As Satoru watched Riko walk toward her room, there was a tenderness in his eyes that even he did not notice.
Shoko and Suguru exchanged a knowing look. It seemed that certain feelings had taken root without anyone realizing.
That night, Riko lay in bed, thinking about everything that had happened. Satoru's smile, his gentleness, the way he put his coat over her shoulders. Every detail made her heart race.
In another room, Satoru stood by the window, gazing at the moonlight and lost in thought. What did this strange yet wonderful feeling mean?
...
The Gojo residence was silent late at night, with only the occasional chirping of insects in the courtyard.
In Riko's room, moonlight filtered through the window lattice, bathing the space in a soft silver glow.
She lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Every moment from the day replayed in her mind like a film.
The light from her phone screen was especially bright in the dark. The photos taken on the observation deck drew her gaze like a magnet.
Why did it become like this...
Riko buried her face in the quilt, feeling her heartbeat pounding.
Since when did my heart start racing when I saw Satoru? Was it when he taught me Kidō? Or was it today in Ginza?
Thinking back over every detail of the past half month, Satoru's figure grew ever clearer in her mind. The way he taught her seriously during training, the jokes he made that eased her tension, and the gentle gestures in Ginza today...
I used to think he was just a very powerful teacher. She gently touched the photo of Satoru's smiling face. When did I start noticing his every move? Caring about every word he said? Feeling my heart race because of his eyes?
Riko turned over, and her gaze landed on the new clothes she had bought.
The dark blue dress seemed to retain the warmth from the fitting room.
She clearly remembered Satoru's expression when he saw her wearing it.
The light in his eyes at that moment made her heart skip a beat.
Did he also, at that moment... She hugged the quilt tightly. No, I can't think like that. I am his student. But why do I care about him so much? Why do I want to be closer to him? Not just to learn his power, but to know everything about him...
In another room, Satoru leaned against the window, Six Eyes unfocused on the moon. He had always handled everything with ease, yet now he felt uneasy because of the image of a young girl.
This is really troublesome... He rubbed his brow. Since when did I care so much about someone's expression? Want to see her smile? Want to protect her without thinking?
Recalling Riko's expressions throughout the day, each scene felt strange and new. Her clumsy attempt at using cutlery in the restaurant, her quiet profile as she made a wish on the observation deck, the shy smile when they said goodbye...
This feeling has gone beyond caring for a student. Satoru chuckled at himself. At first I only wanted to fulfill my role as a teacher, but in the end...
He remembered the moment outside the ice cream shop when Riko tried to wipe the smear at the corner of his mouth. For a second, he had wanted her hand to actually touch his face.
Falling in love with a student... He shook his head. That's really too much. But when I see her smile, I feel happy. When I see her working hard, I want to protect her. I can't control this feeling anymore.
Riko clutched her phone to her chest, overwhelmed by the wave of emotions.
So this is what liking someone feels like. Your heartbeat speeds up, your face gets hot, your pulse won't settle. You want to get closer, yet you're afraid to.
Satoru looked at a photo on his phone, his eyes softening.
When did the Star Plasma Vessel take up such an important place in my heart? She is supposed to be someone who needs protection, yet she makes me want to stay by her side forever.
Riko tossed and turned, Satoru's figure filling her thoughts.
Will Satoru think I'm strange? I am his student, yet I have these feelings for him. But every time I see his smile, a happiness I can't describe rises in me. I want to know him better, to learn more about him. I want to stay by his side forever.
It was late, yet neither of them could sleep.
This quietly budding relationship made them both excited and nervous.
Perhaps starting tomorrow, the air between them would change in subtle ways. For now, they each held their thoughts in the dark, looking forward to whatever good might come.
The moonlight still fell gently across the Gojo courtyard, witnessing the night's thoughts. Perhaps in the near future, this careful affection would bloom into something beautiful. For now, let the feeling ferment through the night, waiting for dawn.
Riko looked at the moon outside the window, feeling a mix of emotions. The silvery light fell across her bed, tracing her slender silhouette.
If... if I merge with Tengen, the current me will disappear, right? She brushed her thumb over Satoru's smiling face on the phone screen. If that happens, I will never see Satoru's smile again. I won't hear his gentle teaching, or feel his care...
She buried her face in her pillow, trying to hide her burning cheeks.
Every detail of the past half month flashed like a kaleidoscope.
Satoru's serious expression while teaching Kidō, the casual touch when he corrected her movements, and those heart-pounding moments in Ginza today.
I used to think being a Star Plasma Vessel was my destiny, an unchangeable responsibility. She turned over, staring up at the ceiling. But now... I seem to have someone I want to protect, and a reason to keep being Riko.
Recalling the moment she made a wish on the observation deck, she prayed silently. I hope it can go on like this forever. I hope I can always be with Satoru. But now, that feels like such an extravagant wish.
If only it could always be like this... Tears welled in her eyes without her noticing. Training with Satoru, chatting and laughing, occasionally going shopping like today... If this were an ordinary life, how happy it would be.
Her phone screen lit up again, and Satoru's gentle smile made her heart pound once more.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)