The hospital was quieter than Aika remembered.
Her steps were soft against the polished tile floor as she walked down the hallway, her hands curled into loose fists at her sides.
Her mother had insisted she get some rest, but Aika had barely slept. Her mind kept replaying the image of Riku collapsing—the way his body had crumpled, the look on his face right before everything went dark.
She reached his room and hesitated. Her hand hovered over the door handle.
What if he's still unconscious? What if…
She shook the thought away and pushed the door open.
Soft light filtered through the window. Riku was awake, sitting up slightly against the pillows. His gaze was turned toward the window, his eyes half-lidded.
Aika's breath hitched.
"Riku…"
His head turned toward her at the sound of her voice. His eyes widened slightly.
"Aika…"
Her feet carried her toward him before she realized what she was doing. She sat down in the chair beside his bed, her hands tightening over her knees.
"How are you feeling?" she asked quietly.
Riku's gaze lowered. His hand rested on the thin blanket over his lap. "Better, I guess."
Aika's heart squeezed painfully at the hesitation in his voice.
"You scared me," she admitted. Her voice was soft, but her hands curled into fists. "I thought…"
Riku's eyes darkened.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
Her gaze sharpened. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Riku's eyes tightened. His hand shifted on the blanket, curling slightly.
"I didn't want you to worry."
Aika's breath caught. "But I do worry."
He glanced away, his lips pressed into a thin line. "I know."
"Then why—"
"I didn't want you to look at me differently," Riku interrupted, his voice quiet.
Aika froze.
Riku's gaze remained fixed on the blanket. His hand trembled slightly.
"I didn't want you to see me as… weak."
Her breath caught painfully in her chest.
"You think I'd care about that?" she whispered.
Riku's jaw tensed. "I didn't want you to feel like you had to take care of me."
Aika's heart twisted. Slowly, her hand reached out and covered his trembling fingers.
Riku's eyes widened.
"You don't have to pretend around me," Aika whispered. "You don't have to protect me all the time."
Riku's hand trembled beneath hers.
"I'm not going anywhere," she said softly.
Riku's gaze finally lifted to meet hers. His expression was raw—unshielded in a way that made Aika's chest ache.
"I was scared," Riku admitted, his voice barely more than a breath. "Of what you'd think if you knew."
Aika's fingers tightened over his hand. "You don't have to hide anything from me."
Riku's breath hitched. His hand slowly turned beneath hers, his fingers threading through hers.
Aika's heart thudded painfully as the warmth of his hand settled against her skin.
"I'm here," she whispered.
Riku's gaze softened. Slowly, his thumb brushed over the back of her hand.
"I know," he said. His voice was quiet, but steady.
Aika's eyes stung. Her free hand wiped at the corner of her eye.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily," she murmured.
Riku's lips twitched into a faint smile.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
Aika let out a breathless laugh.
Their hands remained intertwined beneath the thin hospital blanket, their fingers resting against each other's palms.
For the first time in days, the pressure in Aika's chest lessened.
"He's still here."