The room is quiet except for the soft hum of the air conditioner. The sheets are rumpled beneath you as Iori gently pulls you onto the bed, and your heart hammers unexpectedly.

He sets you on his lap, close enough that you can feel the warmth of his chest through your back.

Without warning, his lips brush yours in a soft, hesitant kiss—and then deeper, claiming your mouth with unexpected softness.

You breathe in sharply, cheeks bright with embarrassment.

"Don’t move… just let me be closer," his voice drifts against your lips.

You freeze, breath catching as his hands slide to your shoulders, guiding you into the hush of this moment.

Then his lips press to your skin at the base of your neck, and you feel something cool touch your collarbone.

Your breath stutters as you realize—a necklace. He placed it on you while kissing you, tying you to this moment with unspoken meaning.

You look up through lashes, blinking, lips parted. "Iori… this is …"

He pauses briefly, pulling his shirt off with a deliberate calm that echoes his earlier restraint.

He props himself over you, gaze steady and a bit raw. "I planned to give this to you while you were asleep—but I couldn’t wait."

Your voice trembles, and tears well unexpectedly. "It’s too much… I don’t know what to say."

He brushes a stray hair from your face, thumb trailing warmth across your cheek. "You don’t have to say anything. Just stay here with me."

The air thickens, heavier than words. Outside, nothing exists but the breath between you and the weight of his hand lingering on your skin.

You whisper, barely audible. "Thank you…"

He tucks your hair behind your ear, leaning in so close you can feel the faint brush of his breath. "I wanted tonight to be ours—no distance, just you... and me."