Happy to see your all loving the story even more. Sorry for the delay but I've been writing alot of chapters for my other two stories as well as a one shot I've been tinkering with. On another note I've been thinking of a Miss Kobayashi story if y'all are interested, let me know in the reviews or whenever in Pm. As usual drop a review. Let us begin.

About a week had passed since the couple's first harmless "cuddling" session, and now the pair found themselves even more at ease around each other. Since that night the two did it again and were becoming more relaxed as they knew they could trust the other not to go past the limits Smith had put on them.

However they made sure to use what loopholes that they did have to their advantage, which made them happy as they could get close without making the other uncomfortable. They were easily able to refer to each other as boyfriend and girlfriend for all intents and purposes, even if they held back somewhat because of the program.

They figured that since Smith had pretty much wanted them to get closer, they would use their new names the next time she showed up, if she did. After all Smith did have a lazy bone (or more likely lazy skeleton) about her that damn near threatened her work, so it was only a small thing in their heads. Speaking of Smith, they hadn't heard much from the government agent, though they had seen her on Tv a few times leading the MON team against violaters on both sides of the law and bringing them to justice.

Kurusu was surprised Smith hadn't called to check up on either of them or even worse make a house visit, but it's not like he had much to fear if she did. He and Rachnera were more than fine with obeying the laws, because they were able to express themselves to each other openly. The worst he would get was her raiding his food and coffee along with some teasing, but then again that last part he got plenty of from Rachnee.

'Like every night this week before bed. I'm gonna die from bloodloss if it gets worse, or should he really be saying better since he's enjoying it?' He thinks before shaking his head at the trivial musings. 'Well either way, back to cleaning.' he decides as he continues on with his morning.

Right now the two of them were just tiddying up a bit around the house, just light cleaning since he usually kept the place quite clean to begin with. She was also still settling in and adjusting a few things of hers, like putting away her new clothes he'd gotten her from the other day but she did choose to help as well.

This was one of the few things that both made Rachnera warm and frustrated, that kindness that he gives to Her. She was more than grateful for it, but at some small moments she didn't think she deserved just how much he gave her. Regards of her own issues with being in public, she doesn't want to push him away with her always staying back when he offered for the two to go shopping together.

She didn't want to make him uncomfortable, because she knew he wouldn't say a thing being the kind of person he is. Not out of fear, but because he cares and respects her that much that he would sacrifice his own comfort over her problems. He shouldn't have to deal with them, but he would do it anyways.

Kurusu had been very understanding of her situation, even when she didn't feel it was right at the moment he still made her feel it was all okay. After that she's volunteered to help him with a few things, denying his insistance of having it under control in order to take her mind from it . But inside he appreciated the gesture, he knew she probably didn't enjoy housework but would still do it if it meant getting along easier with him.

But it wasn't like he would think of her less if she didn't help him, he's had to do it by himself for more than half his life. Plus he is the host, it's his job to take care of things like that. But it did give them more time for small talk as they did menial tasks, wiping some counters and occasionally glassmade things like the windows or coffee mugs. For reason though Rachnee had an odd look when she looked at the mugs, or acted more reserved when he offered her coffee. It was a little odd but he didn't question her on it. It could be that she just wasn't a fan of the stuff, maybe Smith might know something about it. Could be an Arachne species thing as well.

During this time together they'd gotten to know each other more, but he'd still had to take care of priorities, like his job and shopping for the two of them. Sometimes he'd do it by himself on the way back from work, but others he invited her to come with him to not leave her lonely. Only once out of the 4 times he's offered had she actually taken it, the only other time was their very first shopping trip together the morning after they first met. Though he knew that she would be fine like she insisted, he still felt a pang of sadness that she chose to stay at home.

He knew that a big part of it must be the feeling of being avoided, even by other liminals. He'd tried hesitantly to talk about it with her, but upon her gloomy reaction of trying to avoid the issue altogether, he decided to let her face it at her own pace. He doesn't want to make her uncomfortable, but nor does he want to ignore what could be a serious thing to her. He wants to comfort her, but he's afraid she wouldn't take kindly to his probing.

'I can't just do nothing, but what do I even say to make her want to discuss it? It's hard enough even mentioning it, and if I try to speak about it openly I might push her away. I don't want to hurt her inside, I want to help. What should I do?' He thinks to himself as he continues his cleaning with a slower pace, his mind overdoing itself.

He sighed and stopped wiping the table he was currently next to, and his wonderful girlfriend noticed his change in behaviour. She slowly made her way over, wiping her hands off on a dry towel after cleaning the windows. She came closer, her 6 red eyes holding concern in them as she asked her lovely host and boyfriend.

"Something wrong Honey? You look a bit down. Or are you just a bit tired?"

He debated internally for a moment about whether to actually bring up what he was thinking of, or to just play it off as nothing. But as he looked at her concerned face he knew he shouldn't keep it from her. But he will try to be subtle about it, after all it mainly is about his concerns for her.

"Well it's nothing too big for mind, but there's a thing or two just floating through my mind. What about you Rachnee? Is everything alright with you, or something you want to talk about?" He asked her with a subtle attempt at casualness, which she detected but didn't make it apparent that she did. She took one of his hands in hers and pulled him into a hug, then she whispered her own reply into his ear. "I'm fine, but I know there's something you want to talk about Honey. You can ask or tell me whatever it is, it's alright. We're together in this, right?"

She feels his hold on her tighten a bit before letting itself ease up as he pulls back to look at her. "I just don't want to accidently say something that'll push you away, I just want to help you Rachnee. And if your willing, then...I think we can both talk about it. But I wanted to make sure I could ask you firs-" she puts a finger to his mouth amd starts to think she knows what this is about.

"Is it because I don't like going out? That I prefer to stay inside? Just tell me please, I don't want to make you feel cautious about asking me things like that."

Rachnee sees his eyes widen and knew that she'd struck gold. He slowly nodded and she gave a sigh of resignation. She knows it would have come up eventually, about why she avoids going out in public despite her somewhat brash exterior. And it looks like that times finally come, and she gestures with her head towards the couch. "I knew this was going to come up at some point, but it's fine to ask Kurusu. You do deserve an explanation. I've just been...avoiding it because I didn't want my problems becoming you-"

But he interrupts her "Rachnee, yourproblems are my problems. I'm here to listen to you, just like I'd know you'd listen to me. These past 2 minutes just proved it, so please don't feel like it's a burden or anything, because your not. So you can tell me anything that's bothering you, alright?" Her eyes widened a bit before she looked to the cushions away from his gaze. 'His kindness is heavenly. I'm so damn lucky to have him.' She did nod at his questioning, and she began to confess her problem.

"It's a bit...complicated Kurusu. Part of me was already a home body, but I do enjoy going out every now and then. It's just since coming to Japan I haven't exactly had a very warm or even polite experience aside from meeting you. And our shopping trip the other day...it just didn't help. The only thing that really kept me from leaving and heading back here was you standing by my side. Those words helped me alot, even if you say it's what any decent person would do.

But that's the thing, there really aren't any left. There's just those who dislike us, or hide their disgust with false smiles like hypocrites. That's why I'm very grateful for meeting you, because you aren't like them. For some reason you actually are as kind as you act, and it helps me adjust to living here without wanting to just go back to my homeland. And for that I'm thankful for you Honey."

Kurusu can see this is a little hard for her to talk about, but he's rather touch that she thinks of him that way for how he treats her. It really brings to light just how different their lives are from almost a week ago before they first met. He was lonely and wanting to help someone, and she was in need of sympathy by someone who'd want her. It was almost like it was part of something grander, but he wasn't some poet or philosepher.

"Hey, I want you to know that I'll stand by your side in public no matter what if it helps you. If you like staying at home then that's completely fine, I was just concerned. Since we talked about it, sometime in the future would you like to go out, to um, the beach? You could try your swimwear, even if you don't swim?" He tentively offered her, and she thought about it, the nice air, and being able to tease him. She smiled and nodded at him "I think I'd like that very much honey, as long as you promise to stay by my side."

He smiled as well and pulling her into a hug told her "Of course Rachnee."