fleshedout | KAZUNARI CATCHALL

[She will! She's almost a bit surprised, but she returns it, holding Kazunari close.]

[And then she's just breaking into sobs. Sorry, Kazu.]

[ that's okay. kazu feels that, so he'll hold her a little tighter, doing his best to give her soothing vibes. ]

[It takes a few moments, but she eventually catches her breath.]

I'm so tired, Kazunari.

I think we all are.

But especially you, huh? After the week you've had.

Of course.

[A pat to his cheek.]

You're a good man, Kazunari.

[ a small smile. ]

And you're stronger than you should ever have to be, Hottie.

...I'm a little worried about you. I've been relying on you a lot, but... you don't have to be the strong one all the time, you know? I want to help you, too.

...?

[She seems almost confused by that.]

Worried about me? Why?

[As if she wasn't just sobbing in his arms.]

Why wouldn't I be? You're my friend.

And you said that you wouldn't leave me to be alone, so I want to do the same for you.

[She's...unbelievably touched. She actually doesn't answer for a moment.]

[ he smiles. ]

And I that whether you're refracting or not, okay? You're stuck with me now.

...

[She's puffing her cheeks, basfhul.]

As if I would be refracting...

[ normally kazunari might think that this is very cute and snap a picture before the moment can pass, but it makes his heart sink.

still, he covers it up with a layer of calm. ]

Of course not. But the point still stands! I'm not leaving you alone, either.

...

[A huff, something shifting in her expression...but it's hard to say what it is, and it disappears.]

Thanks, I suppose.

[ he watches this happen with a flicker of understanding, and doesn't drop his smile. ]

Of course. So! [ he winks! ] You can count on me to come and bother you more this week, 'kay? Besides, you still owe me that date.

[Her emotions have just bubbled down into something like casual acceptance. Better than sorrow or anything else messier, really.]

A date? You still remember that?