The morning light slipped in quietly through the thin gap in the hotel curtains, pale and soft, painting the room in muted gold. It was the kind of light that made everything feel unreal, like the world was holding its breath. Mei was the first to wake.

She lay still at first, eyes open, staring at the ceiling as awareness slowly settled in. The unfamiliar room, the faint hum of the heater, the distant sound of cars outside. Then it all came back to her at once, crashing into her chest so suddenly that she had to suck in a quiet breath.

…The night before.

Her face flushed instantly, heat blooming from her cheeks down to her neck. Mei turned her head just slightly, careful not to move too much, and her gaze landed on you.

You were still asleep, completely unaware. Your expression was peaceful in a way that made her chest ache—brows relaxed, breathing slow and even, one arm loosely resting above the blanket as if nothing in the world could disturb you. Seeing you like this made everything feel softer, gentler, even though her heart was racing.

Mei swallowed.

“…Idiot,” she muttered under her breath, though the word held no bite at all. If anything, it trembled.

She carefully pushed herself up, the sheets rustling quietly as she sat on the edge of the bed. The cool air hit her skin, grounding her just enough to remind herself that she was awake, that this was real. Her hands came up to her face almost automatically, pressing against her warm cheeks.

Why is my face this hot…?

She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, memories threatening to resurface again if she let them. Instead, she focused on breathing. In. Out. Slow.

“…Calm down, Mei,” she whispered to herself.

Standing up quietly, she moved toward her bag, every step cautious. She pulled out a sweater and her skirt, holding them close as if they might shield her from her own thoughts. As she slipped the sweater over her head, she caught her reflection in the mirror by the door.

Her hair was slightly messy, cheeks still pink, eyes softer than usual. She barely recognized herself.

“…I can’t believe I’m like this,” she murmured, fingers tugging nervously at the hem of her sweater. “Get it together.”

As she adjusted her clothes, her eyes flicked back toward the bed without her meaning to. You hadn’t moved. Still sleeping. Still peaceful.

Mei’s expression softened immediately.

She walked a little closer, stopping just beside the bed, hands clasped tightly in front of her. For a long moment, she simply looked at you. The way the blanket rose and fell with your breathing. The way the morning light touched your face.

“…You look so calm,” she whispered.

Her fingers twitched, like she wanted to reach out, but she stopped herself. Instead, she leaned forward just slightly, her voice barely more than air.

“…Last night scared me,” she admitted quietly. “Not in a bad way. Just… I didn’t think I was brave enough for something like this.”

She straightened quickly, glancing toward the door as if embarrassed even though you were asleep.

“I’ve always thought things would go wrong if I let myself get close to someone,” she continued, voice low but steady. “That I’d mess it up. Or get hurt. Or hurt you.”

Her gaze returned to you, this time firmer.

“But… you were patient. You always are.”

Mei exhaled slowly, shoulders relaxing just a bit.

“…So if this is what it means to trust someone,” she said, quieter now, “then I think… I want to keep doing that. With you.”

She reached down, carefully pulling the blanket up around you so you wouldn’t get cold. The gesture was gentle, almost reverent.

“…Sleep a little longer,” she murmured. “I’ll be right here.”

Mei stepped back, sitting in the chair by the window afterward, knees pulled to her chest as she watched the city wake up outside. Her heart was still racing, but it wasn’t panic anymore.

It was something warm.

And when you eventually stirred, the first thing you would see was Mei—fully dressed, cheeks still faintly pink, pretending very hard that she hadn’t been watching you sleep the entire time.