The atmosphere in the room felt increasingly gloomy. Although the wind from the broken window was blocked by curtains, the cold mountain air still seeped through other gaps, bringing lower temperatures as the sun set.
Azlan's condition worsened with clear signs. His skin, already pale from blood loss, now turned bluish pale, especially at his fingertips, lips, and earlobes.
His breathing, initially just shallow, now became interrupted and sounded quieter, like weak gasps. The fine hair on his arms stood up, the body's futile natural effort to generate warmth.
His body trembled lightly, but not a strong tremor—the danger sign was precisely because his body was already too weak to shiver effectively. His touch was like marble left overnight in snow: cold, stiff, and lifeless.
"His body is cold as ice... Azlan-kun, stay with me!"
Akane held his hand, panicking as she realized his condition was rapidly deteriorating, showing severe characteristics of hypothermia.
She hurriedly piled all the blankets and warm cloths she had from the 4D Pocket on top of Azlan's body, forming a mound. But that didn't seem enough. The cold came from within, from the shock his body experienced after the exhausting battle and energy loss.
"Ugh... All these blankets aren't enough."
Akane pressed Azlan's cold hand to her warm forehead, as if wanting to transfer her warmth. Deep guilt that almost paralyzed her flooded through her.
"If only I hadn't followed my selfish request to play ski, all this wouldn't have happened." She whispered weakly, hot tears dripping onto Azlan's cold hand. "Why are you so kind to a woman you haven't known long...? Why would you risk your life?"
That thought brought her to another memory.
"Azlan-kun is too kind... Kindness like that is vulnerable to being exploited by bad people, like what Sawagoe Tomaru did before."
However, in the midst of tormenting regret, a new determination crystallized with steel strength. Looking at all their interactions—from the first rescue, daily life full of attention, to today's sacrifice—Akane's heart was filled with an unwavering decision.
She would dedicate her life to this man two years younger than her, this man who now lay helpless in bed because of her.
Love, devotion, and immeasurable gratitude merged into a vow in her heart.
"Only this... The only way I can do right now..."
With a deep breath full of determination, Akane stood. Her trembling fingers began unbuttoning her thick jacket.
One by one her outfits were removed and lay on the dusty floor. Cream jacket, wool sweater, undershirt... All piled up. Then, with firm movements despite her cheeks flushing from a mixture of shame and determination, she removed her skirt, warm stockings, and finally her underwear.
In the middle of the gloomy and cold room, her body was fully exposed.
The afternoon sunlight slipping through the curtain gaps illuminated her pale and smooth porcelain-like skin, reflecting soft light.
Akane's naked body looked stunning.
Her smooth skin radiated a healthy reddish hue, contrasting with Azlan's pale skin. Her body curves were perfect, the result of good nutrition and ideal genetics.
Her perfectly round breasts, with pale pink tips trembling slightly from the cold air, her slender hips and flat stomach showed prime health.
She was pure untainted beauty.
Akane didn't stand long. Shame lost to the urgent need to save.
"This time, I'm the one who will save you."
"To prevent his body temperature from dropping further, I must transfer my body warmth directly to him. I will hug him tightly."
Without the slightest hesitation, Akane stepped toward the bed. She carefully pulled aside the pile of blankets on one side, then got in.
The cold air under the blankets made her skin goosebump, but she ignored it. Very slowly and carefully, she wrapped her body on Azlan's side who was still wrapped in bandages. Her warm skin immediately touched Azlan's chillingly cold skin.
Akane wrapped her arms around Azlan's body, pulling him closer, trying to maximize contact area. Her warm breasts pressed against Azlan's back or side (depending on position), her legs intertwined with his cold legs, trying to provide warmth.
She pressed her cheek to Azlan's shoulder or neck, her warm breath trying to warm that vital area.
"Please, get warm. Please, take my warmth. I'm here. I won't leave."
Hugging tightly that cold and stiff body, Akane gave the only warmth she had: her own body warmth.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
However long time passed in the fog between conscious and unconscious, Azlan slowly opened his eyelids that felt like they were weighted with lead. His still-hazy consciousness was assailed by one dominant sensation.
(Warm...)
Not warmth from blankets, but a warmth that was alive, soft, and... very close. That warmth penetrated his cold skin, seeped into his tired muscles, providing comfort that almost made him want to sigh in relief.
(It feels... too comfortable...)
His thoughts were still slow, not immediately realizing the source of that warmth. Until a gentle voice, hoarse from exhaustion and perhaps crying, was heard right near his ear.
"Are you awake?"
Azlan lowered his head with difficulty. His still-blurry vision met Akane's eyes. The girl's face was pressed to his chest. And more strikingly, behind the thick blanket, he felt the sensation of very smooth, soft skin, and... not a single thread hindering it.
Instantly, all remaining drowsiness and fatigue vanished, replaced by total confusion. Cold sweat dampened his temples.
"A-Akane... Why... why are you naked?"
"Thank goodness you're alive!"
Akane completely ignored his question. She raised her head, her swollen and red but joy-filled eyes gazing at Azlan's face. Without warning, she hugged him very tightly once again.
"Hisss...!"
Azlan drew a sharp breath. The pain from his wounds stung, but that wasn't the only sensation. Soft, supple, warm pressure like water balloons—two points that couldn't be mistaken—pressed against his chest through the bandages.
"Akane, wait—"
"Don't! Don't talk yet!" Akane interrupted, her voice trembling.
Her embrace tightened, as if afraid Azlan would disappear if she let go.
"I... I was so scared, Azlan-kun. Your body was cold as ice, you weren't moving, your breathing was barely audible... I thought... I thought I would lose you."
Tears began dripping again, wetting the bandages on Azlan's chest.
"I don't know what I would do if you died. In this quiet and terrifying world... you are the only one. The only light, the only voice, the only reason for me to live every day. If you left... I... I would be truly alone. I couldn't bear it."
Azlan could feel the vibration of pure fear from the girl's body. He fell silent for a moment, then, with slow movements due to pain, he raised his less injured hand and gently patted Akane's back.
"It's okay." he whispered, sounding slightly stiff but sincere. "Look, I'm still here. And... compared to injuries I've experienced before, these are just minor wounds."
"Minor wounds?!"
Akane looked up, her teary eyes suddenly blazing with worried anger.
"Azlan-kun, those aren't minor wounds! You're full of cuts, some are deep, you lost a lot of blood, and almost got hypothermia! Normally, wounds this severe should be treated intensively in a hospital! Never, ever again consider them minor!"
She looked at him very seriously, tears still flowing.
"Don't get used to being injured like that. Please... at least for my sake, take better care of yourself."
Under that gaze full of concern and pleading, Azlan felt something in his heart melt.
He wasn't used to attention like this, to someone who cared so much about his life and death. Gently, he pushed Akane's head back into his embrace, hiding his expression that might be too open.
"I. Understand. I promise to be more careful." His voice sounded softer than usual.
"Really?" Akane's voice sounded slightly urgent from within his embrace.
"Mm. I promise."
"Then, pinky promise!"
Akane pulled away slightly, extending her right hand with her pinky finger raised. Her expression was still serious, there were traces of tears on her cheeks, but her eyes were full of hope.
Azlan looked at that tiny pinky finger with confusion.
"Pinky... promise?"
"Yes! This is a very strong promise in Japan. You have to extend your pinky finger too, then we link them."
Still slightly hesitant, Azlan followed her instructions. His large and rough left pinky finger (with some scars) lifted, then linked with Akane's smooth and white pinky finger.
"Now, we shake them."
Akane shook their connected hands up and down gently.
"With this, the promise is locked. Anyone who breaks this promise must swallow a thousand needles!"
"A thousand needles?" Azlan repeated, his eyebrow raising. That sounded like a quite painful and strange punishment.
"Yes! So you really can't break it, Azlan-kun. Because I don't want you to swallow needles." Akane nodded firmly.
Seeing her expression mixed between serious and childlike, a small smile that was very rare and sincere finally appeared on Azlan's lips.
"Alright. I won't break it. I don't want to swallow needles."
That promise might seem silly, but in that cold dim room, with their bodies still touching each other under the blanket and that simple pinky link, it felt like a bond stronger than any oath.
A promise to stay alive, to protect each other, in the midst of a world filled with danger.