The corridor was quiet.
Lanterns lined the wooden walls, their light soft and steady, casting long shadows that swayed gently as the ship moved. The floor creaked faintly beneath Raizen's steps as he walked forward, careful, measured.
Aoi was on his back.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around his shoulders, her cheek pressed against him, fingers tangled in the fabric of his clothes like she was afraid the world might pull him away if she loosened her grip even slightly.
Room 201.
Raizen stopped in front of the door and shifted his weight just enough to keep her from slipping.
"…Aoi," he said softly.
She hummed in response, eyes half-lidded but very much awake.
"Don't you… have your own room?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered immediately.
"Then—"
"I'm not going anywhere."
Her voice was firm now, clear despite the exhaustion clinging to her.
"What if the priest comes back?"
Raizen frowned. "That won't happen."
"You don't know that."
He exhaled slowly, unlocking the door and stepping inside. The room was modest—two futons neatly folded, a low table, a wash basin near the wall.
"If it makes you feel better," he said carefully, "we can call it a… brother and sister thing."
She was quiet for a moment.
"…Fine."
He relaxed slightly.
"I'm going to the bathroom," he added. "Can you get off me for a second?"
"No."
Raizen froze. "…What?"
"I'm going in with you."
"Ohhhhh hell no."
He moved fast.
Raizen slipped into the bathroom and shut the door just as he sensed movement behind him. His heart pounded as he leaned against the door, water already running.
"She's going to come in," he muttered, eyes narrowed. "Any second now."
He showered quickly, movements precise, efficient—predicting every possible moment she might burst through the door.
She didn't.
When he stepped out, towel around his shoulders, Aoi was sitting on the futon, arms crossed, watching him.
"…Your turn," he said, looking away. "I'll wait."
She stood, walked past him, and shut the bathroom door.
Raizen sat on the floor, face warm, staring at nothing.
This was not part of any plan.
Minutes passed.
Then the door opened.
Aoi stepped out, hair damp, expression calmer than before.
She didn't say anything.
She simply walked over, grabbed his sleeve, and pushed him down onto the futon.
"Hey—!"
She climbed on top of him and curled up immediately, arms wrapping tightly around his chest, face buried against him.
Raizen went stiff.
His face burned.
He stared at the ceiling, jaw clenched, making the toughest expression he could manage while his heart threatened to jump out of his chest.
"…This is fine," he muttered to himself. "This is fine."
Somewhere else—
A bell chimed as a door opened.
Senji stepped into a cramped gadget store, shelves packed with strange devices, lenses, wires, and mechanical parts. He scanned the room casually—
Then someone bumped into him.
Hard.
"Ah—"
He looked down.
His eyes widened.
For the first time in a long while, Senji's usual nonchalant expression vanished completely.
"…Lu Shouxing?" he said quietly. "Is that you?"
The girl looked up, eyes widening in surprise.
"…Long time no see," she replied.