GAME AFTER-English Version

16- We're back!

CHISHIYA'S POV

I couldn't sleep much that night, I kept tossing and turning and checking that Kiyo was okay.

I knew we'd woken up, that everything was fine, and that the experiment had succeeded, but I still couldn't help feeling a little worried.

The idea of closing my eyes scared me; it was as if by staying awake, I was certain that nothing would happen and that Kiyo was safer.

When the first light of dawn began to enter the room, through the light curtains, I saw Kiyo narrow her eyes and yawn; then she woke up and sat up.

"Chishiya, don't tell me you were up all night?" She looked at me with a half smile.

She knew me too well. And I probably must have had dark circles and tired eyes.

"I might." I smiled at her.

"Why?" She asked me, coming to sit on my bed next to me. "I'm fine. You should have rested too."

"I just wanted to make sure nothing happened to you." I put my arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead.

She abandoned herself to my embrace and let herself be cuddled. Even in that ridiculous hospital gown and with messy hair, she looked beautiful.

"Chishiya?" She said, dangling her feet.

"What?"

"My muscles feel a bit like jelly." She said laughing. 'I think being laid down all this time hasn't done me any good.'

"This is why you have to do physiotherapy." I told her, softly. "And if you want, I can stay here this week, they also have a wing with dorms and-"

"No need." She smiled at me. "It's right that we all get back to normal and as soon as I've recovered, I'll join you."

"Can I at least come and see you?" I asked her, with a half laugh.

"I don't know..." She teased me.

"How mean." And I started tickling her. Kiyo was super ticklish and soon, she had tears in her eyes.

"Enough, enough, please." She said, wiping her eyes. "Come and see me whenever you want." 

She smiled at me.

"Much better." I smiled at her too.

"Do you think it's too early for breakfast?" She asked me, turning away.

I looked at the clock on the wall. It marked 5.27 a.m.

"Yes, I'd say so."

"Why don't you try to get some rest, then?"

"It doesn't matter, I don't-"

"Chishiya." She looked at me reproachfully. I loved it when she did that. "You need to get some sleep and I'm fine. So you don't need to worry about me."

"Okay, but just a little bit." I finally gave up.

I laid down and Kiyo curled up next to me.

"I'll stay here so you'll stop fussing about nothing, okay?" She said it with a smirk.

"I have nothing against it." And I held her close to me.

I felt her heartbeat, which like a soothing melody, calmed my mind.

Tu-tum, tu-tum, tu-tum.

Soon, that sound made me close my eyes and my body relaxed too.