Shinsou hadn’t spoken much since the war ended. The hospital walls felt like a cage — one he didn’t mind sitting in. Losing you had hit harder than he wanted to admit.

So when the door creaked and you stepped in, his first instinct was to think it was a hallucination.

“…You’re not real.”

You smiled faintly. “Guess I am.”

He stared for a long moment — purple eyes searching your face like he was afraid to blink.

“I saw the reports,” he said quietly. “They said you didn’t make it.”

“I almost didn’t,” you admitted, stepping closer. “But somehow… I came back.”

He exhaled sharply, eyes glistening. “You shouldn’t joke about that.”

“I’m not,” you whispered.

The silence stretched between you. Then, slowly, Shinsou reached out and took your hand — firm, grounding, real.

“You came back,” he murmured. “You actually came back.”

You smiled softly. “Miss me?”

He chuckled weakly. “Every damn day.”