Kurousagi was far from what anyone would call a messy eater. She had always eaten with such poise and grace that was worthy of the title Highborn of Little Garden, but sometimes Izayoi thought otherwise. Sure everything went into her mouth when she ate (if it didn't there was a serious problem to be addressed) but on some occasions there were cases when a few crumbs happened to be left sticking on the edges of her mouth.

Take now for example.

The two were in the midst of walking back to the community's base after enjoying a hearty meal at one of the main street's cafés when Izayoi had finally made this observation. He didn't know why, but he had felt the strong compulsion to wipe away those crumbs himself rather than inform her beforehand. Perhaps it was the opportunity of performing skinship that had made its allure, and being the opportunist he was, Izayoi was not about to let this rare opportunity slip away from between his fingers.

Without a second thought, Izayoi paused abruptly in the middle of the road, Kurousagi effectively bumping into him with a small thud. She stepped back with a small frown, massaging her nose as she stared at his back in curiosity.

"Izayoi-san?" she asked in concern, wondering if something was wrong. It wasn't like him to suddenly do something out of the ordinary without a clear reason. But before she knew what was happening, Izayoi had whipped around in her direction and had a thumb resting on the side of her mouth.

Unable to comprehend the situation in time, she stood gaping like a fish for a whole two minutes while Izayoi's hand had retracted only a few seconds after the initial contact. He had been able to wipe away most, if not all, of the crumbs and was utterly amused at the girl's reaction that he couldn't help but flash her a smug smirk.

"What's wrong with you Kurousagi? Cat got your tongue?" he remarked smugly before spinning on his heel and continuing to walk forward in nonchalance.

Kurousagi stayed frozen on the spot with jumbled thoughts as her crimson eyes gazed blankly at Izayoi's retreating form. She still could not form conscious thoughts and thus had been left standing there like a complete idiot.

Not feeling her presence behind him, Izayoi turned around to see her still frozen in shock. With a cocky grin he called, "You coming or what you dumb rabbit?"

"I-Izayoi-san!" was the last thing he heard before he continued walking, the male shaking his head at her terribly late reaction. Ah, Kurousagi. It was always so fun to tease her.