The day after Mio and mom talked, she was alone in the house. This was her chance to self-reflect on what mom told her and decide what she really wanted. However, each time she tried to self-reflect, her head hurt, as if some of her memories were blocked from her.

"Why can't I remember anything before that day? How did I know where to go in that camp, and how did I heal Shinji's and Mana's dad's wounds? They looked at me as if I was different from them... Who are my parents? Did they leave me? I can't make sense of anything... I don't know who I am anymore, am I not a human like them? I feel something else besides blood coursing through my veins, what's wrong with me...?"

Mio hugged her teddy bear for comfort. Her powers far outmatched any magus or human if she was even human. Not even a magus could restore one's being. Were it not for Shinji's gift, she wouldn't be able to withstand the barrage of dark emotions and images swarming her mind, but the bear made her feel better. It even replaced some of the scary images for her happy memory with Shinji, which she already had plenty of. It made her feel warm.

Mio once again thought about what mom told her, and she realised she was feeling the thing mom described. Her feelings weren't very clear though, making it hard to differentiate whether she felt romantic or platonic feelings towards Shinji. And then she worried, does he feel the same way? Is he just being kind to me out of hospitality?

She kept wondering but realised there was only one way to find out, and that by asking him directly. However, this was the only time she became extremely shy, which made it difficult for her to make any advanced on this topic. She decided to do some chores to ease her mind, concluding thinking about this any longer was of no use.

The rest of the Takamiya family came home a few hours after.

"We're home, Mio!" said Shinji.

"Save your breath, Shinji. She's not going anywhere," said mom.

When they came into the living room, they noticed everything was cleaned thoroughly, and that Mio was unconscious on the couch.

"M-Mio! What happened to her?"

Shinji ran up to Mio, and Mana and mom followed.

"Calm down, Shinji. She's just sleeping, see?"

"She looks exhausted," said Mana with worry.

"Looks like she spent the day doing an early spring cleaning. What a dedication," said dad.

Shinji was worried about Mio but decided to put a light blanket over her and a pillow under her head to make her more comfortable. Mom and dad looked proud of their son for being so caring. Shinji was a little dense in his own way though, and his weak spots were covered by Mana, who thought of the little things he didn't. In the end, their parents were proud of both.

Mio slept for the rest of the day, but when it was time for everyone else to go to bed too, Shinji couldn't bring himself to just sleep in his own bed where Mio normally sleeps, so he instead brought his blankets over and slept on the floor next to the couch.

***

The next morning, Shinji woke up. Sleeping on the floor, even with blankets didn't feel too comfortable, but he was glad Mio was still okay. He quietly carried the blankets and pillow back into his room before coming back to the kitchen to make some tea.

When Mio woke up, Shinji was in her view holding a cup of tea. She noticed the blanket and pillow covering her.

"Someone's awake, huh? I made you some tea in case you wanted some."

Mio blushed, surprised by Shinji's actions.

"Thank you..."

Mio took the tea and drank some before realising something.

"Wait, how long did I sleep?"

"Pretty long. It's the next morning now."

"Oh no... At least you had the bed to yourself, right? You really should move back there and stop sleeping on the couch..."

Shinji didn't tell Mio that he slept on the floor, so as not to worry her.

"I don't mind."

"Good morning!" suddenly said Mana, who appeared at the stairway.

"Feeling better, Mio?"

"Yeah, I must have just been too tired. Thank you for your concern."

The family ate breakfast again, with everyone going along with their business afterwards, until Shinji came up to Mio.

"Um, Mio? Can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure, what is it?"

Shinji was all flustered already, barely being able to speak.

"I-I... Uh, um... Never mind! It's... it's nothing. Sorry for bothering you."

Shinji shakingly went upstairs to his room, while a confused Mio was looking at him. She wondered what he wanted to ask her, so after a few minutes, she decided to go to his room. No one else was in the house besides them, everyone was outside. The closer she came to his room; she began to hear some faint hints of his voice. When she came close enough, she could hear him, and she stopped in her tracks when she did.

"...I know you probably don't understand what I'm saying, but I, uh... I like you, Mio. I like how you smile, how you your eyes shine, how you're so kind and sweet... Jeez, what is she meant to imagine under that?

Mio couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was that what he wanted to tell me?

"I suppose what I'm trying to really ask you is this... Would you like to, uh... G-Go on a date with me?"

Without thinking, Mio barged into the room with joy.

"Yes!" said Mio boldly without hesitation.

Shinji's body froze in time, and he instantly turned redder than a tomato. He looked away from Mio in utter embarrassment.

"Shinji? What's wrong?

"Y-Y-You... Heard that..."

"Yeah! And I'm so happy because I like you too!"

Shinji's expression shifted.

"W-Wait... You... Like me too?"

"Yep! Ever since you took me outside for the first time around the town, I felt something only you could spark within me... I didn't know what it was, but when you and your mom told me what all these feelings mean, I realised this is how I feel."

"Mio..."

"And when you won me that teddy bear, that made me feel fuzzy too. You've shown me that the world is so colourful and vibrant, that I...! I can't help but feel the same."

Shinji couldn't help but tear up a little. To hear it all from her, it too made him happy just like it made her happy.

"Wait, you're crying? Did I say something wrong?"

"No... Of course not. I guess these are tears of joy, heh... I wasn't very good at hiding my feelings from you this whole time, was I?"

Mio hugged Shinji.

"That's what I like about you and your family. You're all so honest and don't keep secrets from each other or hide your feelings. The outside world may be harsh, but with you I feel at home, safe."

"I feel the same, Mio. You're always so positive, kind, and ready to help even if you don't have to. People so selfless like you are so rare. I'm just an average boy, so I have to wonder if I even deserve this..."

"Shh. You saved my life, took care of me, and did so much for me... I should be the one saying that."

The two of them were silent for a minute before gazing into each other's eyes. Even without neither of them experiencing something like that before, they both instinctively closed their eyes and put their lips together, kissing. The experience was heavenly for both Mio and Shinji, both viewing each other as an angel sent to save them, as both Mio and Shinji saved each other from darkness.

When they let go, they were both red as tomatoes, but dared not break the silence. They stayed in that position for a few minutes, but for them it felt like ages were passing by in a hurry. Eventually they let go and got up.

"So... I guess that means were dating now?" asked Shinji.

"Of course, we are, silly! I read how precious kisses are, you can't go giving them away for no reason!"

"O-Okay... But can we keep this a secret for now? I don't know how my family would react..."

"Your mom would be happy, I think! After all, she told me how she noticed you took a liking to me."

"She did...?! Uuu..."

"Shinji? Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah. But still, who knows how Mana and my dad would react... Just for a bit, please?"

"If that's what you want, sure. But you haven't explained one thing to me!"

"What is that?"

"You mentioned a date. What is a date? How do we go out on a date?"

"Oh, a date is... two people who like each other spending time with each other?"

"Really? We've already done that, then! But I'd happily go on another with you..." said Mio while blushing. Shinji blushed too.

"T-That's great! I reserved a spot for a special activity we can do... But no spoiling, haha~"

"Okay! I'm already excited! Now, let's go get some fresh sunshine! Come on!"

Mio grabbed Shinji's hand and led him outside to join the rest. Together they helped his parents and Mana pluck the weeds out, water the flowers and bask in the glory of the Sun shining bright over the neighbourhood.

Later in the evening, the two of them watched the sunset together while holding hands.

"You know, everything is returned to how it was. It's insane how many things have happened."

"Yeah. And all this was just a miniscule part of our life, but it felt like everything at the same time. These are my only memories..."

"I may remember more than you, but it still felt like almost everything happened recently. But I'll have to go back to school soon."

"I wonder if I went to school too..."

"I bet you have. You're so smart."

"You think so?"

"I know so. Maybe you could help me with my homework sometime, haha."

"Really? I'd like to!"

"Oh, uh... I was kind of joking. It's my homework, I shouldn't unload it on you."

"You can always ask me for help, Shinji."

"Thanks... Do you mind if I...?"

"Of course. I'm here for you."

Shinji slowly leaned her head against Mio again, but this time he did it not because he was asleep, but because he wanted to. Mio caressed his hair, and they continued watching the sunset.

When the Sun gave turn to night and dark, they got up and were ready to go to sleep.

"Shinji, you're not going to sleep on the couch again, are you?"

"What do you mean? I am, as usual."

"You sleep in the bed tonight."

"No, I'll sleep on the couch."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not going to send you on the couch again."

"Then how about this, we both sleep in the bed! It's big enough for two!"

Shinji blushed, but Mio didn't seem to think anything was weird with what she said.

"Mio, that's... Weird. People usually don't sleep together."

"Your parents do!"

"Yeah, but they're... I don't know, with each other?"

"We aren't? Come on, please! I'll sleep on the floor if you don't sleep in the bed one way or another."

Mio seemed to hit the target when she said that, because Shinji didn't know how to respond.

"...Do you really want to? You shouldn't have to do it just because of me."

"Why not? And I kind of want to, hehe. I hold the teddy bear you've given me at night too, so it must feel amazing!"

"No way. I'm not doing that. Imagine if anyone finds out that... Oh wait, yeah! What if they see us?!"

"Is it that bad? Sorry, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself..."

Shinji had a weak spot for when Mio was sad, which caused him to relent.

"Fine. But I'm locking the door, just in case."

"Yay! I'll get changed into my nightgown."

"Oh okay, I'll let you do that and leave for a bit."

"...Done!"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Turn around~"

Shinji turned around with caution, but then he saw that Mio was suddenly wearing a nightgown. He didn't question how she did it inhumanely fast, but she looked beautiful in it, which made him blush again.

"That gown suits you..."

"Thanks! (I made sure you'd like it...)"

Shinji turned away from Mio in embarrassment.

"Sorry, I'm not used to this..."

"That's okay! Me neither, but I guess I lack some of what's making you nervous."

Mio got in bed and patiently waited for Shinji. He eventually came over and sat on the bed. After a little longer, he laid his head down on the pillow.

"Why don't you cover yourself, Shinji?"

"You can have it to yourself, it wouldn't be comfortable if we fought for it."

"We don't need to fight for it, there's enough for both!"

"F-Fine..."

Shinji reluctantly got under the cover. He was too shy to face Mio, but she seemed comfortable enough to fall asleep without him being too embracing. Shinji couldn't sleep that night, not because he was too nervous to fall asleep, but because when he did eventually turn over, he couldn't help but admire Mio's sleeping face. He still couldn't believe it, the guy that never stood out or had almost no friends now got together with someone as divine as Mio. Maybe he was idolizing her, but since it was still so early for them, who wouldn't?

In the middle of the night, he could hear faint sobs coming from Mio.

"Mio?" he whispered. Mio didn't respond.

"Are you okay?" he repeated. Mio still wasn't responding, so he decided to move with her a bit. When he did, she finally seemed to wake up, and a tear came down her cheek.

"Mio, what happened? Are you okay?"

"I-I... Images... So many..."

Shinji remembered she said how her teddy bear comforted her when she hugged it, so against his fears and doubts he hugged Mio.

"It's okay. I'm here. Those nightmares can't hurt you; they'll have to get past me first."

Mio hugged Shinji back and became more relaxed.

"I saw images of people crying, screaming... dying... Destroyed cities... Craters which erased everything..."

"Sounds like a spacequake. I know it hurts, but it's not our fault. The spacequakes caused that suffering and destruction."

"I don't want to feel like this... It hurts so much each time..."

"I... I'm sorry to hear that. But if you need support, I'm always here for you."

Mio's breathing finally returned to normal.

"Thank you... Can we stay like this?"

"Of course. However long you need. Good night, Mio."

"Good night..."

Mio soon fell asleep again, but Shinji stayed half-awake to make sure she was fine. The next morning, they woke up as usual, except they now decided to share the same bed. Days passed and the time for Shinji and Mana to return to school came near, with Shinji and Mio's relationship slowly growing.

***

End of chapter.