Erina slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the soft morning light that seeped through her curtains. Her head still throbbed a little, a dull ache that made her groan quietly.
"Ugh… ouch. Slept this long and my head's still hurting?" she mumbled, rubbing her temples.
Her gaze drifted downward—and there she was.
Arleyong, sleeping soundly on her futon, her silver hair spread across the pillow like threads of moonlight. Her expression, as always, was calm… maybe too calm.
Erina couldn't help but giggle softly. "Heh… cute."
She glanced at the clock. "Eight already? Guess I should go down first and prepare breakfast."
Stretching her arms, Erina got out of bed and quietly tiptoed out of the room, making sure not to wake Arleyong.
Downstairs, her mother was already busy at the counter. The smell of warm food filled the air.
"Oh? You're up already?" her mother said with a gentle smile. "How's your head? If it still hurts, we should go see a doctor."
Erina shook her head quickly. "Nah, it's okay, Mom. I'm fine now."
Her mother nodded in relief. "That's good. Oh—where's Arleyong? She still asleep?"
"Yeah, still out cold," Erina chuckled. "Should I wake her?"
Her mom laughed softly. "Sure, go ahead. I'm about to head out anyway."
"Eh? Head out where?"
"I'm going to the market, need to buy some vegetables. You two can stay home if you want."
Erina sighed, slumping a bit. "Ugh, boring… but fine. I'll stay. You go."
Her mother smiled. "Alright, then. Breakfast is ready—eat together with Arleyong when she wakes up."
"Okay, I'll go get her."
Erina padded back upstairs and gently pushed open her bedroom door. Arleyong was still lying there, looking half-buried in her futon.
Erina smiled mischievously. "Arleeee~ wake up~ breakfast's ready!" she sang softly.
Arleyong's eyelids fluttered open slowly. She sat up, rubbing her eyes with one hand, her expression blank but somehow tired.
"Mmm… we're waking up early today for something?" she asked in her usual flat tone.
Erina laughed lightly. "Nope. Just breakfast. It's already eight. My mom's going out to buy some veggies, so it's just us at home."
"I see…" Arleyong murmured.
"Come on then, brush your teeth first before we eat," Erina said, already heading for the stairs.
Arleyong followed quietly, her steps soft and light as ever. She went into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, the sound of running water echoing briefly through the hallway. When she emerged, she looked a little more awake—but her calm, emotionless expression remained.
They sat down together at the dining table, where Erina's mother had already placed plates of warm breakfast.
Erina took the first bite and let out an exaggerated "Mmmm~ so good!"
Her mom laughed. "Of course it's good. I'm your mom, after all. I know exactly what flavors you love."
Erina grinned cheekily. "You must've added something magical in it, huh? Some secret world's-best ingredient!"
Her mother chuckled, shaking her head. "No magic, just practice."
Then Erina turned toward Arleyong. "What about you, Arle? Do you like it?"
Arleyong glanced down at the food, taking a slow bite. Her expression didn't change, but her voice softened slightly. "I… like it. It's delicious. I've never eaten something like this before."
Erina blinked in surprise. "Seriously? Maybe you've been eating too much bread, huh?"
Her mother laughed again, amused by their banter. "If you like it that much, Arleyong, I can make more next time."
Arleyong nodded politely. "Yes. Thank you."
"You're welcome, dear," her mother said warmly.
After breakfast, Erina leaned back with a satisfied sigh, while her mother started putting on her cardigan.
"Alright, I'm heading out now," her mom said, picking up her bag and keys. "Don't forget your homework, Erina."
Erina waved lazily from the table. "Yeah, yeah, I'll do it later. Bye, Mom!"
"Bye, girls! Don't burn the house down," her mother called playfully as she stepped out the door.
The sound of the car engine faded outside, leaving only the quiet clinking of dishes and the soft hum of morning light in the room. Erina turned toward Arleyong, a smile playing on her lips.
"Looks like it's just us now, Bread Girl."
Arleyong blinked once, calm as ever. "Understood."
Erina laughed softly, shaking her head. "You really are something else."
And for a moment, as sunlight filled the kitchen, the warmth of an ordinary morning wrapped around them—peaceful, soft, and fleetingly perfect.
The sound of the front door closing faded away, leaving the house wrapped in stillness. Only the soft hum of the refrigerator and the ticking of the wall clock filled the air.
Erina let out a small sigh, leaning back on the sofa. "Finally… just us."
Arleyong stood near the dining table for a moment, her silver hair catching the sunlight that poured in from the window. She looked oddly uncertain, as if unsure what to do next.
"Arle," Erina called softly, patting the space beside her. "Come sit. Don't just stand there like a robot."
Arleyong blinked once. "…Robot?"
Erina giggled. "Yeah, you look like one sometimes."
Without another word, Arleyong moved over and sat down next to her. The sofa dipped slightly under her weight, and for a moment, the air between them was still. The faint sound of birds outside filled the silence, mingling with the gentle rustle of morning wind against the curtains.
Erina picked up the remote and flicked on the television. A romance drama was already playing—two characters sitting side by side, awkwardly close, their faces inches apart.
"Oh," Erina murmured, glancing at the screen. "This part's good."
Arleyong tilted her head. "What… are they doing?"
Erina's lips curved into a soft smile. "They're… in love, I guess. See? They're embarrassed, but they want to be near each other."
Arleyong's silver eyes reflected the warm light of the TV as she studied the scene carefully. "Embarrassed… but want to be close…" she repeated quietly, almost to herself.
Erina glanced sideways at her, and for a second, her heart thumped louder than the TV's sound. She didn't know why—but sitting there beside Arleyong, the morning felt slower, softer, like something fragile that might break if she spoke too loudly.
"…You've never watched a romance show before, huh?" Erina said, trying to sound casual.
Arleyong shook her head slightly. "No. I do ...nothing."
"Figures," Erina whispered with a grin. "Then this'll be your first time watching one with me."
Arleyong blinked, turning to her. "Does it matter who you watch it with?"
Erina hesitated, then smiled faintly. "Yeah. It matters."
There was a pause. The warmth of the morning wrapped around them, and Erina leaned back slightly, her shoulder brushing against Arleyong's arm. The silver-haired girl didn't move away—she just stared at the screen, but her fingers tensed slightly, betraying her calm.
Erina caught it, hiding a small smile. "You okay, Arle?"
"…Yes. Just… not used to this kind of show."
"Hmm… you'll get used to it," Erina said softly. "It's not about fighting or missions. It's about feelings… things you can't see, but still real."
Arleyong stayed quiet, eyes on the flickering screen, but her voice came out quieter this time. "Feelings… invisible things."
Erina tilted her head toward her. "You'll understand it one day. Maybe sooner than you think."
For a moment, neither spoke. The characters on TV confessed their love, the music swelling gently in the background. Erina glanced at Arleyong again. The silver light from her hair glowed softly in the room, and her calm expression looked strangely peaceful.
Without thinking, Erina leaned a little closer, resting her head lightly on Arleyong's shoulder.
Arleyong stiffened for half a second—but didn't move away.
"…You're warm," Erina murmured.
Arleyong blinked slowly. "…You are too."
Silence followed, but it wasn't empty—it was filled with quiet understanding, soft breathing, and the comfort of being close without needing any words.
Outside, the sun climbed higher, painting the room in gold. And as the TV played on, the two girls sat quietly—one learning what warmth truly meant, and the other realizing that sometimes, love doesn't need to be spoken to be felt.
The living room had grown quieter.
The TV still played softly in front of them, a gentle melody drifting through the air from the romantic drama.
Erina leaned back against the couch, her head tilted slightly toward Arleyong's shoulder. Her hair brushed against Arleyong's arm, faintly ticklish, warm.
They had been watching for nearly an hour now — mostly in silence.
Arleyong sat straight, eyes on the glowing screen but her mind elsewhere. Every few seconds, she'd glance at Erina, watching the way her expression changed with the show — smiling, pouting, giggling at something silly the characters did.
It was… strange.
How easily Erina's face moved with emotion.
How alive she looked.
Then, sometime after the ending song began to play, Erina's breathing slowed. Her eyes fluttered once, twice — and finally closed.
Without realizing it, she had fallen asleep against Arleyong's shoulder.
Arleyong blinked.
She didn't move, didn't even breathe for a moment.
The warmth on her shoulder was new — gentle, steady, almost fragile. Her gaze softened. Slowly, carefully, she turned her head just enough to see Erina's face.
Her lips parted slightly as she whispered to no one,
"…Erina."
The other girl didn't respond.
She only murmured something faint in her sleep, a sound that made Arleyong's chest tighten without warning.
Then, something stirred inside her.
A faint sound — laughter.
A child's laughter.
Her mind flickered.
And suddenly, she was no longer in Erina's living room.
She saw a small hand holding hers — soft, warm, the hand of a girl her age.
She saw sunlight filtering through tall trees, petals floating on a breeze.
A voice echoed — gentle, filled with joy.
"Arle! Look, the sky's so blue today!"
"I wish we could get out from the experiment one day, but when we grow up, let's see the whole world together, okay?"
That voice — that laugh —
Arleyong's breath caught in her throat.
The image flashed — then shattered, gone like mist.
She blinked rapidly, eyes trembling. Her hand slowly lifted, instinctively hovering near Erina's. The same warmth. The same gentle feeling she thought she'd lost years ago.
Her lips parted slightly, voice barely a whisper.
"…Kikyo?"
Erina stirred at the sound, her eyes half-opening. "Mmm… Arle…?" she mumbled, still half-asleep.
Arleyong froze.
Reality returned in a rush — the couch, the soft glow of the TV, the faint smell of breakfast still lingering in the air.
She quickly lowered her gaze. "…You were sleeping."
Erina rubbed her eyes lazily. "Was I? Heh… sorry, guess your shoulder's comfy."
"...It's fine."
Erina yawned, smiling drowsily. "You didn't move at all. You could've pushed me off, you know."
Arleyong shook her head. Her voice came quieter, almost fragile. "…Didn't want to."
Erina blinked at her — surprised. "Huh? You mean… you didn't want to move?"
A faint silence stretched between them. Arleyong's eyes lingered on the space where their hands almost touched.
"…It felt… warm," she said softly, the words slipping out before she realized it.
Erina's cheeks turned slightly pink. She gave a small, awkward laugh, scratching the back of her neck. "You really are honest sometimes, huh, Arle?"
Arleyong didn't answer. She just stared quietly at the screen, her silver eyes faintly dim — as if the memory of that sunlight and that laughter still lingered somewhere deep inside her.
And in that moment, though she couldn't explain why —
she wished the warmth beside her would never fade again.
The television was off now. The soft hum of the refrigerator filled the quiet living room as the evening light leaked through the thin curtains, painting the room in orange and gold.
Erina sat cross-legged on the sofa, nibbling the edge of a biscuit, while Arleyong sat beside her — posture straight, eyes fixed on nothing in particular. The air between them was peaceful, yet heavy in a way only silence could be.
"So, uh… earlier that TV drama," Erina began, breaking the quiet, "that guy totally didn't deserve her, right? Like, who confesses after she moves to another city?"
Arleyong turned her head slightly, slow and deliberate. "...He looked regretful," she said, her tone flat as a calm lake.
"Regretful? That's all you got?" Erina laughed softly, brushing her hair back. "You're impossible, you know that? You watch something like that and don't even cry? Not even a little tear?"
Arleyong blinked once. "I can't cry."
Erina paused, biscuit halfway to her mouth. "You mean… like, literally?"
"Yes."
No hesitation. Just a fact, like saying the sky was blue.
Erina stared for a moment — the girl beside her didn't flinch, didn't fidget, didn't even smile. Her silver hair caught the last beam of sunlight from the window, glowing faintly like frost.
And yet, somehow, sitting next to her didn't feel cold.
Erina chuckled awkwardly, trying to shift the mood. "Well, if you can't cry, I'll cry for both of us, okay? You handle the logic, I'll handle the feelings. Teamwork!"
Arleyong tilted her head. "That… sounds inefficient."
Erina laughed again — loud, free, and a little stupid. "You're too serious, Arle. You gotta learn to chill a bit!"
Arleyong didn't reply. She just watched Erina's mouth move as she talked — the little smiles, the way her eyes sparkled when she joked. Every expression was alive. Every sound from her carried warmth.
Her mind, cold and still as machinery, didn't recognize it as emotion, but her body did. Her heartbeat slowed. Her chest felt lighter. It wasn't happiness. But it wasn't emptiness, either. Something in between — a glitch, a ripple in her otherwise perfect calm.
"Arle?" Erina waved a hand in front of her face. "You okay? You're zoning out again."
"I am… observing," Arleyong said softly.
"Observing what?"
Arleyong looked at her for a long second. "You."
Erina froze, cheeks faintly pink. "Eh? Wha— why?"
"I wanted to understand… why your voice makes me feel calm," Arleyong answered simply. Her voice carried no emotion — but the words hung in the air like a confession she didn't realize she'd made.
Erina's heart skipped. For a second, she didn't know what to say.
"Ahaha… maybe because I'm awesome?" she finally said, scratching her cheek and trying to hide her blush.
Before Arleyong could reply, the sound of a car engine rolled in from outside. Then the front door opened.
"I'm home!" a familiar voice called.
Erina turned her head. "Mom!"
Arleyong stayed seated, eyes still on Erina, expression unreadable. As Erina stood and ran to greet her mother, Arleyong looked down at her own hands — still, calm, trembling slightly for reasons she couldn't explain.
Welcome back!" Erina said, rushing to the door and throwing her arms around her mother.
Her mom laughed softly, brushing Erina's hair. "You sound healthy again. I guess resting at home did help, huh?"
"Yeah! I'm all good now!" Erina said proudly, puffing her chest like a little kid. Then she turned toward Arleyong, who was still sitting quietly on the couch, hands on her lap. "Arle! Come here, help us cook dinner!"
Arleyong blinked once, a faint tilt of her head. "...Cook?"
"Yup! Food! Hot, edible, makes your tummy happy," Erina said, grabbing her wrist before she could say no. "C'mon, it'll be fun!"
"Fun," Arleyong repeated under her breath, as if testing the word.
The kitchen lights glowed warm yellow. Erina and her mother moved like clockwork — chopping, stirring, laughing at their small mistakes. Arleyong stood between them, holding a cutting board and watching carefully, like a scientist studying a new species.
"Okay, Arle," Erina said, placing a few carrots in front of her. "Cut these, but be careful with the knife, alright?"
Arleyong nodded. She took the knife, studied the carrot, and began cutting in perfect, uniform slices — precise to the millimeter.
Erina blinked. "Uh... wow. That's—kinda scary."
Her mom laughed. "She's got surgeon hands, Erina. You better watch and learn."
Arleyong paused. "Did I… do something wrong?"
"No no!" Erina said quickly, smiling. "You're just... too good at it. We're supposed to mess up a little, that's the fun part."
"Mess up?"
"Yeah! You know... like when you accidentally drop something, or burn it a bit, and everyone laughs?"
Arleyong looked confused. "That sounds inefficient."
Erina burst into laughter, holding her stomach. "Exactly! That's why it's fun!"
Her mom chuckled too, shaking her head. "Don't mind her, Arleyong. That's just Erina's logic — if it's dumb and chaotic, she enjoys it."
Erina stuck out her tongue. "Heyyy, that's called creativity!"
Arleyong watched them — the way they teased each other, smiled, the little bursts of laughter that filled the air. There was no goal, no rule, no reason. Just warmth.
Something humans did to feel alive.
She didn't laugh, but she stayed quiet, listening. Watching.
Maybe this... was what "fun" meant.
Erina handed her a spoon. "Here! Try stirring the soup!"
Arleyong nodded, taking it carefully. She stirred — slow, controlled, too perfect again.
Erina leaned closer. "You know, you look so serious when you cook. You can relax, you won't break it."
"I'm ensuring it's mixed evenly."
"See, that's what I mean!" Erina giggled. "You're like a cooking robot."
"A robot?"
"Yeah! But, uh… a cute one," Erina added quickly, cheeks turning slightly pink.
Arleyong stared at her blankly for two seconds. "...I do not understand."
Erina sighed, smiling softly. "It's fine, you don't have to."
By the time dinner was ready, the table was filled with laughter, warm food, and the scent of home. Arleyong sat between Erina and her mother, eating quietly, eyes half-focused on the steam rising from her bowl.
Her brain registered no emotion, but something about this noise — the laughter, the clinking of plates, Erina's voice — it didn't bother her. It almost... fit.
She looked at Erina, who was talking nonstop about how the soup needed "more personality."
Arleyong didn't understand any of it — but she didn't mind listening.
Night had fallen quietly over the house.
The soft sound of rain brushed against the window, and the faint smell of soap still lingered from the dishes they'd just finished washing.
Erina stretched, yawning loudly. "Aaaah, that dinner was good. I think I gained like five pounds already."
Her mother smiled gently as she gathered the last of the dishes. "It's good to see you eating properly again, dear. You've been skipping meals lately."
"I know, I know~" Erina said, waving her hands. "But Arle helped! She's like... my emotional appetite booster."
Arleyong blinked. "I only stirred the soup."
Erina giggled. "Exactly. That's the point!"
Her mom just shook her head, amused. "You two should get some rest. It's getting late."
"Okay, night, mom!" Erina called, giving her mother a quick hug before dragging Arleyong back toward her room.
The room was dim now, only the moonlight slipping through the curtains.
Erina sat on her bed, brushing her hair, while Arleyong prepared her futon on the floor.
"Arle," Erina started, "you ever get tired of being so quiet?"
Arleyong paused, looking up. "No. I do not require noise to feel... content."
"Content, huh?" Erina smiled faintly. "You talk like an old robot sometimes."
"I've been called that," Arleyong said, tone flat but not defensive — just honest.
Erina laughed softly, laying back on her pillow. "Still, I think it's nice. You're like... calm air. When you're around, everything feels less noisy in my head."
Arleyong looked at her — eyes half-lidded, still and thoughtful.
Her brain processed Erina's words, but her heart reacted differently.
The steady rhythm in her chest was unfamiliar again. Not fear. Not stress.
Just... something.
"I see," Arleyong said simply. "Then I will continue to be here."
Erina smiled, her eyes half-closed. "You say that like a promise."
"Is that... bad?"
"No," Erina whispered. "It's good. It's really good."
Silence settled over the room again. Only the rain and their breathing filled the space.
Erina turned her head slightly toward her. "Hey, Arle."
"Mm?"
"Today was fun, right?"
Arleyong hesitated. The word echoed again in her mind — fun.
Her memory replayed the laughter in the kitchen, the clumsy stirring, Erina's smile.
"I think... it was," she said quietly.
Erina grinned, eyes fluttering shut. "Good... Then we'll do it again tomorrow."
Her voice faded as sleep pulled her under.
Arleyong lay down on her futon, staring at the ceiling, listening to the soft rhythm of Erina's breathing.
No emotion. No warmth.
And yet, her chest felt light.
Her thoughts, calm.
Maybe, she thought faintly, this was what humans called peace.