Sakuta sniffled as he wiped the tears from his eyes.
"I'm home."
Despite the heavy weight on his heart, he couldn't help as the corners of his lips rose in response to Mai's beautiful smile.
She was alive. She was really here.
And so was he.
"Welcome back."
They stood there under her umbrella, staring into each other's tearful eyes. A thousand words stood behind their lips, waiting to be spoken, but silence prevailed, their faces saying more than they ever could. At last, they turned and headed inside.
The silence lingered even as they entered the apartment. Neither of them said anything as they took off their shoes and their coats. No one said anything as Sakuta slumped down on the couch and turned on the TV.
"There was an accident earlier tonight by the hospital. Though no one appears to have been injured, witnesses reported seeing an individual in a bunny suit tackling a young man out of the way of certain death before being struck themselves. Though police have found no body accompanying the bunny suit, citizens are urged to call 119 if they see anyone who appears to be sporting serious bodily injuries."
"That was your future self, right?"
"Yeah."
"He gave up his life to save you?"
"I think," Sakuta pondered, "that we merged somehow. I remember everything that happened. Makinohara close to death,-"
He bit back tears as he said her name. Part of him still felt like he'd robbed Shoko of her future. Who'd save her now that he didn't die?
"-nearly getting hit by that car,-"
He remembered time slowing down as twice, the car came barreling towards him, before a pair of familiar hands shoved him from behind.
"-and losing you."
That was the worst part. He remembered holding Mai in his arms as he pleaded with her to wake up, promising to make her happy if she did. But the blood pouring from the wound in her head told him there was no waking up from this. He spent days hoping it had all just been a terrible nightmare until Shoko appeared again.
Shoko…
He burst into tears again. How could he be so happy yet so sad at the same time?
"Sakuta."
A pair of arms wrapped around him, guiding his head to her heart.
"I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
Sakuta listened as her heart thumped in her chest. It beat in rhythm with his own. He sat there, listening to their two hearts, still alive, beating as one.
"Mai."
"Yes, Sakuta?"
"Can you stay with me tonight?"
"Of course."
He lifted his head from her chest.
"Really?"
"I was afraid I was going to have to ask you myself," she said with a smile.
He wrapped his arms around her again.
"Let's promise never to leave each other again."
"Yeah. Except when I'm taking a bath maybe. I wouldn't want you thinking any lewd thoughts."
"I don't need to be in the room with you to have lewd thoughts about you, Mai."
He felt her gently pull away, a subtle blush creeping into her cheeks.
"Will you be okay for now?"
"...Yeah."
He watched her disappear from sight.
"Hey, Sakuta," Mai said, her head resting on his shoulder as they watched TV.
"What is it, Mai?"
Mai blushed a bright crimson as she spoke.
"Do you want to sleep together?"
"Are you the one having lewd thoughts, Mai?"
"Idiot. Do you want to sleep next to each other?"
"Not the first time we've done that."
"I know, but not here. And besides," she said as she turned her head to face him. "This time, I want to make sure you don't disappear."
He smiled.
"What kind of junior would I be if I said no?"
A painful pinch to the cheek wiped the smile off his face.
Their eyes stared at the ceiling as they laid next to each other.
"So cramped," Mai moaned.
"Want me to leave?"
"No. Want to kiss?"
"Yes."
"Moron," she said. "It's not going to be that easy."
He chuckled, finding her hand under the covers and interlacing his fingers in hers.
"Good night."
"Good night."
A few minutes passed.
"Sakuta?"
"Yes?"
"Do you remember what you said to me that night in the hotel when I was afraid of disappearing?"
"Yeah."
"If you were the one disappearing, what would you have done?"
"I'd hold you tight and tell you I love you."
She turned towards him.
"Can you see me?"
"It's dark so not really."
"Can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear."
"Do you know who I am?"
"You're my girlfriend, Mai Sakurajima."
"Promise to never leave me again?"
"I promise."
He turned to face her, wrapping his arms around her tightly.
"I won't leave you again," he answered. "Because I love you so much."
Though it was dark, he could tell she was smiling.
"I love you too, Sakuta."
"Good night, Mai."
"Good night."
They drifted off, unalone and unafraid of all that lay ahead for them.
Because they were together.
