The afternoon passed in a blur of classes, but Ere'ana found herself smiling every time her mind wandered back to the café. She couldn't help but replay the conversation she'd had with Kikidori. It felt so easy, so natural. For the first time in a long time, she wasn't second-guessing herself or worrying about how she came across. Kikidori just... got her. And maybe, just maybe, she was starting to think that maybe there was more to this connection than just friendship.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of her last class for the day, Ere'ana gathered her things slowly, her thoughts still on Kikidori. She was looking forward to seeing him again, even though she wasn't sure exactly what to expect.
When she walked out of class, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Kikidori.
*"Hey, are you done with classes? Want to come over to my dorm? I promise I'm not a weirdo or anything, I just thought we could hang out."*
Ere'ana smiled at his casual tone. *"Sure! I'll be there in 10."*
She texted back, excited but also a little nervous. It would be the first time she visited his dorm, and something about that felt... different. She pushed those thoughts aside, trying to focus on the fact that she'd get to spend more time with him.
As she walked across campus toward Kikidori's dorm, her heart beat a little faster. She was excited, but there was a nervous flutter in her stomach. She wasn't sure what to expect, but she knew she wanted to see him again.
When she arrived at his dorm, she took a deep breath before knocking on the door. It swung open almost instantly.
"Hey!" Kikidori greeted her, his eyes lighting up as soon as he saw her. "You made it. Come in!"
Ere'ana smiled and stepped inside. The room was cozy, decorated in a mix of warm colors with posters of various artists on the walls. There were sketchbooks and pencils scattered around, a clear sign of Kikidori's love for drawing. It felt welcoming and lived-in, a place where someone could relax and be themselves.
"Nice place," Ere'ana said, looking around with a smile.
"Thanks," Kikidori replied, shutting the door behind her. "Make yourself at home. Want something to drink?"
Before Ere'ana could answer, the door to the room opened again, and a petite figure walked in, carrying a bag and a few books in hand. Ere'ana blinked in surprise as she recognized the girl immediately.
"Yumi?" Ere'ana exclaimed, her eyes widening.
Yumi glanced up from her bag and froze when she saw Ere'ana standing in Kikidori's dorm. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she cocked her head to the side. "Well, well, look who's here."
Ere'ana's heart skipped a beat. "Wait—what are you doing here?" she stammered.
"I live here, remember?" Yumi said with a wink, her smile widening. "This is my dorm too, silly. Didn't think I'd just leave poor Kikidori all by himself, did you?"
Ere'ana stood there, momentarily stunned. She hadn't realized that Kikidori and Yumi were dormmates. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.
"Oh my god," she muttered, her face flushing slightly. "I didn't know you two were... roommates."
Yumi's grin only grew wider. "Yep. Roommates. Besties. Partners in crime." She tossed her bag on the couch and turned to Kikidori. "I'm going to run some errands, so I'll leave you two lovebirds alone for a bit."
Kikidori's eyes widened at the mention of "lovebirds," but before he could protest, Yumi was already slipping on her shoes and heading for the door.
"Wait—what?" Kikidori said quickly, his face flushing. "Lovebirds? No, no, we're just—"
Yumi turned to face them, her expression suddenly serious but still teasing. "I'll be gone for a bit," she said, winking at Ere'ana. "But seriously, no making out while I'm gone, alright? I don't need to see any of that."
Ere'ana froze. She couldn't believe what Yumi had just said. Her face immediately turned bright red, and she struggled to find words. "Yumi—what—?"
Yumi just grinned and shrugged. "I'm just saying! I don't need to come back to find you two stuck together like glue, alright?" She shot them both a playful look before turning and exiting the room.
There was a moment of silence. Kikidori, equally red-faced, ran a hand through his hair. "Uh... yeah, that was... well, she's Yumi."
Ere'ana stood there, unsure of what to do or say. She couldn't help but feel embarrassed. She was just here to hang out, and now Yumi's words were echoing in her mind.
Kikidori chuckled nervously, breaking the silence. "I'm really sorry about that. Yumi... she doesn't have a filter sometimes."
Ere'ana could only laugh nervously, feeling her heart racing. "I—uh, it's fine. It's just... a little awkward now, that's all."
Kikidori smiled, though his cheeks were still pink. "Well, now that we've gotten the awkwardness out of the way... want to just chill for a bit?"
Ere'ana nodded, trying to shake off the embarrassment. "Yeah, let's just hang out. I think I could use a break from thinking too much for a change."
As Kikidori nodded in agreement, Ere'ana couldn't help but feel both relieved and... intrigued. Maybe things between them were going to be a little more complicated than she thought. But at the same time, the chemistry between them was undeniable. She had no idea what the future held, but for the first time in a while, she was excited to find out.
End of Chapter 4