--

Kaina allows Alice to lead her back to the penthouse. The blonde swallows, her eyelashes fluttering as she fixates on Alice's small, soft hand nestled perfectly in Kaina's fingers.

It's… A strange sensation to feel so warm just seeing someone else again. To luxuriate in their presence, almost like basking in the sun's rays.

… There was a time, long ago, wasn't there? A time when Kaina felt something like this before. Mitsuko had the same way about her that Alice did, the same bright, radiant smile that made Kaina's heart flutter. An honest excitement to her that made Kaina feel like she could do anything as well...

Strange. It's too strange. Usually, thinking about Mitsuko makes Kaina feel… Cold and empty. But now, with Alice by Kaina's side…

There were good times before Kaina became Infinity Princess, weren't there?

"Alright, there we are, we're home~!" Alice cheers as the elevator doors slide open, revealing the entrance to her penthouse suite.

Kaina blinks, snapping out of her daze. "Home?"

"Yeah, of course!" Alice leans in, planting her lips on Kaina's cheek, and Kaina feels her heart flutter again. "Home. My home! And what's mine is yours, yeah?"

"Home…" Kaina breathes out, taking in the luxurious, spacious suite. The plush couches, the abstract art lining the walls, the wide-screen television, the paneled floors, and open bar…

Home. Noun. A domicile, a place used as a permanent residence that signifies belonging.

Kaina hasn't thought of herself as having a home until now. Kaina's apartment was merely a place to reside between shifts at work. Steele Tower, her primary workplace. The streets of Terminus City, the area she patrolled. Any one of these places was honestly interchangeable with each other. Kaina spent all her time as Infinity Princess, after all, so it's not like it would have mattered if Kaina ever lost her apartment or the ability to access Steele Tower.

But that's incorrect. There was a time when Kaina had a home. A time when Kaina Shikinami had a place where she knew she belonged. Before she Pacted, when she lived with…

"I see," Kaina says quietly as she slides off her shoes and pads into the apartment. "Alice, are you saying you want me to live here, then?"

"Eh?" Alice asks, looking surprised. "I mean, I was going to ask, but-"

"Because I think… I think I would like that, very much," Kaina continues, reaching out to take Alice's hand.

It's strange. Weeks ago, the thought of not having a place to belong didn't bother Kaina too much. It was only natural. Kaina Shikinami was extraneous; Infinity Princess was the only entity that genuinely mattered when achieving Mitsuko's dream.

But now…

Now Alice has offered Kaina a place to belong, right at her side.

And like most things that have to do with Alice, that position has become something Kaina desperately wants.

"Oh?" Alice blinks, then smiles widely, her pink eyes lighting up. "Oh! Oh, yes, of course! Of course you should live with me! Do you want to go get your things first before our date, or-"

"I…" Kaina shifts uncomfortably. "No. I would prefer it if… I would like to spend as much time as possible with you today, Alice. I…"

"You've been looking forward to today and you don't want anything to get in the way," Alice chirps. "Am I right?"

"…" Kaina nods.

"We'll get your things later then. In the meantime, there's something we should do first. Kaina?" Alice asks.

"Yes, Alice?"

"Welcome home~!" Alice leans in now and hugs Kaina, her hair tickling the bottom of Kaina's jaw. Kaina relaxes into her embrace, luxuriating in Alice's presence, in Alice's sweet scent… "Now, do you want a bath, dinner, or me~?"

"Ah," Kaina pauses. A half-remembered memory drifts to the forefront of her mind.

... Mitsuko used to say something similar when Kaina came home.

How nostalgic.

"… I'd like all three things. But I would like to help you cook this time. If you'll allow it," Kaina says.

"Sure~!"

--

Hmm, hmm~! There's nothing like some savory curry over rice to spice up your day. Chicken curry mixed with plenty of chunked potato, crunchy celery, and carrots. And a bit of garlic and a few other spices, of course.

And it's a curry made with love! Kaina helped you cook! She was the one who prepped the ingredients and kept an eye on the pot and…

Ooh, you can't wait to try some of this curry!

"Aahn…" You spoon a mouthful of curry into your mouth and chew. Kaina leans forward unconsciously, clearly anticipating your reaction.

Whew, that's a little spicy. It's really spicy, actually…

"It's too heavy on the spice, and the veggies were cut super thick, so we probably added them in too late," you offer up your honest opinions. "They didn't get enough time to cook so they're a little underdone."

Kaina sits back in her seat, looking very unhappy. She frowns, clenching her hands into fists. "… I see. I-"

"But the chicken's cooked really nicely, probably because we did that first. Same with the rice. And the curry itself is savory and it's not too thin, so all in all this is actually a pretty good first attempt, Kaina!"

"… Ah…" Kaina blushes, a tinge of red beginning to blossom across her porcelain cheeks. Hee. Kaina's flustered expression is seriously cute…

"Next time you should cook something else too! Don't worry, you'll catch on quick!" You say. "Why don't you have a taste, it's no fun if I'm the only one who's eating, right?"

"Yes. Of course," Kaina says, spooning up a large amount of curry with rice.

"Wait, it's spicy, maybe not that much-" You begin to say.

Too late. Kaina's shoved her spoon in her mouth. You watch with bated breath, anticipating her reaction…

Huh, you sort of imagined she'd react more to this spicy curry. Instead, Kaina's chewing and swallowing like everything's normal. Oh, no, you're wrong; Kaina's face and neck are turning beet red. And there, there's a bead of sweat dripping down her brow.

"… I see what you mean," Kaina states blankly as her face belies the burning of her tongue. "This is an unusual sensation."

You can't help yourself; you're beginning to giggle. Oh, that's just precious. It's too much. Your poor, poor love…

"Hold on, let me get you a glass of milk, it'll help."

"Mmh. Please do."

You'll have to make a note for the future – Your love is terrible at handling spice of any kind.

Oh well, nothing some milk can't solve. It's unfortunate you can't get Kaina the special breast milk you've been squeezing out of Julia. That's probably a step too far; you're already feeding Kaina food she isn't used to. No, this will have to be regular milk produced from a factory. Well, maybe in the future, Kaina can have some of the special milk…

Or maybe she can have some Alice milk. Hehehe. Ooh, just the idea of Kaina being able to nurse from your breasts...

"Alice, why are you laughing?" You hear Kaina ask, and you jerk back to reality, your hands hastily moving away from your chest.

"… I was just thinking of something, don't mind me!" You call out. Okay, enough of that. Dinner first. Then?

Then you can get to the fun part of your date.

--

Curling up with your girlfriend is always a great experience~! Ah, Kaina makes for the perfect big spoon to snuggle up against; she's so tall and slender…

You sigh happily as Kaina drapes an arm protectively over your waist and chest. The two of you are nestled like peas in a pod on your spacious couch, staring at the television. The television that's off now, it's a blank screen the two of you are staring at. It's better this way; some cheap holovid would only get in the way of what you'd like to discuss tonight.

Fabric shuffles as Kaina shifts, bumping against your shoulder. "… Alice, is this what our date for the evening is?"

"That's right~! We're just going to cuddle today! It's a quiet night in, for you to refresh and recharge and for me to get some Kaina-time with my special girlfriend," you say, reaching down to take Kaina's hand and cradle it to your face. You plant a quick kiss on her wrist, letting your lips linger for a second against her skin.

"… Ah," Kaina replies. "I see. Yes, I don't… I don't think I mind this then. I'm always happy to spend time with you, Alice…"

Kyah~! So earnest~!

"A – Anyways," you say, accidentally tripping over your tongue. "Something like this… Well, won't it let us talk about some other things? Serious topics. Like… Hmm. Kaina, dear?"

"Yes, Alice?" Kaina asks.

"What do you imagine the future of our relationship's going to look like?" You say, seriously. "I guess a better way to ask this… Do you have any goals when it comes to our relationship? Any plans for the future?"

"…"

--

Plans for the future? Goals?

Kaina tenses, her mind racing as she struggles to comprehend Alice's question. It's like Alice began speaking in foreign tongues. What use did Kaina Shikinami ever have for goals or aspirations?

"… I don't understand this question," Kaina replies.

"Is there anything you want from me, Kaina? Anything I'm not providing you? Are there goals you want to set to strengthen our relationship? Maybe you want me to promise to make time for you, or we should promise to trust each other, or maybe you have some traditions you want to follow. I don't know, it's why I'm asking you," Alice explains. "I guess a better way to put this… Where do you see us in ten years?"

Ten years? Traditions? Goals? Kaina squirms, unable to answer her girlfriend. Her hand twitches against Alice's belly as she suppresses her first instinct. Which was to go for her phone, go online and see what other people might say about this topic. Or maybe Kaina could text Steele for more relationship advice…

… No. Alice is clearly expecting an answer now. And societal norms might be a mystery to Kaina, but even she knows it'd be rude to get on the phone when Alice asks Kaina a question like this, expecting a response.

Goals then. Aspirations. Desires. Where does Kaina Shikinami see herself in ten years? Kaina lets these thoughts percolate through her mind, and starts rummaging through her memories to come up with any sort of response. A minute of silence lapses into two, then five…

"I don't know," Kaina realizes as she continues to draw blank after blank. Because for some reason, Kaina Shikinami has never considered a future where she belongs and is needed. The only goal she's ever had, since Mitsuko died was-

Was to create a world where everybody was happy, and nobody cried. An abstract, childish interpretation of a dying girl's wish. And whenever Kaina tried to visualize that world, that impossible utopia…

She never appeared in that world herself. Kaina was always extraneous, after all. And Infinity Princess also never appeared in Kaina's imagination of a world to Mitsuko's liking, where everyone was happy, and nobody cried. Because in that world, Infinity Princess would have also been extraneous. Unneeded and unwanted, free to slink back into obscurity to, to…

"I… I don't know what I want for the future," Kaina says numbly, her chest beginning to feel tight. A new feeling, a new emotion. What is it? Tight chest, this tingling numbness in Kaina's extremities, the fact that she's struggling to breathe-

"Kaina! Kaina, are you alright?!" Alice turns over upon hearing Kaina's non-response. "Kaina, it's okay. It'll be okay, you don't have to give me a response right now, Kaina-"

Ah. Kaina feels her heart settle upon seeing Alice's face, the concern in Alice's eyes. Alice's warm body presses insistently against Kaina, and some of the built-up tension in Kaina's shoulders eases.

"I'm fine. I'm… Sorry. I just don't…" Kaina struggles to find the appropriate words like she always does. Communication is difficult. But for Alice, Kaina will make the effort, just like she did with Mitsuko. Kaina wants to make an effort with Alice. "I don't know what I want. All I know is that I want to be with you, as long as possible. Is that…"

"Yes, that's okay!" Alice wraps her arms around Kaina, pulling in close, burrowing her head against Kaina's chest. "It's totally okay! Thank you, Kaina, for telling me what you wanted."

"You asked me to," Kaina says, feeling slightly befuddled.

"I did, but I know it had to have been a difficult thing to understand. Because it can be scary, sometimes, thinking about the future when you've been living like you didn't have a future. And I'm sorry if I made you panic, or worry. I'm sorry, Kaina."

"Ah," Kaina blinks. "Then I'm sorry I made you worry about me. Because I worried."

"That's not-" Alice bites back her words, then sighs. "… I accept your apology! Now accept mine already! Sheesh!"

"… I accept your apology then."

"Good," Alice hums, reaching out to play with an errant lock of Kaina's hair. With her other hand, she rubs soothing circles against Kaina's back. "You know, it's good that you said that actually. That you wanted to be with me, as long as possible. Because that's my goal too."

"It is?" Kaina blinks.

"Yes, of course! Of course I want to be with you as long as possible! That's my ideal future, the one where you're with me forever," Alice says. "See, we just found some common ground to agree on what we want out of our relationship! And now we've got to figure out how it should develop and progress. Because… Because there is a future to be had between us, isn't there?"

A future with Alice in it and a place beside Alice's side reserved exclusively for Kaina…?

"… Yes," Kaina whispers.

"So we should plan for the future, because if we fail to plan we plan to fail. And we should plan for things like, I don't know… Babies!"

"Babies?"

Alice peers up at Kaina, looking uncharacteristically sheepish. She leans in, her breath tickling the shell of Kaina's ear.

"Yeah. Babies. I'm not talking about adoption too. Did you know, my company's working on a way for girls to have babies with other girls? Imagine, a little girl who looks just like you or me. The truth is, I really want to make a child with you, and I… Oh gosh, it's so weird when I say it like this…"

Babies? Kaina blinks, ruminating on the images Alice's asked her to consider. What would Alice's child look like… She'd be a miniature version of Alice, wouldn't she? As cute and pretty as Alice is, but smaller. Perfect tiny versions of Alice with pretty pink hair and Alice's sparkling eyes Kaina can pick up and dote on, and… And…!

"How many?" Kaina asks abruptly.

"… Eh?"

"How many children do you want me to give you," Kaina leans down and cups Alice's chin, forcing her girlfriend to look at her directly.

"Uh, uh, uh-uh-uh… Uh, as many as you want…?" Alice babbles.

"What's the process for making children with you, Alice? The process your company's been working on, what does it entail?"

Alice's face begins to flush. "Uh… There's… I'm not sure, actually, but there's a medication we've been working on-"

"Do you have samples? Have they been tested? Because I'm willing to make a child with you, and you clearly want one so… So we should do it then. Make a child right now," Kaina requests, the words slipping out of her mouth before she can stop them.

--

Gaaaaaaaah!

You're Alice Takanashi. Void Heart, sexy sultry seductress…

… And you're basically freaking out right now!

Aaah! Aaaaaah! This is all so sudden! This is way too sudden! Holy guacamole, this is… This is way too stimulating, the way Kaina got all intense all of a sudden, the way she got all pushy! That glint in Kaina's eyes when she talked about making a baby with you was super hot though, but… But…! You haven't even prepared your heart!

"…" You make a high-pitched noise more akin to a teakettle boiling. Kaina blinks, rationality returning to her gaze as she considers what she's just asked you to do.

"… Ah. I'm… Sorry. I got… I don't…" Kaina stutters, her lips trembling. "… I don't know what came over me…"

"It's fine, it's fine…" You lean in to nestle your face against Kaina's shoulder, unable to look your love directly in the eye.

… That… Got away from you way too quickly. Okay, okay. You'll have to reign things in somewhat to accomplish what you set out to do with this little talk.

Maybe. Possibly. You don't really mind it when Kaina gets all passionate and intense, kind of the opposite, you love it when Kaina gets passionate and it's clear that talking about b-babies is enough to get her to… To…

Gosh, she must really want to make a baby with you, maybe you should grab some samples from the lab and…

Hrgh…

No! No, focus! There are other things you need to get Kaina to start thinking about, maybe!

--