Makoto checked the cabinets above the sink, finding nothing out of the ordinary. It was hard to imagine exactly what the kitchen would be like once the refrigerator was added, but she could make it work, even if it was rather tight compared to the one back at home.
Ren was similarly investigating the storage under the gas burners. Just as Makoto was leaning over to ask him what he thought, he stood up. She quickly jerked back to avoid their collision, her hand clutching the sink for stability as she let out a sharp gasp.
"Whoa there." Ren moved similarly quickly. His right hand pressed against the small of her back as if to catch her. His left hand planted itself right next to hers on the lip of the sink such that their fingers were pressed up next to each other. "Are you-"
"I-I'm fine." Makoto had caught herself before Ren did after all. She lifted the index finger gripping the sink and tapped his adjacent one. "See? I had it under control."
He glanced down at their hands.
"Oh." Rather than turn back to her, Ren just kept his gaze fixed, though it didn't seem like he was really looking at anything. A thick lock of hair by his part hung down, its tip threatening to graze his glasses. She followed it down to his nose, then his lips, before realizing…
They were really close.
In fact, his hand was still firmly against her back, exerting pressure to keep things that way.
She brought her other hand to his arm. "Um, I think we're okay now."
Ren turned back to her, looking a touch bewildered. The hand on her back let go, finding its way to his neck. He mumbled, "Excuse me."
He didn't step back however. Though, looking around… there really wasn't much room to step back. He seemed to come to the same conclusion when he glanced behind him.
She had him trapped there.
It felt so natural when she followed him into the tiny kitchen, but it was rather ridiculous, wasn't it? She felt guilty but like she wanted to giggle at the same time.
Whatever expression she had, Ren seemed to noticed when he turned back. He too began to smile. It didn't take long that smile to break into a chuckle.
His laugh spurred hers.
Before she could tamper down enough to voice an apology, Toshima spoke from beyond the kitchen door.
"We're going to need to look at bigger places if you want a kitchen for two."