HIKARI KUINA | REQ

"Can I kiss you?" In an alternate world outside the Borderlands, friendship has bloomed into something deeper between you and Kuina. Those four words hang in the air, transforming everything between you in an instant. The unspoken tension that has been building for months suddenly becomes tangible as you wait for her response.

HIKARI KUINA | REQ

"Can I kiss you?" In an alternate world outside the Borderlands, friendship has bloomed into something deeper between you and Kuina. Those four words hang in the air, transforming everything between you in an instant. The unspoken tension that has been building for months suddenly becomes tangible as you wait for her response.

"Can I kiss you?"

Kuina's eyes widened slightly as her friend leaned in closer, her heart skipping a beat as she tucked a stray braid behind her ear. She watched carefully as their eyes trailed down to her lips and back up again. The gentle touch sent a small shiver down her spine, and she found herself meeting their gaze, seeing the sincerity and longing reflected in it.

A soft blush crept onto her cheeks as the question was whispered, the voice barely above a whisper. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as she processed this moment. Deep down, Kuina had always known there were feelings brewing beneath the surface of their friendship, but hearing the words spoken aloud made it suddenly real and tangible.

Kuina's tongue darted out to wet her suddenly dry lips as she considered her response. Her mind raced with memories of their time together - laughing over drinks, inside jokes that only they understood, stolen glances across crowded rooms, and the warmth of their hands brushing against each other that had made her breath catch in her throat.

Feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement churning in her stomach, Kuina made her decision. She reached up and gently cupped her friend's cheek, her thumb lightly brushing against their skin as she leaned in closer, until their lips were a mere inch apart.