Kyojuro Rengoku_

That night, after a quiet dinner together, Kyojuro suggested we go to his house. He explained that his father had gone out drinking and probably wouldn't be back until morning. I already knew what he looked like, and it was a relief to know we wouldn't be seeing him. I nodded without saying anything, trusting him completely.

Their home was quiet, warm from the burning brazier. We went up to their room, where the shelves were filled with books and the air smelled of freshly brewed tea. He showed me a new book I hadn't yet read: an ancient story about a fox who transformed into a human for love. We sat together reading it, and his voice, soft and deep, filled the room with calm.

As we progressed through the story, our arms began to brush. The book remained open in his lap, but what we were reading didn't matter as much anymore. He looked at me with those eyes that always made me feel safe.

"I'm so happy you're here."
whisper.

"Me too…"
I replied, feeling like I didn't want that night to ever end.

I rested my head on his shoulder, and he stroked my hair, right where he'd placed the hairpin he'd given me hours earlier. We stayed like that, in silence, sharing the warmth of that intimate moment. We didn't need anything else. Just to be together.