Warmth

Serena, who had been sitting on the edge of the bed, pulled her legs up and lay in the center, resting her head gently on the pillow. Turning to her side, she glanced toward Mike, who was sitting on the mattress. The dim moonlight streaming through the window faintly illuminated his figure, making only the outline of his body visible. In a soft, drowsy voice, she asked,

"Aren't you going to sleep?"

Mike turned his head slightly over his shoulder and looked at Serena lying on the bed. A smirk tugged at his lips as he replied,

"I'll sleep later."

Serena narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Okay… but don't try anything weird with me. Otherwise, you'll get a punishment from me."

Mike chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, I know, Miss."

Serena's eyelids grew heavy, and soon she drifted off into sleep. After a while, Mike also lay down on the mattress, slowly relaxing. The nervousness he had initially felt was gone now. Strangely enough, the situation felt… normal.

Sleeping in the same room as his beautiful yet fierce teacher—he never imagined this would happen.

Time passed, and before long, midnight had arrived. Both of them were deep in slumber. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened—until Mike suddenly stirred awake.

His throat felt dry. Reaching for the water bottle beside him, he took a few long sips, finishing it off. As he placed it back down, his gaze instinctively drifted toward the bed.

Serena was fast asleep, her body relaxed. Her lips were slightly parted, her hands resting at her sides, her legs slightly apart. The gentle glow of the moonlight enhanced her delicate features, making her appear even more serene—almost ethereal.

'She looks so… beautiful and cute like this,' Mike thought.

He exhaled and took a few quiet steps toward the bed, sitting on the edge. His eyes remained fixed on Serena. A strange mix of emotions welled up inside him—contentment and a faint sense of disappointment.

He was happy that she was sleeping peacefully, yet a small part of him had been expecting—or perhaps hoping—to be needed tonight.

Sighing, he took one last glance at her face before returning to his mattress on the floor. Lying on his back, he placed both hands behind his head, one leg resting over the other. His mind began replaying the recent events that had unfolded so quickly—

Meeting his fierce but beautiful teacher.

Helping her stay at his apartment.

Discovering her sleepwalking habit.

The sudden announcement of the lockdown.

Getting to know her better during this time.

And now, sharing a room with her.

It all felt like a dream. A dream he didn't want to wake up from.

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, a faint rustling sound reached his ears.

His eyes snapped open.

'Is she… sleepwalking?'

Mike turned toward the bed and, sure enough, Serena was up. Her posture was tense, arms wrapped lightly around her chest, legs trembling slightly. Her eyes—half-lidded and unfocused—were the same as when she had sleepwalked before.

A small, amused smile played on the corner of Mike's lips.

'Looks like it's happening again.'

Without hesitation, he sat up and moved toward her. He waved a hand in front of her face to check if she was awake, but, as expected, she gave no response.

Then, Serena slowly began to move.

She shifted onto her knees, then carefully stood up on the bed, her balance wavering slightly.

Mike's brows furrowed. 'Where is she trying to go?'

She took a step forward, moving dangerously close to the edge of the bed.

Mike immediately reached out, grabbing her ankle firmly but gently.

"You'll fall off the bed and hurt yourself, Miss," he murmured, though he knew she wouldn't respond in her current state.

Despite his grip, Serena tried to move forward, her unconscious mind pushing her ahead.

Sighing, Mike got onto the bed and stood in front of her, blocking her way. Her hands instinctively reached out, touching his shoulders and head. Her grip was weak, barely noticeable.

Without hesitation, he moved his hands to her waist, wrapping them securely around her lower back. In one swift motion, he lifted her slightly off the bed and placed her on the floor.

Still holding her steady, he looked at her and asked,

"There. Happy now?"

Serena didn't respond. Her hands rested on Mike's shoulders, trembling slightly.

'Should I try to wake her up?' Mike wondered. But then his gaze settled on her face.

She looked so delicate—so vulnerable in this state.

His grip instinctively tightened for a brief moment before loosening again. He didn't want to wake her. Not yet. Not when she looked so peaceful, so… beautiful.

As he hesitated, Serena's hands slowly slid down from his shoulders to his chest. But she wasn't trying to push him away. Instead, she lowered her head against him, pressing her forehead lightly against his chest.

As if seeking warmth. Mike swallowed.

"Miss… you shouldn't be doing this. You're my teacher," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yet, even as he said it, he made no effort to move her away.

His mind raced with conflicting thoughts—what was the right thing to do? Should he wake her up and put her back in bed? Or should he simply let her be, just like last time?

After a long, quiet moment, he exhaled.

"Guess… there's nothing else I can do."

Gently, he guided her toward the mattress where he had been sleeping earlier. Once they reached it, he carefully made her sit down, before lowering himself onto the floor across from her.

A small distance remained between them, but as soon as the warmth between them faded, Serena shivered again.

She leaned forward slightly, her body moving on its own toward the nearest source of warmth—him.

Mike placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "Miss—"

But she resisted.

Despite her unconscious state, her body moved desperately toward him, as if being apart from that warmth was unbearable. As if she would rather suffer than be alone.

Then, suddenly—

A soft murmur escaped her lips.

"Pl-please… le-let me be here…"

Mike's entire body stiffened.

For a moment, he thought he had misheard. But no—those words had definitely come from her.

This wasn't the first time. Last time, she had mumbled something similar. Something about… being needed.

Now, this. Mike's heart clenched.

His grip on her shoulder and hand loosened as realization settled in.

'What's really going on in her mind?'

His internal battle intensified. One part of him told him to pull away—to be cautious. To remember that she was asleep, unaware of what she was doing.

But another part of him…

Another part of him just wanted to hold her.

To protect her from whatever was haunting her, even if just for tonight.

He looked down at her face again, and in that instant—

His hesitation vanished.

What was right, what was wrong—none of it mattered anymore.

All that mattered was her.

Without another thought, he let her come closer. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her gently into his embrace. Her arms naturally settled against his chest, her head resting against his heartbeat.

Serena unconsciously curled up in his lap, her small frame fitting perfectly against him.

Mike exhaled deeply.

His hand instinctively moved to her waist, his hold firm yet gentle. His other hand rested at her lower back, securing her in place, not letting her go.

Not letting her be alone.

Not tonight.