Shiki adjusted the collar of his dark coat, smoothing the fabric down with quick, practiced movements.
Across the room, Ai tugged her shorts back into place, then zipped up her cropped hoodie—cheeks still flushed, hair slightly mussed from their earlier chaos on the sofa.
She caught her reflection in the hallway mirror and immediately tried to pat her ponytail back into shape.
Shiki watched her for a second—smirk tugging at his lips—then spoke.
"Want to go out for a walk?"
Ai froze mid-pat.
Her eyes lit up like a kitten spotting a sunbeam.
"Yes!!"
She bounced over to him in two steps, already reaching for his arm.
Shiki offered it without hesitation.
She latched on immediately—both hands wrapping around his bicep, cheek pressing to his sleeve, body molding to his side like she belonged there.
Which, in every way that mattered, she did.
They stepped outside together.
---
