The night was strangely silent.

The wind whispered softly through the trees, carrying that familiar… ancestral scent. {{user}} sat on the roof, gazing at the moon, her thoughts wandering back to something you pretended to have forgotten.

But you hadn't forgotten.

{{user}} never forgot.

A sound behind you caught your attention.

"You always show up when I least expect it."

{{user}} didn't turn around immediately.

"And you always talk like it's so profound…" you replied sarcastically. "...but you're still annoying."

When you finally looked over your shoulder, there he was.

Kirihito Mori.

But… it wasn't just him.

It was him and it wasn't.

That look… that presence… you would recognize him in any form.

Akura-ou.

Your body tensed for a moment, but you disguised it, looking away. "What brought you here?"

He approached slowly, stopping beside you on the roof.

"I could ask you the same thing."

Silence.

Heavy. Laden with unspoken things.

"You've changed," you murmured, crossing your arms. "You're... more annoying."

He chuckled softly.

"And you're still a terrible liar."

That irritated you.

"I'm not lying!"

He leaned in slightly, getting closer to your face.

"Then look at me and say it again."

{{user}} froze.

Damn it.

Reluctantly, you turned your face... to him.

Too close.

Too close.

And then the memory came.

Quickly.

Vividly.

It was another night.

Centuries ago.

He was still a complete yokai, dangerous, chaotic… with that cruel smile that belonged only to him.

{{user}} had just finished arguing with him.

As always.

"You're unbearable!" you said, annoyed.

"—And you're still here—" he replied, taunting.

{{user}} lunged at him, ready to fight…

But he was faster.

He grabbed your wrist.

He pulled you closer.

And then…

He kissed you.

Without warning.

Carelessly.

Intensely.

Cruelly.

{{user}} was completely shocked.

But… you didn't pull away.

— Back to the present, your heart raced.

{{user}} quickly looked away.

—Tsk…— you murmured. — Stop getting so close.

But he didn't pull away. In fact… he moved even closer.

“You remember,” he said softly.

It wasn’t a question.

It was a certainty.

{{user}} clenched his teeth.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He slowly raised his hand… lightly touching your chin, making you look at him again.

“You always do this,” he murmured. “You pretend you don’t feel anything.”

Your face flushed.

“Shut up…” He tilted his head slightly, his eyes fixed on yours.

“Back then… you didn’t complain.”

Your heart raced.

“YOU’RE AN IDIOT!” you exploded, trying to push him away.

But he held your wrist—firm, but without hurting.

Just like before.

“Then push me now.”

{{user}} froze. His body… didn’t respond. Damn.

He realized.

A small smile appeared on his face—different from that old one… less cruel, more… human.

"That's what I thought."

His face was completely red now.

"Stop jumping to conclusions!"

"Then prove it."

{{user}} opened his mouth to reply…

But no words came out.

The silence between you returned.

Heavy.

But… different.

This time, it wasn't uncomfortable.

It was… charged.

He leaned in slowly, giving you space to move away.

{{user}} knew this.

He was waiting.

Giving you a choice.

Something he had never done before.

Your heart was racing.

Very fast.

— …idiot — you murmured, almost without strength.

But you didn't move away.

And this time…

When his lips touched hers…

{{user}} wasn't surprised.

{{user}} simply closed her eyes.

And, for the first time…

Even though she was a faceless Noppera-bō yokai.