Chapter Text
Rantaro had gotten up in the middle of the night every single night. Sometimes
later than others, but usually around midnight.
Today, it was one of the later nights. Rantaro had rolled out of bed at 2:35 AM. Not for anything fancy though. To get a glass of water from the kitchen.
Rantaro was just about to approach the hallway, when he heard heartfelt singing from the maid’s room.
“Once I had a love, and it was a glass!” She quietly sang into the otherwise silent house.
“Soon turned out, I had a heart of gas!” Her voice echoed throughout the hall and into Rantaro’s ears.
He could feel his face warm. He had never realized she had hobbies outside of her duties. And her singing voice is beautiful too…
He started carefully walking to her door, right before the stairs descended, and softly knocked.
“Hello? Kirumi, it’s Rantaro. Could I come in?”
He saw Kirumi’s shoulders tense before she ran to the door and unlocked it.
“I am so overwhelmingly sorry, Master Amami! I did not intend to wake you or stray from my duties!”
Her voice sounded panicked and startled, but before she could even bow to him, he laughed.
Not a mean laugh, no. One of the laughs Rantaro often gave to calm his sisters down when they were little.
“No, Kirumi, it’s okay. I was already awake! Anyways, you live here. You should be able to have something as simple as singing in your own home.”
Kirumi then felt her own face warm.
“M-Master Amami, I still-”
He took her hand and put his pointer finger up to his lips with his free hand.
“No, no. Stop. You don't need to work around the clock. Don’t force your own joy away. Would you perhaps want to sit and talk?”
Kirumi’s grip tightened on his hand as she looked away with a pink face. “Yes… Of course..! As long as you genuinely want to, Master Amami.”
Rantaro let go of her hand and sat on the side of the bed.
“I’d love to talk.”
“Could I continue to journal as we talk? I know it isn't part of my devotion, but I do it in the free time I have after the mansion sparkles.”
Rantaro laughed again—another gentle, genuine laugh.
“Kirumi, this isn’t part of your devotion. I genuinely just want to talk. But of course you can journal. I promise I won't peek.”
Kirumi gave a brief nod and sat at her desk before fervently, and in all honesty, unprofessionally scribbling words into her maroon journal.
And to Rantaro’s words, he angled himself away from her writing. He respected her privacy. But, Kirumi immediately noticed. She grasped her pen even tighter as she wrote.
Rantaro was the first to talk. “So… You like Blondie, huh?”
“Yes, Master. I find her work impressive.”
Kirumi’s posture softened, and Rantaro continued to talk.
“Yeah, I get that. I’ve listened to a few of her songs. She’s got a pretty unique voice.”
“I agree. Her music is rather unconventional.”
“Unconventional?”
Kirumi paused her writing.
“Yes. I suppose that is one way to describe it.”
Rantaro smiled. “You don’t like that word?”
“No, I do. I simply find it amusing that you would use it.”
“Why?”
“Because you are not exactly conventional yourself, Master Amami.”
Rantaro blinked.
Then, he laughed.
Kirumi’s pen stopped moving again.
“I apologize. I did not mean to-”
“No, no, it’s fine.” Rantaro wiped at the corner of his eye, still smiling. “I just wasn’t expecting that from you.”
Kirumi looked back down at her journal.
“I have been told that I can be unexpectedly humorous.”
“Who told you that?”
“Several people.”
“Several people, huh?”
“Yes.”
“Do I know them?”
Kirumi paused.
“…No.”
Rantaro leaned back on his hands, grinning. “You know, for someone who spends so much time working, you sure seem to have a lot of secrets.”
“I have no secrets, Master Amami.”
“Right. Of course not.”
Kirumi narrowed her eyes slightly.
Rantaro laughed again.
She tried to ignore him and continued writing, though her handwriting had become noticeably less neat.
After a moment, Rantaro spoke again.
“So, what else do you like?”
Kirumi looked over her shoulder.
“Besides Blondie?”
“Besides Blondie.”
Kirumi thought about it.
The question seemed to genuinely stump her.
Rantaro noticed.
“Is that a difficult question?”
“No.”
He raised an eyebrow.
Kirumi looked away.
“…Perhaps.”
Rantaro’s expression softened.
“Why?”
“I have never really considered it.”
“Considered what?”
“What I like.”
The room went quiet.
Kirumi looked down at the journal in front of her. The pen rested between her fingers, but she wasn’t writing anymore.
“Most things I do are for the benefit of others,” she continued. “I have never found that to be a problem. In fact, I find great fulfillment in being useful.”
“I know.”
“But when you ask me what I like…” She paused. “I suppose I do not know how to answer.”
Rantaro tilted his head.
“Then let’s figure it out.”
Kirumi looked at him.
“Together?”
“Sure.”
“Master Amami, you do not need to-”
“Kirumi.”
She stopped.
Rantaro smiled.
“I’m not doing this because I need to.”
For a moment, Kirumi said nothing.
Then she slowly turned back toward her journal.
“Very well.”
Rantaro smiled wider.
“Okay. Let’s start easy. What’s your favorite color?”
“Maroon.”
He glanced at the journal.
“Yeah, I could’ve guessed that one.”
Kirumi looked down at the maroon cover.
“I find it pleasing.”
“Fair enough. Favorite food?”
“Tea.”
“Tea isn’t food.”
“Tea is a beverage.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It is the most accurate answer.”
Rantaro laughed.
Kirumi’s lips twitched.
It was small. Barely there.
But Rantaro noticed.
He didn’t say anything.
Instead, he continued.
“Favorite animal?”
Kirumi thought for a moment.
“Cats.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed that.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. You seem more like a… bird person.”
Kirumi stared at him.
“A bird person?”
“Yeah.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m not sure.”
She stared at him for another second.
Then she laughed.
It was quiet.
Soft.
And it sounded completely different from the singing Rantaro had heard earlier.
He found himself smiling.
Kirumi quickly covered her mouth.
“I apologize.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I laughed.”
“You’re allowed to do that.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Kirumi’s hand slowly lowered.
Rantaro wasn’t smiling anymore.
Not completely.
Kirumi looked away.
“…I am trying.”
Rantaro was quiet for a moment.
Then he stood up.
Kirumi looked at him.
“Master Amami?”
“Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the kitchen.”
“Why?”
“You said tea was your favorite food.”
“I said tea was my favorite beverage.”
“Right. Whatever. We’re getting some.”
Kirumi stared at him.
“Now?”
“It’s two-thirty in the morning.”
“Yes.”
“Master Amami, I am aware of the time.”
“Then you know it’s the perfect time for tea.”
“That makes no sense.”
“Sure it does.”
Rantaro held out his hand.
Kirumi stared at it.
He tilted his head.
“Coming?”
Kirumi looked at his hand for a few more seconds.
Then, with a small smile, she took it.
“Yes.”
They left the room together.
The mansion was still quiet.
The only sound was the soft creaking of the floorboards beneath their feet.
Rantaro walked beside her, still holding her hand.
Kirumi noticed.
He didn’t seem to.
She didn’t mention it.
Neither of them did.
When they reached the kitchen, Rantaro opened one of the cabinets.
“So, what kind do you like?”
Kirumi watched him search through the various tea boxes.
“I do not have a preference.”
“Kirumi.”
“I do not.”
“Your favorite food is tea, but you don’t have a favorite kind?”
Kirumi considered this.
“…I suppose that is contradictory.”
“A little.”
She looked at the boxes.
“Earl Grey.”
Rantaro pulled out the box.
“Good choice.”
“Have you had it?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you like it?”
“It’s alright.”
Kirumi stared at him.
“What?”
“You just said it was a good choice.”
“Yeah.”
“Yet you do not particularly enjoy it.”
“Just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s not a good choice.”
Kirumi stared at him for a moment longer.
Then she smiled.
“You are strange, Master Amami.”
“I’m starting to think that’s a compliment.”
“It is.”
Rantaro smiled.
“Good.”
He filled the kettle with water and set it on the stove.
Kirumi immediately reached for it.
“I can do that.”
Rantaro stopped.
“I know.”
“Then allow me to-”
“Kirumi.”
She froze again.
Rantaro looked at her.
“You don’t have to.”
The words were simple.
But they seemed to hit her harder than he expected.
Kirumi’s hand slowly lowered.
“…I know.”
Rantaro smiled.
“Good.”
He turned back toward the stove.
For once, Kirumi didn’t reach for the kettle.
She simply stood beside him.
And waited.
As the water began to heat, Rantaro leaned against the counter.
“So.”
“So?”
“You never answered my question.”
Kirumi looked at him.
“What question?”
“What else do you like?”
She thought about it.
This time, she didn’t immediately say that she didn’t know.
Instead, she looked down at the tea box in her hands.
“I like writing.”
Rantaro smiled.
“I know.”
“You do?”
“You’ve been writing in that journal since we left your room.”
Kirumi looked down.
She had, in fact, continued writing.
Rantaro hadn’t noticed.
Or, more accurately, he had noticed and pretended not to.
“You are very observant.”
“Comes with the job.”
“Your job is to be a detective?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then what is your job?”
Rantaro smiled.
“That’s a long story.”
Kirumi studied him.
“Perhaps you could tell me.”
“Perhaps I could.”
The kettle began to whistle.
Rantaro reached for it.
Kirumi moved at the same time.
Their hands bumped.
They both stopped.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then Rantaro laughed softly.
“Sorry.”
“No, I apologize.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
“Neither do you.”
Rantaro smiled.
“Fair enough.”
Kirumi poured the water into two cups.
Rantaro watched her.
“You know, you don’t have to make me one.”
“I am aware.”
“But you did anyway.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Kirumi paused.
Then she looked at him.
“Because I wanted to.”
Rantaro blinked.
Kirumi blinked too.
The words seemed to surprise both of them.
Then Rantaro smiled.
“Yeah?”
“Yes.”
He took the cup she held out to him.
“Thanks, Kirumi.”
She looked down at her own cup.
“You’re welcome, Rantaro.”
Rantaro froze.
Kirumi froze.
The kitchen went silent.
“…What?” she asked.
Rantaro slowly smiled.
“Nothing.”
“I believe something is amusing you.”
“Nothing.”
“You are smiling.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe I just like tea.”
Kirumi narrowed her eyes.
“You are very strange.”
“And you’re very funny.”
“I am not.”
“Sure.”
Kirumi took a sip of her tea.
Rantaro did the same.
Neither of them said anything for a while.
They simply stood together in the quiet kitchen at 2:52 in the morning.
Kirumi held her journal in one hand.
Her tea in the other.
And for once, she wasn’t working.
She wasn’t serving anyone.
She wasn’t trying to be useful.
She was simply there.
And, strangely enough…
That was enough.
Rantaro glanced over at her.
“So, what are you writing?”
Kirumi immediately closed the journal.
“No.”
Rantaro laughed.
“Okay, okay. I won’t ask.”
“You may ask.”
“I’m not allowed to know?”
“You may know.”
“Then why can’t I see?”
Kirumi looked away.
“Because I am not finished.”
Rantaro smiled.
“Then I’ll wait.”
Kirumi looked at him.
“You will?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
Rantaro shrugged.
“Because you said you weren’t finished.”
Kirumi stared at him.
Then, slowly, she opened her journal again.
She turned to a fresh page.
Rantaro looked away.
Kirumi began to write.
This time, she didn’t hide the smile on her face.
Kirumi continued writing for several minutes.
Rantaro remained by her side, sipping his tea and staring very intently at the opposite wall.
He did not look at the journal.
He had promised.
Eventually, Kirumi closed it.
Rantaro glanced over.
“Finished?”
“For now.”
“Can I see?”
Kirumi looked at him.
“You said you would wait.”
“I did.”
“And you have.”
“I have.”
She studied him for a moment.
Then she held the journal out.
Rantaro blinked.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He accepted it carefully.
Kirumi immediately looked away.
Rantaro opened the journal.
The entry was not very long.
He read it once.
Then again.
His smile slowly faded into something softer.
Kirumi watched him from the corner of her eye.
“Well?”
Rantaro closed the journal.
“Kirumi.”
“Yes?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“You may.”
“Do you like me?”
Kirumi went completely still.
The kitchen seemed to become much quieter.
“I—”
“You don’t have to answer.”
“No.”
Rantaro blinked.
Kirumi’s eyes widened.
“I mean—yes.”
He smiled.
“Okay.”
“I mean, I do like you.”
“I figured.”
Kirumi’s face became warmer.
“You figured?”
“Kind of.”
“How?”
Rantaro tapped the journal.
“You wrote about me.”
“I did not explicitly state that you were the subject of the entry.”
“No, but you did write that you enjoy tea more when someone is there to drink it with you.”
Kirumi looked away.
“That is not conclusive evidence.”
“You also wrote that you enjoy being asked what you want.”
“That is still not conclusive evidence.”
“And then you wrote that you wanted to make me tea.”
Kirumi paused.
“…I did.”
“Because you wanted to.”
“Yes.”
Rantaro smiled.
“Then I think I have a pretty good idea.”
Kirumi stared at him.
For once, she had no immediate response.
Rantaro’s smile softened.
“Is that okay?”
Kirumi blinked.
“What?”
“For me to like you.”
Kirumi’s expression changed.
It was subtle.
But Rantaro noticed.
“You do?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
Rantaro laughed softly.
“Because I do.”
“That is not an explanation.”
“No, I guess it isn’t.”
He set the journal down on the counter.
Then he looked back at her.
“I like talking to you.”
Kirumi said nothing.
“I like when you laugh.”
Her face grew warmer.
“I do not laugh very often.”
“I know.”
“That is not necessarily a positive quality.”
“I didn’t say it was.”
“Rantaro.”
He grinned.
“Sorry.”
She tried to glare at him.
She failed.
Rantaro took a step closer.
Kirumi noticed.
Her heart began to beat faster.
“Is this okay?” he asked.
Kirumi stared at him.
She knew what he was asking.
She should have answered.
She was perfectly capable of answering.
Instead, she nodded.
Rantaro smiled.
Then he leaned forward and kissed her.
It was gentle.
Brief.
So brief that Kirumi barely had time to understand what was happening before it was over.
Rantaro pulled back.
Kirumi stared at him.
He stared back.
For half a second, neither of them moved.
Then Kirumi reached for him.
Rantaro barely had time to blink before her hand grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him back in.
This kiss was different.
Kirumi did not think about it.
She did not plan it.
She simply kissed him.
And when Rantaro’s hands settled carefully at her waist, she pulled him closer.
Rantaro made a quiet, surprised sound against her lips.
That was when Kirumi realized what she was doing.
She immediately let go of his shirt.
The two of them separated.
Kirumi stared at him.
Rantaro stared back.
Her hand slowly lowered.
The kitchen was silent.
“…I apologize.”
Rantaro blinked.
“For what?”
Kirumi looked away.
“I—”
She stopped.
Her face grew even warmer.
“I do not know.”
Rantaro’s lips twitched.
“Did you just apologize for kissing me?”
“No.”
“You did.”
“I apologized for—”
“You kissed me back.”
Kirumi’s eyes widened.
“Rantaro.”
“And then you pulled me closer.”
“Rantaro.”
“And then you—”
“Rantaro.”
He raised both hands.
“Okay. Okay.”
Kirumi turned away from him.
She was still holding her tea.
She had completely forgotten about it.
Rantaro watched as she stared at the counter with the rigid posture of someone attempting to regain control of a situation that had already escaped her several minutes ago.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“You’re very red.”
“I am aware.”
“Do you want some tea?”
Kirumi turned to him.
“Do not make fun of me.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“Maybe a little.”
She stared at him.
Rantaro smiled.
Kirumi looked away again.
“…I did not intend to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Take the lead.”
Rantaro’s eyebrows rose.
“Take the—”
He stopped himself.
Kirumi covered her face with both hands.
“I am going to my room.”
“Why?”
“Because it is late.”
“It was late before.”
“I have changed my mind.”
“About what?”
“Being here.”
“Because you kissed me?”
Kirumi slowly lowered her hands.
“Rantaro.”
“Sorry.”
“You are not.”
“Not really.”
She stared at him.
He grinned.
Then, just as she turned to leave, Rantaro reached out and caught her hand.
Kirumi stopped.
He did not pull her back.
He simply held her hand.
“Kirumi.”
She looked over her shoulder.
“You know you can stay, right?”
Her expression softened.
“Yes.”
“And?”
Kirumi looked down at their hands.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she squeezed his hand.
“…I want to.”
Rantaro smiled.
“Good.”
Kirumi looked at him.
Then, after a brief pause, she leaned forward and kissed him again.
This time, she knew exactly what she was doing.
When she pulled away, she immediately looked away.
Rantaro smiled.
Kirumi’s face turned bright red.
“Do not say anything.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“You were thinking about it.”
“I was.”
“Rantaro.”
“Okay. Okay.”
Kirumi held his hand tighter.
Neither of them left the kitchen.
The tea went cold.
And, for once, Kirumi did not seem to mind.
They remained in the kitchen for several more minutes.
Neither of them said much.
Kirumi still held Rantaro’s hand.
Rantaro did not seem to have any intention of letting go.
Eventually, he glanced toward the clock.
“It’s three-thirty.”
Kirumi followed his gaze.
“Yes.”
“You should sleep.”
“I am not tired.”
Rantaro looked at her.
Kirumi looked back.
“You are tired.”
“I am not.”
“You almost fell asleep standing up.”
“I did not.”
“You closed your eyes.”
“I was thinking.”
“With your eyes closed?”
“It is possible.”
Rantaro smiled.
“Sure.”
Kirumi narrowed her eyes.
“I am not tired.”
“Okay.”
“I am perfectly capable of continuing to remain awake.”
“Okay.”
“I have functioned on significantly less sleep than this.”
“Kirumi.”
She stopped.
Rantaro’s expression softened.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me.”
Kirumi stared at him.
Then she looked away.
“…I know.”
“Good.”
He stood up.
Kirumi’s hand slipped out of his.
She immediately noticed.
Rantaro noticed her noticing.
“Come on.”
“Where?”
“To bed.”
Kirumi blinked.
“Your room?”
“Yeah.”
She stared at him.
Rantaro stared back.
“…Why?”
“Because you need to sleep.”
“I have my own room.”
“I know.”
“Then why would I go to yours?”
Rantaro paused.
“Because I asked?”
Kirumi stared at him.
“That is not a sufficient explanation.”
He smiled.
“Because I don’t want to go to sleep yet.”
Kirumi tilted her head.
“Then why are you suggesting that we go to bed?”
“Because I want to sleep.”
“That is contradictory.”
“Yeah, probably.”
She studied him.
Rantaro shrugged.
“Besides, I don’t think either of us is actually going to leave after tonight.”
Kirumi’s face warmed again.
“That is an assumption.”
“Is it?”
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Rantaro grinned.
Kirumi sighed.
“You are very irritating.”
“You’ve said that before.”
“I have not.”
“You’ve said I’m strange.”
“That is different.”
“How?”
“Irritating is more specific.”
Rantaro laughed.
Kirumi tried not to smile.
She failed.
“Fine,” she said.
Rantaro blinked.
“Fine?”
“I will accompany you to your room.”
“Wow.”
“Do not make me reconsider.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
He held his hand out to her.
Kirumi stared at it for a moment.
Then she took it.
They walked through the quiet mansion together.
The floorboards creaked beneath their feet.
The halls were dark.
Everything felt different now.
Or perhaps Kirumi simply noticed it more.
Rantaro’s hand was warm.
His thumb occasionally brushed against the back of her hand.
Neither of them mentioned it.
When they reached his room, Rantaro opened the door.
Kirumi stopped at the entrance.
Rantaro looked back.
“What?”
“I have never been in your room.”
“Really?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“You are not usually here.”
“That’s fair.”
Kirumi looked inside.
The room was not particularly messy.
It was not particularly tidy, either.
There were a few books scattered across the desk, a jacket thrown over the back of a chair, and several small objects that Kirumi could not immediately identify.
She took everything in.
Rantaro watched her.
“You can come in.”
“I am aware.”
“Just checking.”
Kirumi stepped inside.
Rantaro closed the door behind them.
For a moment, they stood there.
Then Kirumi looked at the bed.
Then at Rantaro.
Then back at the bed.
Rantaro followed her gaze.
“Oh.”
Kirumi’s face immediately warmed.
“I did not mean—”
“Kirumi.”
She stopped.
Rantaro smiled.
“You don’t have to explain.”
“That is not what I was—”
“I know.”
She stared at him.
He grinned.
Kirumi looked away.
“Your bed is sufficiently large.”
Rantaro blinked.
“That’s one way to put it.”
“I am merely making an observation.”
“Of course.”
“Do you want to sleep or not?”
“Yeah.”
“Then stop talking.”
Rantaro laughed.
Kirumi walked to the bed.
She sat down on the edge.
Rantaro watched her.
“You’re really doing this?”
Kirumi turned to him.
“You invited me.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you surprised?”
“I don’t know.”
Kirumi raised an eyebrow.
Rantaro shook his head.
“Never mind.”
He walked over and sat beside her.
The mattress shifted beneath their weight.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Rantaro lay down.
Kirumi remained sitting.
He looked up at her.
“Are you going to sleep standing up?”
“I am deciding how to position myself.”
“On the bed?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a complicated decision?”
“It is not.”
“Then what are you deciding?”
Kirumi looked at him.
“…I do not know.”
Rantaro smiled.
He shifted toward the wall, leaving room beside him.
“You can just lie down.”
Kirumi looked at the space.
Then at him.
“Are you certain?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you certain you will be comfortable?”
“Kirumi.”
She looked away.
“Right.”
Rantaro patted the space beside him.
Kirumi stared at his hand.
Then she slowly lay down.
She remained rigidly on her back.
Rantaro glanced at her.
“Are you comfortable?”
“Yes.”
“You look like you’re being held at gunpoint.”
Kirumi turned her head.
“I do not.”
“You’re lying completely straight.”
“I am comfortable.”
“Okay.”
He turned away.
Kirumi stared at the ceiling.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
She was acutely aware of the fact that Rantaro was lying beside her.
She was also acutely aware of the fact that she had kissed him.
Twice.
The second time, she had—
Kirumi shut her eyes.
No.
She was not thinking about that.
She would simply sleep.
That was all.
A few minutes passed.
Rantaro shifted beside her.
Kirumi opened her eyes.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah.”
“You moved.”
“I do that sometimes.”
She stared at him.
Rantaro smiled.
Kirumi turned back toward the ceiling.
Another few minutes passed.
Then Rantaro spoke.
“Kirumi?”
“Yes?”
“Are you still awake?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I am attempting to sleep.”
“Is it working?”
“No.”
Rantaro laughed softly.
Kirumi glanced at him.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone sound so offended by not being able to fall asleep.”
“I am not offended.”
“Sure.”
She sighed.
Rantaro shifted again.
This time, he turned onto his side.
Kirumi looked at him.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You are looking at me.”
“I am aware.”
“Why?”
Rantaro paused.
Then he shrugged.
“I like looking at you.”
Kirumi went still.
Her face warmed.
“That is an unusual thing to say.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you are saying it to me.”
Rantaro smiled.
“Yeah.”
Kirumi looked away.
“You are strange.”
“Still a compliment?”
“…Perhaps.”
Rantaro smiled.
Then he reached out.
He hesitated for a moment before gently touching her arm.
Kirumi looked at him.
“Is this okay?”
She nodded.
Rantaro carefully pulled her closer.
Kirumi stiffened.
Not because she wanted to move away.
Because she had no idea what she was supposed to do.
Rantaro seemed to notice.
“You can relax.”
“I am relaxed.”
“Kirumi.”
She sighed.
Then, slowly, she shifted closer.
Rantaro’s arm settled around her.
Kirumi’s head rested against his chest.
She could hear his heartbeat.
It was steady.
Warm.
Comforting.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then Kirumi quietly said,
“…This is acceptable.”
Rantaro looked down at her.
“Acceptable?”
“Yes.”
“That’s all?”
She considered it.
“…Pleasant.”
Rantaro smiled.
“Much better.”
Kirumi closed her eyes.
His hand rested gently against her back.
He did not move it.
He did not ask her to do anything.
He simply held her.
Kirumi slowly relaxed.
The tension left her shoulders.
Her hand curled into the fabric of his shirt.
Rantaro noticed.
He said nothing.
After a few minutes, Kirumi spoke again.
“Rantaro?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
She was quiet.
Then she said,
“For asking.”
Rantaro’s expression softened.
“Anytime.”
Kirumi’s grip on his shirt tightened slightly.
She did not answer.
She was beginning to feel tired.
She had not noticed it happening.
One moment, she was listening to Rantaro’s heartbeat.
The next, her thoughts were becoming less coherent.
Rantaro looked down.
“Kirumi?”
No answer.
He smiled.
“Are you asleep?”
Kirumi made a quiet sound.
It was not quite a word.
Rantaro laughed softly.
A few moments later, her breathing evened out.
Her hand remained curled in his shirt.
Rantaro stayed still.
He did not want to wake her.
Kirumi slept peacefully against him.
For once, she was not serving anyone.
She was not working.
She was not trying to be useful.
She was simply there.
And Rantaro held her a little closer.
“Goodnight, Kirumi,” he whispered.
She did not answer.
She was already asleep.