The faint, golden light of dawn drifted through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Kazuki cracked one eye open, slowly adjusting to the soft glow that had invaded his slumber. He stretched, rubbing the last traces of sleep from his face, and let out a relaxed sigh. Another day was about to begin.
Before he could fully sit up, something soft brushed against his side. He glanced over and smiled to himself. There, sprawled out and clinging to his arm, was Shizuka. Her silver hair cascaded across the pillow, shining almost ethereally in the morning light, strands catching like threads of pure moonlight. Her arm was thrown across his chest, holding onto him possessively, even in her sleep.
"You're awake?" he whispered, a slight chuckle escaping his lips.
A sleepy murmur came from her as she tightened her grip, nuzzling her cheek against his shoulder with a little grin. Her crimson eyes slowly blinked open, and she looked up at him, mischief flickering beneath her gaze. "Kazuki, are you trying to slip away before I've had my morning cuddles?"
Kazuki smirked, amused by her playfulness. "Didn't know you were keeping track of those."
"Of course," she replied, tracing lazy circles on his chest. "Morning cuddles are vital for my well-being. Besides, if I let you out of bed, you'd run off and leave me pining."
"Pining?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "You make it sound tragic."
"Well, it is tragic." She pouted, though her smirk never fully disappeared. "What if you met some beautiful stranger on your way to the kitchen, and she stole you away?"
Kazuki rolled his eyes. "Pretty sure you'd chase her off before she got close."
"Mmm… good point." She rested her head against his chest, letting out a happy sigh. "Lucky me, then."
He chuckled, wrapping an arm around her as they lay there a few moments longer. These little exchanges were like clockwork for them, part of a rhythm they'd fallen into as naturally as breathing. Shizuka's clinginess, her teasing words, and the warmth of her gaze were things Kazuki had grown fond of. But, perhaps, what he appreciated most was the quiet peace he felt by her side.
As if reading his mind, she looked up at him again, her expression softening. "Do you ever get tired of this?"
"Of what?" he asked.
She bit her lip, looking a little vulnerable. "Of me… like this."
Kazuki's smile grew softer as he stroked her hair. "Not once."
Her cheeks flushed, but she hid it quickly, pushing herself up and stretching her arms. The loose fabric of her nightshirt slid off one shoulder, and her long hair flowed down her back, nearly touching her waist. She looked back at him with that familiar glint in her eye. "Well then, lucky you get to enjoy my company all day long."
"Guess I'm luckier than I thought," he replied, rolling out of bed to start his day.
As he moved towards the door, she followed him closely, almost too closely. He could feel her presence trailing him, her footsteps light as a feather. Once they reached the kitchen, Shizuka made herself at home, leaning against the counter as Kazuki prepared breakfast.
"So, what's on the menu today?" she asked, watching him closely.
"Just the usual. Eggs, rice, miso soup."
Her eyes sparkled. "You know I can't resist a man who cooks. How did I get so lucky?"
He chuckled, focusing on his work. "I thought I was the lucky one."
"Oh, believe me, I'm sure," she said, reaching over to steal a bite as soon as the food hit the plate. She was shameless about things like that, and he found it endearing.
After breakfast, they cleaned up together, slipping into their daily routine. But every so often, he'd catch her watching him with that look — half teasing, half affectionate. She was completely unguarded around him, her little glances and coy remarks becoming the invisible threads that tied them closer together.
The rest of the morning passed peacefully. Kazuki stepped out to take care of a few errands while Shizuka stayed back, though her parting words — "Come back soon or I'll get lonely" — lingered in his mind, bringing a slight smile to his lips.
When he returned, she was waiting for him, her face lighting up as he walked through the door. Without a word, she crossed the room and threw her arms around him, her silver hair cascading over his shoulders. He could feel her heartbeat as she hugged him tightly, as if confirming he was really there.
"Kazuki…" she whispered, her voice soft. There was a hint of shyness now, as if her usual confidence had faded.
He brushed her hair back, meeting her gaze.
"Yes?"
"I'm… glad you're here," she murmured, looking away, her cheeks pink.
Kazuki smiled and held her close, content with the simplicity of the moment. They didn't need grand gestures or dramatic declarations. They had each other, in the quiet moments of daily life, and that was enough.