Chapter 76: A walk in the dim dawn

I woke with a start. ‘…I must have dozed off…’

The room was still dark. My phone read just before 5:00 AM. I must have fallen asleep during our chat. I carefully sat up in bed. Mizuki was sprawled across her bed, fast asleep, and Aya was also sleeping soundly.

Empty snack wrappers and chocolate boxes were scattered around the room. The Jenga and Penguin Trap games had been put away, but I’d have to clean up the rest of the mess before we left.

Last night’s conversation, the laughter, the shared secrets… it felt like a dream.

Just being in this room, filled with the soft, rhythmic breathing of two sleeping girls, made my heart ache with a sweetness that was almost… overwhelming. While I loved being here with them, I needed a moment to myself, a moment to breathe, to process everything. I decided to step outside for some fresh air. I quietly got out of bed and tiptoed towards the door. Just as I reached for the doorknob…

Rustle—

“…Where are you going?” A soft, sleepy voice, unmistakable in its gentle warmth, called out from behind me. Aya.

I turned to see her sitting up in bed, her long silver hair shimmering faintly in the dim light. “Just going for a walk… Sorry, did I wake you?”

“No, I was just about to wake up.”

“You’re… an early riser, Aya.”

“Yes… always have been.” She yawned softly, then quietly slipped out of bed. “I’ll come with you.”

Her words brought a smile to my face.

****

Stepping out of the room, the pre-dawn air was cool, despite it being summer. But Aya’s warmth, walking beside me, chased away the chill.

“Rina.”

“Yes…!” She held out her hand, and I took it, our fingers intertwining. It was a familiar comfort now, holding her hand, the metal of her promise ring, warm from her body heat, a reassuring weight against my skin. I always seemed to walk on her left, our hands clasped together.

Come to think of it… there was a similar scene in the novel, the protagonist and heroine taking a walk around the resort grounds in the early morning. Perhaps I was… taking his place. But it didn’t matter.

Being here, with Aya, was all that mattered. I smiled faintly, enjoying the quiet intimacy of our shared walk, a warm, fuzzy feeling spreading through my chest.

Outside, the world was still shrouded in the soft gray light of pre-dawn, the leaves rustling gently in the breeze. The resort, usually bustling with activity, was quiet, as if we were the only ones awake.

“It’s so quiet…”

“Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve been somewhere this peaceful,” Aya replied softly.

We walked along a paved path, and then, a cluster of white flowers in a flowerbed by the side of the path caught my eye. Curious, I walked over to take a closer look.

“What kind of flower is this…?”

“Those are lilies. They bloom in the summer.”

“…Lilies?” My breath hitched. Lilies… of all flowers! They symbolized…

Purity, rebirth… and…

‘…Pure (between women) love.’

The realization made my face burn. It happened so quickly, I couldn’t hide it, even as I covered my cheeks with my hands. “Rina… your face is red. Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine! I’m okay…!” I quickly turned away, but Aya, amused by my reaction, placed a finger on her lips, stifling a giggle. Her smile, so gentle, so teasing, made it even harder for me to look at her. Why… why lilies, of all flowers…

I couldn’t bear to look at them any longer, so I tugged at Aya’s hand, pulling her away, and she followed, a smile playing on her lips.

We continued our walk, and soon, we came to a small pond, its surface dotted with water lilies, shimmering faintly in the pre-dawn light, small benches placed around its perimeter.

“This is… beautiful,” I murmured, awestruck. The small pond, a blend of Japanese and Western styles, was a peaceful oasis. We sat down on a bench, the gentle trickle of water a soothing melody.

“It is,” Aya agreed softly, sitting down beside me. My face still felt warm from the lily incident, but the calming sound of water helped me relax. I glanced at Aya, her profile, as always, breathtaking, her slightly sleepy eyes, her long, unbraided hair cascading over her shoulders…

And then, without thinking, I leaned my head against her shoulder. “Rina…?” she murmured, surprised, then smiled softly, not moving away.

“Just… for a moment…” I whispered, and she chuckled, nodding. And so, surrounded by the gentle morning breeze and the sweet fragrance of water lilies, I closed my eyes, my head resting against her shoulder.

****

“…Rina, wake up.”

A gentle voice, a warm breath against my ear, startled me awake. I opened my eyes to see the bright morning sky, and… Aya’s face.

“…Ah!” I tried to sit up, then realized I was lying in her lap, my head resting on her knees.

I’d done this before…! On the park bench, during our walk through Shirasaki Street. Back then, I’d been mortified, but now…

‘…This isn’t so bad…’

I wasn’t embarrassed. I opened my eyes, looking up at her, enjoying the warmth of her body, the familiar comfort of her presence. My head must be heavy… was she okay? Her lap was surprisingly soft, so soft it made me want to stay like this forever, but I forced myself to sit up.

“Aya, I’m sorry… how long was I asleep?”

“It’s okay, you didn’t sleep long. You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you. But the sun’s up now.”

I quickly checked my phone.

7:10 AM. Almost breakfast time. I scratched my head, embarrassed. “Ahaha… sorry, I guess I slept a bit longer than I thought…”

“It’s really okay. You looked so cute sleeping, I couldn’t bring myself to wake you,” she said, and her words, so casually affectionate, made my face burn.

‘Mizuki’s going to be mad when she wakes up and sees we’re gone…’

Aya stood up, extending her hand towards me, and I took it, her hand warm in the morning sun.

As we walked back, we passed the flowerbed with the white lilies again, and my heart skipped a beat. But Aya, seemingly unfazed, walked past them, her expression calm. So… I was the only one bothered by their symbolic meaning… I glanced at her, but she seemed completely oblivious.

We quietly opened the door to our room and stepped inside, to be met by Mizuki, standing in the middle of the room with her arms crossed, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Hmm~ where did you two lovebirds sneak off to~? You’re giving off some serious couple vibes this morning~?”

“I-It’s not like that! We just went for a walk! A walk!” I said, waving my hands frantically.

“Yes, we just went for a walk,” Aya said calmly, but… there was a subtle emphasis on the word “we,” a possessive undertone that made me look at her, surprised, and she met my gaze, a playful smile on her lips, as if daring me to challenge her.

Mizuki, seeing my flustered expression, clapped her hands and burst out laughing. “Just as I suspected~!”

I lunged at Mizuki, trying to cover her mouth, but she dodged easily, and I landed face-first on the bed.

“Ehehe, Rina-tan~ no need to be embarrassed~ it’s cute~!” she teased.

“I-It’s not like that…!”

“No, Mizuki’s right,” Aya said firmly, and I turned to look at her, surprised. She was standing behind Mizuki, her expression calm, but her gaze, fixed on me, was unwavering.

“…Huh?” She met my gaze, her voice clear and steady.

“We are close, Rina. We are dating.”

Her words, so direct, so… bold… made my heart skip a beat. Mizuki grinned, thoroughly enjoying this unexpected development.

“Wow~ I’m so glad you two are finally being honest! What would you have done without me~?”

“Mizuki, enough…!” I whined, and she just raised her voice, teasing me even more. “It’s nice to see such a sweet couple first thing in the morning~ I’m looking forward to today~”

And with that, I grabbed a pillow and threw it at her. She caught it easily, her laughter echoing through the room, as our playful banter continued, a welcome lightness after the tense silence of the morning.