That morning, Ren could not remember most of what had happened the night before. However, a persistent sensation ran across his skin, a strange and pleasant lightness that did not come from his mind, but from his body.
Ren moved slowly on the bed where he was lying, and when he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a stuffed animal. Then another.
"When did I buy this…?" he murmured, observing one in front of him.
After a brief silence, something suddenly clicked in his mind.
He was not in his room.
Ren sat up a little more and looked around. The sweet scent, the decoration, and the details of the room left no room for doubt.
"…I'm in Miya's room."
Ren got out of bed and realized he wasn't wearing any clothes. Startled, he looked around and saw his clothes scattered on the floor. He picked them up and put them on.
Then he carefully left the room. He wanted to get out of that house as soon as possible, since he didn't fully understand what had happened. However, when he reached the first floor, he stopped.
From the kitchen, he could hear a voice. It wasn't speaking. It was humming.
It was Miya.
Ren moved cautiously, trying not to make any noise and to leave without being seen, but just as he was about to grab the doorknob, Miya's voice stopped him.
"Where are you going, Ren?"
He slowly turned around.
"T… to my house."
"You're leaving without eating?"
Ren, seeing Miya's completely happy face, said:
"No."
As she continued humming, a pleasant aroma filled the room. Miya had prepared a breakfast that looked incredible. Ren was surprised. He didn't usually eat breakfast; in fact, he almost never had an appetite in the mornings. Even when Miya brought him something early, he usually accepted it more out of courtesy than hunger.
But that day was different. He was hungry, yes, but not only that—he was also thirsty, very thirsty.
When Miya placed the plate in front of him, Ren didn't hesitate. He began eating the fruit salad with genuine appetite. Each bite was more pleasant than he expected, and it wasn't just him who seemed to enjoy it—Miya did too.
"So, how did you wake up, Ren?"
Without taking his attention too far from the plate, Ren answered.
"Exhausted."
Miya laughed softly when she heard that.
"Of course you are. After all, we were awake almost all night."
Ren stopped the spoon in midair and lifted his head. When he looked at Miya, he noticed something strange in her expression.
"We were awake all night?"
"Yes, Ren. Don't you remember?"
Ren tried to search for memories, to force his mind to reconstruct what had happened, but he only remembered the good food Miya had prepared the night before.
"No… I don't remember."
Miya showed a completely satisfied smile.
"You don't remember that we spent it together? You don't remember what you did to me? You don't remember our union?"
Ren's eyes widened in surprise. The words took a moment to sink in, but the meaning was clear. He wanted to respond, to organize his thoughts, to say something coherent, but his mind went blank.
With a somewhat incredulous smile, Ren replied:
"Yes."
Miya looked pleased when she heard that and continued eating naturally. Ren, on the other hand, could no longer continue. He stayed there, watching her in silence, his thoughts crashing into one another.
What did I just do?
"We should do it often," Miya added, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Ren replied almost automatically:
"Maybe."
Miya smiled, satisfied.
"I think it's absolutely incredible. I think it would have been perfect if we had gotten married and we had done it on our wedding night. After all, you and I were pure."
Ren didn't respond. Miya's words hung in the air, heavy, while he tried to process everything he had just heard.
"Get married? Us?" Ren repeated, incredulous.
"Yes," Miya replied without hesitation. "What do you think about doing it in a week? No, better in two days… or better yet, today."
Ren felt the impact as if someone had thrown a bucket of ice water over him.
"No!"
Miya's expression changed instantly.
"No? Why?"
"Miya, I'm eighteen and you're nineteen," he said, trying to stay calm. "We're very young."
She stared at him, with a seriousness that unsettled him.
"Ren, do you love me?"
He didn't hesitate to answer.
"Yes, Miya, but—"
"If you love me, then let's get married."
Ren, not knowing what to do or what to say, stood up from the table and walked straight to the door.
"Ren, are you really leaving without answering me?"
Miya's voice sounded anxious.
"Miya, I need a shower," he said without looking at her. "But at my house."
Ren grabbed the doorknob.
"You can't leave with such a stupid excuse."
"It's not an excuse. I just need a little time to think."
Closing his eyes, Ren opened the door.
"Ren, you can't leave like this," Miya said, taking a step toward him. "If you leave… you will forget me forever."
Ren turned around and looked at Miya, completely confused.
"Miya… I really need to organize my thoughts. I'm sorry."
When he looked at her directly, Ren noticed how Miya's eyes changed completely. There was no sweetness left in them, only an overflowing, almost manic expression that froze his blood. Her gaze transmitted a visceral fear, as if he were suddenly facing someone truly dangerous.
A shiver ran down his skin, raising goosebumps.
"Ren, come back here right now! I won't repeat myself!"
Ren took a step forward, breathing with difficulty. He hesitated for a moment about whether he should continue, but in the end, clenching his fists, he did.
"Ren! Ren, come back right now! You can't leave me like this! Ren…!"
Chapter 22: Help