Hotel Room – Evening
Shion sat down on the bed, his body sinking into the mattress. "Just a short rest," he murmured. Within minutes, his breathing slowed, his eyelids heavy, until sleep quietly took him.
The bathroom door opened with a faint click. Kasumi stepped out, freshened up, a towel draped lightly around her shoulders. She froze for a second when she saw him—already asleep.
His face looked calmer than usual, the usual blank mask softened by dreams.
Then she noticed his hands twitching faintly, tugging weakly at the tie in his hair. Half-asleep, he was trying to loosen it, but the effort faded as drowsiness pulled him deeper.
Kasumi's chest tightened. Slowly, carefully, she walked over. Kneeling beside him, she reached out with gentle fingers.
Her hands brushed through his hair, untying the band with delicate care. The strands fell loosely around his face, framing it in a way she had never seen before.
Kasumi's breath caught.
"He looks… so cute."
Her cheeks burned red as she covered her lips with her hand, afraid the words might slip out louder than she intended. For a long moment, she just watched him—the boy who always seemed untouchable, now looking so vulnerable, so human.
Quietly, she smiled.
"…Idiot."
In night walk after dinner shion and Kasumi tucked her hands into her jacket, glancing at him. Her face was a little tired, but her eyes carried a quiet glow.
Softly, she whispered:
"The ground… it feels like it's far behind us, doesn't it?"
Shion blinked, slightly surprised.
"…Yeah. Down there, everything looks small."
Kasumi smiled at the clouds.
"They look so close now."
Shion asked quietly:
"Did you enjoy coming on this trip?"
A pause. Only the wind whispered around them.
Kasumi's voice was gentle.
"Yeah. It's a beautiful experience for me, Shion."
Then, under her breath, almost mumbling:
"Of course it's fun… when you're with your crush…"
Shion thought in echoes in mind.
…I'll never understand her language.
Shion glance to kasumi and say.
"Kasumi… did you just say something about a crush?"
Kasumi flinched.
"N-Nothing, Shion!"
Later that night, they returned to the hotel. Shion quietly settled on the sofa.
Kasumi stare shion his mind thought echoed."He did the same thing at the fifth station—took the sofa, left the bed for me. So… cute."
A soft smile spread across her face.
Shion noticed her smile but didn't react. Closing his eyes, he only thought—
"What's Kasumi smiling about? Still… I'm glad I came here with her."
---
Next day morning.
Mount Fuji Summit – Before Sunrise
The air was thin, freezing.
They stood at the very top, surrounded by nothing but clouds.
Kasumi whispered, breath visible in the cold.
"Shion… we made it."
"Yeah." His boots pressed against stone tiles, yet inside, his chest felt lighter than ever.
She stepped closer, standing beside him.
Silence stretched between them—words unnecessary.
From the clouds, golden light spilled upward, as if the sky itself kissed the earth.
Kasumi pulled out her phone, but stopped, looking at him softly.
"This memory… it looks better in your eyes than on my screen."
---
Train Descent – Afternoon
The train rattled gently down the mountains.
Shion leaned against Kasumi's shoulder, fast asleep.
Her cheeks reddened, but she didn't move him away. Quietly, she let herself feel the weight of him beside her.
When they arrived at the station, Kasumi stopped, speaking softly.
"Shion… thank you. For giving me such a beautiful experience."
Shion gave her a rare, soft smile. His words were simple—but heavy.
"…Yeah."
Their footsteps fell into the same rhythm as they walked together.
---Chapter 16 end---