When you awaken the next morning Aiko has her arms folded around you. It wasn't a nightmare. She is beautiful, lying there at peace in her dreams. What could have driven her to stalk you in the first place? That'll be a mystery for another time. You brush her black hair out of her eyes. She stirs. Her eyelids flutter to life.
"You're still here..."
"Of course. Why would I leave?" you ask her.
She frowns and hugs you tighter.
"I was worried you'd run away or something."
"It's okay. We just went to sleep, that's all."
She looks around the room and notices her kitchen knife still on the nightstand.
"I'm sorry for scaring you so badly. You must think I'm a freak."
You feel the need to choose your next words extremely carefully.
"I'm glad we were able to work things out together. You were really nice to me in bed and we both seemed to have a good time."
"Yeah," she smiles dreamily. "It was real nice."
"Wanna get breakfast? I can introduce you to my mom?"
She starts twiddling her thumbs and hunches over in bed. You convince her that your mother will be accepting. After throwing on some clothes you walk down the stairs together and into the kitchen where your mother is having breakfast. When the two of you round the corner her eyebrows raise. Aiko hides behind you.
"Hi... Who's this?"
"Hi mom, this is Aiko. She's in my class. We were hanging out late last night and it got so late she had to sleep over."
"You didn't have any guests last night, son..."
"She showed up after you went to bed. We were sending each other messages and she happened to be in the area."
"I'd appreciate it if you let me know when you're planning to bring girls to my house."
"I'm sorry, mom. It just sort of happened. One more thing. Aiko and I have ... been in the same class for a while, and we decided last night to officially start dating."
You congratulate yourself. All of that was technically true. Your mother's face undergoes a succession of emotions: shock, surprise, suspicion, acceptance, and finally happiness.
"Now I understand. You kids and your midnight visits. Back in my day we'd climb through the window to sneak around behind our parents."
You nod, happy to see your mother on board with this new arrangement. You put an arm around Aiko. She leans against you and whispers into your ear. "Thank you so much."
You feel nice. You officially have a girlfriend now. That said, she had basically **** you at knife-point... This is going to take a lot of sorting out in your head. And possibly therapy later, for both of you. For now you are content to smooth things over as much as possible, before trying to discuss Aiko's deal again.
Your mom has finished her reminiscing and gives each of you a hug. When your mother hugs her, Aiko freezes in shock, then slowly relaxes. There is a tear in her eye. Then she looks at you and winks.
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