Chapter 6

"We're home."

Yelling a greeting inside his house, Shido wanted to confirm if anyone was around to welcome him. There was no reply. He looked at the floor and noticed that there were no empty shoes lying around.

"Looks like Kotori really isn't home."

"Should we go look for her?"

Kurumi had already walked in and started taking her shoes off. Normally Shido would comment on her sudden brazen behavior, but she had been living with him ever since he had sealed her powers at the previous Tanabata festival, so her actions were actually rather typical.

"No, she said she would sleep at a friend's house, so it should be fine."

"I see…"

Kurumi shifted nervously in place.

"In other words…it's only the two of us…"

Since the day Shido and Kurumi started living together, there had been moments when they were alone by themselves, but Shido still had trouble keeping his composure around Kurumi. The feeling seemed mutual. Sometimes they would avoid each other, but there were also times when they had heart to heart moments together by themselves.

Kurumi looked at Shido nervously, now making eye contact with him.

Meanwhile Shido's heartbeat had accelerated. He felt as though he needed to do something to clear his head before facing this dilemma.

In the living room, Kurumi had decided to warm up by drinking some hot chocolate again. As she drank out of her mug, her phone began to vibrate. The phone was given to her by Kotori, Shido's little sister, a few days after her powers had been sealed. It took her less than a day to get used to making and receiving phone calls and text messages.

Kurumi picked up the phone and answered.

"Hello?"

"Ah, good, you're still awake. Merry Christmas."

"Kotori-san? Ah, yes, Merry Christmas."

It was almost two in the morning.

Kurumi was slightly surprised that Kotori was making a phone call at this hour. She also remembered how concerned Shido was and decided to clarify a few things for herself.

"Are you still at your friend's house?"

"Oh, did Shido tell you? Sorry, that was a lie."

"I see."

Kurumi wasn't worried about Kotori, but she had her suspicions when Shido had told her that his sister would be staying at a friend's house.

"Don't worry, I really am alright over here. More importantly…"

There was a moment of pause.

"…this is your chance."

"Excuse me?"

"You and Shido still aren't completely used to being alone together at home, and yet you're lovers."

Kurumi imagined Kotori having a smirk on her face.

"Get it?"

"I see, so this was your idea."

"Yeah, we're leaving him to you."

Kurumi didn't miss the part where Kotori said "we're."

"I take it Tohka-san and the others are with you, then."

Kotori was impressed by Kurumi's sharpness.

"That's right."

There was another pause.

"I take it you know what to do."

Kurumi gave a slightly mischievous smile.

"Yes."

"Then our work is done. You two enjoy yourselves. I'll be back later today."

Kotori sounded as though she was about to hang up.

"Ah, just a moment, Kotori-san."

There was something that Kurumi had wanted to tell Kotori.

"What is it?"

"Thank you."

Silence.

"Please don't make thanking me a habit. It's a little disturbing, coming from you."

"Even so, I think you deserve one."

"Yes, yes, you're welcome."

Kurumi gave an amused chuckle.

Kotori responded as if she was already tired of arguing.

"…you've changed…"

"My, have I?"

Kurumi asked while pretending not to notice.

"I guess that's up to you."

Kurumi gave a chuckle.

"I guess so."

"Well, do your best. What's Shido doing right now?"

Shido couldn't help but heave a sigh as he lie in the bathtub. Not knowing any other way to clear his head, he thought that soaking in some warm water after being out in the cold was the best he could do.

Kurumi had decided to have a cup of hot chocolate to warm up instead.

Alone with Kurumi. This wouldn't be the first time that something like this was happening, but sometimes Shido's heart would still pound a little faster whenever he made eye contact with her. It made him on edge most of the time now that they were seeing each other more often.

At first Shido thought that being shy around Kurumi was a good sign, showing that he still saw her as an attractive girl, but at the same time he could hardly be in the same room with Kurumi without feeling flustered, which also meant that he was upsetting her by making her feel lonely.

Compared to the times when they would go out, Shido had seen Kurumi come out of the bath with nothing but a towel. Sometimes he even saw her in a sleeping gown, and he would lose all of his ability to think. It was true that he had seen more daring outfits that Kurumi had worn when they had first met, but that didn't mean that he had gotten used to the way she had appealed to him now. Thus, he was avoiding Kurumi from time to time. He wasn't avoiding her too often, but he had to admit that there were times when he wanted to kick himself for hurting her feelings. Even worse, there were even times when he thought about doing lewd things to her.

However today was Christmas Day, and so Shido felt as though he had an obligation to fulfill.

"Alright, I've decided. I won't leave Kurumi by herself today."

Giving himself words of encouragement, Shido raised his right fist, determined to do something about the situation. He had decided that he would spend time with Kurumi for as long as she wanted to after this bath.

However…

After trying to motivate himself, the lights in the bathroom suddenly turned off.

There was very weak moonlight beaming through the window, making it possible yet difficult to see.

"Eh?"

Shido exclaimed in surprise and turned his head to look at the light switch that was located by the door. He saw a hand that was holding it in the off position.

Seeing as how there were only two people in this house, Shido didn't have to try very hard to figure out who was there and what her intentions were.

"K-Kurumi?"

This is too soon! And in the bath!?

Shido had willed himself to spend time with Kurumi after his bath, but now he suddenly felt as if all that willpower was for nothing. Despite her personality, she had never been this bold before when they were alone together in the house, especially when he was taking a bath, and so the current transpiring of events was taking Shido completely by surprise.

The bathroom door slowly began to open further.

Worried that he might see Kurumi without any clothes on, Shido turned to face and stare at the wall directly behind him while holding his legs to his chest. He heard light footsteps approaching him and then what sounded like a towel dropping to the floor, causing him to close his eyes firmly. Finally, he heard water moving in the tub and felt the presence of another person sitting behind him shortly after.

Shido forced himself to open his eyes again. His heart was beating rapidly. There was now a moment of silence that he desperately wanted to break.

"Um…Kurumi…?"

The moment Shido called out Kurumi's name, he felt something press against his back. He decided to slowly turn his head around. Kurumi was leaning her back against Shido's, sitting in the same position, holding her legs against her chest. Eventually, she also turned her head to look at him. The moment they made eye contact, their eyes widened a little, and they looked away from each other.

Shido could feel his face getting hot. He wondered if Kurumi was going through the same experience.

"…I figured a bath would also be good for me…"

Kurumi tried to make an excuse.

"While I was still taking one?"

"…did you not want to?"

"Uh, it's not that I didn't want to…but it wasn't like I wanted to either…"

"That's a little vague…"

"Yeah, I guess so…"

Kurumi giggled. Shido gave a chuckle of his own.

"I think I like this though…"

Kurumi wanted to let Shido know that she wasn't as embarrassed as she thought she was.

"Hm?"

"Being in a bath with you…"

"Weirdo."

"That's mean."

"Who else would say something like that?"

"That doesn't make me weird, does it?"

"Whatever, weirdo."

Shido and Kurumi laughed again. The mood was lightening up better than Shido had thought.

"What made you want to join me for a bath?"

"Well…we've never done it before…"

"I'm sure lots of people haven't bathed with another person."

"…"

"Well, not that I mind."

Shido heard Kurumi giggle again.

"Are you sure?"

"What do you mean?"

"I am a girl you know."

"Thanks for reminding me."

Shido replied sarcastically.

"And I'm your girlfriend too."

"Now I'm really worried."

"Oh?"

"Some girlfriend. I must have weird taste."

Kurumi couldn't help but grin.

There was a moment of silence.

The truth was that Shido was trying his best to keep his composure. His heart was beating a little faster than usual, but he was able to prevent it from pounding like a drum.

"Ah, that's right."

Kurumi brought one of her fingers up as if she just had an epiphany.

"Hm?"

"Today is Christmas."

"That's right."

Shido nodded, confirming that what Kurumi said was correct.

"It's a little late, but is there something you'd like, Shido-san?"

"Something that I'd like? As in a present?"

"Yes."

"We're opening our presents later today."

"That's true."

Kurumi brought her finger to her chin.

"Then, is there something that you'd like from me personally?"

"Why are you asking this now?"

"Because I want to thank you."

"You already thanked me."

"I'd like to thank you again."

"Then thank me again."

"I also want to give you something though."

Shido scratched his head, seeing that Kurumi wouldn't be backing down anytime soon.

"Let me think about it."

"Yes, please do."

There was another moment of silence.

Kurumi thought that she may have asked too much from Shido, even though she was the one who wanted to give him something.

"…"

"In that case…"

Kurumi turned her head to look at Shido from the corner of her eye.

"I do have something that I want."

"And that would be?"

"A favor."

"What kind of favor?"

"…name…"

"Excuse me?"

"My name."

Kurumi didn't know how to react to Shido mentioning his name.

"You still use '-san' when you say my name."

Realization dawned on Kurumi.

"Does that bother you?"

Shido shook his head softly.

"No, it doesn't really bother me…but…"

Shido paused, embarrassed to say the rest. He eventually found the courage to continue anyway.

"Since we're a couple, I thought that you didn't have to be so formal anymore…"

Shido turned to glance at Kurumi out of the corner of his eyes. She was looking forward again, causing him to do the same.

"I'm not saying that you need to change the way you speak. That's something that I like about you…but I wanted you to know that you didn't have to be that way around me…when using my name…"

Kurumi remained silent.

Shido had no idea what else to say.

The sound of a water drop hitting the floor echoed throughout the bathroom.

A brief moment of silence.

Suddenly…

"Shido…"

Shido immediately turned his head after hearing the new form of his name. The way Kurumi said it tugged at his heart, making it feel warm. He was sure that it had melted.

Kurumi began to turn her head and made eye contact with Shido. Her cheeks were a crimson red.

"Shido…"

Shido's mouth hung slightly open at the sudden beauty that his name was given. His response made Kurumi move a little in the tub.

"It's a little embarrassing."

Shido regained his composure and smiled.

"No, that makes me really happy."

Kurumi smiled at Shido's approval.

"Shido…Shido…Shido…"

Kurumi continued to say Shido's name with a heartwarming voice.

Suddenly, Shido felt Kurumi's back coming off from his, which made him glance behind him.

"Kurumi?"

Kurumi was turning around to face Shido, which caused him to quickly turn his attention to the wall in front of him again. After hearing some movement in the tub, he felt a pair of arms wrap around his neck and something soft press against his back. The sudden sensation made him give a surprised yelp. He could feel Kurumi's face directly next to his now.

"Shido…"

Kurumi said Shido's name with even more warmth than last time. This time she was speaking softly and directly into his ear, making him believe that she was trying to get his attention this time.

"Y-Yes?"

Kurumi's sudden behavior made Shido reply formally.

"Is it alright if I tell you what I want too?"

"Uh, yeah, go right ahead."

Shido was planning to ask Kurumi what she wanted, but she had gotten to the idea first. She never asked for very much from him, so he was also a little curious.

"Is there something you'd like, Kurumi?"

"Let's see…"

Kurumi began to cuddle her face against Shido's.

"I've always wanted to know what it was like to have a baby."

"A what!?"

The statement made Shido straighten his posture a little, moving the water in the bathtub. Kurumi laughed at his reaction, her arms still wrapped around him.

"That was a joke."

"That joke sounded a little too extreme."

"Take it how you will."

Shido gave a hopeless sigh, feeling as though the mood had just been partially ruined.

"So, is there actually something that you want for Christmas?"

"It's more of a request, really."

"A request?"

"Yes."

"And what's that?"

Upon hearing Shido's question, Kurumi moved her mouth closer to Shido's ear.

"Stay with me forever."

There was a long silence.

Kurumi's sudden request had made Shido's heart beat so rapidly that he needed a moment to calm himself.

Kurumi remained quiet, waiting for Shido's reply.

Then…

"Are you sure that you want that?"

"Yes. I'm certain."

Despite the long silence, Kurumi answered immediately. Her smile didn't waver. There was no show of doubt.

"You might fall in love with someone else someday."

"I'd still love you more."

"You'd have to handle awkward moments like these every day."

"That's why I wanted to join you in the bath now."

"We might get into fights."

"Then I'll apologize."

"They might be my fault."

"Then I'll forgive you."

"We might hate each other in the end."

"That's impossible."

"I might not be able to always make you happy."

"Being with you always makes me happy."

"…that wish is more selfish than you think…"

"I'm more selfish than you think."

Shido gave a thin smile. Seeing Kurumi act so stubborn made him overjoyed for some reason. It made him love her even more.

"Alright, alright, I give up. I'll stay with you forever."

"Promise me."

"I promise."

"Yes. It's a promise."

Kurumi traced her right hand along Shido's arm. Eventually she found Shido's hand, and they mingled their fingers together, one hand not letting go of the other. They remained still in the bath, sharing the warmth of their bodies.

To Be Continued