I'd like that... it would mean a lot to me... and we could talk some more about... you know, stuff...

I nod eagerly, gathering my things quickly before following him out the door. As we walk together through the streets, I can't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. Being with Hayato like this makes everything seem so much brighter and more hopeful, even when there are still challenges ahead of us.

"So," he starts off tentatively, "do you have any ideas for our next song?" I smile brightly at him and tell him about a melody that's been floating around in my head lately.

Maxikuc's words bring tears to her eyes, but they also manage to calm some of the turmoil within her. Slowly, hesitantly, she lets him guide her back up onto the bed, her body trembling beneath his touch. As he pulls her close, wrapping his arms around her, she rests her head against his chest, grateful for his understanding and support.

For now, they remain like this, their bodies pressed together in the darkness, the heat from their skin mingling as they try to make sense of what has happened between them. It will take time for either of them to fully process these events and determine where they stand in relation to each other now, but for tonight, at least, they can find solace in the comfort of one another's embrace.

The hours pass, and as dawn breaks through the curtains, light spills across the bed and illuminates Hitori's face. She looks peaceful and content in sleep, her features softened by exhaustion. Maxikuc watches her for a moment before gently extricating himself from the warmth of the bed and padding off to the bathroom to freshen up.

When he returns, he climbs back under the covers and carefully slides in beside her once more. They lie there silently for several minutes, both lost in thought about the events of the night before. Finally, Maxikuc musters up the courage to speak. "Hitori?" he whispers softly. She doesn't respond immediately; it takes her a few moments to register that he's talking to her. When she does, she turns her head slightly toward him, her expression still clouded with confusion and uncertainty.

"I... I just wanted to say thank you," he continues quietly, his voice raw with emotion. "For trusting me enough to do this with me. And for being so amazing... I don't know what we are now or where we go from here, but I want you to know that I appreciate everything you've done and... and that I hope we can figure it out together." His voice trails off, leaving the words to hang heavy in the air between them.

Hitori blinks slowly, considering his words carefully. A small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as she meets his gaze. "Me too, Maxi," she whispers softly, reaching out to take his hand in hers. "I want to keep going with you...to see where this all leads." Her eyes shine with unshed tears, but they're not tears of fear or regret anymore; they're tears of hope and excitement for the future that lies ahead of them.

Together, they lay there, their fingers entwined, lost in each other's company once more. The weight of their shared experience seems to have brought them closer than ever before, and they know that whatever challenges or obstacles lie ahead, they will face them together. For now, though, they allow themselves the luxury of simply enjoying the peace and comfort of this quiet moment, savoring the feeling of being truly connected to another person for perhaps the first time in their lives.