Chapter Text
"I'll have a black coffee please. We'll also have a..."
Karin tilted her head towards the Swiss girl sitting next to her.
"What did you want again, Emma?"
"Um... a cappuccino please."
After a fleeting glance at Karin, Emma returned her glance towards the table, examining nothing in particular.
"A cappuccino, please."
"Thank you very much, your order will be in soon."
The waitress disappeared into the back, leaving the duo to their devices.
Karin looked back at Emma, noticing her quiet demeanor. She had been like this all day, so Karin took her to a coffeeshop in Tokyo Midtown, a skyscraper with a shopping mall occupying its first few floors, to cheer her up.
Karin looked outside the coffeeshop into the assorted storefronts of the building. Inside a designer clothing boutique, clearly marketed towards wealthy and fashionable Tokyoites, she noticed a peculiar display with a familiar face.
"Hey Emma, look! They're displaying my recent modelling pictures inside that boutique over there. What do you thi-"
Karin looked over at Emma and saw that she was still staring at the table, twiddling her thumbs.
"Emma?"
Emma finally caught the sound of Karin's voice and looked up at her.
"Emma, what's wrong? You've been so quiet all day."
"It- It's nothing, Karin-chan. I'm just..."
Emma's voiced trailed off. Karin sighed. She wasn't good at confronting Emma, even if it was to cheer her up.
"Look, Emma, I won't push you to tell me what's going on, but, if you want someone to listen to, I'm always here for you, ok? I promise I won't judge you."
Without thinking, Karin reached her arms over the table and gently pressed her hands against Emma's, feeling her smooth and warm skin.
Emma's breath hitched for a second but she relaxed and allowed Karin to hold her hands.
"I... I miss my family so much, Karin-chan..."
Emma took deep breaths, evidently holding back tears.
"Today was Olivia's 7th birthday, and she got her first bicycle as a gift from my grandpa! I got to see clips of her riding it through our family farm. I just... I wanted to hug her so bad and tell her how happy I was for her, but I couldn't! She loves my hugs more than anyone else, Karin-chan..."
Karin breathed a soft sigh of relief, which brought a confused glance from Emma.
"Ah, so you're feeling homesick, huh?"
"Yeah... I guess I am." Emma blushed slightly, wiping away the few teardrops that started to form.
Suddenly, an idea popped into Karin's head.
"Hey, Emma. How about we go out for some fondue tonight?"
It was subtle, but Karin could see a bit of Emma's usual joy return to her wide, blue eyes.
"Fondue... They serve that here in Tokyo?"
"Of course! I know a place near Tokyo Tower that serves it."
Emma smiled softly.
"You're so thoughtful, Karin-chan. I'd love to."
"Then it's a date."
Karin didn't let it show but she gave herself a mental fistbump for taking note of Emma's favorite food from home. She earned some girlfriend brownie points from that.
She quickly pushed aside the intrusive thought of the cost of the meal. She would worry about that tonight.