Hachiman, Kiana, and Mei stare at each other in a triangle formation with the coffee table in the middle of them.

"No. I will not sleep in the same bed as you, Kiana."

"But why?! Do you really want to stay with Hachiman with only two doors blocking him? He could molest you in your sleep!"

"For the record, you are more likely to molest Mei than me, you gorilla. Oi, I am trying to help you damn it! No need for the slaps!"

"Language."

It is nighttime and they had been discussing where Mei should sleep since she had gotten a call from her maid telling her that the place was in shambles with them all staying in a motel for the time being.

"Hachiman got a spare bedroom while yours is only one. And I trust him to not molest me here… Even if he is a pervert."

"Oi. I am a healthy young guy, not a complete pervert."

"Ah ha! You admit that you are a pervert!"

"I'll use my right of silence."

Mei giggles as she enjoys watching Hachiman and Kiana lightheartedly argue, though she slowly stops and looks down at the floor, prompting both of them to stop and look worriedly at the former.

"Oi, Mei. You ok there?" He cautiously asks as he glances at Kiana, who glances back with worry in her eyes, then looks at Mei.

"I'm… Just thinking about my father… All alone in that cell…"

"Ah, but your father had done lots of good things for Japan right…? So, he could just maybe be pardoned?"

Mei slowly nods, "Maybe… I am feeling tired now, so I'm just going to bed now… Night." She waves at them before dragging herself to the spare bedroom then closing the door.

"But…"

"Don't, Kiana. Just let her sleep and tomorrow we'll discuss since it's the weekend."

She reluctantly nods at his words before grabbing his shoulder, "I'm trusting you to comfort her before I get here ok? That and just call me if anything is wrong."

He nods before stopping in the middle then blinks, "Actually… Come here, I need to tell you something." He motions her to get closer to him while glancing at the room Mei is in.

"Ok…?"

"When we were in the alleyway, I saw Mei's eyes gained a little bit ruby-like color. Then later it disappeared… That's not normal right?"

She looks at him with a raised eyebrow, "Nobody suddenly develops a new eye color then it disappears after a while."

Hachiman roll his eyes, "I know. Anyway, we might need to be there for her, at least until this whole shitstorm blows over."

Kiana rapidly nods before launching herself at him, prompting him to flinch and cough, "Of course! And… Thank you for helping her and me, Hachiman."

His cheeks rapidly turn red, "Tha-that's what friends are for, right? Only read light novels where the people always help their friend so I just thought it would make sense to do –"

"Wait, you read those light novels?"

"Uhhhhhhhhhhh…"

Kiana stops hugging him then squints her eyes at him before shrugging and going back to hugging him but this time, rubs her chin against his neck.

Hachiman blinks before staring at her with disbelief, though his ears turn red now, "Wait what? I thought you would mock me for reading those shitty light novels?"

She stops to give him a judgmental look that quickly turns into a cheeky grin.

"I would if you were anybody else. But since Hachiman is Hachiman, I don't care."

Her bluntness leaves him speechless, prompting her to go back to snuggling up his neck. His expression slowly changes to a relaxed one as he slowly hugs back.

"Thank you…"

Kiana only lifts her chin up and down and tightens her hold on him as her response.


"Breakfast is ready!" Mei calls out as she places the last plate of food onto the table.

"We're right here, Mei," Hachiman deadpans from his seat while Kiana is right beside him.

"Let me have this moment, Hachiman." She unties her apron, with the design of a heart in the middle and the words "KISS THE COOK" inside of the heart, then hangs it above a metal pole, "I'm surprised you have this kind of apron, Hachiman. Usually boys don't wear this kind."

He opens his mouth but hesitates, "That… Was my sister's. She gave me it as a reminder to never forget about her…"

Mei blinks before putting the apron in a more neat position, "Oh, sorry, let me just put it properly back."

"Just leave it. She probably wouldn't mind if she knew it was used by my… Friend." He clicks his teeth, "Still trying to get used to saying that word out loud."

Kiana looks at him funnily, "But, you used it just fine las –"

"Nope. Never happened."

"Awww~ is the big bad Hachiman a little too shy?"

"Zip it."

Mei awkwardly smiles at them as she sits down, "Come on, the food is better eaten when it's hot."

Hachiman and Kiana stop their banter, "Right! My food!"

"Thank you for the food," All 3 of them say before digging in.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Hachiman asks before shoving a spoon full of curry.

"Oh, um, I… Want to go buy some things, but…"

"Say no more Mei! Just give us a list and me and Hachiman will go buy it for you." Kiana then shoves 4 spoonsful of curry into her mouth, with a few drops landing on her chin.

"Kiana! Please slow down your eating. You're making a mess!" Mei gets up while grabbing a tissue to wipe Kiana's mouth.

Kiana enjoys the feeling then blinks as she feels the hand retreating, so she splashes a few more drops onto her face, "Please continue wiping."

Hachiman sighs, "Don't indulge her or she'll just keep demanding it. Just like my cat back home."


*A...N*

Drown in the fluffiness then drown in despair. Anyway on to the comments!

calderoneric758 - absolutely. And I will be taking advantage of it to the max

Renashi-RE012 - sorry, that might be in the next few chapters or a long way. And hopefully Komachi is looking out from her window and thinking of her brother

XianYun - why thank you. The fluffiness will never be vanquished! *ignores the impending doom on them* Never!