บท 577: Fragile glue, waiting to snap.

Esong lifted her up abruptly and sat her on his laps. First, he moved her his head down and touched it against hers. Then both of his hands went around her waist, holding it tightly.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, pulling in the smell of the last caramel pocky she had been eating when he walked into the kitchen.

He wanted to believe her so desperately but it was a challenge for him to find her words credible when every cell in his body was screaming otherwise. 

Perhaps she was right and all they had to do was spend more time together like they did after winter, before the research into the space crack started, and before he decided to head inside and explore. 

"Esong." She called his name in a soft voice and tried to raise her head but he pulled her down and hugged her fully.