The soft glow of dawn peeked through the blinds in Jules’ living room. She stirred on the couch, shifting under the shared blanket as the familiar scent of Mika’s shampoo lingered beside her. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, and there was Mika—still asleep, her face smushed against a pillow, soft snores breaking the otherwise still morning.
Jules blinked, disoriented for a moment. Then it hit her: the kiss. Last night. The moment that had shifted everything.
She tried not to stare, but Mika’s relaxed face, her slightly parted lips, and the faint curl of her lashes were hard to ignore. Jules’ stomach fluttered, a nervous yet exhilarating sensation. This was new. Unexpected. But not unwelcome.
Mika stirred, her nose wrinkling as her eyes blinked open. For a second, she looked confused. Then she smiled—a soft, sleepy grin that made Jules’ heart trip over itself.
“Morning,” Mika said, her voice husky with sleep. She stretched, the blanket slipping off her shoulders.
“Morning,” Jules replied, her voice quieter than usual. She wasn’t sure how to navigate this moment. Were they supposed to talk about it? Pretend it didn’t happen? The thought made her chest tighten.
“You’re already brooding,” Mika teased, nudging Jules’ shoulder with her own. “I can see it.”
“I’m not brooding,” Jules lied, avoiding Mika’s knowing gaze.
“Sure you’re not.” Mika grinned wider, propping herself up on her elbow. “You’re thinking about last night, aren’t you?”
Jules froze, her eyes flickering to Mika’s. The openness in Mika’s expression caught her off guard. She was always like this—unapologetically honest, never afraid to confront things head-on. It was both infuriating and endearing.
“A little,” Jules admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mika’s grin softened. “Me too.” She paused, then added with a wink, “So... does this mean I’m allowed to stay for breakfast, or was that a one-time kiss-and-run situation?”
Jules rolled her eyes, but a small laugh escaped her. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet, here I am,” Mika shot back, echoing the words she’d teased Jules with countless times before. She sat up fully, her messy hair catching the sunlight. “I’ll make coffee.”
Before Jules could protest, Mika was already up, padding toward the kitchen in her socks. Jules watched her go, marvelling at how easily Mika seemed to fit into her space, into her morning, into her life.
Mika returned minutes later with two steaming mugs, handing one to Jules before plopping back down beside her. “I even made it your way,” she said proudly. “Which is the wrong way, in my opinion.”
“It’s called having taste,” Jules retorted, but there was no real bite to her words. She took a sip, savouring the warmth.
For a while, they sat in companionable silence, the sounds of the city waking up outside their window. Jules wasn’t used to mornings like this—quiet, shared, comfortable. Most of her mornings were rushed or solitary, filled with the sterile buzz of hospital life. But with Mika, it felt different. Like the world could wait.
“Do you always wake up this early?” Mika asked, breaking the silence.
“Habit,” Jules replied. “Hospital life doesn’t leave much room for sleeping in.”
Mika hummed in agreement. “Still, you’d think on a day off, you’d at least try.”
“And miss your running commentary?” Jules quipped, smirking over the rim of her mug.
Mika laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “Fair point.”
The conversation ebbed and flowed easily, the way it always did with Mika. Jules found herself relaxing, letting the walls she usually kept so firmly in place slip away, brick by brick. It was terrifying, but it was also... nice. Comfortable.
Mika leaned back against the couch, her mug balanced on her knee. “So, last night,” she began, her tone casual but her eyes searching.
Jules tensed, her grip on her mug tightening slightly. “What about it?”
“I’m just saying,” Mika said with a playful shrug, “it was nice. Really nice.” She paused, her voice softening. “You don’t regret it, do you?”
Jules looked at her, startled by the vulnerability in her voice. She hesitated, then shook her head. “No. I don’t regret it.”
Mika’s face lit up, her grin both relieved and teasing. “Good. Because I like you, Jules,” she said, her tone soft but confident. She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling as she added, “Like, really like you. In case that wasn’t already obvious.”
Jules felt her cheeks warm, but she managed a small smirk. “You’re not exactly subtle, Mika.”
“Hey, subtlety is overrated,” Mika quipped, leaning closer. “Besides, I don’t want there to be any confusion about how I feel. You’re stuck with me now, Millin.”
Jules huffed out a laugh, rolling her eyes but not pulling away. “Stuck with you, huh? That’s a bold assumption.”
“It’s not an assumption,” Mika said, her voice dropping to something softer, more serious. “It’s a hope.”
Jules blinked, the weight of Mika’s words settling over her. There was something so honest, so unguarded in the way Mika looked at her, and it made Jules’ chest tighten. She wasn’t used to this—someone being so open, so unafraid to say what they wanted.
“Well,” Jules said after a moment, her voice quieter now, “you don’t make it easy to push you away.”
Mika beamed, clearly taking that as a win. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”
She stood up suddenly, clapping her hands together. “Okay, enough mushy stuff for now. I’m starving, and I have a craving for waffles.”
Jules raised an eyebrow. “Waffles? At this hour?”
“It’s always a good hour for waffles,” Mika said firmly, already making her way toward the kitchen. “Come on, we’re doing this.”
Jules sighed but followed her, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re way too enthusiastic for someone who hasn’t had a full breakfast yet.”
“That’s because I’m fuelled by love,” Mika replied dramatically, rummaging through the cabinets. “And caffeine. But mostly love.”
Jules groaned, leaning against the counter. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And you secretly love it,” Mika shot back, pulling out a waffle maker with triumph. “Okay, let’s see what you’ve got in this kitchen of yours.”
Jules watched as Mika began gathering ingredients with an ease that made it clear she’d done this a hundred times before. Flour, eggs, milk, and a container of sugar appeared on the counter, followed by butter and a bottle of maple syrup.
“You’re awfully comfortable in my kitchen,” Jules noted, crossing her arms.
“Someone’s gotta be,” Mika said with a wink. “You’re not exactly channelling your inner chef over here.”
“I’m more of a ‘reheat leftovers’ kind of person,” Jules admitted with a shrug.
“Well, today, you’re gonna help me make the best waffles of your life,” Mika declared, shoving a mixing bowl into Jules’ hands. “Start cracking those eggs, partner.”
Jules hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. But if this ends up being a disaster, it’s on you.”
“Relax, Jules. You’re in good hands,” Mika said, pouring flour into another bowl. “Now, let’s make some magic.”
They worked together in a surprisingly seamless rhythm—Mika giving instructions and Jules following along, her movements becoming more confident as they went. The kitchen filled with the sounds of laughter and the occasional clatter of utensils, along with the warm smell of batter cooking on the waffle iron.
When the first batch of waffles was ready, Mika plated them with an exaggerated flourish. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: breakfast perfection.”
Jules raised an eyebrow as she took her plate. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Oh, it’s already there,” Mika said with a grin, sitting down at the table.
They ate together, the waffles light and fluffy and dripping with syrup. Mika’s excitement was infectious, and Jules found herself relaxing more and more with each bite.
“This is actually really good,” Jules admitted after a while, her tone grudging but sincere.
“See? I told you,” Mika said, her face lighting up. She leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile on her lips. “This is nice, huh? Us, breakfast, no alarms... just a perfect morning.”
Jules nodded slowly, her gaze lingering on Mika. “Yeah. It is.”
Mika tilted her head, her smile softening. “You know, I could get used to this.”
Jules hesitated, then offered a small smile of her own. “Yeah. Me too.”
Mika reached across the table, her fingers brushing against Jules’. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes. For now, they didn’t need to say anything more. They just let the morning stretch around them, full of warmth, laughter, and the quiet promise of something more.
As the last bites of waffles disappeared from their plates, Mika leaned back in her chair, letting out an exaggerated sigh of satisfaction. “Okay, that was amazing. I think I deserve a round of applause for my culinary genius.”
Jules snorted, stacking her plate on top of Mika’s to carry to the sink. “Don’t push it.”
“Oh, come on,” Mika teased, following Jules into the kitchen. “Admit it—you’re impressed. You even helped, so technically, this was a team effort.”
Jules glanced at her over her shoulder, a smirk tugging at her lips. “You mean I cracked a couple of eggs while you did all the work?”
“Exactly!” Mika said with a grin. “See? Team effort.”
Jules rolled her eyes but let the smallest laugh escape. She rinsed the plates and handed them to Mika, who started loading the dishwasher with her usual enthusiasm. Jules couldn’t help but watch her, marvelling at how easily Mika seemed to fit into her space.
“You’re staring again,” Mika said without looking up, her voice sing-song and teasing.
Jules quickly averted her gaze, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. “I'm not.”
Mika turned to her with a knowing grin, drying her hands on a dish towel. “You totally were.”
“Maybe I was just wondering how someone can make so much noise doing the dishes,” Jules shot back, crossing her arms in mock defence.
“Or,” Mika said, stepping closer, her voice dropping to something softer, “maybe you were thinking about how much you like having me here.”
Jules opened her mouth to respond but found herself caught in the gentle intensity of Mika’s gaze. For a moment, the air between them felt charged, as if the world had slowed down just for them.
“Maybe,” Jules admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mika’s smile softened, and she reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Jules’ face. “You know, I’m not in a hurry to leave. If that’s okay with you.”
Jules swallowed hard, her heart thudding in her chest. “Yeah. That’s okay.”
Mika’s eyes flicked to Jules’ lips, and without thinking, she leaned in. The kiss was slow and sweet, warm and unhurried, like the rest of their morning. Jules found herself melting into it, her hands coming up to rest lightly on Mika’s waist.
When they finally pulled back, Mika rested her forehead against Jules’, a contented smile on her face. “I could get used to this,” she murmured, echoing her earlier words.
Jules chuckled softly, her own smile lingering. “You’re lucky I don’t mind you hanging around.”
“Oh, I’m more than lucky,” Mika said, pulling back just enough to look Jules in the eye. “I’m... something else entirely. Blessed? Charmed?”
“Insufferable,” Jules supplied with a smirk.
“Absolutely,” Mika agreed, stealing one more quick kiss before stepping back. “But you wouldn’t have it any other way. Admit it.”
Jules crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. “Admit it? Not a chance.”
Mika gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like she’d just been mortally wounded. “Wow. After everything I’ve done for you this morning? The waffles, the kisses, the charm—and this is the thanks I get?”
“Charm?” Jules said, deadpan. “You’re confusing ‘charm’ with ‘chaos.’”
Mika narrowed her eyes, setting her coffee mug down on the counter. “You’re lucky you’re cute, Millin, or that would’ve been fighting words.”
Jules smirked, leaning casually against the counter. “Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it, Yasuda?”
There was a beat of silence before Mika lunged forward, grabbing Jules by the waist and tickling her sides with a gleeful grin.
“Mika!” Jules yelped, trying to squirm away. “No—stop! I swear—”
“Admit it!” Mika demanded, her fingers relentless. “You love having me here!”
“Never!” Jules gasped, half laughing, half trying to escape Mika’s grasp.
“Fine,” Mika said, her tone mock-serious. “You leave me no choice.” With that, she wrestled Jules onto the couch, pinning her in place as she continued her tickle assault.
Jules was laughing uncontrollably now, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. “Okay, okay! You’re—” She tried to catch her breath, still squirming beneath Mika. “You’re... moderately tolerable!”
“Not good enough!” Mika said, grinning like a maniac.
“Okay!” Jules cried out, finally giving in. “You’re the best, okay? The absolute best!”
Mika stopped her attack, sitting back triumphantly. “That’s more like it.”
Jules glared up at her, her breath still coming in quick bursts. “You’re insane.”
“And yet,” Mika said with a grin, leaning down until their faces were inches apart, “you still like me.”
Jules rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. “Unfortunately.”
Mika gasped in mock offence. “Unfortunately? Wow, Jules. You’re just full of compliments this morning.”
Before Jules could retort, Mika leaned in and pressed a quick, playful kiss to her lips. Jules sighed, pretending to be exasperated, but her hand came up to rest on Mika’s cheek, pulling her in for a second, longer kiss.
When they finally pulled apart, Mika’s grin was wider than ever. “See? You do like me.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Jules muttered, though the softness in her eyes betrayed her.
“Oh, I already have,” Mika said, plopping down beside Jules on the couch and wrapping her arms around her. “Now, admit it one more time, just so I can hear it again.”
“No, absolutely not.” Jules said, tilting her head back, staring at the ceiling as Mika nestled against her side. After a moment of comfortable silence, she let out a small, almost reluctant chuckle.
“You know,” Jules began, her voice dry but tinged with amusement, “when I first moved into this building, I thought you were the most intolerable neighbour ever.”
Mika gasped, pulling back slightly to look at her with wide, mock-offended eyes. “Excuse me?! Intolerable? I was delighted!”
“You were loud,” Jules countered, her lips twitching as she tried to keep a straight face. “You knocked on my door constantly, always wanting to borrow sugar or offer me food I didn’t ask for. You called me ‘Julesy’ within two days of meeting me, which, by the way, was not okay.”
Mika laughed, completely unbothered. “Oh, come on. ‘Julesy’ is cute.”
“It’s awful,” Jules said firmly, though the corners of her mouth betrayed her amusement. She hesitated, her gaze softening as she added, “But... I didn’t expect to actually like you. Let alone—”
She froze, the word she hadn’t meant to say hanging in the air like a live wire.
Mika perked up immediately, her eyes narrowing with interest. “Let alone... what?”
“Nothing,” Jules said quickly, her cheeks beginning to flush.
“Oh no, no, no,” Mika said, sitting up straighter and turning to fully face her. “You don’t get to ‘nothing’ me after that. Let alone what, Jules?”
Jules avoided her gaze, her arms crossing defensively. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Forget it.”
Mika leaned in closer, her grin downright mischievous. “You said you didn’t expect to like me, let alone... fall for me?” Her voice lifted teasingly at the end, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“I didn’t say that!” Jules protested, her face burning now.
“Oh, but you almost did,” Mika said, practically vibrating with excitement. “Come on, Jules. You’re falling for me?”
Jules groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “You’re insufferable.”
“Admit it!” Mika pressed, gently tugging on Jules’ wrists to uncover her face. “You’re falling for me, aren’t you?”
Jules gave her a glare, though it lacked any real heat. “You’re relentless.”
“And you’re blushing,” Mika pointed out triumphantly, her grin widening.
Jules sighed, realising there was no escaping this. “Fine. Maybe I’m... a little... falling for you. Okay? Are you happy now?”
Mika’s expression softened, the teasing edge fading as she looked at Jules with something much gentler. “Yeah,” she said quietly, her smile turning sweet. “I’m really happy.”
Jules shifted awkwardly, trying to downplay her own vulnerability. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late,” Mika said, leaning in to press a soft, lingering kiss to Jules’ cheek. “But for the record... I’m falling for you too.”
Jules froze for a moment, her breath catching at the quiet sincerity in Mika’s voice. She turned to look at her, their faces close enough that she could see every detail of Mika’s expression—the warmth in her eyes, the slight curve of her lips, the way she looked completely and utterly at ease.
“So,” Mika began, drawing the word out as she traced lazy patterns on Jules’ arm with her fingertip, “how else are we going to spend our morning? What’s the vibe? Are we diving into a show, watching a movie, or just... talking about how much you’re falling for me?”
Jules groaned, covering her face with her hands. “I really regret saying anything.”
“No, you don’t,” Mika said, nudging Jules’ hands away and leaning closer, her grin softening into something warmer. “But seriously, what’s the plan? I’m good with anything, as long as it involves you.”
Jules hesitated, caught off guard by the earnestness in Mika’s voice. She cleared her throat, trying to play it cool. “Well, we could watch something. But knowing you, you’ll probably pick the most ridiculous rom-com you can find.”
Mika gasped, her hand flying to her chest in mock offence. “Excuse you! I happen to have excellent taste in rom-coms, thank you very much.”
“Do you, though?” Jules shot back, her lips twitching into a smirk.
“Okay, fine,” Mika said, sitting up and crossing her legs. “Let’s settle this right now. What’s your favourite movie genre? Enlighten me, Millin.”
Jules rolled her eyes, sitting up as well. “I don’t know. I like thrillers. Something with suspense, maybe a good mystery.”
Mika groaned dramatically, throwing herself back against the couch cushions. “Of course you do. You’re such a cliché, Jules.”
“And you’re not?” Jules countered, arching an eyebrow.
Mika grinned, unbothered. “I embrace my clichés. But fine, let’s compromise. How about a mystery with a little romance? Something that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat and make you swoon a little.”
Jules tilted her head, pretending to think. “Hmm. That sounds suspiciously like you’re trying to win me over.”
“Always,” Mika said with a wink.
Jules shook her head, a soft laugh escaping. “Okay, fine. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Mika sprang to her feet, grabbing the remote and scrolling through their options with a gleeful determination. “Oh, this one looks good! Or... wait, no, this one!” She kept switching between titles, her energy as boundless as ever.
As the movie played on, Mika leaned into Jules’ side, her head resting comfortably on her shoulder. Jules had barely been paying attention to the screen for the last twenty minutes. The plot was something about a detective falling for the suspect, but she couldn’t focus with Mika so close.
Jules glanced down at her, noting how Mika’s breathing had slowed. She smiled softly. Mika’s eyes were fluttering shut, her face peaceful in a way that made Jules’ chest ache in the best way possible.
This wasn’t how Jules imagined spending her mornings when she first moved into the building. She hadn’t thought she’d be sitting here with her so-called intolerable neighbour, let alone letting herself feel... this.
She didn’t know what this was yet. She wasn’t sure she wanted to define it right now, but whatever it was, it scared her—and thrilled her at the same time.
Jules could still remember those first weeks, rolling her eyes every time Mika knocked on her door or waved too enthusiastically from across the hallway. She had tried so hard to stay closed off, to brush Mika off like she had with so many other people. But Mika had this way of wiggling past every wall Jules put up, always with a grin or some random bit of kindness that made Jules feel like maybe she wasn’t so alone.
And now? Now Mika wasn’t just her loud neighbour. She wasn’t just the person who made her laugh when she didn’t want to. She was the person Jules wanted to spend her mornings with, her evenings with—hell, maybe even more than that.
Jules swallowed hard, her gaze softening as she reached down to brush a stray strand of hair from Mika’s face. “You’re a lot, you know that?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Mika stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent before settling back into her shoulder.
Jules chuckled quietly, shifting so they were both more comfortable. She leaned her head back against the couch, closing her eyes for a moment. She could feel the steady rise and fall of Mika’s breathing, her warmth seeping into her side.
She thought about how easy it had been, waking up with Mika, making waffles, teasing each other like it was the most natural thing in the world. Jules had always been cautious, hesitant to let people get too close, but Mika made it feel... safe. Easy.
A part of her wanted to lean down, press a kiss to Mika’s forehead, and whisper something that felt too big to say just yet. Something like, “I think I could love you someday.”
Instead, Jules stayed quiet, letting the moment wash over her. She knew Mika would tease her later about how soft she’d gotten, but for now, it was enough just to be here, with Mika curled up beside her and the world outside feeling far away.