The night was long… and cold.
Snowflakes drifted past the window, settling softly on the ground.
Sera lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Why is my heart beating so fast?" she whispered to herself, hugging her pillow tighter.
She turned onto her side, her mind refusing to stay quiet. Every time she closed her eyes, Rei's face appeared—his brown hair shining under the sun, his smile… and his cheerful nature.
She quickly shook her head. "Ugh, what is wrong with me?!"
Meanwhile, just a few streets away, Rei was fast asleep. No restless thoughts, no overthinking—just peaceful, uninterrupted sleep.
Sera rolled onto her back and sighed. "I bet that idiot is sleeping like a rock right now…"
She checked her phone.
3:27 AM.
Her eyes widened. "Seriously?! I have school in the morning!"
Tossing and turning, she buried her face in the pillow, forcing herself to sleep.
But deep down, she knew…
This wasn't just nothing.
---
The Next Morning
The alarm blared through her room.
Sera groaned, blindly reaching out to shut it off.
"Just five more minutes…"
Five minutes turned into fifteen.
She finally sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"Ugh… I feel like a zombie."
Getting dressed in a half-asleep daze, she stepped outside—only to be hit by freezing air.
She shivered. "Cold… too cold…" Then it hit her.
"Wait—my jacket!"
Sighing, she rushed back home. As soon as she stepped inside, her mom's amused voice called out from the kitchen.
"Sera, are you a granny with a weak memory? That's the sixth time this month!"
"Mom, I really don't have time for that,"
Sera groaned, snatched her jacket, and bolted out the door before her mom could tease her more.
---
At School
The second she sat down, her head hit the desk. She was done.
"Just a short nap…"
Then—a gentle tap on her back.
"Sera, wakey wakey… didn't you sleep all night?"
Still half-asleep, she mumbled,
"You didn't let me sleep all night, idiot…"
Silence.
Then—
"Huh?"
Sera blinked awake. Rei was standing beside her, confused.
Her brain took a second to register what she just said. Then—panic.
"N-Nah! I just said that in my sleep!" she stammered, sitting up way too fast.
Rei raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it.
"You sure?"
"YES!"
---
At Recess
Rei leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"So… what did you mean earlier?"
Sera froze mid-bite.
"Huh?!"
Rei shrugged.
"You said I didn't let you sleep all night. What was that about?"
She waved a hand dismissively.
"Nah, I just said that in my sleep."
Rei stared at her for a moment, then dropped the subject.
"If you say so."
Taking a deep breath, Sera quickly changed the topic.
"Oh—Rei, are you free this Saturday? My mom invited you to dinner."
Rei tilted his head.
"Dinner?"
She nodded.
"Yeah. She kinda… wants to meet you."
Rei thought for a second, then gave a casual nod.
"Alright. Sounds fun."
Sera let out a small sigh of relief.
"Okay then. It's settled."
Just then, a hot cup of coffee landed on her table.
"No sugar, like always. Enjoy," Rei said, sliding into the seat next to her.
Sera picked up the cup, feeling the warmth in her hands.
"Thanks. This'll help me stay awake till the end of classes."
Rei just shrugged.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't fall asleep on me again."
Sera smiled slightly, taking a sip.
---
Walking Home
The sky was clear today. For once, the winter sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over everything.
As they walked, Sera glanced at Rei. His brown hair caught the light, making him look… different.
She quickly looked away, feeling a small blush creep onto her cheeks.
Clearing her throat, she said,
"Tomorrow is Saturday, so… see you at dinner."
Rei nodded.
"Yeah, see you."
Before she knew it, they had reached her house. Sera hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, her heart beating just a little faster than usual.
"Bye… see you," she said softly, closing the door behind her.
And for some reason… she couldn't stop smiling.
Rei walked away without a thought, but deep down, thoughts were swirling in his stomach…
"Does she really care for me?... Or is she just being nice as a friend?"
To Be Continued
~Rei