Sayaka slowed her pace when she exited the house and sighed in relief. It had been a long, bad night for her, but she had stubbornly remained in bed, determined to get back to sleep. Unfortunately, it had been a futile effort and, she had dressed and snuck out of her to get some air.

The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon. Sayaka closed her eyes, pushed away the dark thoughts swirling around her brain, and focused her whole being into sensing the world around her. The crisp air raising goosebumps along her arms, the morning dew upon the grass wetting her bare feet, and the soft chirping of birds – she breathed it all in, opening herself in the hopes that she would hear a voice that might give her guidance.

Sayaka couldn't contain it any longer. She sprinted away– into a thicket of trees. She fell to her knees at the base of a tall oak and screamed. She wept and rocked and lost all awareness of everything but fear.

"Yuigahama? Yuigahama!"

A strong, gentle hand upon her shoulder pulled her back from the brink of despair. She looked up to find small black eyes, full of concern, staring at her.

"Hachiman?" Sayaka quickly rubbed her eyes. "W-what are you doing here?"

The loner was kneeling in front of her. "I was just about to ask you the same thing."

She forced a small smile. "But I asked you first."

Hachiman grunted in annoyance. He let go of her and gestured around the grove. "Couldn't sleep, so I came out here to jog a little."

"By yourself?"

He nodded. He stood up, and crossed his arms. "Your turn." He was not glaring at her per se, but his expression warned her not to dodge the question.

Sayaka used the trunk of the oak to balance as she got to her feet as well. She made a show of brushing imaginary dirt from the skirt of her dress to give herself a few extra seconds to think. "It was stupid," she said at last with a self-deprecating grin. "I just had a nightmare, that's all. And I overreacted."

That much was true at least.

But smiling, laughing... that, at least, she could do for him.

"A nightmare, huh? Must have been pretty bad to make you scream like that."

Sayaka rubbed her arm and kicked at the ground. "Yeah, it was pretty scary. But it wasn't real, so it's alright. I'm alright now."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Hachiman asked, uncrossing his arms.

She did, actually. Perhaps not all of it yet, but keeping her thoughts and fears locked inside was not helping.

And if she was honest, she found the most comfort from, and had the most faith in Hachiman.

Sayaka clasped her hands behind her back. "It's alright. It's a bit hard to explain." She strolled past Hachiman and started back in the direction of their lodging. "Besides, the others will be waking up soon. We should go meet them."

She heard Hachiman begin to follow her. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"It's nothing, in the grand scheme of things. We've got bigger things to worry about than a silly ole' dream." She cast her gaze to the sky and tapped her chin. "Like... what are we gonna have for breakfast?"

"Yuigahama..." Hachiman stepped in her way, almost making her trip on her own feet.

"Yes, Hachiman?"

"Maybe there are more important things to worry about. And maybe it is stupid. But... tell me anyway."

She made a little hum of surprise. "Are you sure?"

Hachiman nodded.

Sayaka bowed her head. She really should let it go.

She bit her lip. "Okay."

Hachiman pointed through the trees. "There's a bench up ahead. Let's go there."

Sayaka followed him to the aforementioned bench.

They sat in silence for a while, watching as the crimson hues of the sunrise faded to yellow and white. Finally, Hachiman angled his body towards her and gestured for her to speak.

Sayaka waited until the cold, slimy feeling in her stomach abated. As soon as it did, she pressed on.

To Sayaka's relief, he did not sound hurt or angry, merely confused. Nevertheless, she kept her eyes firmly focused on her fingers twisting in the white fabric.

Sayaka pursed her lips and breathed out. "I was... I dreamt that I was in a dark room..."

"...and I woke up just when the severed head was about to bite me."

She glanced over and could practically see the wheels turning in Hachiman's brain, trying to generate an image of what she had described.

"...That sounds pretty horrifying. I can see why it upset you," Hachiman said.

Sayaka pulled her knees up onto the bench and wrapped her arms around them. "The thing is, the form isn't actually what scared me the most. I mean, it did, obviously, but it's the idea behind it that really terrifies me."

"I'm not sure I follow."

She hid her face against her knees. "I don't know if I could face it."

"I get it." Hachiman went quiet, but Sayaka didn't blame him. She wouldn't know what to say either, if their roles were reversed.

To her surprise, she felt him scoot a little closer to her and clear his throat.

"Hachiman?"

He shook his head. "It's nothing." He met her gaze, his features hardened. "No one is going to harm you." Then he huffed and glanced away.

Sayaka stared at him for a few beats, then burst out laughing. Sayaka tilted her head.

"Hmm, fair enough." Sayaka folded her hands in her lap and looked up at the blue sky. "Okay, 'hero'. I won't worry anymore, but I would like to add one more request for you."

"It'll cost you."

Sayaka giggled. "I know."

Hachiman pushed himself to his feet and reluctantly acquiesced. "Alright, fine. I'll need a down payment up front."

"Okay. But since I can only pay you in dates, what would constitute a down payment?"

Hachiman raised his hand and held up his index finger. "I want one kiss." He said this in his usual, resigned-sounding tone, but there was a hint of a blush high on his cheeks.

"Oh!" Sayaka flushed as well.

"I-I mean, you don't have to, but..."

"But that's what you want, correct?" When he nodded, she skipped over, leaned up and placed a soft, lingering kiss on the corner of his mouth.

"Will that do?" she whispered.

"For now," Hachiman croaked.

"In that case, we should head back to my home. After all, the sooner we get on the road, the sooner we can find a suitable venue for me to take you on a date."

"Hmph." Hachiman smirked. "Sure."

They started through the park side by side. Just before they reached the road that would take them back home, Sayaka took Hachiman's hand.

"Hey Hachiman? Thank you... for everything."

Hachiman intertwined his fingers with hers but said nothing.

She gave him her brightest smile.