The next morning, Miu woke up with a strange feeling—her back slightly numb, her hair a mess, and her face unusually warm.

Not because of a fever.
But because last night kept replaying in her mind like a looped film.

Lena lifting her hand... tucking Miu's hair back.
Standing close enough that Miu could smell the scent on her shirt.
Saying, "I want you to get used to me."

Miu buried her face into the pillow.

"Oh my god... you're done for, Miu..."

Her phone vibrated right then.

Lena: Are you awake?

Miu's heart thudded hard.

She replied so fast she made a typo, had to delete it, then type again.

Miu: I'm awake.

Lena: Remember to eat breakfast.

Miu: Yes I will. Um... what are you doing right now?

Only after sending it did Miu freeze.

Wait. Why did I ask that?
Why do I care?
Since when did this become... me taking the initiative???

She clutched her head.

But it was already sent. No taking it back.

The reply came quickly.

Lena: I'm getting ready for a meeting. Do you want to video call?

Miu almost dropped her phone.

Video call?? No no no no—

She muttered frantically and typed:

Miu: Go to your meeting!! Why would we call!!!

Lena: Because you asked what I was doing.

Miu went completely still.

Why does she say things so directly like that...

Miu: I meant it as a polite question!!!

Lena: I'm not polite with you.

What does not polite with you even mean...

Miu's heart felt like it was about to jump out.

Miu: Just go to your meeting! I'm getting ready for work!

Lena: Okay. Message me when you're free.

After sending that, Miu pressed a hand to her chest.

"...I'm in trouble."

Waiting for messages.
Waiting for replies.
Waiting to see her.

This was no longer just confusion.
It was expectation.

Something far more dangerous.

⸻

In the meeting, Lena worked as usual—taking notes, reviewing reports, answering questions.

Only her assistant noticed something odd.

"Ms. Lena... you seem a bit... happy today?"

Lena paused her pen.

"Is that so?"

"Yes," the assistant said honestly.
"I've worked with you for three years. You rarely smile during meetings."

Lena blinked.

She hadn't been smiling.
Or at least, she thought she hadn't.

"Maybe I slept well," Lena replied.

But after the assistant left, Lena unlocked her phone and looked again at Miu's message: I'm getting ready for work.

The corner of her mouth curved upward.

Very slightly.
But unmistakably.

⸻

Meanwhile, at Miu's office, a coworker teased her:

"Why are you so cheerful today? Someone bought you breakfast or something?"

Miu nearly choked on her drink.

"Nooooo!!!"

"You look way too bright. Got a partner now?"

"OH MY GOD NO!!!"

"You're blushing."

"I'm not! It's hot!!!"

But when the coworker turned away, Miu rested her chin on her hand, unconsciously brushing her fingers over the spot Lena had touched the night before.

This is bad.
I really miss her.

⸻

That night, it started raining lightly out of nowhere. Miu got home, changed, dried her hair, and lay in bed hugging a pillow.

For some reason, one thought kept echoing in her head:

Message her.

No... that's too forward...

She muttered to herself.

Five minutes passed.

"...But it's probably fine... just asking..."

Ten minutes.

"...Asking what she ate today isn't weird, right..."

Fifteen minutes later, Miu opened the chat and typed.

Miu: Have you had dinner?

Sent.
Screen off.
Face buried into the pillow.

One minute.
Two minutes.

Then the reply appeared.

Lena: Not yet. You?

Miu rolled onto her side.

She replies so fast...

Miu: Me neither.

Lena: Then order something. I'll send it.

Miu: You don't have to take care of me all the time...

Lena: I'm not taking care. I want to.

Oh no...

Miu pressed her face into the pillow again.

Miu: Then I'll eat whatever you eat.

Lena paused for a few seconds before replying.

Lena: That's dangerous.

Miu: Huh?

Lena: You're too easy with me like this. I'm afraid you'll get used to me.

Miu tightened her grip on the phone.

Oh my god... she's doing this on purpose...

Miu: Then... we'll see if I really do get used to you.

Thirty seconds.
One minute.

Then Lena's message appeared.

Lena: Miu.

Miu: Yes?

Lena: If you keep going like this... I won't be able to keep my distance.

Miu felt like her heart was squeezed tight.

She couldn't breathe.
But it didn't hurt.

She typed:

Miu: You... don't have to keep it.

A long moment passed before Lena replied.

Lena: I know.

And for the first time Miu was the one who made Lena lose her composure.