Chapter Text
Maki is adorable when she gets tired, but that’s not the kind of thing Kaede would dare tell her. After all, it’s something only Kaede gets to see, really—Maki showing any kind of weakness, any sign of being human.
It’s winter break, and Maki is spending the night at Kaede’s house. “It’s warmer than the orphanage,” she’d said, shrugging, when Kaede had apologized about her messy, small room. They’d spent most of the day in town, window shopping and sharing crepes and hot drinks, then returned back to Kaede’s house for dinner.
As the night draws to a close, Maki begins to yawn (like a little cat, Kaede thinks). “We should sleep soon… I’m going to go put my pajamas on, okay?” Kaede says, testing the waters.
“Mmm.”
“You can change in here if you want. While I’m in the bathroom, I mean.”
Maki’s eyes shift away for a second. “I’ll just sleep in my clothes. It’s fine.”
Kaede hesitates. “…Did you not bring pajamas?”
“I forgot,” Maki says simply.
Kaede frowns. She’s pretty sure that Maki doesn’t have any in the first place, but she will not mention it. “Oh, um, let me see if I can find something for you…” She opens her dresser drawers, digging for something that might fit Maki. She can feel Maki’s piercing eyes on her—she knows Maki must think she’s crazy, trying to find something when Maki is so much smaller than her. Finally, she says, “I know it’s not the best, but how about one of my t-shirts?”
“I guess.” Maki pulls at her hair. “Sorry. Thanks. That’s fine for me.”
Kaede breathes out a small sigh of relief. “Okay! Would you prefer Young Musicians of Gifu 2026 Participant, or, um, whatever this is?”
“Gifu is fine.” Maki doesn’t even look at the other one. “Thanks.”
By the time Kaede returns from changing, Maki has already curled up on the spare futon Kaede’s laid out on her floor, with a blanket pulled nearly over her head. “Don’t worry about me,” she says without turning. “I can fall asleep pretty much anywhere, so if you need to keep the light on or whatever, I don’t care.”
“Nope, I was just gonna go to sleep too.” Kaede flicks the light switch off, illuminating the glow-in-the-dark star decals spanning her ceiling. “Goodnight, Maki.”
“Goodnight, stupid Kaede,” comes the mumbled reply.
The winter mornings are especially cold, and Kaede would like nothing more than to stay in bed, wrapped in her covers, for as long as possible. When she rolls over, she sees that Maki’s already up, sitting on the floor and doing leg stretches. Even now, she’s cute beyond compare, and Kaede can’t help but think she’s lucky to have Maki so close to her.
“Morning,” Maki says, glancing at Kaede. She leans forward, legs pointed straight, and expertly touches her toes.
“Good morning,” Kaede replies tiredly. “Did you sleep alright?”
“It wasn’t bad.” Maki sits up again. The shirt is so large on her that it’s practically hanging off her shoulders, falling at her thighs.
Kaede inhales.
“What?” Maki says, giving Kaede a look.
“Nothing! Umm, I was just thinking it’s… nice to see you wearing my shirt.”
Maki looks down at her chest like she’s forgotten about what she’s wearing. “Oh. It’s not that big of a deal, you know.”
“I know! It’s just, you know, since we’re dating…” Kaede trails off. “Do you want to keep it?”
“…I don’t need to take your clothes.”
“No, no, it’s okay! I don’t really wear it anymore. I wouldn’t offer unless I wanted you to.”
“You’re impossible. …I’ll take it, I guess.”
“Mmhm! It looks nice on you.”
Maki shakes her head. “It’s huge on me. Are you blind?”
“Hey, I think you always look nice!” Kaede struggles, but manages to pull herself out of bed. “Did you want to get breakfast? I can make you some eggs, or we could have cereal or toast or something…”
“Toast is fine.” Maki’s mouth twitches, forming a small smile—but a smile nonetheless. “Thanks again for having me over. I’d… like to stay again sometime. If that’s fine.”
Kaede is suddenly much more awake, brightening at the suggestion. “Of course! I’d love that!”
And it might be her imagination, but when Kaede agrees, Maki’s smile seems to grow just the smallest bit.