Open House - 3

As the school grounds buzzed with the remnants of the day's events, Raizel and Akeno found their way to the rooftop, seeking a moment of peace away from the noise below.

The cool night air brushed against their skin, the stars above twinkling like distant gems in the velvety sky.

Akeno stood at the edge, her long hair flowing gently in the breeze. She gazed out over the horizon, lost in thought.

Raizel approached her silently, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. His embrace was warm, comforting, as he pressed a soft kiss to the nape of her neck.

"It's good to have family, isn't it?" he whispered, his voice gentle but laced with a tinge of longing.

Akeno leaned back into him, her heart beating steadily as she nodded. "Yes, it is."

Raizel sighed softly, his crimson eyes reflecting the distant stars. "It's been so long since then… I've even forgotten my mother and father's faces." His voice was calm, but the weight of his words hung in the air.

Akeno turned in his arms, wrapping her own around him tightly. Her embrace was full of warmth and understanding. "You have us now," she whispered, her voice soothing. "We're your family too."

---

Akeno rested her head on Raizel's shoulder, her long hair cascading over his arm like a silky waterfall.

The warmth of her presence sent a comforting shiver through him, and he instinctively leaned into her, savoring the closeness. Their fingers intertwined, a simple yet profound gesture.

"Isn't it beautiful up here?" Akeno murmured, her voice soft and dreamy. She gazed out at the sunset, the sky painted in shades of orange, pink, and purple. "It feels like we're on top of the world."

Raizel nodded, his heart swelling at the sight of her contentment. "It really is. But I think it's even more beautiful with you here."

Akeno turned her head slightly, her eyes sparkling as she met his gaze.

"You always know what to say to make me smile," she replied, a hint of shyness in her tone. "I love moments like this." Her voice becomic barely a whisper but because of his heightened sense Raizel heard it. "Just the two of us."

Raizel felt a warmth spread through him, and he squeezed her hand gently. "I love it too. It's nice to escape everything and just be ourselves."

As they sat in comfortable silence, the intimacy of the moment enveloped them. Raizel could feel the steady rhythm of Akeno's breath against his shoulder, and he found himself lost in the tranquility of the evening.

The world around them felt like a dream, and he couldn't help but steal glances at her, admiring the way the fading light danced across her features.

"Do you ever think about what the future holds for us?" Akeno asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Raizel turned to her, his heart racing at the question. "I do think about it a lot, actually. I want to be there for you, no matter what happens."

Akeno's eyes softened, and she smiled, a mixture of hope and vulnerability shining through. "I want that too. I want to share everything with you—my dreams, my fears… everything."

The air between them crackled with unspoken tension, and Raizel felt a surge of emotions welling up inside him. He turned to face her fully, their faces mere inches apart. "Akeno…"

Before he could finish his thought, Akeno leaned in closer, her breath warm against his skin. "Raizel, I—"

[Oh, look at you two! So close to crossing the line! How thrilling!]

The system teased in his mind, but Raizel barely registered it, his focus solely on Akeno.

Just as their lips were about to meet, Akeno's eyes flickered with uncertainty, and she pulled back slightly, her cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to rush things. I just—"

Raizel gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "You don't have to apologize. I want this too. I just… I want it to be special."

As Raizel and Akeno settled into the comfortable silence after their near-kiss, the atmosphere around them felt charged with unspoken emotions.

The stars began to twinkle in the night sky, casting a soft glow over the rooftop, and the world below continued its gentle hum. Just as they were about to lean in again, Raizel felt a familiar presence in his mind.

[Oh, look at you two! So close yet so far! How adorable~!]

El, the system, teased, its voice echoing in Raizel's thoughts with a playful lilt.

Raizel couldn't help but roll his eyes internally, a smile creeping onto his face despite receiving the teasing himself. "Can't you just shut up? Fucking keep quiet, dammit."

El continued, its tone dripping with sarcasm.

[But I must admit, it's soo cute~. Hero and heroine, sitting on a rooftop, about to share their first kiss. How poetic!]

'This is not my first kiss you useless bastard.' Raizel replied aggressively, though a small smile playing on his lips.

Akeno, still close to him, noticed the slight smile on Raizel's face and tilted her head curiously. "What's so funny?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Raizel chuckled softly, trying to suppress his amusement. "Just my inner voice being ridiculous again. It has a knack for commentary."

Akeno raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her lips. "Your inner voice? Is it like a little devil on your shoulder?"

"More like a sarcastic commentator," Raizel replied, shaking his head. "It never lets me have a serious moment."

[Oh, come on! You know you love it when i taalkkk! Admit it~, you're enjoying this! Hmm~? Hmm~? Admit ittttt~]

El chimed in with the voice of a little girl, and Raizel couldn't help but laugh.

Akeno's curiosity deepened. "What's it saying now?"

Raizel hesitated for a moment, then decided to share. "It's just teasing me about how cliché this all is. You know, the romantic rooftop scene and all that."

Akeno giggled, her laughter like music to his ears. "Well, maybe it is a little cliché, but I think it's perfect. Sometimes, clichés are what make moments special."

Raizel felt his heart swell at her words. "You're right. I guess I shouldn't let it bother me."

[Exactly! Embrace the moment, Raizel! You're living the dream you wanted to livem.]

El encouraged, and Raizel couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with the system, despite its teasing.

"Let's make this moment special, then," Akeno said, her voice softening as she leaned in closer, her breath warm against his skin. "Together."

Raizel nodded, feeling her breath against his face said. "Together."

As they leaned in once more. Their lips met softly, a gentle brush that sent sparks of electricity through both of them.

Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in the kiss, the warmth of Akeno's lips igniting a fire within Raizel.

Akeno's hands found their way to Raizel's hair, fingers tangling in the soft strands as she deepened the kiss, her heart racing in sync with his.

Raizel responded instinctively, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her closer as if to shield her from the world outside their little bubble.

As they finally pulled away, breathless and wide-eyed, the reality of what had just happened settled in. Akeno's cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and joy. "Wow," she breathed, a smile breaking across her face. "That was… intense."

The stars above twinkled brightly, as if echoing their sentiments, and the night wrapped around them like a warm embrace.

As they sat together, fingers still intertwined, basking in the afterglow of their kiss.

....