NOTE, THE NEWER CHAPTERS WILL BE SHORTENED, AND WILL BE FROM 1.5K TO 2K WORDS, ITS BECAUSE I WANT TO.
As the sturdy wooden door creaked open, a strong gust of cool night air rushed inside, trailing behind the tall figure of a man as he stepped across the threshold and into the warmly lit house.
With an absentminded motion, he pushed the door shut behind him, though it was clear from his careless movements that he was not truly paying attention to what he was doing. It was as if his body was acting on pure instinct, while his mind remained lost elsewhere—wandering through the corridors of his thoughts.
His face, usually calm and composed, was now tinged with a noticeable shade of red, spreading evenly across his skin as if he had been standing too close to a roaring fire. His eyes were unfocused, gazing at nothing in particular, and he moved forward with an uncharacteristic sluggishness—his usually graceful and swift steps now replaced with slow, almost hesitant movements.
Each stride he took was slightly delayed, his legs feeling heavier than usual, as though they were weighed down by the lingering effects of whatever had just transpired.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, he made his way toward the couch positioned in the very center of the room. He sank onto its surface, his posture unusually relaxed, his body seemingly surrendering to the comfort it provided.
A long pause followed, filled only with the gentle hum of the quiet house, and then, as if realization had finally caught up with him, a small, subtle smile gradually formed on his lips. His expression shifted, the fog in his eyes clearing, and at last, he seemed to fully comprehend what had happened just a short while ago.
However, before he could properly settle into his thoughts, his gaze instinctively swept across the room—only to land on something, or rather someone, that sent a sudden jolt of unease through his entire being.
Standing just a short distance away, bathed in the soft glow of the dim lighting, was none other than Sunny. He was simply standing there, motionless yet ever-present, his deep, observant eyes fixed directly on Kai.
A faint smile adorned his lips, not a wide or overtly noticeable one, but just enough to convey an emotion that Kai struggled to decipher.
For a brief moment, a quiet, heavy stillness hung between them. Then, after another second of tense silence, Kai realized what that expression meant.
Sunny had seen everything.
The weight of that understanding settled upon him like a stone, pressing into his chest with an invisible force. His heart, which had only just begun to calm, picked up speed once more. He could tell—without a shadow of a doubt—that Sunny had witnessed his reaction upon returning. And not only that, but he was pleased.
He was pleased that everything had worked out well. That his closest friend, Kai, had managed to secure a date.
Though Sunny had always been the type of person who viewed relationships through a practical lens, someone who approached emotions with the same calculated precision as he did battle strategies, even he could not deny the importance of such bonds. He understood that love and companionship mattered.
That they played a significant role in shaping people's lives. However, no matter how much he grasped their significance, he still struggled to see the excitement others felt toward them.
He himself was now in a romantic relationship with Nephis, but truthfully, he still wasn't entirely sure what that meant in terms of his actions.
What was he supposed to do differently? How was he expected to behave? There were no clear instructions, no step-by-step guide, and that uncertainty was something he wasn't used to.
Kai's face, which had been burning with the heat of embarrassment mere moments ago, had now shifted closer to its usual shade.
However, there was an odd paleness to it—a slight loss of color that Sunny couldn't quite place. Was it nervousness? Was it exhaustion? He wasn't sure. What he was sure of, however, was that Kai was struggling to find his words.
It was obvious that he wanted to say something, to break the silence, but he hesitated—uncertain of where to start. What was the right thing to say in this moment? What was the right way to express what he was feeling?
Just as Kai thought he had found the words, just as his lips parted to speak, Sunny beat him to it.
With a voice carrying a peculiar blend of emotions—happiness, satisfaction, and something almost akin to pride—he spoke, his words cutting through the quiet like a blade through still water.
"I presume your date will be happening soon. Congratulations."
Kai blinked. He wasn't sure why, but hearing those words come from Sunny's mouth felt strange. Not because they were out of place, but because of the way Sunny had said them.
There was something different in his tone—something that hinted at a genuine sense of pride.
And that was what truly caught Kai off guard.
Sunny had changed.
He was still the same calculating, strategic, and ruthlessly intelligent person he had always been. But at the same time, he was different. The way he treated them—the way he interacted with them—had shifted. It was no longer just about necessity. No longer just about survival.
He had come to see them not merely as allies or companions, but as true friends. And that change… that change was sudden.
Kai knew just how difficult it must have been for Sunny to reach this point, to let his guard down, to trust them. And knowing that filled him with a deep sense of pride.
A warm smile spread across Kai's face—one that was genuine, relaxed, and filled with appreciation. His voice, when he finally spoke, carried those same emotions.
"Thank you, Sunny."
Kai had always been known for his radiant smile, one that carried an effortless purity to it. He was also, without question, the most aesthetically pleasing among them. And though Sunny would never openly admit it, there was a small part of him that was envious of that fact. He suspected that Kai knew it, but he couldn't be entirely certain.
But before Kai could dwell any further on these thoughts, something completely unexpected happened.
A voice rang out.
It was familiar—unmistakably so—but its sudden presence sent a jolt of surprise through Kai's system. There was an odd excitement to it, as though the speaker themselves were shocked by their own ability to produce sound.
"Wow, I really can do it!"
Kai's body moved before his mind could process it. Instinct took over, and in the span of a breath, he was in a defensive stance—his entire being prepared for whatever might come next. Whether the voice truly belonged to the person he thought it did or not, he wasn't about to take any chances.
He was moments away from summoning his Memories when a firm yet reassuring hand landed on his shoulder.
Sunny.
His voice was steady, calm, and unwavering—completely unfazed by the bizarre occurrence.
"Calm down. There's no need to concern yourself with that before your date. Go home and get ready."
Sunny's thoughts were in a different place for a moment, though. 'So, it really does work like that'
Kai hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. Without another word, he picked up his communicator from the armchair and made his way toward the door. He wanted to stay longer—to be around his friend a little while more—but he knew that this was an opportunity he could not afford to waste.
Before stepping out, just as he was about to close the door behind him, he smiled once more. He did not turn around. He did not hesitate.
In a voice that was calm, content, and overflowing with gratitude, he simply said,
"Thank you, Sunny. For everything."
And then he was gone.
The door clicked shut, and for a moment, Sunny stood in the silence, his expression unreadable. Then, a small, knowing smile appeared on his face.
A second later, his body dissolved into shadow.
Not a single sound was made, and yet the darkness in the room seemed to deepen, the very air turning colder.
The shadow slithered across the floor, moving with silent grace toward the stairs.
In a mere moment, it had reached the top.
From there, it crept toward Sunny's room, slipping effortlessly beneath the door.
And in one smooth, seamless motion, it reconnected with his feet.