​"Ugh... my head hurts," Nyquella groaned, slowly waking up.

​"What happened...?" she muttered, confused as she looked around the room. "Where am I?"

​After scanning the apartment’s modern decor, her memories slowly began to surface, though they were a hazy, jumbled mess.

​"I’m in Yuki’s mind world," she said aloud, massaging her temples as she tried to focus. "I arrived here yesterday, and he took me out sight-seeing... then we... what did we do after that?"

​She closed her eyes, trying her best to remember.

​"Alcohol... yeah. We drank alcohol at a tavern... or a building. What did he call it again? A bar...? Yeah, something like that."

​The moment she recalled the word, the fog in her mind cleared completely, and the events of the previous night came rushing back in vivid color.

​It had started out so innocently.

​Yuki had led her into a dimly lit, cozy establishment filled with neon lights, rhythmic background music, and high wooden barstools. He had ordered two brightly colored drinks served in tall glass cups, complete with tiny paper umbrellas.

​"Try this," Yuki had said, sliding a glowing pink cocktail toward her with a reassuring smile. "It’s called a fruity cocktail. It barely tastes like alcohol at all."

​Nyquella, used to the bitter, heavy ale of their fantasy world, took a cautious sip. Her eyes widened immediately. It tasted like sweet berries, tropical fruit, and pure happiness.

​"This is delicious!" she gasped.

​"Careful," Yuki warned, chuckling as he took a sip of his own drink. "Modern drinks sweeten the booze so you don’t realize how strong it is until—"

​He didn’t get to finish his sentence. By drink number three, Nyquella’s cheeks were flushed a bright, rosy pink, and her usual shy, scientific demeanor had completely melted away.

​"Yuki~!" she giggled, slurring her words slightly as she leaned across the polished counter. She turned towards him and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, pulling his blushing face directly into her chest. "You’re so soft... and you smell so nice! Why are you always worrying about things? You need to relax!"

​"N-Nyquella, what are you talking about?" Yuki stammered, his face turning beet red. "I’m just worried about keeping everyone safe as much as I can. That’s all I care about."

​"Yuki~! You’re so nice and cool! Unlike me... my life is so shitty," Nyquella said, running her fingers through his hair.

​"Um... thanks?"

​"Uggh, why can’t I find a guy like you to love me?" she whined, stroking his head softly. "All my past partners sucked..."

​"How bad are we talking?" Yuki asked, genuinely intrigued.

​"Well—"

....

​"...Nyquella..." Yuki interrupted gently after listening to her explain.

​"Hmm?"

​"I don’t think any of those guys actually thought you two were in a romantic relationship. Sounds to me like it was just out of necessity."

​"...So you’re saying they never loved me?"

​"Umm... well..."

​"Ugh, I’m so lame! I can’t even find love in two lifetimes, and you’re over here breaking hearts left and right!" She chuckled bitterly. "We are literally inside a fake world, and you still have to turn down women and men left and right! They don’t even care that I’m with you—I think they just assume I’m a friend you went out with."

​"This world is based on Earth, so people will act like it," Yuki explained softly. "It’s nice to go out and drink, but there are always people who are only interested in my looks and don’t care about a real relationship."

​"Yeah... that’s true. I want another one of those sweet drinks," she said, leaning in and cupping Yuki’s cheeks with both hands.

​"Drink as much as you want, just don’t go overboard or you’ll get wasted, and a hangover is going to suck..." Yuki cautioned. "...Plus, I have no idea how this world works—if things reset the next day, or if you’ll still feel the effects tomorrow morning."

​"I’ll be fine~!" she stammered out, her words heavily slurred. "Handsome man in the suit! I want another drink!"

​"Right away," the bartender nodded smoothly, sliding a fresh glass across the counter. "It’s a strong one, so take it slow," he added, polishing a glass with a towel.

​Nyquella grabbed the glass and took a slow gulp. Her face instantly contorted, and she let out a growl of utter displeasure. "It tastes like acid... or lemon!" she complained, before stubbornly taking another large gulp anyway.

​"Take your time," Yuki said, calmly sipping his own drink.

​"It’s not real," she mumbled, staring down at the liquid before downing the rest of the glass. "There are no consequences for our actions here, so I don’t need to hold back... I miss my brother," she blurted out, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears. "Sniffle... I’m sorry..."

​"No, no, it’s fine," Yuki said, offering her a warm, gentle smile. "Do you want to talk about it?"

​"Can I...?"

​"Of course."

​Nyquella began sharing the painful details of her past with Yuki, finding comfort and immense relief in his presence. Eventually, she reached her absolute limit with the alcohol and dissolved into a weeping, emotional mess.

​Yuki gently hoisted her onto his back and began carrying her through the streets toward the apartment. Along the way, he made a quiet detour, taking her through the downtown district so she could admire the glowing neon lights of the city at night.

​"Hey, Yuki...?"

​"Hm?"

​"Thanks for tonight... and for listening to me sob about my past."

​"No need to thank me. I’m just glad I could help."

​"I know I shouldn’t be asking you this while I’m drunk, but... can you help me find someone when we get out of here and make it back to civilization?"

​"Sure, I’ll try," Yuki replied kindly. "Though I’m probably not a very good matchmaker."

...

​"Agh... well, at least that’s what happened," Nyquella sighed, resting her head back against the pillow. "At least I didn’t do or ask him anything too weird while I was drunk..."

​She turned her head slightly, catching the silhouette of Yuki sleeping beside her, his body wrapped snugly in the bedsheets.

​With a soft smile, she reached over and gently pulled back the fabric covering his face.

​Yuki was peacefully asleep on his side, his long, silky hair spilling over his face and covering the left side of his neck. Nyquella raised her hand and brushed the strands aside to admire his features.

​However, alongside his beautiful face, Nyquella was startled to discover that his neck and shoulders were completely covered in bright pink spots—highlighted vividly against his smooth, pale skin.

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