Chapter Text
Kanade could spend the rest of her life in this moment.
Yes, there was a plush otter poking her in the side, her legs were pressed up against the wall, and her arm had fallen asleep - but she wouldn't trade this for anything.
She could feel Minori's stomach move against her own, rising and falling to the rhythm of her slow breaths. With her head nestled in the other's shoulder, Kanade could feel each one of Minori's exhales ruffle her hair slightly. She never thought that she'd be grateful to be the shorter one out of the two, but here she was, thanking whatever lucky star had blessed her. Not only with her height (or lack thereof), but also with the world's most perfect girlfriend.
There were times when Kanade genuinely wondered if this was some kind of elaborate prank - if one day she'd wake up and realize that the heaven she had been living in for the past few months was nothing but a fantasy. After all, there was no way that someone as wonderful as Minori would actually love someone as broken as her. Sooner or later, she'd find someone she truly deserved.
But then Minori would grab her trembling hands, and press a gentle kiss to every tear running down her cheeks. And she would sit with Kanade for as long as she needed, telling her that she loved her, she was the only person she ever wanted to love, and that she would always choose her.
"It doesn't matter who you think I deserve, Kanna. Even if you weren't the most wonderful girlfriend I could ever ask for - I would choose you over anyone else in the whole wide world."
It felt like a miracle, but somehow, Kanade could actually believe those words.
Minori made a sudden, quiet sound, and Kanade glanced up to see her girlfriend's tired eyes flutter open. "...Did I fall 'sleep? Sorry for squishin' you..." She murmured, and Kanade reached up to gently stroke her face. "It's okay, love. I don't ever want to get up." Minori laughed quietly, letting her eyes close again slowly. She rested her head back on Kanade's, their hands finding each other and joining.
"Can we stay here? For just a li'l longer?"
Kanade let herself be pulled to sleep, but not before giving a whispered response.
"I'll always stay with you."