately.

"Because of this man, my family was destroyed… my life is destroyed," she continued, and the smile that had been on her face vanished, replaced by a cold, bitter expression. Her eyes, once filled with a disturbing glee, now reflected only pain.

"Listen, Himeya… this is the turning point," she said, her voice softening but not losing its edge.

I stayed silent, her words weighing heavily on my mind.

"If you want to hear more about it, join me," she proposed, her gaze locked onto mine.

"Join you…?" I echoed, feeling a knot tighten in my chest.

Is this what the future me was trying to warn me about?

"If you have any doubt in your heart, leave this room right now," she said, her tone turning harsher. "And… don't ever show your face around me, ever again. Forget about my existence and go back to your normal daily life."

She leaned closer, her eyes piercing. "You can still do that now… but, if you join me, you won't be able to go back to how things used to be."

I found myself at a loss for words, her ultimatum hanging in the air. My mind raced, trying to process everything she had just said.

"I'm not joking or making light of this. I want you to seriously think about it and then make your decision," she insisted, her voice firm. "Right now, in this place."

"I…" I started, but the words caught in my throat.

A turning point where I can't save my progress… That thought suddenly flashed through my mind, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Should I join Touka, embracing the path of vengeance, or walk away and try to forget her existence, returning to the life I knew?

I stood there, caught between two paths, knowing that whatever choice I made, there would be no turning back.

"I've already decided," I said firmly, the choice clear in my mind. There was no hesitation, no doubt left in me. I rose from the floor and walked towards—

"…" Touka's eyes widened in surprise.

I sat down beside her and gently wrapped my arms around her.

"Are you sure…?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"…Of course…" I replied softly.

"You really won't be able to go back, you know," she said, her tone wavering.

"I know."

"Are you really, really, really sure about this?" she pressed.

"That's exactly what I meant when I said I know, ya know."

Touka's body shivered slightly as if caught in a chill. I pulled her closer, tightening my embrace in an effort to calm her trembling. "Besides," I added, "I haven't heard your answer yet."

"Eh…"

"It's impossible for me to leave without hearing your reply, ya know."

"Himeya…"

"I love you, Touka."

"H-Hmm… Me too…" Her voice quivered even more. "I love you too… I also love you, Himeya!"

"Touka…"

Touka slowly closed her eyes, and I knew exactly what she wanted. Without another word, I leaned in and gently pressed my lips against hers.

"Hmm… Fhu... Nmm…" The kiss was moist, slightly cool, and incredibly soft. It was the first time I had ever felt her lips.

…

We pulled away, our breaths mingling in the silent space between us.

"…We kissed…" Touka whispered, her voice barely audible.

"…Yeah…"

"You didn't do that when we were in Kyoto," she remarked.

"That time…"

"Himeya, you know it's bad to kiss if you're not dating, right?" she said, a hint of teasing in her tone.

"I know, I know," I responded with a chuckle.

"Still, wasn't that kiss quite the experience?" she said, her cheeks flushed.

"Well, since I've already confessed… it's safe. And yeah… that was quite an experience."

"Fhuhu… That's not fair."

"And honestly, there's no way I can stop right here, ya know," I said. "Touka, you think the same, right?"

"Hmm… You may be right…"

"Fhuhu, let's continue," she said, a playful smile lighting up her face.

I hesitated, unsure of the expression I was making, but I was pretty sure my face was as red as a tomato.

"Kiss me more…?" she asked softly.

Without answering, I leaned in once again, capturing her lips with mine.

…

This time, we kissed for longer, savoring the moment.

"…More…" she murmured, her body tensing briefly. We pulled apart, panting softly.

"Ha… ha… ha…"

Touka's face was flushed, her eyes half-lidded with emotion. "Himeya… you're so naughty…"

"Shouldn't you say the same about yourself?" I teased.

"Hmm… I guess so?"

"Well… in any case, we're both naughty…" I said.

"Hmm… If that's so, then it's fine," she giggled.

I couldn't help but feel exhilarated, the intimacy between us growing with every passing moment. I ran my hand along her slim waist, moving up her back, feeling her shiver under my touch. There was no sign of resistance; in fact, she seemed to welcome it. Eventually, Touka placed her hand on my chest, her touch warm and reassuring.

"Himeya…"

"Touka…"

"I want you to hold me tighter," she whispered.

…

"Is that really okay…?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.

"If it's Himeya, it's fine…" she reassured me.

She slipped off her hoodie, then climbed onto the bed, lying down on her back. "Then… I'll leave it to you…" she murmured, pulling me close.

"Then…"

"…Come, Himeya…"

I climbed onto the bed, guided by her gentle insistence. The night unfolded in quiet serenity, the soft, silvery light of the moon bathing us as we lay intertwined, a profound sense of tranquility washing over us.