Lenore slumps slightly against the door frame as she watches and listens. This girl is practically throwing herself at Kazuhiko's feet. She knows it. She can see it with her own two eyes. Balling her hand into a fist against the wood, Lenore closes her eyes and sighs softly. Perhaps she should just leave the two love birds be. "After all," she muses inside her head, "There's no room for uncertainty in this equation." Lenore knows how unstable her feelings are right now. She also knows how unsure she is of virtually every romantic bone in her body.
Why would, or perhaps even should, Kazuhiko wait for such muddled feelings when someone he once loved has returned and is bound to beg for him to return to her?
For a brief moment, Lenore contemplates laughing bitterly, but she knows that would give away her presence. Choosing silence, she reopens her eyes just in time to see Hatoko dry her eyes and look up at Kazuhiko.
"Kazu-san," she says, "…Let's try this again. You and I… Just the two of us. I… I could move into your house with you. I'm not tied down by anything now." Kazuhiko blinks. He heard the words, but they fail to register in the depths of his brain. Finally, though, the words sink in. Anxiety begins to rise in Kazuhiko's chest and throat.
"Well," he begins, but isn't sure how to finish his thought, "I… I don't know, I…"
"I won't leave you again, Kazu-san," says Hatoko with pleading eyes, "I promise… I'll be good to you. I'll do anything I can to help out, I… I could even be your secretary – or a nurse!" Kazuhiko is quiet at first, his ability to speak and think utterly overwhelmed. His mind begins to reel, his vision blurring slightly as he tries to comprehend this. The girl he thought he had lost so long ago is here, right now, begging for him to be with her. Time passes, and in the midst of the chaos, something clicks within Kazuhiko. He smiles warmly at Hatoko and gently brushes her cheek with his hand.
"Hatoko-san," he says softly, "Let me… Think about it, alright? I'll talk with you tomorrow. I have some paperwork that I need to get done before I sleep tonight, so… Listen. If you need somewhere to sleep tonight, go to the security checkpoint down the hall and have them escort you to the doctor's suite. None of us ever use it, so you shouldn't be bothered."
Hatoko seems disheartened at first, but she soon smiles and nods. "Sure, Kazu-san," she says while rising and leaning over to kiss his cheek, "I'll do just that, and then I'll see you again tomorrow." She then winks and says, "I'll dream about you tonight. Sleep well. Try not to work too hard." Gathering up her bag, she wipes her eyes and turns, heading for the door.
For a moment, Lenore is still caught up in the moment. She heard every word. She saw every action. What was Kazuhiko going to do or say next? Then, before she has even realized it, the conversation ends. Blinking numbly, Lenore barely registers that Hatoko is almost to the door. Panic rushes into her body and jolts her brain. Knowing, though, that she has no time to run or hide, she decides to present herself with as much dignity as possible.
She will not be made a fool of, after all.
Straightening up, she waits for the inevitable moment.
When the door opens, Hatoko stands there, blinking. She stares at Lenore. Lenore stares right back. For a few seconds, silence stands like stale air between them. Then, after the awkward pause, Hatoko turns to look back into the room.
"Kazu-san, do you normally have girls waiting outside your door for you?"