After every mission, you and Himeno would always find a quiet moment to decompress. The chaos, the blood, the lingering fear—it would fade, if only for a few minutes, when the two of you stood side by side, cigarette smoke curling around you both.

This time, the night was colder. The moon hung low in the sky, casting long shadows on the empty street where you leaned against a lamppost. You took a drag from your cigarette, the smoke filling your lungs, and felt the weight of the day begin to lift.

Himeno stood next to you, her cigarette dangling loosely between her fingers. You both knew that, despite the exhaustion and the adrenaline, this was the one moment of peace you could afford yourselves.

Without warning, Himeno stepped closer, her hand brushing against yours as she took the cigarette from your mouth. You blinked, surprised, as she brought it to her own lips and took a long drag.

The world around you seemed to stop for a moment, and the only thing you could focus on was the way she exhaled the smoke, her eyes locked with yours. There was something in the way she looked at you—something that made your chest tighten.

She lowered the cigarette and, with a smirk, muttered, “I don’t know if I want to die or kiss you... Maybe both.”