The next morning…
Golden sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting soft glows across the room. The snow outside made everything sparkle—like the world had been wrapped in a quiet kind of magic.
Rei was still there, sitting up, back a little sore, head tilted to the side. He blinked a few times as the morning light filled the room… and then looked down.
Sera was still fast asleep in his lap, breathing gently. She looked completely peaceful—like the world hadn't touched her yet.
"She's still sleeping, huh…" he mumbled, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. His fingers lingered for a second. "Cute…"
Then—
"KYAAAAAAAAAAA—WHAT IS THIS LOVE-DOVE SCENARIO?!" Alya exploded from the side like a raccoon finding treasure.
Sera blinked, half-awake. "Mmm... morning already?"
Rei, still dazed, pressed a finger to his lips. "Shhh…"
But Alya was already in full chaotic mode. "YOU TWO WERE HOLDING HANDS? SHE'S IN YOUR LAP?? AND NO ONE EVEN TOLD ME ABOUT THIS ROM-COM SCENE?!"
Sera groaned, hair sticking in all directions. "Alya… please... five more minutes..."
"You sat like that all night?! Your thighs must've gone to Soul Society and even gotten their bankai," Alya said, dramatically poking Rei.
Rei exhaled. "They did. I can't feel my soul either."
"You are so dramatic, Rei," Sera said, her cheeks red.
"Sera, I held you for about eight hours, and I'm the one being dramatic here?"
"Lovebirddddssssss!!" Alya screamed.
From the kitchen, Mrs. Ishimia called out, "Alya! Quit yelling, it's barely 8!"
"MOM, THEY—"
"Yeah, yeah. Lovebirds. Let them be, you nosy goblin," she yelled back.
Sera chuckled sleepily. "Thanks, Mom…"
Rei gave her a sleepy smile. "Guess the warmth didn't go away after all."
Sera smiled, still half-asleep. "Told you... it's better this way."
Mrs. Ishimia's voice rang again, "Breakfast is ready, my little lovebirds!"
"Mooom, stooop," Sera whined, burying her face in her hands.
Rei turned to her with fake puppy eyes. "So… we're not dating?"
"I don't knooowwwwwwww!!" Sera shouted back, her voice echoing through the house as she ran off, flustered.
Alya rolled her eyes. "Right, right—time to feast." She headed to the dining room.
Rei stood, stretching his legs, then gently placed his hand over Sera's. "So… we're not dating, huh?"
Sera stared at him, heart pounding. "Who knows what we're doing…"
Rei leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what you think about me, but I love you."
He walked away, calm on the outside. "Smells amazing, Mrs. Ishimia!"
Sera stood frozen. "HOW CAN HE SAY THAT WITH A STRAIGHT FACE?!?" she screamed into her sleeves. Her cheeks were redder than fresh strawberries.
Meanwhile, Rei sat down at the table, grabbing a pancake with shaking hands, his heart doing Olympic-level gymnastics. "I totally played that cool," he told himself.
Sera came back, face washed but blush still lingering. She sat next to him without a word.
Rei leaned in again. "Still thinking about that?"
She flinched slightly but nodded. "Yeah. That came out of nowhere…"
"I'm sorry, Sera… I just… I thought we were already dating," he said softly.
There was a pause.
"…We are," she whispered, turning her face away.
"Huh?"
"I said we ARE, you dork!!"
Rei blinked, stunned. But neither said anything more. That moment… said everything.
After breakfast, Rei stood up and gave a small bow to her parents. "Thanks for having me over."
He glanced at the girls. "Bye, Sera. Bye, Alya."
Sera smiled shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Get home safe, okay?"
Rei grinned as he turned. "I will."
The door closed behind him with a gentle click.
And Sera stood there for a moment, heart still fluttering like crazy.
---
—To be continued.
~Rei