Chapter 13 Ooms Realization
Oom Eisaya woke up in the worst possible way.
Peacefully.
Which, in her current situation, was highly suspicious.
Her eyes fluttered open slowly, her mind still foggy, her body warm—too warm—and heavy in a way that felt... unfamiliar.
"...why do I feel like I'm being held hostage by a very comfortable blanket?"
She blinked.
Then looked down.
And immediately stopped breathing.
Bam Saralee was still there.
Still asleep.
Still holding her.
Arms wrapped securely around Oom's waist, face tucked into her neck like that was where she belonged, her breathing slow and steady.
Oom's brain did not reboot.
It simply shut down.
"...this is new."
Because before—
There had always been a line.
A limit.
A point where Oom would leave.
Where the night would end.
Where reality would reset.
But now—
She had stayed.
She had crossed into morning.
And Bam—
Had not let go.
"...okay," Oom whispered faintly. "Okay, okay, okay..."
She tried to move.
Just a little.
A small shift.
A test.
Bam reacted instantly.
Her arms tightened.
Her face pressed closer into Oom's neck.
"...don't go..."
Oom froze.
"I'm not going," she said automatically, her voice soft, almost instinctive.
And that was the problem.
It came too easily.
Too naturally.
Like she wasn't even questioning it anymore.
Like she had already decided.
Bam relaxed again.
Satisfied.
Still asleep.
Still unaware.
Oom stared at the ceiling.
"...I'm in danger."
Not physically.
Not even emotionally in the way she had been before.
No—
This was worse.
Because this time—
She understood.
Slowly, carefully, Oom lifted one hand, hesitating for just a moment before resting it gently on Bam's head.
Soft.
Warm.
Real.
Her fingers brushed lightly through Bam's hair.
Bam leaned into it.
Even in her sleep.
Oom's heart betrayed her immediately.
"...you're unfair."
Because how was she supposed to resist this?
How was she supposed to keep her distance when—
During the day, Bam ignored her.
And at night—
She held her like she was everything.
Oom exhaled slowly.
Her chest tightening in a way that felt... different.
Not confusion.
Not panic.
Not even just attraction anymore.
"...oh."
The realization didn't hit like lightning.
It wasn't sudden.
It wasn't dramatic.
It was quiet.
Soft.
Terrifyingly clear.
"I'm in love with you."
Oom blinked.
"...that came out way too naturally."
She covered her face with her free hand.
"This is bad."
Because it wasn't just one version of Bam.
It wasn't just the soft, clingy, affectionate girl who whispered "stay" like it was a lifeline.
And it wasn't just the cold, composed, distant senpai who barely gave her a second glance.
It was—
Both.
Oom lowered her hand slowly.
Her gaze drifting back to Bam's sleeping face.
"...I like you when you ignore me."
A pause.
"...which is a problem."
Her lips twitched slightly.
"...and I like you when you emotionally trap me."
Another pause.
"...which is a bigger problem."
Because those two versions—
They weren't separate anymore.
Not to her.
Not in her heart.
They were just—
Bam.
Confusing.
Complicated.
Unfairly attractive.
Emotionally destructive Bam.
Oom swallowed.
Her fingers tightening slightly in Bam's hair.
"...what am I supposed to do with this?"
No answer.
Only the quiet, steady warmth of Bam still holding her.
Still trusting her.
Still needing her.
Even if she didn't know it.
Oom closed her eyes briefly.
Because now—
There was no going back.
No pretending this was just curiosity.
No pretending this was just circumstance.
This was—
Real.
And it was only getting deeper.
---
"...you're smiling."
Oom flinched.
Her eyes snapped open.
"Oh—!"
Yada stood in the doorway.
Holding two drinks.
Grinning like she had just discovered gold.
"How long have you been there?" Oom whispered aggressively.
"Long enough."
"Define long enough."
"Long enough to see you staring at her like she's your entire personality."
Oom panicked.
"I do not—!"
"You do."
"I don't!"
"You do."
Yada stepped inside, casually closing the door behind her like this was completely normal.
Which—
It was not.
At all.
"...why are you here," Oom hissed.
"I brought snacks," Yada said, holding up the drinks. "Also, I had a feeling you'd still be here."
Oom stared at her.
"...you tracked me."
"I followed your pattern."
"That's worse!"
Yada's gaze shifted.
To Bam.
Still asleep.
Still holding Oom.
Still completely unaware of the chaos she was causing.
"...wow," Yada murmured.
"Don't."
"She really doesn't let go."
"Don't comment on it."
"She looks peaceful."
"Yada—"
"She looks like she would cry if you left."
Oom went quiet.
Because—
That part?
That part was true.
"...she says that," Oom admitted softly.
Yada blinked.
"What?"
"She says 'don't leave'... every time."
Yada's expression shifted slightly.
Less teasing.
More thoughtful.
"...and you stay."
It wasn't a question.
Oom didn't answer.
Didn't need to.
Yada sighed softly, setting the drinks down on the nearby table.
"Well," she said, straightening. "This is serious."
"I know."
"You're in deep."
"I know."
"You're not getting out of this."
"I know."
Yada looked at her.
Really looked at her.
"...do you want to?"
Oom froze.
Because that—
That was the real question.
Not the situation.
Not the confusion.
Not even Bam.
Just—
Do you want to leave?
Oom looked down.
At the girl in her arms.
At the way Bam held onto her like she was something important.
Something safe.
Something needed.
Oom swallowed.
"...no."
The answer came out quietly.
But firmly.
And that—
That was it.
Yada smiled.
Soft this time.
Not teasing.
Not chaotic.
Just... understanding.
"Okay," she said.
Oom blinked.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"No dramatic speech?"
"No."
"No teasing?"
"Later."
Oom huffed a small laugh.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Yada said, already turning toward the door. "You're still in a very messy situation."
"I am aware."
"You're basically dating someone who doesn't know she's dating you."
Oom choked.
"I am NOT—!"
Yada opened the door.
"See you later, lover girl."
"YADA—!"
Too late.
She was gone.
Oom slumped back against the couch.
"...I hate her."
A pause.
"...she's not wrong."
Oom sighed.
Because she wasn't.
Not even a little.
---
Bam stirred.
Slowly.
Her grip shifted.
Her breathing changed.
Oom froze.
"...senpai?"
Bam's brows furrowed slightly.
Her eyes fluttered—
Then opened.
And just like that—
Day Bam.
Awake.
Aware.
And very, very close.
Oom stopped breathing.
Because this—
This had never happened before.
They had never been like this—
In the morning.
In the light.
With Bam conscious.
"...what..."
Bam's voice was quiet.
Confused.
Her gaze slowly focused.
On Oom.
On their position.
On—
Everything.
Oom's brain screamed.
THIS IS IT. THIS IS HOW I DIE.
"...good morning?" she said weakly.
Bam blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
Very carefully—
She pulled back.
Slowly.
Like she was recalibrating reality.
Like she was trying to understand what she was seeing.
Oom sat there.
Frozen.
Waiting.
For rejection.
For distance.
For that cold wall to slam back into place.
Bam looked at her.
Really looked at her.
Her gaze lingering just a second too long.
Her expression unreadable.
"...why are you here?"
There it was.
Back to normal.
Back to safe.
Back to—
Distance.
Oom exhaled.
"I fell asleep."
"...here."
"Yes."
"...with me."
Oom nodded.
Bam didn't respond immediately.
She just watched her.
Quiet.
Thinking.
Processing.
Then—
"...you shouldn't stay here overnight."
Oom's chest tightened.
"Right."
"People will misunderstand."
Oom forced a small smile.
"They already do."
A pause.
Bam looked at her.
Something flickered.
Brief.
Subtle.
Gone too quickly to catch.
"...be careful," Bam said.
And just like that—
She stood up.
Stepped away.
Created distance.
Oom watched her.
Heart aching slightly.
Because—
That was the difference.
Night Bam pulled her closer.
Day Bam—
Stepped away.
Oom exhaled slowly.
"...I really am in love with both of you."
And that—
That was the most dangerous part.