Safety Measure (2)

After hearing Serena's words, Mike froze, completely shocked. He hadn't expected his teacher to say something like that. A faint blush crept over his cheeks as he struggled to form a sentence.

"S-Sleep... W-With y-you?!"

His face turned even redder as the words left his mouth.

"I-I didn't mean it like that, dumbass!" Serena shot back, flustered, her own face now covered in a deep shade of red. She quickly added, "I meant that we could sleep in the same room together! One of us can take the bed while the other sleeps on the floor... This way, you'll be close enough to stop me if I start sleepwalking again."

Mike raised an eyebrow at her, his expression neutral.

"Miss, I think you just want to see me suffer on the floor. Is that what you're really aiming for?"

"I never said that!" Serena huffed, crossing her arms. "Fine, you can take the bed. I'll sleep on the floor, okay?"

Mike chuckled slightly and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Relax, I was just joking. You can have the bed. I'll sleep on the floor—it actually makes more sense. If I'm on the floor, I'll hear your footsteps the moment you start moving."

As he withdrew his hand, he smirked mischievously and added, "Just don't make any weird noises in your sleep, Miss."

Serena shot him a glare but quickly realized he was still teasing her. With a sigh, she let a small smile escape her lips. She knew she could trust him. Their bond had deepened over the days, as if they were meant to meet each other in this strange twist of fate.

Letting her legs drop to the floor, Serena leaned back against the sofa.

"Hmm… Since everything's settled, when are you going to start drawing me?"

Mike thought for a moment before replying, "I'll start soon. But first, I need to go out and get a certain material."

"Go out?! Are you serious? In these conditions?" Serena's expression immediately shifted to concern. She couldn't help but imagine the worst, what if he got infected?

Mike gave her a reassuring smile, his voice soft and gentle. "Don't worry, Miss. I'll follow all the safety measures. I'll wear two masks, use santizers everytime I touch something, cover my body parts, my hands with gloves and also cover my nose and mouth properly—I promise nothing's going to happen to me."

Even with his reassurance, Serena couldn't shake off her worries. Her mind spiraled with terrifying scenarios, and in every single one of them… she saw the same outcome—Mike's death.

Her fingers curled into fists as she thought to herself, 'Should I just cancel the drawing request?' The idea of anything happening to him sent a chill down her spine.

Serena shifted closer to Mike on the sofa, lowering her head slightly. Her white hair fell over her cheeks as she spoke, her voice filled with concern.

"Hey, I don't think you should go outside. I can wait for the drawing until things get better."

Mike shook his head with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Miss. Besides, I'll have to go out eventually. The food we have in the apartment is running out, and we can't just stay locked in forever. Luckily, there are government-run stores providing essentials during the lockdown. I'll go tomorrow, grab the groceries, and pick up the materials I need along the way."

Serena remained unconvinced. She bit her lip, looking down. He had a point—sooner or later, someone would have to go out to get food. Still, the thought of him exposing himself to potential danger made her uneasy.

She looked up at him and sighed. "Just be careful, okay? Get the ration and come straight back. If you can't find your material, just leave it for now. No need to stay outside longer than necessary."

Mike nodded. "Got it, Miss. I'll be careful."

As he stood up, he turned back and asked, "Oh, is there anything you need me to get for you?"

Serena hesitated for a moment, thinking. She didn't want to make his trip any longer than necessary, but since he was already going…

"Um, yeah… I'd appreciate it if you could get me some… sanitary pads," she said, her voice dropping slightly toward the end.

Mike, unfazed, simply nodded. "Alright, I'll get them tomorrow."

With that, he left for the bathroom to take a shower.

Later that night 

The day passed quickly, and soon it was time for bed. As decided in the morning, Serena and Mike would sleep in the same room—him on the floor and her on the bed to ensure her safety in case she sleepwalked.

Mike sat on the mattress he had prepared on the floor, already dressed in his pajamas. His heart was beating faster than usual. This was the first time he would be sleeping in the same room as a woman. He was excited, nervous, and a little flustered all at once.

Meanwhile, Serena was in the bathroom, changing into her sleepwear.

The door opened, and she stepped out.

She was wearing high-rise shorts—the same ones she had worn the first time she came to him for help. On top, she wore a simple white T-shirt. The soft fabric clung slightly to her form, making her look effortlessly beautiful.

She took small, careful steps forward and shut the door behind her.

Then—

The lights went out.

"Huh?" Serena blinked in confusion.

"What's going on?" Mike muttered.

It was a power cut.

The entire room was plunged into darkness. The only source of light was the moon, its silvery rays filtering in through the window, casting a dim glow in one corner of the room.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Serena hesitated. She wasn't exactly afraid of the dark, but the sudden shift made her uneasy. The quiet atmosphere, the faint shadows, and the fact that she was alone in a room with Mike—all of it made her heart race for reasons she couldn't quite explain.

Mike, sensing her tension, decided to break the silence.

"Miss, are you scared of the dark?" he teased, a playful smirk forming on his lips.

Serena scoffed. "Shut up, idiot! I just… didn't expect it."

Mike chuckled. "Relax, it's just a power cut. It'll come back soon."

Serena sighed, rubbing her arms absentmindedly. "Still… it's a little unsettling."

Without thinking, she moved a step closer to him.

Mike noticed, his smirk fading as his heart skipped a beat. The dim moonlight illuminated her delicate features—her wide eyes, the strands of white hair framing her face, the slight pout on her lips.

He swallowed.

'Why is she standing so close…? Damn, this atmosphere is dangerous.'

Clearing his throat, he tried to focus. "Uh… if you're feeling weird, you can sit on the bed first. No need to stand awkwardly."

Serena hesitated, then nodded, moving to sit on the edge of the bed.

The darkness stretched on, making the air between them feel heavy. Neither of them spoke for a while.

Then, out of nowhere, Serena murmured softly, "Mike… what if I sleepwalk tonight and… step on you?"

Mike blinked, then burst into laughter. "Well, I guess I'll just have to survive."

Serena turned red. "Idiot! I'm serious!"

He grinned. "Don't worry. If you start moving, I'll wake up before you even get the chance to crush me."

She pouted, turning her head away. "Fine. Just… don't blame me if I kick you in my sleep."

Mike chuckled. "I'll take my chances."

The power was still out. The night stretched on, the tension still lingering between them.