Flowers

                                    

                                          
Minutes before midnight, Dr. Gregory and Rita arrived unexpectedly, their warm greetings and birthday wishes catching Mei by surprise. The brief visit added a touch of warmth to the evening before Mei received a flurry of notifications from Yuki and Hanah, both asking about the earlier events. Mei reassured them that everything was fine, and soon after, the night began to wind down.
Once everyone had retired, Sylus and Mei returned to the 30th floor. As they entered, Sylus stretched casually and glanced at the couch. "I'll take the couch tonight," he offered. "You can have the bed."
Mei immediately shook her head, her determination shining through. "No, this is your place if you really insists you should just sleep beside the bed like last time."
Sylus arched an eyebrow, his tone laced with teasing firmness. "Just because I let it slide once doesn't mean it's going to happen again."
Mei, undeterred, pouted dramatically and placed her hands on her hips. "Well, it's been a long time since I last saw you. After everything that's happened... please?" Her voice softened at the end, her plea genuine.
Sylus let out a resigned sigh, a small smirk tugging at his lips. Her cuteness was hard to ignore. "Fine. But don't make a habit out of this, sweetie... who knows what I might do to you." he teased, his voice taking on a playful edge.
Mei's face flushed instantly, her confusion evident. "What? Wh-what does that even mean?" she stammered.
Ignoring her flustered state, Sylus hummed a soft tune, a lullaby of sorts, as he set up a makeshift sleeping area beside the bed putting a comfortable futon on.
Sylus "towels are in the right side of the cabinet and clothes in the left, i'll take a shower after you". Mei nods and lets out a soft "thank you".
Once they were settled in for the night, the room eventually grew quiet.
She stared at the ceiling, but couldn't help glance down at Sylus. His eyes were closed, his breathing even, but she had a feeling he wasn't fully asleep. Hesitating for a moment, she whispered "Sylus... are you asleep?"
A soft "hmm?" came from him in response.
Mei hesitated before continuing. "Tomorrow... before things get chaotic, could you come with me somewhere?"
Silence hung in the air as Sylus seemed to consider her request. Finally, his eyes opened slightly, glinting with mischief as he turned to face her. "I'll come with you, but only if you say you like me," he said, his tone teasing as he closed his eyes again.
Mei's eyes widened in shock. "E-eh?— W-WHY WOULD I SAY THAT?!"
"Because," Sylus murmured lazily, "it's been a long time since I heard it."
"B-but why does that even matter?" Mei stammered, her panic rising.
Sylus smirked faintly, still not looking at her. 
"Because you still do, right?"
Mei's heart raced, her cheeks burning as she stared at the ceiling again. The silence between them was deafening, her pulse hammering in her ears.
When Sylus spoke again, his voice was softer, almost a whisper. "Right?"
Gathering every ounce of courage she had, Mei finally mumbled, "Yes, dummy...when did I ever stop..."
Sylus chuckled quietly, feigning ignorance. "I can't hear you, sweetie. What was that?" he teased.
Mei's frustration boiled over as she turned to him and blurted, "Yes! I still like you! Happy now?!" She immediately turned back, yanking the blanket over herself to hide her face, her embarrassment palpable.