Chapter 27 No More Running
Oom Eisaya had a problem.
Actually, no—she had several problems.
But the main one, the most immediate, the one currently making her short-circuit in real time, was this:
Bam Saralee was holding her hand.
In public.
In broad daylight.
In the club room.
With witnesses.
“…I can’t feel my fingers,” Oom whispered.
“They’re literally intertwined with mine,” Bam replied calmly.
“That’s the problem.”
Bam glanced at her, the corner of her lips lifting slightly. “You said you were choosing me.”
“I did.”
“You said you were staying.”
“I am.”
“You said you weren’t afraid.”
“I lied.”
Bam let out a soft breath that almost sounded like a laugh.
And that alone—
That tiny shift—
Made Oom’s brain malfunction even more.
Because this version of Bam…
This calm, aware, emotionally open version…
Was somehow more dangerous than both day Bam and night Bam combined.
“…you’re different,” Oom blurted out.
Bam raised an eyebrow. “That’s vague.”
“You’re… softer.”
“I was always capable of that.”
“Not during daylight hours.”
“That’s fair.”
Oom swallowed.
“And now you’re just… like this?”
Bam tilted her head slightly. “Do you not like it?”
Oom choked.
“I like it too much!”
That came out louder than intended.
Across the room, Yada visibly perked up.
“Oh, this is getting interesting.”
Tantan, standing beside her, didn’t look away from the scene. “You’re being obvious.”
“I live for obvious.”
“You live for chaos.”
“Same thing.”
Oom groaned, covering her face with her free hand. “I hate everyone.”
“You don’t hate me,” Bam said quietly.
Oom froze.
Then slowly lowered her hand.
“…no, I don’t.”
Their eyes met.
And just like that—
The noise in the room faded.
Because Bam didn’t look away.
Didn’t retreat.
Didn’t hide.
She just held Oom’s gaze—
Steady.
Intentional.
Real.
“…you’re staring,” Oom whispered.
“So are you.”
“I’m panicking.”
“I can tell.”
“Do something about it.”
Bam’s fingers tightened slightly around hers.
“I am.”
“That’s not helping.”
“That’s the point.”
Oom’s brain officially gave up.
---
The rest of the meeting passed in a blur.
Oom didn’t hear a single word Professor Dew said.
Not because she wasn’t trying—
But because her entire existence had narrowed down to one singular awareness:
Bam’s hand.
Still holding hers.
Not letting go.
At one point, Oom tried to subtly pull away.
Not because she wanted to—
But because she needed to confirm she still had autonomy.
Bam didn’t even look at her.
She just tightened her grip slightly.
Firm.
Grounded.
Unmoving.
Oom stopped resisting immediately.
“…okay,” she muttered. “I guess I live here now.”
Bam’s lips curved faintly again.
---
After the meeting ended, people began filtering out of the room in small groups, chatting, laughing, existing like nothing monumental had just occurred.
Oom remained seated.
Because standing up felt like a risk.
Emotionally.
Physically.
Spiritually.
“…are you going to let go,” she asked cautiously.
Bam glanced at her.
“Do you want me to?”
Oom hesitated.
“…no.”
“Then no.”
Simple.
Direct.
Dangerous.
Oom swallowed.
“…okay.”
Across the room, Yada clutched Tantan’s arm dramatically. “They’re insane.”
“They’re in love.”
“That’s worse.”
“That’s accurate.”
Yada grinned. “I like her more now.”
“You like both of them.”
“I do.”
---
Eventually, they were alone.
Just Oom and Bam.
The room quieter now.
Softer.
Less overwhelming.
But somehow—
More intense.
Because now—
There were no distractions.
No buffer.
Just—
Them.
“…so,” Oom said, her voice quieter now, more careful. “What happens now?”
Bam didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she turned slightly toward her, her free hand resting against the edge of the table, her posture relaxed in a way Oom had never seen before.
“We figure it out.”
“You said that already.”
“And I meant it.”
Oom nodded slowly.
“…together.”
“Together.”
Silence settled between them.
Not awkward.
Not heavy.
Just—
Full.
Oom shifted slightly, her shoulder brushing against Bam’s.
The contact was small.
Accidental.
But it lingered.
Because neither of them moved away.
“…you’re really not running anymore,” Oom said softly.
Bam exhaled.
“…I don’t want to.”
“Even if it gets overwhelming?”
“It will.”
“Even then?”
Bam turned her head slightly, her gaze soft but steady.
“Especially then.”
Oom’s chest tightened.
Because that—
That mattered.
More than anything else.
---
It happened slowly.
Naturally.
Like neither of them were rushing.
Like neither of them needed to.
Oom shifted closer.
Just a little.
Bam didn’t pull away.
Didn’t hesitate.
She just—
Adjusted.
Closing the distance without making it obvious.
Without making it dramatic.
Until their knees brushed.
Then their shoulders.
Then—
There was no space left between them.
Oom’s breath slowed.
“…this is new.”
“Yes.”
“…I like it.”
“I know.”
Oom blinked.
“You do?”
Bam’s gaze flicked down briefly.
To their hands.
Still intertwined.
“I can tell.”
Oom felt her face heat up.
“…don’t analyze me.”
“I’m not analyzing.”
“You’re observing.”
“That’s part of my major.”
“That’s unfair.”
Bam smiled faintly.
“You’ll survive.”
Oom wasn’t sure about that.
---
The first move wasn’t planned.
It wasn’t calculated.
It wasn’t even fully conscious.
It just—
Happened.
Oom shifted again.
Closer.
Her free hand resting lightly against Bam’s sleeve.
Testing.
Waiting.
Bam didn’t move away.
Didn’t flinch.
Didn’t—
Reject it.
Instead, she turned slightly more toward Oom.
Her gaze softer now.
Less guarded.
More—
Present.
“…can I,” Oom started, then stopped.
Bam tilted her head slightly. “Can you what?”
Oom swallowed.
“…this.”
And then—
She leaned in.
Slow.
Careful.
Giving Bam time to stop her.
To pull away.
To hesitate.
But Bam didn’t.
She stayed.
She watched.
And when the distance between them disappeared—
She met her halfway.
The kiss was different.
Not rushed.
Not accidental.
Not desperate.
It was—
Intentional.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Oom’s fingers tightened slightly against Bam’s sleeve, grounding herself as her heart raced.
Bam’s hand moved.
Gently.
Resting against Oom’s waist.
Pulling her just a little closer.
Not enough to overwhelm.
Just enough to—
Hold.
Oom exhaled softly against her lips.
And that small sound—
That tiny, unguarded reaction—
Made something shift in Bam.
Her grip tightened slightly.
Her movements more certain now.
Still careful.
Still controlled.
But no longer hesitant.
When they pulled back, it wasn’t sudden.
It wasn’t abrupt.
It was gradual.
Like neither of them wanted to break it.
Like neither of them wanted to let go.
Oom rested her forehead lightly against Bam’s.
Her breathing uneven.
“…I’m not okay.”
Bam let out a soft breath.
“I can tell.”
“That was—”
“Yes.”
“I can’t form sentences.”
“You don’t have to.”
Oom laughed weakly.
“That’s good.”
---
They stayed like that for a moment.
Close.
Quiet.
Together.
Oom’s hand slowly slid from Bam’s sleeve to her wrist.
Then her fingers intertwined again.
Familiar.
Comforting.
Real.
“…you’re warm,” Oom murmured.
“So are you.”
“That’s not the point.”
“What is the point?”
Oom hesitated.
Then—
“…this feels real.”
Bam didn’t respond immediately.
But her hand tightened slightly.
“…it is.”
Oom smiled softly.
“…okay.”
---
Outside the room—
Yada leaned against the wall, peeking through the small gap in the door.
“They’re kissing again.”
Tantan glanced at her. “You’re invading their privacy.”
“I’m monitoring.”
“That’s not better.”
“It is if I say it is.”
Tantan sighed.
“…you’re impossible.”
Yada grinned.
“And you like me anyway.”
Tantan didn’t deny it.
---
Inside—
Oom leaned back slightly, her fingers still tangled with Bam’s, her heart still racing but in a way that didn’t feel overwhelming anymore.
Not scary.
Not uncertain.
Just—
Full.
“…so,” she said softly, glancing at Bam. “We’re really doing this.”
Bam nodded.
“…we are.”
Oom smiled.
“…no more running.”
Bam met her gaze.
Steady.
Certain.
“No more running.”