Refraction

In the Sky Lounge, we just had a normal chat about how our lives went so far. Sure it may look normal for other people, but for us, who had this loop ability and has seen all horrors you can Imagine, it is…. Heaven. Everything is just so fun. So fun, that we didn't get to think about the upcoming war, or the Mimics, or even the loop. Too make things even better, the way he tells his story didn't help at all. At one point he would tell me things like a funny accident his friend had and also things like why he likes coffee and we would ourselves laugh contently. I really forgot when the last time I'm doing this kind of thing.

After a long but fun time, we began to feel sleepy and we decided to sleep. I offered him an empty room, but he prefers to sleep in the main room. Gave up, I then drag a bed out of my room for him to sleep on. After that, he just jump onto the bed and gave me some space. Then something finally sinks in my brain. Did he really ask me to sleep with him!?

I try to relax my beating heart, but it is useless. Even with all the soothing technique I know, this is a very different situation and I can't look at him in the eye. Everything is just so sudden nowadays and I just can't prepare myself mentally. Well… what do you expect from a girl who had seen layers of hell and suddenly this girl met a boy who also, like her, has the loop ability and really understand how she feel.

I suddenly feel his warm hand on mine. Surprised, I slowly tilt my head so that we meet each of our eyes. I find him standing and gently looking at me while he says these words.

"Let's just sleep. Okay?"

My eyes are starting to feel wet, and before I realize it, I'm crying again today. Tears pouring down my face while I try to hold my voice and chokes. Despite all of my effort, I'm still crying loudly. Why? Just why you do it again, you jerk!?

Without warning, I feel his body against mine. He hugs me and puts his left hand on my waist while his right hand is on my hair, calming me down with his the movements of his warm hands on my back. All of this just makes me want to cry even more. By instinct, I bury my face in his chest and letting it all out. I soak his clothes completely.

Some considerable time has passed, and I withdraw my face slightly so that I can meet his eyes again. His gentle face and his scent make me feel safe and content of everything that happened.

I decided to take my initiative. I slightly lean my head so that my face is at his right. I tilt my head to his cheek and kiss him there tenderly. I don't care if it's awkward. I just need to do this.

I feel his hard beating fast, and I don't mind it at all. His heartbeat makes me feel happy inside. Then I noticed he is smiling, as if to reciprocate what I just did.

He then hugs me again while I rest my head on his shoulder.

"Rita"

I heard my name

"Let's get some sleep… Together"

I nod and we finally go to the bed. We snuggle to each other's bodies. My head is on the crook of his neck, while his head is on my hair, sniffing my scent. In just this position, I see he falls asleep straight away.

Before I call it a day, I need to say to something.

"Thanks…. I love you, Keiji"

Unknown to her, he is barely still awake.

'I love you too, Rita' he thought before he open the door to a different dreamland.

Author's Notes : Hi there! This short fanfic is something I had in my mind after I finished reading the manga. I gotta say that, it strikes me right in the feels, and I don't know what to say about the ending (which I won't tell you). But in short words, the story actually draw me in real good, the characteristic is just fantastic for the main characters in this short but intense manga. Just don't read it at night (for an obvious reason, of course). And don't worry about the other fics. I will get it done.