After Sam left, Mahiru leaned against the door, letting out a deep sigh. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the subtle but steady rhythm of her heart.
Why do I feel like this? she wondered.
She had spent countless days with Sam before, but something about last night had shifted something within her. The warmth of his presence, the way he had held her so protectively, the way she had woken up next to him—it all felt… different.
Shaking her head, she made her way to the couch and flopped down, hugging a pillow.
"This is stupid," she muttered, burying her face in it. "I'm just overthinking things."
But no matter how much she told herself that, she couldn't shake off the warmth lingering in her heart.
Meanwhile, Sam had just arrived home, and before he could even take off his shoes, Anna was already in his face.
"You're back late," she smirked. "Had a nice time with your girlfriend?"
Sam sighed, already exhausted. "Anna, I just stepped inside. Can you stop?"
But his sister was relentless. "Come on, tell me! What happened? Did you two cuddle? Sleep next to each other? Maybe even—"
"ANNA!"
Anna burst out laughing at Sam's completely flustered reaction. "Oh wow, you're turning red! So something did happen, huh?"
Sam groaned, rubbing his face. "Nothing happened, okay? I just… ended up staying over because of the storm."
Anna crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced. "Uh-huh. And you expect me to believe that you just slept?"
Sam turned away, muttering, "We didn't exactly sleep much…"
Anna's eyes widened. "OH MY GOD—"
"NOT LIKE THAT!" Sam snapped, grabbing a cushion from the couch and throwing it at her.
Anna dodged it, laughing hysterically. "Jeez, you're so easy to tease!"
Sam sighed, sitting down on the couch.
Anna plopped down beside him, her smirk softening into a curious look. "But seriously, bro… you seem different."
Sam blinked. "Different how?"
Anna tilted her head. "I dunno… just different. Like something's changed."
Sam didn't respond immediately. He wasn't sure how to explain it.
But deep down, he knew—
Something had changed.
And it all started the moment he woke up next to Mahiru.
----