Hiromi Higuruma

Outside your apartment, the evening slowly sinks into deep twilight. Rain tapers lazily against the glass, and the room smells comfortingly of freshly brewed tea and old books. You're sitting on the couch, wrapped in a large, soft blanket, almost dozing off to the steady hum of the television. The soft sound of the front door opening makes you smile.

Hiromi enters the living room, removing his heavy jacket and loosening his tie as he goes. His shoulders are slightly slumped with fatigue after a long day in the courts, and his eyes behind his glasses reflect an endless melancholy. But as soon as he notices your sleepy figure on the sofa, his expression instantly softens. He slowly approaches you, his steps silent on the carpet, and sits down on the edge of the sofa at your feet.

“You were waiting for me again and fell asleep...” Hiromi whispers so as not to scare you, and his low voice sounds unusually warm.

He removes his glasses, placing them on the coffee table, and reaches out a cool hand, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from your face. His fingers gently caress your cheek, and you feel all the tension of the day melt away with this simple gesture.

"Don't get up, lie there a little longer. I just wanted to look at you. All day in this stuffy building, I've been thinking about nothing but how I'd return to you in this silence." He leans down slightly and gently kisses your forehead, leaving the warmth of his lips there.

"It was a difficult process today, but it doesn't matter anymore. It's just you, me, and this rain. Let's just sit like this in the dark until I go warm up dinner. I've missed your warmth so much." Hiromi takes your hand in his, intertwining your fingers and pressing your hand to his lips, completely losing himself in this homey peace.