The next morning, a sudden thud jolted Ogawa awake. She sat up, her hair tousled, blinking in confusion as she looked around. Her gaze landed on Shinkai sprawled on the floor, his blanket tangled around his legs. He groaned, rubbing the back of his head.
Ogawa couldn't help it; laughter bubbled up from her chest, filling the room. "Idiot," she teased, her voice light. "I still don't understand how you can fly a plane when you can't even navigate your own body properly."
Shinkai rolled onto his back, glaring up at her with mock indignation. "Excuse me,Captain Shinkaiflies planes with precision. But in this case, the problem is obvious." He pointed an accusing finger at her. "You took all the space."
Ogawa raised an eyebrow, trying and failing to suppress her grin. "Oh, really? I'm pretty sure you were the one starfishing all night. I had to cling to the edge just to survive."
Shinkai sat up, the corners of his mouth twitching. "You've got jokes this early in the morning, huh?" He stood, brushing himself off and shooting her a playful look. "Well, next time, we'll just get a bigger bed."
Ogawa, still smiling, tilted her head. "Next time, huh?"
Shinkai blinked, then his lips curved into a softer smile. "Yeah. Next time."
Ogawa's cheeks warmed, but she didn't reply, instead tossing a pillow at him. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you're still here," Shinkai shot back with a grin, mimicking her words from the night before. Ogawa couldn't argue, and instead, she lay back down beside him, their laughter gradually fading into comfortable silence.
Shinkai glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "It's 9 a.m. We've still got time for breakfast downstairs," he said, stretching.
Ogawa yawned and rubbed her eyes before sitting up. "I think we need to shower first."
Shinkai froze mid-stretch, his mind racing. "Really?" he asked, his voice slightly higher-pitched, a mix of hope and nervousness.
Ogawa turned to him with a sly smile, leaning in close enough that their noses were nearly touching. Shinkai gulped, his ears turning red. Ogawa's smile widened as she said, "Yes, Shinkai... separately." She gave him a mockingly innocent face before sitting back and whacking him with a pillow. "Idiot! Now go, move your ass and get back to your room!"
Shinkai pouted dramatically. "This is not fun..." he muttered, dragging his feet as Ogawa got up and started pushing him toward the door.
When they opened the door, Ogawa still holding onto Shinkai's arm to usher him out, they froze. Standing in the hallway was none other than Captain Jane, his arms crossed and a teasing grin spreading across his face.
"Good morning," Captain Jane said smoothly, his voice laced with amusement. "Well, well.." He gave them a knowing look. "Don't you think this is a little... obvious?"
Both Shinkai and Ogawa blurted out simultaneously, "No, no, it's not what you think!"
Captain Jane's grin only widened. "What was I thinking? I don't know..." He put on a mockingly innocent face, nodded, and walked down the hallway, leaving them standing there, red-faced and flustered.
Ogawa turned to Shinkai, her cheeks still burning. "This is your fault!" she hissed, shoving him again.
"Excuse me!" Shinkai shot back, his voice rising. "Who asked me to stay last night?"
Ogawa glared at him. "Shut up and go!" she snapped, slamming the door in his face.
Shinkai stood there, speechless, staring at the closed door. "Unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his head as he shuffled back to his room.
At the restaurant, Shinkai arrived early and decided to head to the coffee station. He was pouring himself a cup when suddenly Captain Jane appeared right beside him, silent as a shadow.
"Ah!" Shinkai almost spilled his coffee.
Captain Jane raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Nothing," Shinkai said quickly, trying to compose himself.
Captain Jane's lips curled into a teasing grin. "How was your celebration last night? I assume you received a... memorable gift?" he asked, his tone dripping with innuendo.
Shinkai froze, his hand tightening around the coffee cup. "I... well... it's not—"
Captain Jane raised a hand to stop him, still grinning. "Shhh... I don't need the details, Shinkai." Then, with a hearty laugh, he walked off, leaving Shinkai flustered.
Shinkai called after him, louder than intended, "I told you, it's not like that!" But Captain Jane just waved him off with more laughter.
As he turned back toward the dining area, Shinkai spotted Ogawa entering the restaurant. His demeanor instantly changed, and he raised a hand to wave at her, his face lighting up. Ogawa noticed and made her way toward him, looking effortlessly calm and collected as always.
When she reached the table, Shinkai pulled out a chair for her, his earlier embarrassment melting away as they sat down together for breakfast. Ogawa raised an eyebrow, sensing something was up. "What's with that loud voice just now?" she asked, pouring herself some tea.
"Nothing," Shinkai muttered, shaking his head quickly. "Let's just eat."
Ogawa gave him a skeptical look but decided to let it slide, focusing instead on the meal in front of them.