Morning arrived quietly.

  Akira woke to warmth.

  Not the dull heat of blankets or the slow creep of sunlight through a window—this was different. Softer. Lighter. The steady rhythm of another person’s breathing brushed against his chest, and a faint weight pressed against his side.

  For a long second, his mind refused to process it.

  Then his eyes opened.

  White hair spilled across his torso, almost silver in the early morning light. It caught the sun in soft strands, stark against the dark blue fabric of his sleeveless undershirt. A forehead rested against his chest, warm and real, and an arm was draped loosely across him as if it belonged there.

  Akira froze.

  ‘…Nope. Not panicking. Absolutely not panicking.’

  Slowly—very slowly—he turned his head.

  Kristyne was asleep in his bed.

  In her human form.

  Peaceful. Vulnerable. Her breathing was steady, her expression calm in a way he hadn’t seen while she was awake. The white shirt he’d enchanted the night before hung loosely on her frame, slipping just off one shoulder.

  His brain immediately replayed the previous night.

  Two beds.

  Two plates of dinner.

  Awkward but quiet conversation.

  Kristyne retreating to her own bed without hesitation.

  Him collapsing onto his, exhausted.

  She had definitely fallen asleep over there.

  Akira stared at the ceiling.

  ‘Okay. Either I moved in my sleep, she moved in her sleep, or the universe is messing with me again.’

  Given his life lately, the last option felt disturbingly plausible.

  He shifted slightly, testing if he could slide out from under her without waking her.

  Her arm tightened.

  Not aggressively—just enough to stop him.

  Akira closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. “…Fantastic.”

  Carefully, he raised one hand and lightly tapped her shoulder.

  “Kristyne,” he murmured. “Hey. Wake up.”

  She stirred.

  A quiet sound escaped her—soft, almost instinctive—as she shifted closer instead of away, cheek pressing more firmly against his chest.

  Akira stiffened. “Kristyne.”

  Her eyes fluttered open.

  For a moment, confusion clouded her gaze. Then awareness clicked into place.

  Her eyes dropped.

  Then widened.

  “…Oh,” she said softly.

  They stayed like that for a heartbeat. Two. Three.

  Kristyne pushed herself up just enough to look at him properly, white hair falling messily around her face. Morning light caught in it, giving her an almost ethereal glow.

  “This is your bed,” she stated calmly.

  “Yes,” Akira replied flatly.

  She glanced to the side. The second bed—empty and untouched.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  “…I see.”

  Silence stretched.

  Akira rubbed his face with one hand. “You wanna explain how you got here?”

  Kristyne hesitated, then drew her knees up slightly beneath the oversized shirt, fingers gripping the fabric. “…I couldn’t sleep.”

  Akira lowered his hand. “Because?”

  “…It was too quiet.”

  He blinked. “Quiet?”

  “Yes. I’m not accustomed to sleeping alone. DragonBorn rest close together—even as adults. It’s… comforting.”

  That stopped him.

  “Last night,” she continued more softly, “I realized how much I relied on that. The silence felt… wrong.”

  Akira exhaled and stared back at the ceiling. “Would’ve been nice to know that before we rented a room with two beds.”

  Kristyne tilted her head. “You seemed to value personal space.”

  “I do,” he said. Then added, “But not enough to kick someone out of my bed.”

  Her shoulders relaxed—just a little.

  “…Thank you.”

  “You could’ve woken me.”

  “I tried.”

  He frowned. “You tried?”

  “You muttered something about ‘stats’ and ‘boars.’”

  “…Yeah. That tracks.”

  A quieter silence settled, sunlight spilling across the floor.

  Kristyne shifted, sitting properly now, still on the bed. “Akira. May I accompany you today?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Where to?”

  “The Adventurers’ Guild. I wish to register.”

  That got his attention. “As an adventurer?”

  “Yes.”

  “You know that means danger.”

  “I am capable.”

  He studied her—the same being who had overwhelmed his Magic Eye, who could dominate the forest without effort.

  Right now, she just looked uncertain. Unused to asking.

  “…Alright,” he said. “But we’re careful.”

  Her eyes brightened. “Of course.”

  The Adventurers’ Guild was quieter than the day before.

  Not empty—never empty—but calmer. The morning rush had passed, leaving adventurers lingering near the quest board, chatting, nursing drinks, or half-asleep at tables.

  Akira stood before the board, arms folded.

  Kristyne stood beside him, fingers idly tugging at the hem of her oversized shirt. It passed well enough as a short dress—unless someone looked too closely.

  Akira noticed every glance sent her way.

  ‘Focus. Quests. Money. Sleep.’

  “‘Collect ten bundles of Dryroot Grass,’” he read. “That sounds itchy.”

  “It causes rashes,” Kristyne said calmly.

  “Hard pass.”

  “‘Pest removal—cellar rats.’”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I hate rats.”

  She nodded. “Reasonable.”

  “‘Escort a merchant cart.’” He yawned. “Too long.”

  Then—

  “‘Herb gathering: Moonleaf Sprigs.’”

  He stopped.

  “That one?” she asked.

  “Yep. No rats. No escorts.”

  “…Usually.”

  Decision made, he pulled the parchment free.

  At the desk, the receptionist smiled. “Forming a party?”

  “…Sure.”

  “Party name?”

  Silence.

  “…Can we come back to that?”

  She sighed. “Temporary registration allowed.”

  Later, at the forest edge, Akira activated Sense Presence and Appraisal.

  Moonleaf Sprig — Alchemical Ingredient (Mana Recovery)

  They worked quietly together, moving from clearing to clearing.

  “…Akira?” Kristyne asked eventually.

  “Thinking.”

  “A name?”

  He smiled. “Later.”

  When they returned, the receptionist stared at the sack. “Full payment.”

  Coins clinked.

  “Oh—and the party name?” she prompted.

  Akira glanced at Kristyne.

  “…The Gods’ Plan.”

  Kristyne froze.

  Then smiled.

  High above the mortal world, the gods watched.

  A suspended mirror of light showed the Adventurers’ Guild—Akira standing at the counter, confirming the name of his newly formed party.

  The Gods’ Plan.

  “…That was not suggested,” Oregin muttered, his brow furrowing.

  Grim’s arms were folded, his expression unreadable. “…Troublesome.”

  Lumi said nothing, only watching as the image shifted—Akira walking beside the dragon girl, relaxed, unaware.

  Viola’s lips curved faintly.

  “He assumed there was a plan,” she said softly.

  The others turned toward her.

  “He was taken from his world,” Viola continued, voice calm. “Given power beyond reason. Told he was free—but never told what that meant.”

  Silence followed.

  “…And now,” she added, “he’s trying to live up to it.”

  Eiryn’s gaze lingered on the mirror, warmth softening her expression as she watched Akira laugh at something Kristyne said.

  “…He’s trying his best…”

  No one argued.