The soft glow of morning light crept through the curtains of Erika's bedroom, casting warm patterns across the room. Jin stirred awake, his arm loosely draped around Erika's waist. For a moment, he didn't move—he simply lay there, breathing in the faint scent of her perfume still lingering on her skin.
She was still asleep, her head resting on his chest, her expression peaceful and relaxed. It was rare to see Erika like this, free from her usual sharp composure and powerful aura. In this moment, she looked… softer. More human.
Jin smiled faintly, brushing a strand of her dark hair from her face. It was strange how things had unfolded—how someone as strong and untouchable as Erika had let him into her life, her world. He thought back to when they first met, how she'd barely given him the time of day. Now here they were, tangled together in a way neither of them could deny.
"How did it come to this?" Jin thought, though there was no regret in his mind. If anything, there was a quiet satisfaction.
As he shifted slightly, Erika stirred, her eyelashes fluttering before her eyes finally opened. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the morning light, then looked up at him. Her lips curled into a soft, sleepy smile—one he hadn't seen before.
"You're awake," she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep.
"I've been awake for a bit," Jin replied. "Didn't want to wake you."
She hummed contentedly, resting her head against his chest again. "You're comfortable," she teased. "I might make this a habit."
Jin chuckled softly, running his fingers through her hair. "I wouldn't complain."
For a while, they lay there in silence, enjoying the rare stillness. It was a luxury neither of them often allowed themselves. But as the minutes passed, Erika's expression slowly shifted, her gaze growing thoughtful.
"What are you thinking about?" Jin asked, noticing the change.
Erika exhaled, propping herself up slightly so she could look him in the eyes. "About us. About you."
"Me?"
"Yes," she said softly, her tone serious now. "You're… not like anyone I've ever known, Jin. I don't just mean your skills or how you helped me save my company. It's more than that. You carry this quiet confidence, like nothing can shake you. And yet, there's something about you that still feels… grounded."
Jin tilted his head, unsure how to respond. "That's… good, right?"
She smiled faintly. "It's rare. You're rare."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Jin felt the weight of her words settle over him. There was something more behind what she was saying, but Erika, being Erika, wouldn't just come out and say it directly.
Instead, she reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his. "Jin, you have people who care about you—people like Hana. And now, me. I hope you know how much that means."
Jin's throat tightened slightly at her words. He thought back to how lonely he used to feel before the system came into his life. It was only after meeting people like Erika and Hana that he realized how much he had been missing.
"I know," he said quietly. "And I don't take it for granted."
Erika smiled again, though this time there was a hint of something more—something deeper. "Good," she said softly. "Because I don't think I could let you go, even if I tried."
Jin felt his heart skip a beat at her words. He lifted a hand to her cheek, his thumb brushing gently against her skin. "I'm not going anywhere," he replied, his voice low but firm.
The moment stretched between them, their gazes locked. Slowly, Erika leaned in, her lips meeting his in a soft, lingering kiss. It wasn't rushed or urgent like the night before; this kiss held something different. It was filled with trust, with understanding—an unspoken promise between them.
When they pulled apart, Erika rested her forehead against his, a small smile playing at her lips. "You have a way of making me feel things I didn't think I could," she admitted.
Jin smirked playfully, trying to lighten the mood. "That's because I'm special, remember?"
She laughed softly, a rare, genuine sound that made Jin's chest feel warm. "Special doesn't even begin to cover it."
---
Later that morning, Erika insisted on making breakfast. Jin leaned against the kitchen counter, watching as she moved about with surprising ease. It was another unexpected side of her—one he never thought he'd see.
"Didn't peg you for someone who cooks," Jin teased as she flipped a pancake onto a plate.
"Don't get used to it," Erika shot back with a smirk. "This is a one-time deal. Consider it a reward for being honest with me last night."
Jin laughed, sitting down at the dining table as she brought over two plates. "Fair enough. I'll savor it while it lasts."
As they ate, their conversation flowed easily, touching on light topics like food, travel, and some of Erika's more humorous business encounters. It felt… normal. For the first time in a long time, Jin felt like he was just a regular guy sharing breakfast with someone he cared about.
But deep down, he knew their world wasn't so simple. There were still challenges ahead—The Syndicate wasn't fully gone, and Jin's ambitions hadn't been satisfied yet. There was still so much to do, so much to achieve.
Erika seemed to sense where his mind had wandered because she set down her fork and looked at him seriously. "Jin."
He looked up. "Yeah?"
"Whatever comes next—whatever challenges we face—you don't have to face them alone. You know that, right?"
Jin's lips curled into a small smile. "I know."
"And you'll let me help?"
"Of course," he replied. "You've already done more for me than I can ever repay."
"Good," Erika said firmly, as if that settled the matter.
They finished their breakfast in companionable silence. When Jin stood to leave, Erika walked him to the door, her demeanor softer than usual.
"Don't be a stranger," she said, giving him a teasing look. "I'll expect updates."
Jin grinned. "You'll be the first to know."
As he stepped out into the cool morning air, Jin couldn't help but feel like something had shifted between them. Their bond had deepened, and it wasn't just about attraction anymore. It was about trust, about understanding—and about a future that was starting to take shape.
But as much as he cherished his time with Erika, Jin knew this was only the beginning. There were more people to meet, more challenges to face, and more connections to build. If he wanted to achieve his goals—power, success, and the freedom to control his own fate—he couldn't stop now.
With that thought in mind, Jin stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked down the street, his next move already forming in his mind. Whatever came next, he was ready.