She didn't disappear.
Kairo blinked, his heart pounding.
Lyna was still there standing calmly in the soft morning sunlight.
His breath returned slowly, realizing… it was all in his head.
She tilted her head. "You okay?"
He stayed quiet.
"Good morning, Kairo," she said, smiling sweetly like nothing had happened.
Kairo blushed. "G-Good morning…"
But his mind spun wildly.
> "Why did the app say I can't trust her? What if... what if I'm wrong about her?"
He clenched his fist.
> "I don't care. I'll ask her. Even if it ruins everything…"
He faced her directly, nervous but firm.
> "Lyna… the app said not to trust you."
There was a long pause.
She looked at him, a bit surprised but not angry.
Instead, she sighed softly and walked over.
Placing her hand gently on his shoulder, she said,
> "That app is cursed, remember? It plays tricks. Twists your fears. You're not the only one it messes with, idiot."
Her words were soft, but filled with something rare: understanding.
Kairo couldn't hold it in anymore. His eyes welled up.
No one had ever spoken to him like this before.
No one had cared this gently.
She didn't question him.
She just hugged him.
And in that moment—he froze.
His body, always tense, relaxed for the first time.
Then she whispered near his ear,
> "You're not alone anymore. Stop acting like you are."
Kairo blushed so hard he stepped back in shock.
Lyna giggled. "Now come on, Kairo~"
They stepped out into the warm breeze of the morning, side by side.
**Later that Day – Under a Tree**
They found a quiet place under a large tree outside the town.
Wind rustled the leaves gently as Kairo and Lyna sat side by side in the grass.
The sun peeked through the branches above, casting soft golden light.
Without a word, Kairo leaned his head onto her shoulder.
Lyna flinched slightly, but didn't move away.
"…Lyna?" he asked in a small voice.
"Yeah?"
"…Can I… hold your hand?"
She smirked, brushing hair from her face.
> "You don't have any patience, do you, idiot?"
Kairo blinked. Was that a yes or a no...?
Then she looked at him again, this time more softly.
> "Yes, of course… But try to learn some patience next time, idiot."
His heart almost exploded.
She reached out, gently locking her fingers with his.
For the first time in his life, the world didn't feel cold.
It felt… warm.
Kairo's phone vibrated in his pocket.
He checked it.
A single new message glitched onto the screen:
"She's not what you think."
Lyna said: "…So," she said quietly, "you saw it."
A pause.
His heart pounded.
Lyna looked at him, then suddenly tilted her head with a soft smirk.
"…Just kidding!" she grinned. "Come on, Kairo. I'm human just like you. Nothing more."
Her voice was so natural, so comforting like a breeze wiping away every doubt.
He stared at her.
Something inside him told him to question it. To fear it.
But instead…
He smiled.
"I believe you."
Lyna blinked in surprise. Then her eyes softened.
"You're really easy to fool, you know that?" she teased.
"Maybe," Kairo shrugged. "But I trust my heart."
She laughed gently, sweetly.
"Tch. That heart of yours will get you into trouble someday."
After a moment of silence, Kairo glanced up at her again.
"Lyna…"
"Hmm?"
"Can I… lay in your lap?"
She blinked.
"So you want everything in one day, huh?" She crossed her arms, pretending to pout. "First my hand, then my lap… what's next?"
Kairo looked away, face red.
"S-Sorry, I just—"
She cut him off, giggling.
> "I'm kidding, I'm kidding."
She says
"Yes you can kairo~"
He hesitated for a second, then slowly rested his head on her lap. Her touch was warm. Soothing. The world seemed to quiet around them.
"You're really soft," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Excuse me?" she blinked, pretending to act offended.
"N-Nothing!" he panicked, waving his hands.
Lyna let out a light laugh one that made Kairo's heart thump painfully in his chest.
"You're cute when you panic, you know?" she said, brushing a hand through his messy hair.
Kairo's ears turned red.
"You really don't have to say things like that…" he murmured.
"But I want to," she smiled. "You're the first person who made me feel like I belong somewhere."
He turned his head slightly to look at her. Her expression was genuine. Honest.
"I thought… girls like you didn't exist," he said quietly.
"And I thought boys like you only lived in fairy tales," she replied.
He chuckled softly. "Guess we're both wrong."
The silence after was warm not awkward.
Lyna gently ran her fingers through his hair again. "You know… tomorrow, I'll teach you how to use your power."
Kairo blinked. "Wait my power?"
> "Mhm." She nodded. "You really thought you'd survive all this without a single ability?"
> "I mean… I never thought I had one."
> "You do. But it's locked. Emotional strain triggers it… that's why you've seen strange things in your dreams."
Kairo's eyes widened.
> "The future…" he whispered. "Is that what it is?"
> "Maybe. Or maybe something else entirely," she said with a faint smile. "But for now, stop worrying."
> "How can I not worry?" he muttered. "This whole thing's insane… monsters, curses, missions, 30 days… and then you showed up."
Lyna tilted her head. "Am I a problem?"
> "No! I mean no. You're… you're the only reason I haven't gone insane yet."
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
> "Idiot," she said softly.
He blinked.
> "Hmm?"
> "Don't fall in love so quickly," she whispered. "Or you'll break faster."
> "What if I already have?" he whispered back, not even realizing the words escaped.
Lyna looked down at him. Her eyes shimmered.
> "You're serious, huh?"
> "I think I am, i kinda like you"
She looked away for a moment.
Then back.
> "I like you too, Kairo. But… don't rush it. Let me fall in love with you slowly, okay?"
He nodded, heart swelling with something warm. Something real.
A gust of wind swept through the town as clouds parted above them. Moonlight bathed the old, broken streets in silver light.
> "So…" he whispered. "Can we stay like this a little longer?"
She smiled ge
ntly.
> "Only if you don't snore."
> "I do not—!"
> "Shhh. Sleep, idiot."
Kairo's breathing slowed as he drifted off into a peaceful sleep, his head resting in Lyna's lap. The soft rustling of the leaves around them was the only sound that filled the night, and for the first time in a long while, Kairo felt at peace.
But when he awoke, the world felt different. The warmth of Lyna's lap was gone.
His eyes snapped open, and he found himself lying in his own bed. He sat up quickly, his heart racing.
Was it all just a dream?
He glanced around the room everything seemed normal. His clothes. The surroundings. The clock on the wall.
But... it didn't feel like a dream.
Suddenly, he heard the familiar soft voice.
> "It's not a dream, Kairo."
He turned to see Lyna standing in the doorway, a gentle smile on her face.
> "Lyna...?" he whispered, disbelief still lingering in his voice.
> "Yup, it's me," she said with a playful wink, her silver hair glowing softly in the dim light of his room.
Kairo stood up, his legs a bit shaky from the sudden change. He rubbed his eyes, not sure if he was still half asleep or if everything was truly real.
> "You're really here… but... how?"
> "That's for me to know and you to figure out," she replied, her tone light but with a hint of mystery.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "I—I thought I was dreaming…"
Lyna stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
> "No, Kairo. It's real. And I'm here." Her voice softened. "I told you, no more doubts."
Kairo looked at her, still a little shaken by everything that had happened. But in the back of his mind, a small voice told him that he could trust her. She wasn't lying.
Lyna reached into her bag and pulled out a steaming bowl of food.
> "Dinner's ready. Let's eat first," she said, offering the bowl to him with a smile.
Kairo hesitated, then took the bowl from her. As they sat down to eat together, there was a sense of calm, like everything in the world had slowed down for a moment. No more questions. No more fear. Just the two of them, sharing this moment.
They ate in silence for a while, only the occasional sound of clinking chopsticks breaking the stillness. After a while, Lyna placed her bowl down, looking at him with that familiar, soft smile.
> "You've been through a lot, haven't you?" she asked, her voice gentle.
He met her gaze. "Yeah… but I don't think I've ever been this happy."
Her smile grew, her eyes twinkling. She stood up and offered her hand to him.
> "Come on, Kairo. Let's go to your room."
He blinked in confusion. "My room?"
> "Mm-hm. You've been through a lot. Let's take a break. You can rest."
He followed her to his room, his heart pounding a little faster with every step. Lyna sat on the bed, patting the space beside her.
> "Lay down," she said softly.
Without thinking, Kairo lay down beside her, and to his surprise, she patted her lap again. His heart raced.
> "Can I just—" he paused, nervously biting his lip, "—Can I lay in your lap again? Just this last time?"
She tilted her head, looking at him with a teasing smile.
> "You're really greedy, aren't you?" she said, her voice playful. "Wanting everything in one go."
Kairo blushed, his face turning red. "I… just feel better when I'm with you."
She laughed softly and patted her lap.
> "Fine, you win, Kairo~," she said, pulling him gently into her lap. Her fingers began running through his hair, soothing him.
Kairo closed his eyes, feeling completely at peace. Her hand felt so gentle against his scalp, and the warmth of her presence surrounded him. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he was truly cared for.
> "You're the strangest guy I've ever met," Lyna said, her voice filled with affection. "But I'm glad I met you."
Kairo smiled softly, his heart swelling with emotion.
> "I'm glad I met you too, Lyna."
He let out a deep breath, his body finally relaxing in the peaceful silence of the room. Everything felt right. Everything felt perfect. And as he lay there, safe and content, he couldn't help but whisper…
> "I don't want this to end."
Lyna's fingers paused for a moment.
> "It won't," she whispered back, her voice soft and reassuring.
And as Kairo fell into a peaceful slumber once more, the weight of the world didn't seem so heavy anymore.
Chapter End ⚔️