15-16

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Kasumigaoka Utaha never thought her willpower would fail her.

Even after waking up five days ago, feeling as though the world had abandoned her and she was the last person alive, she still believed that as long as she lived, she'd eventually see the world return to normal.

But after three days alone, something subtle shifted in her heart.

When she discovered people were still active online, joy surged through her—but following that joy, she realized… she deeply yearned for the presence of others.

If possible, she truly didn't want to live alone in this world.

Yet due to a variety of considerations, she never took the initiative to reach out to the boys online after their first exchange.

She assumed that, being the only surviving woman, they would hound her endlessly, trying to claim her as a companion to escape Japan and head to the Eastern Union.

But to her surprise, no one contacted her again—not until the agreed-upon departure time.

That sparked a defiant response inside her.

I'm not the kind of woman who needs someone by her side to survive.

However, no one could have predicted the sudden and violent earthquake. She was buried beneath the collapsed ruins of her home.

Trapped in darkness, in a space without light, heavy with the smell of dust, death inched closer.

As time passed, fear, panic, helplessness—all surged out of control. Her mental state completely collapsed.

Then, everything changed with the arrival of Lin Ye.

He brought her hope.

She didn't have to face death directly anymore. No need to endure the pain, the despair, the slow, miserable end.

But after that, new problems emerged—between her and Lin Ye.

As a woman, she remained on guard. She feared Lin Ye, a man.

Luckily, in the end, he did nothing—maybe out of principle, or maybe just being difficult.

She thought everything was over. That she could turn off the lights and sleep, just like always.

But the moment the room went dark, the silence and shadows overwhelmed her again.

That same feeling from being trapped under the rubble returned. The hotel room, unclean for days, had a faint smell of dust—it kept pricking at her nerves.

Even though she was sleepy with the lights on, she woke up within half an hour, gasping, her body drenched in cold sweat. The shadow of death still lingering in her mind.

The night dragged on—long and torturous.

Eventually, after wrestling with herself for some time, she made the decision to knock on Lin Ye's door.

She didn't even think to change. Still in her shawl and jacket, clutching a pillow, she left the room.

To her shock, Lin Ye didn't respond.

Is he sleeping that soundly?

Or… is he gone? Did I upset him so much that he left?

Panic surged. Regret followed. She shouldn't have spoken so bluntly to him. She should've been more diplomatic… gentler.

Only when Lin Ye's voice came from inside the room did she finally relax again.

So, it was all in my head.

He hadn't left. He hadn't abandoned her in silence.

But now…

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked up at the man in front of her, wearing nothing but underwear. She clenched her teeth, unable to say a word.

She didn't even dare deny it anymore. If she did, Lin Ye might tease her again and send her away—leaving her to spend the night alone.

"I forgot… generally, the severity of post-traumatic symptoms is related to how long someone was trapped in the earthquake."

Kasumigaoka Utaha had been rescued in a matter of hours. Her body was uninjured, no blood loss, not dehydrated or starving. But Lin Ye also knew that psychological trauma didn't work on a timer. It varied from person to person.

He realized he'd been judging her based on his memories of the Kasumigaoka Utaha from his previous life.

That was wrong.

In that life, she was already nineteen—two more years of life experience, and she had survived the baptism of the apocalypse. Her mental resilience was clearly far stronger.

But the girl in front of him now was just a high school student from a peaceful world.

Kasumigaoka Utaha was stunned when Lin Ye apologized.

She had been bracing herself to be scolded—never expecting him to say sorry.

"My psychological endurance…"

The moment she spoke, she realized she had just admitted everything.

She hoped Lin Ye wouldn't ask for anything unreasonable.

If… if it was just sleeping in the same bed, she might—just might—be willing.

Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but compromise.

"Can I sleep here?"

"Mm."

She finally nodded, eyes downcast.

"Go to bed early."

Lin Ye watched as she climbed into bed and said softly.

"You too."

"Alright, I'm sleeping."

He yawned again.

Walking to his bed, he reached toward the light switch.

Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded, and he flipped the switch.

Darkness filled the room.

Lin Ye lay down quickly.

For a tired man, a soft bed was the best kind of reward.

As he closed his eyes, sleep overtook him.

The only sounds in the room were their quiet, steady breaths.

…

Late into the night, the room remained dark.

Lin Ye, lying on the bed, felt fully relaxed for once. He desperately needed this rest.

As for Kasumigaoka Utaha on the other bed?

He didn't plan on doing anything. Overthinking it would only make things awkward.

From the end of the world to 2019, and now to this "Lonely Doomsday," his mind had been constantly under stress.

Finally… a chance to rest.

Soon, his breathing slowed.

On the other bed, Utaha still had lingering anxiety. But her panic over the darkness and isolation was far weaker now.

At least now, she could sleep. Finally rest.

But…

Kasumigaoka Utaha turned toward him.

The man was still, eyes closed, his breathing steady.

Was he really asleep? Or just pretending?

"Good night…"

She whispered softly.

Her gratitude was real—but so was her vigilance.

How could she fully relax, knowing she was in a strange world, beside a strange man?

That lingering unease hadn't gone away.

After a moment, she adjusted her position, closed her eyes.

Maybe I'll feel better after a good night's sleep, she thought.

…

"Ah…"

A sudden cry escaped her lips.

"Haa… haa…"

Utaha sat up in a cold sweat, breathing hard.

She'd had another nightmare.

Another earthquake.

In her dream, she was writing a novel when the ground shook violently. The ceiling collapsed before she could escape. She was crushed, but not dead. Her blood slowly drained, her body went cold—and she felt herself dying.

She screamed, struggled, called for help… but no one came.

A blurry figure finally appeared… only to look down on her coldly. Unmoved. Uncaring.

Even in death, she saw that smirking face.

Utaha gasped and turned to the other bed.

But Lin Ye was gone.

Gone?

Her pupils shrank.

Why isn't he here? Wasn't he just here?

Frantically, she reached for her phone, opened the call screen—and then noticed the time in the top corner.

April 11, 2019, 7:03 AM.

So it was morning.

She sighed in relief.

He must've gotten up early.

Still, the fear hadn't left her.

Why do I keep worrying he'll disappear? Maybe it's the suspension bridge effect. Even if it's not… something like it must be happening.

Utaha wiped her sweat, took a deep breath, and calmed herself.

Even though she'd had another nightmare, she had slept—and her mood had improved.

"Time to get up…"

Wanting to see Lin Ye, she got out of bed.

Lifting the blanket revealed her curvy figure.

"Where are my pants and shoes?"

She looked around. Besides her coat, there wasn't much.

Only then did she remember—she was still in Lin Ye's room.

"Still sleepy…"

Shaking her head, she picked up her clothes and got ready to head back to her room.

She hadn't paid attention to what she was wearing last night, but now—embarrassment started creeping in.

Did he watch me sleep the whole night?

She defined what happened last night to herself.

Maybe Lin Ye took advantage of me while I slept…

No—those were just paranoid thoughts. No proof.

Cutting off that line of thinking, she stood up and walked to the door.

Click. The door opened.

Time froze.

The two locked eyes.

Neither expected such a coincidence.

"Reverse course…"

After three seconds, Utaha finally reacted.

She quickly covered her body with the coat.

"You've already seen it all once. One more glance won't kill you."

Still soft and curvy as ever. Not much had changed from two years ago.

"It might kill me," Utaha said with dead seriousness.

"Then you should probably keep worrying about that."

Lin Ye placed his hand on her shoulder.

She flinched—thinking he was going to attack.

Her leg stepped back on instinct, and her fists clenched.

"You're in the way."

His hand nudged her aside.

Utaha stepped back.

She stared.

That man definitely did it on purpose.

"Someone turned into a panda because a pretty girl slept next to him all night."

Noticing the dark circles under Lin Ye's eyes, Utaha was stunned.

He said he wouldn't do anything—but his body clearly didn't cooperate.

"So I turned into a panda. Whose fault is that? Who knocked on my door in the middle of the night and ruined my rest? Who had a nightmare and screamed my name so loud I couldn't sleep? Then—while I was trying to sleep—someone grabbed my arm and refused to let go, crying and begging me not to leave…"

Utaha widened her eyes.

She remembered now.

Last night, she had been holding something in her sleep. The warmth had comforted her.

So that's what it was.

Her lips parted—she wanted to say something. Her red eyes softened.

But in the end, it became just one phrase:

"I'm sorry…"

"Apology accepted. But some things… you'll have to work through on your own. I'm not a psychologist. I can't help with everything."

Utaha went quiet.

…