Author's Note: Back to the regular Kazuo, now. They've reached a point of tentative friendship, even though they're sometimes reluctant to acknowledge it. Posting this a day early because I'll be at a swim meet all day tomorrow and won't get a chance to update, so here you go!
Kazuo x Mitsuko
Prompt: I'll write our characters sharing a kiss, it can be innocent or passionate.
Fifteen minutes Kazuo had been standing in Mitsuko's living room, and she still hadn't moved.
She just sat there, staring into her mug, a blank look on her face. Kazuo found it a little unsettling — usually she looked at him with either hostility or — occasionally — openness, but now it was as if he wasn't even there.
"Souma," he began uncertainly. Her eyes flickered up to meet his and then darted away just as quickly.
He tried again. "…Mitsuko?" This held her attention a little longer. "Are you two fighting again? Is that it?"
A flash of pain crossed Mitsuko's features before she could hide it. Kazuo took that as confirmation.
He grimaced. "Are you… okay?"
Mitsuko didn't respond.
Kazuo sighed and walked over to her, trying to decide on the best way to do this. He hesitated and raised his arms up in front of him. Mitsuko shot him a look of confusion.
"I'm trying to give you a hug, Souma," Kazuo explained through clenched teeth.
Her eyes lit up in understanding, and she rose cautiously, allowing Kazuo to briefly wrap his arms around her. He sighed, unsure of what to do next. She seemed so… broken.
After thinking it over, Kazuo placed a reluctant kiss on her cheek. Mitsuko looked up at him in shock.
It was the most emotion she'd shown so far, and it felt like a start.
Kazuo forced her to continue looking at him. "You can talk to me," he said quietly.
Mitsuko looked down at the floor. "I know."
What was this he was feeling? Not pity. Not anger, either… though that was closer. No… surely he wasn't beginning to feel protective of this girl he was constantly at war with?
At least that would explain the sudden urge to find Kawada and beat the shit out of him.
Again.