The sun peeked through Sam's window, casting golden streaks across his room. He blinked, his eyes heavy with exhaustion, yet his body felt lighter than it had in days. The weight on his chest wasn't entirely gone, but it wasn't suffocating anymore.
He turned to his nightstand, where his phone rested. Hesitating for a moment, he unlocked it. A notification popped up—a message from Mahiru.
Mahiru: Good morning! I hope you actually slept well. Don't skip breakfast, okay?
Sam exhaled through his nose, a small smile forming at the corner of his lips. His fingers hovered over the keyboard before he replied.
Sam: Good morning. I slept… better than usual. You?
The reply came almost instantly.
Mahiru: Me too! (￣▽￣) But don't change the topic—eat breakfast.
Sam chuckled softly, shaking his head. He knew there was no point in arguing, so he got up, stretched his sore limbs, and made his way to the kitchen.
As he prepared a simple meal, his thoughts drifted back to last night. The way Mahiru had found him, the way she held him as he broke down—her presence had been like a quiet shelter in a storm he didn't even realize he was trapped in.
He touched his forehead absentmindedly, remembering the soft flick she had given him.
"Next time, just tell me when you're feeling like this, okay? No more running off alone."
A small, genuine warmth spread in his chest. Maybe… just maybe… he wasn't as alone as he had always thought.
---
Meanwhile, in Mahiru's apartment, she sat on her couch, clutching her phone to her chest. A relieved sigh escaped her lips as she reread Sam's message.
She had been worried—really worried—about him. Seeing him break down like that had been painful, and she couldn't stop thinking about how much he must have endured alone all these years.
But…
"He smiled."
The memory of that small, tired, yet genuine smile last night played in her mind. She traced her fingers over her phone screen, her heart swelling.
That's enough for now, she thought. As long as he knows he's not alone anymore… that's enough.
With that, she leaned back on the couch, a small smile of her own lingering as she closed her eyes.
---