Project: Socialize (Chapters 1-197)

150. Together In Bed

A cold winter rain washed down on the city of Palisia, wetting the skyscrapers as the cold droplets of rain trailed down the side. Despite this, the city remained operating as usual with many cars driving by on the roads and stores remaining open. The numerous lights dotting the skyscrapers nearby were still on in this weather as well, making it oddly scenic if one were to peek out the window and at them. I guess the only difference between tonight and the other nights are that due to the cold weather and the rain, there were less pedestrians out in the city this late at night.

Unlike the miserably cold and wet world outside, my room was quite warm and bright. In addition, my chest was warmed by the girl who I held close in my arms as we embraced. I took in the familiar softness and warmth of her body, comparing it to those that I had stored in my memory. It would appear that she was somewhat thinner than before, but maybe it was simply my imagination. Whatever the case may be, what was actually on my mind at the moment was how long should I be hugging her for.

The situation was oddly awkward, yet it was surprisingly calming for me. In the silence of my room, I could hear the sound of my heart beating heavily in my chest, and it was so loud that I hoped that she wouldn't be able to hear it. However, I guess if she was unable to hear it, she must be able to feel it beating with how close our bodies were.

I didn't know how much time elapsed before our embrace finally ended, but when it did end, it was as if a voice had whispered in my mind that it was enough. At that moment, when I slowly backed myself away from the embrace, it appeared as if Luna had the exact same idea at the exact same moment as she seemed to slowly retract as well. There just appeared to be an invisible bond connecting us for the moment where we were connected by embrace.

"Ready to begin the next round?"

She smiled in a calming manner as my heart rate slowly eased back to normal. As I closed my hand into a fist to ready for the next round of rock-paper-scissors, I could feel blood rushing to my face as I blushed. I kept my eyes trained on my hand after deciding on what I will use for this round.

"Looks like I've won again."

Luna smiled and giggled in an energetic and innocent manner. On her face was a joyful countenance as she celebrated her victory with a slightly mocking behavior with her hands as she moved them back and forth almost as if in a little victory dance. However, it was all in good fun and there was really no intent of disdain towards me.

Upon seeing how happy she was, my heart suddenly sank as I prepared myself for the worst order that will be directed at me. If she's this excited that she's the king, then it must be bad, like really bad. It most definitely will be something that I am entirely unprepared for and maybe something that will be extremely difficult for me to complete either due to the sheer difficulty of the task or how embarrassing it might be to do it.

"The king's order is absolute, right?" Luna tilted her head slightly and peered into my eyes in a playful and mischievous manner.

"Y-yeah..." I sighed and responded as what she was asking was the truth. The king's order is absolute.

"Then the king's order is—" She paused briefly for effect and stared into my eyes. "—You must stay with me tonight."

Her words were so simple and the message seemingly so easy to interpret, but... why is it that I cannot see through that obscure veil that just seemed to conceal her true intention from me? She uses simple words, but the emotions that she's trying to communicate with these simple words... why must it be so clouded and difficult? It was as if there was a cloud of mist between us, concealing her figure and only occasionally parting so that I may have a glimpse at this beautiful flower. But... why is there such a mist between us? We're so close in distance, yet so far away at the same time. I'm right here next to her, yet I cannot read what she's trying to communicate. Is communication really that difficult that even a heart-to-heart embrace can only simply communicate a general idea and nothing more complex?