[Music Recommendation: "Scenery" by Kim Taehyung (BTS - V) available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter

'I'm speechless.

…

…

…

Kaiden… loves me.

…

…

…

Yes. He said he loves me. Madly and deeply.

…

…

…

And now, I'm the one who's gone mad.'

Badump! Badump! Badump!

After I heard such sweet words from Kaiden, I wanted to scream so bad. If it weren't the dead of night, I probably would have done it. But since it's night and everyone else was peacefully sleeping, let me just scream internally.

'KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! OMG OMG OMG!!! Kaiden loves me!!! He loves me, too! Waaaaaaaaaa… I can die peacefully now! Oh wait, no—I need to live long and be all lovey-dovey with him first. Yes. Let's enjoy this mutual love for a very long time. My very first… KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I'm so happy!'

I wasn't so sure what kind of face I made that time—probably grinning like an idiot—but I felt so happy. Not just happy, but overjoyed! Actually, even that wasn't enough to describe what I'm feeling at all. I felt that any word would just not be enough to describe the joy I'm feeling right at that moment!

The warmth… the stirring… the trembling… and the feeling of something exploding and wanting to come out… all of it went wild in my heart. My entire being felt hot—but I wasn't sick. Or maybe I was? Love sick? Or maybe I'm drunk? Madly drunk in love? Ha-ha-ha! Yes. That was probably one of the best ways to describe it.

"Kaiden," I whispered his name as if it was the dearest thing to me.

Though shy, he looked back at me, smiling expectantly.

I gently touched his hand, and held it tight. He didn't flinch or avoid it. So I went closer and embraced him. Then, whispering to his ears, I told him my reply.

"I… I love you, too."

Hearing me say that, Kaiden's body flinched. Did he not expect me to love him back? Ha-ha-ha! It was so obvious for everyone else that I liked him a lot but he didn't notice it? That was funny.

Kaiden embraced me back, wrapping me tightly in his arms. I couldn't see the expression he was making but I felt his breath from his sigh and laughter run through my neck. And his heart beating loudly, I felt it on my chest. Or maybe it was mine? Or both of us? Yes. It's probably the both of us.

Badump! Badump! Badump!

Time passed by with us just hugging each other and listening to our heartbeats. But I didn't mind the time. I was just so happy and elated so I let myself bask in that happiness. Kaiden was probably doing the same since he wasn't letting go.

After a few more moments, he let go of me and looked at me. Again, his eyes locked unto mine and we were both smiling ever warmly at each other.

Then… he lifted his right hand and caressed my cheek, much to my surprise.

"Kaiden! Is it alright for you to do that? Are you not—"

Kaiden shook his head. "Yes, it's alright. I don't feel anything bad at all. To be honest, instead of repulsed, I… wanted to touch you more. I've been wanting to do it for a while now."

Shocked by what he said, I blinked my eyes a couple of times.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"To be honest, me, too," I shyly confessed. "I want to touch you, too. Do lots of things together… and so much more."

I felt my face flush. That was really embarrassing. I hoped he wouldn't find it weird or anything.

"Senara, can I try something?"

"Hm? What is it?"

While caressing my cheek, he inched closer and moved his face towards mine until we were just a breath apart.

Badump! Badump! Badump!

'I-Is this what I think it is? My f-f-first kiss? Will he be able to do it though? I mean, with his condition and all? I hope he can. Not that I want to kiss him but… well, yeah, I really want to kiss him. Waaaaa… I'm becoming naughty.'

As Kaiden's face drew closer to mine, my heart started to beat louder. As if it wasn't beating loudly enough!

In my nervousness, I closed my eyes and waited… if he'd be able to kiss me at all.

Then, something warm and soft pressed gently on my lips.

Badump! Badump! Badump! Badump! Badump! Badump!

I opened my eyes to see if it was what I thought it was.

Badump! Badump! Badump! Badump! Badump! Badump!

Indeed, it was… Kaiden's lips.

Our first kiss… I didn't think it would happen so soon. I thought it would take years but we did it. He was able to kiss me! It only lasted for a few seconds but he did it!

"Kaiden, you're still okay, aren't you?" I asked him, worried if he was pushing himself too much.

Kaiden chuckled. "Yes. I'm perfectly fine—it's surprising though. I guess I wanted to kiss you that badly. Ha-ha!"

"Pft! Ha-ha-ha! Then you can count me in."

Kaiden placed his other hand in his heart.

"I think I'm going to have a heart attack," he jested.

"Same here. It's been beating so loud since earlier you can probably hear it."

We laughed at each other afterwards. Then, Kaiden pulled me close to him and kissed me again.

"Ahhh… K-Kaiden, you don't have to push yourself too mu—"

He shut me up with a more passionate kiss than before. It was no longer a three seconds peck. H-He… moved his lips so s-sexily… Wait a minute, was there even such a term? I mean, h-he… ahm… What the heck! Why was he suddenly so good at this? I had zero experience at this! I didn't know how to respond properly!

'WAAAAAAAAAAA! H-How do I kiss properly? I have no idea! I should have asked Hora for advice since she did it with Verrill before. I need to make sure to research kissing next time! KYAAAAAA!!! What do I do?'