"You still have it."
Kiriko stares down at the small, red fox charm that she has kept around her wrist for years. The charm itself is worn with tiny marks, its paint mostly scratched off revealing the wood beneath it. The string has gone through numerous replacements. "Of course I do. Is that so surprising?"
"Yes. It is."
"And you still have yours." Kiriko motions with her head to the silver and gold ring on Hirota's right index finger. There is a cloud design on it. On the inside of the ring are the words: Eyes Up, Wonderboy.
Hirota purses his lips.
They both stand in the dim orange glow of the kitchen light. It is well past midnight. Kiriko wears a pair of black spandex and a green sports bra. Hirota is shirtless and in loose-fitting shorts.
"It's… hard to let go of."
"Yeah. Mine too."
A weight hangs upon both their shoulders. Tension unnerves them.
"Do you—"
"How are—"
Hirota clears his throat.
Kiriko chokes slightly.
"I…" Hirota pauses.
"You?"
"I don't know what I'm saying."
"Neither do I."
"As in you don't know what you're saying, or you don't know what I'm saying."
"I don't know what we're both saying."
"This is so awkward."
"It is. It really is."
"It shouldn't be this awkward."
Kiriko nods. "Was it really that surprising?"
"No. It wasn't. You've always been better at keeping gifts than I ever was."
"Yeah. I know. I thought you would have lost that stupid thing a while ago."
"I almost did."
"Almost?"
"It wasn't a perfect fit when you first gave it to me. I had to bring it to a jeweler to get it adjusted."
"Oh."
"It's nothing."
"I thought you gave me the right finger measurements."
"I guess I was wrong."
Kiriko crosses her arms. "How… How's Hana?"
Hirota tilts his head. "She's probably sleeping. Why?"
"I meant that more generally, not what she's up to now."
"She's cool. A good friend. I think she's a little into video games sometimes though."
Kiriko smirks. "Don't let her catch you saying that."
"She's fully aware of it," he says. "I'm just happy that I'm learning something new."
"Think it'll be a hobby for you?"
"Maybe. It's too soon to say."
They sit beside each other on the living room couch now. The tension from earlier has long been diffused. Instead, a comfortable warmth replaces it, one that settles in just beside both their hearts.
A brief silence passes before it is broken by Hirota.
"I've missed you."
Kiriko inhales sharply.
"Sorry, I—"
"No!" Kiriko's brown eyes spark with lightning blue. "It's… Don't be sorry. I… I've also missed you. Missed this."
"Sitting in the living room in the middle of the night, wearing our underwear and just talking to each other?"
Kiriko nods. She bites her lip. "Among other things."
"Other things?"
"Like what comes after the talking."
"Kiriko—"
She leans over and kisses him.
The warmth spreads between them. Hands roam, lips touch, and Kiriko and Hirota rediscover what it means to be at home with someone.
