"Here comes your steak," Kaede announced with a proud smile, gently placing the sizzling plate in front of Mirei.

Mirei clapped her hands excitedly like a child receiving a birthday gift. "Thank you!" she said, eyes sparkling.

After their emotional visit to the cemetery, Kaede suggested they continue their date at her apartment — quiet, private, and far from curious eyes. She had spent hours preparing the space, turning her small place into a romantic getaway. Soft lighting, a candlelit table, gentle music in the background. And of course, wine. She wanted it to be perfect.

And it was.

"This is so much better than any restaurant," Mirei beamed, savoring her first bite. "So delicious. And with this wine… omg, thank you, Kaede."

Kaede chuckled, watching her girlfriend devour the steak with visible joy. “Glad you love it.”

"Of course," Mirei said with her mouth full, still managing to sound like she was praising Kaede in five different languages. It was messy. It was adorable.

They laughed, chatted, and clinked glasses. The wine flowed easily — too easily. Kaede noticed Mirei’s cheeks starting to flush a deep red and her words stretching out a little longer than usual.

“Mirei…” Kaede leaned over and placed her hand on Mirei’s. “I don’t want to ruin the mood, but maybe… you should slow down a bit. You need to go back to the dorm tonight, remember?”

Mirei waved her off, grinning. “Don’t worry, honey… I could manage.”

Kaede blinked. Honey? She never called her that.

That was the moment she knew — it was too late. Mirei was definitely tipsy. Maybe worse.

Kaede reached for the wine bottle just as Mirei was about to pour herself another glass. "Okay, that’s enough," she said, gently wrestling it away.

“Ahhh, Kaedeeee, whyyy?” Mirei pouted, her lips forming the most dramatic frown in history. “You’re such a wine thief…”

Kaede’s heart skipped a beat. Not because of the wine. But because of how cute and dangerously flirty her girlfriend had suddenly become.

“You’ve had enough, Mirei.”

“I’m fiiine,” Mirei insisted, then scooted her chair close to Kaede, poking her nose with a finger. “Are you worried about me~? That’s so cute.”

Kaede gulped. “I-I mean… of course I’m worried! You’re drunk.”

“I’m not that drunk,” Mirei said, leaning her head on Kaede’s shoulder, clearly contradicting her own claim.

“I just want to kiss you all night and tell you how amazing you are.”

Kaede's entire brain short-circuited.

"M-Mirei!"

“What?” she giggled. “Is that illegal now? Wanting to kiss my girlfriend for being perfect?”

Kaede was losing the battle.

“Okay, let’s move,” Kaede muttered, pulling Mirei by the hand toward the living room, hoping a change of scenery would get her away from the temptation of wine. “Come on, sit here.”

Mirei obediently plopped onto the couch but didn’t let go of Kaede. In fact, she pulled her down right beside her and immediately wrapped her arms around her, snuggling into her shoulder like a sleepy cat.

Kaede sat there, stunned.

“Mirei…”

“Shhh. I like it here,” Mirei mumbled, closing her eyes. “You smell nice.”

Kaede froze. Her heart couldn’t take this much affection from a drunk Mirei. She had fought monsters in her dreams, passed exams she never studied for, but surviving this? Impossible.

She sighed and resigned herself to just wait, maybe gently wake Mirei up in a few minutes… but somewhere between her thoughts and Mirei’s warmth, Kaede dozed off too.

---

Kaede woke up to the weight on her arm and the faint sound of a clock ticking. Her neck hurt. Her body ached.

She blinked, glancing around the dim living room. It took her a second to process — oh god, she had fallen asleep.

And so had Mirei.

"Mirei!" Kaede whispered urgently, gently shaking her girlfriend’s shoulders. “Wake up… It’s late!”

Mirei groaned, her eyes fluttering open. “Uhmm…?”

“It’s past 11!” Kaede said, glancing at the clock with a look of horror. “You were supposed to go back to the dorm!”

Mirei blinked slowly, trying to get her brain to catch up. “Huh? Eleven? Really?”

She pushed herself upright, rubbing her temple. “Ugh… my head…”

Kaede rushed to the kitchen, returned with a glass of water, and handed it to her.

“Thanks,” Mirei murmured, sipping slowly.

Kaede sat beside her, guilt washing over her. “I’m sorry… I should’ve woken you earlier. You got drunk, and I got tired, and—”

“Why are you apologizing?” Mirei interrupted, her voice gentle. “It was my fault. I drank too much. I got carried away…”

Kaede sighed, brushing her fingers through her hair in frustration. “Do you have a schedule tomorrow morning?”

“No, but… the girls must be worried if I don’t go back tonight,” Mirei replied, starting to frown.

Kaede stood, pacing a little. “Should we call them? Let them know?”

“I could just take a taxi now,” Mirei said casually. “I’ll find an excuse.”

Kaede stared at her like she just said she wanted to ride a unicorn across the city. “Are you serious? You can barely stand.”

“I can stand—”

She stood up to prove her point, only to immediately lose her balance and fall right back down on the couch.

Kaede crossed her arms. “See?”

“Ughhh… fine,” Mirei muttered, covering her face. “I messed up again. I made you worry. I’m sorry, Kaede. I was just… really happy today. With the visit to the cemetery, the dinner, the proposal… it all just felt too much, and I… lost control.”

Kaede’s heart melted instantly. She couldn’t even be mad. Mirei looked so apologetic — and still somehow adorable despite the mess she was.

Kaede exhaled. “Can you find an excuse if you go back in the morning?”

Mirei paused, pretending to think dramatically, tapping her chin with exaggerated flair. “Hmm… I suppose I could. I’ll say I stayed with a friend. Nothing suspicious.”

“That doesn’t make it better.”

Mirei laughed and stretched, yawning as she lay back down. “Okay, it’s decided. I’m staying the night.”

Kaede blinked. “H-Huh?”

“Don’t worry,” Mirei said, already curling up under the throw blanket. “No funny business. I’ll be good. You’re the one in danger here.”

“Danger?” Kaede echoed.

“Yup,” Mirei grinned with one eye open. “You’re hopeless when I’m like this.”

Kaede's face turned scarlet.

Mirei pulled her close again, this time more tenderly. “Thank you… for everything today. For loving me… and for being you.”

Kaede couldn't even speak. She just held Mirei close, listening to her breathing slowly even out into sleep again.

She stared at the ceiling.

Yep. She was absolutely in danger.

Hopelessly, irrevocably in love.