Jason awoke to soft ambient light filtering through the curtains. For a moment, he lay still, momentarily forgetting where he was until the faint scent of coffee drifted through the air, jogging his memory. The couch beneath him was firm but comfortable, nothing like his bed in the bunker. He blinked, orienting himself to the suburban house where he'd spent the night.
"Good morning," Nia's voice chimed in his mind. "Sleep well?"
"Better than expected," Jason murmured, keeping his voice low.
He sat up slowly, stretching his arms above his head. His body felt good—rested and energized despite the previous day's exertions. The nanovirus was working its magic, repairing and restoring him even as he slept.
A soft humming drifted from the kitchen, accompanied by the gentle clink of dishes. Someone was awake and moving about. Jason checked his watch: 7:23 AM.
"Haruka has been up for approximately twenty-seven minutes," Nia informed him. "Her vitals suggest she's calm but experiencing elevated endorphin levels. Interesting correlation with last night's activities, wouldn't you say?"
"Not the time, Nia," Jason whispered, though he couldn't help smiling.
He rose from the couch and moved quietly toward the kitchen. Pausing at the doorway, he watched as Haruka prepared a modest breakfast. She moved with a lightness in her step, humming a melody he didn't recognize while arranging rice, pickled vegetables, and what looked like the last of their eggs on small plates. A pot of tea steamed beside her.
There was something captivating about watching her in this unguarded moment—her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans. The morning light caught the curve of her cheek as she worked, highlighting the soft smile playing at her lips.
"Morning, chef," Jason said finally, his voice carrying a hint of playfulness.
Haruka looked up, visibly flustered but smiling back, her cheeks tinted with color. "Oh! Good morning. I didn't hear you get up." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I hope I didn't wake you with all my clattering around."
"Not at all," Jason replied, stepping into the kitchen. "The smell of actual coffee might have done it, though."
"It's instant, I'm afraid. Nothing fancy." She gestured to a mug she'd prepared. "Black, right? I noticed you didn't add anything yesterday."
"Perfect memory," Jason said, accepting the mug with a grateful nod.
There was a brief, charged pause between them—less awkwardness, more a shared recognition of something real forming between them. Neither seemed eager to break it.
Finally, Haruka spoke. "About last night..." she began, her voice soft but steady.
"No regrets, I hope?" Jason asked, sipping his coffee.
"None," she replied without hesitation. "Though I'm still not convinced I properly thanked you." A teasing smile played at her lips.
Jason set his mug down and stepped closer. "I meant what I said. There's no debt between us, Haruka. What happened wasn't about gratitude or obligation."
"I know," she said, her eyes meeting his. "And thank you for that—for making me feel... valued. It's been a long time since anyone has."
The vulnerability in her voice touched something in Jason. He reached out, brushing his fingers against hers where they rested on the counter.
"Where do I fit in your life now?" she asked quietly. "After you leave here, I mean. I know you said you have... arrangements back home."
Before Jason could answer, footsteps sounded in the hallway. They both turned to see Misaki walking in, holding an empty water jug. She stopped short, her eyes flicking between Jason and Haruka, noticing their slightly flushed expressions and close body language.
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Misaki's expression hardened as she set the jug down with deliberate care.
"Well," she said, her tone carefully neutral. "Good morning to you both."
Haruka straightened, putting a slight distance between herself and Jason. "Morning, Misaki. I was just making breakfast."
"I can see that." Misaki's gaze settled on Jason. "Sleep well on our couch?"
The question carried weight beyond its simple words.
"Very well, thank you," Jason replied evenly.
Misaki crossed her arms. "Is there something I should know about?" Her question was direct, aimed more at her sister than at Jason.
Haruka sighed. "Misaki..."
"What? I'm just asking a simple question." Misaki's tone was protective rather than jealous. "One minute we're strangers to this man, the next I'm sensing something happened while I was asleep."
Haruka met her sister's gaze. "Yes, something happened. And it was my decision."
The sisters stared at each other, communicating in that silent language siblings develop over years together. Jason could see Misaki was torn—protective of her sister but also aware of everything Jason had done for them, especially for Aiko.
After a moment, Misaki's shoulders relaxed slightly. "We'll talk about this later," she said to Haruka, then turned to Jason. "I hope you understand my concern."
"Completely," Jason replied. "I'd feel the same in your position."
Seeking to shift the focus, Jason asked, "How's Aiko this morning?"
The mention of her niece softened Misaki's expression. "Still sleeping. Her forehead felt cooler when I checked on her earlier."
"That's a good sign," Jason said. "Let's go check on her."
The three of them made their way upstairs to Aiko's room. The girl lay sleeping peacefully, her breathing more regular than the day before. Jason approached carefully and placed his hand on her forehead.
"Fever's definitely down," he confirmed. "The antibiotics are working."
Haruka released a breath she seemed to have been holding. "Thank god."
"With proper care and rest, she should make a full recovery in a week or so," Jason explained. "There's no need for additional medication unless complications arise, which I don't expect."
Relief washed over both women's faces, momentarily displacing the tension from earlier.
The three of them descended the stairs in silence, the floorboards creaking softly beneath their feet. Jason felt Misaki's eyes on him—watchful, evaluating—while Haruka moved with a newfound lightness despite the lingering tension.
Back in the kitchen, they settled around the small table. Jason checked his watch, mentally calculating the hours he'd already spent away from his primary mission. He needed to keep moving.
"Your cortisol levels are rising," Nia observed privately. "Feeling pressured?"
Jason ignored her, focusing instead on the simple meal before him. He ate quickly but deliberately, savoring the flavors of simple but delicious food. The pickled vegetables had a sharp tang that awakened his senses.
Silence hung over the table like morning mist. Haruka occasionally glanced his way, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth before disappearing. Misaki kept her attention firmly on her food, methodically working through each bite.
No one seemed eager to break the quiet. The only sounds were the clink of utensils against plates and the occasional sip of tea or coffee. Outside, a bird called—a rare sound in this empty world that momentarily drew all their gazes toward the window.
Jason finished first, setting down his fork with quiet determination. It was time to move forward.
"I should get ready to head out," Jason said after they finished their breakfast. "There are things I need to take care of."
Haruka nodded, understanding in her eyes. "Your mission."
Jason began gathering his gear, checking his weapons and supplies methodically. Haruka helped him adjust the straps on his pack, her fingers lingering slightly longer than necessary.
"Be careful out there," she said softly.
Before leaving, Jason pulled Haruka aside for a private moment while Misaki busied herself in the kitchen.
"There's something I should mention," he began, his voice low. "My current... romantic situation may be more unconventional than you realize."
Haruka tilted her head, curious but not alarmed. "How so?"
Jason hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's complicated to explain quickly, and probably better done in person when I have more time."
Sensing his discomfort, Haruka placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Hey, it's okay. I can handle honesty. After everything we've been through, I just want to understand."
"I promise to explain everything clearly when I return," Jason said. "But for now, I just want you to know that what happened between us wasn't just a moment of convenience. You're not a temporary piece in my life."
Her eyes softened at his words. "I believe you."
Jason leaned in and kissed her lips softly, a brief but tender moment that sealed his promise with reassurance. When he pulled back, he saw Misaki watching from the kitchen doorway, her expression unreadable.
"I'll be back in two days, three at most," Jason said, addressing both sisters. "Keep the doors locked and stay inside as much as possible."
With a final nod, he stepped out into the morning light, the weight of his mission balanced by the new connections he'd formed—unexpected anchors in a world adrift.