A Mark That Lasts Forever

Love | 恋愛 section 2 [NSFW]

CONTENT WARNING: This section contains sexual content that may not be suitable for some readers.

I regain consciousness to the gentle touch of a hand in my hair. Yesterday's events come flooding back to me as I awaken to Shun's deep eyes and warm smile. Sunshine reflects off his white cheeks.

"Good morning." He says softly.

I stretch my arms out to welcome him into my embrace. He smiles even wider, accepting my offer. My heart flutters as I squeeze his delicate body into my chest.

"Do I get to wake up to you like this every day now?" I say in a groggy voice.

"If you want to," Shun replies.

"I want to."

I never imagined myself spending such a peaceful morning together with Shun. I'm almost tempted to stay like this the entire day. I might have if he didn't get up to go to the bathroom.

It's when he turns toward the door that I see it for the first time—the scar.

My eyes are only able to settle on it for a few seconds before he leaves the room. It's in the shape of a small line across the back of his neck, only slightly darker in color compared to the rest of his skin. I wouldn't say it sticks out drastically but it's definitely there.

I wonder, if I ask him about it again, would he tell me how he got it? But he didn't seem to want to talk about it before. Maybe it's better I don't bring it up just yet.

Shun and I decide to spend the day out together on our first date as a couple. When I've finished getting dressed, he returns to my room dressed up again with his choker, denim shirt, and earrings.

"Ready to go?" I ask.

"Yeah, but first." He holds an old-fashioned camera up next to his cheek.

"How about a photo?"

"Is that one of those cameras that doesn't show you the photo after you take it?" I ask.

"Yeah, it's a disposable film camera," he replies.

"You want to take a photo? Of us?"

"Yep," he smiles.

I feel a bit caught off guard, but comply, pulling Shun into a sitting position on my lap while he holds the camera out and pointed toward us.

"Smile," he says, pressing his finger down on the button.

He's still looking at the camera when I place my hand on the back of his head. He looks up at me and smiles embarrassedly when he sees how close our faces are. I can't hold myself back from pressing my lips to his. After pulling away, I kiss him again. I'm still amazed at how soft a guy's lips can be.

When we're finally on our way, hot, humid air sticks to my skin as soon as I push the front door open. A gray sky on the verge of rain greets us.

"Ugh," I groan. "This heat is going to be the death of me."

Shun gives me a half-smirk. "You think this is hot?"

"It's going to get worse, isn't it?" I sigh.

"Yeah, so you better get used to it."

I groan again while locking the front door.

"It's not all bad. This means it's almost beach time," he says as I join his side in the street.

"Sure, but how often can we make trips to the beach?" I argue. "That'll only be like zero-point-one percent of the time we have to survive in this heat."