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[dereban]

[ It had been a complete accident.

The fact that she was now at his bedside just waiting for him to wake up after getting hit hard in the head was definitely not a part of today's plans for her, but he seemed to be relatively fine otherwise.

So now all she could do, really, was wait. ]

Comments

[spacialeyes]

[He shakes his head, breaths in, and tries to keep a level tone:]

N, no. I'm just... not making anymore weird noises. Thank you.

[dereban]

You probably wouldn't be able to help yourself if I properly kissed you, though.

[spacialeyes]

[He tenses again and holds his breath for a second, which is all he can do to avoid making another sound.]

… I don’t know. I- I’ve never been kissed before.

[dereban]

Do you want to find out?

[spacialeyes]

[He knows that he shouldn't nod. But he does anyway.]

... Don't let me stop breathing?

[dereban]

[...]

I'm not going to kiss you for so long that you'd have that problem, you know.

[ She sighs, but then leans in to give him a short, but chaste kiss on the lips. ]

[spacialeyes]

[He tenses at her touch, startled by the feeling, and only seems to relax when contact is broken. This time, the sound he makes is much softer and more dazed.]

... Auu. I didn't expect that either. It's warm..?

[dereban]

Did you enjoy it?

[spacialeyes]

[His nod is short and shy.]

... Yuuto's memories make more sense now.

[dereban]

Do they?

[spacialeyes]

I think that I understand why he always does that... with you...

[dereban]

Hmmm? That means you enjoyed it, didn't you?

[spacialeyes]

Should I apologize if I did?

[dereban]

Why?

[spacialeyes]

Because I-

[Dozens of complicated thoughts surface. It’s hard to pick the loudest one to voice to her when he’s not used to emotions of any sort.]

Kami shouldn’t… really be enjoying this..?

[dereban]

I think it's fine to enjoy yourself while you still can. Regardless of being a kami or not.

[spacialeyes]

Does it not make you uncomfortable..? I may become biased in your favor..? Moreso than Yuuto has already marked this soul with affection for you.

[dereban]

I don't see a problem with that.

[spacialeyes]

Ah… Then- [It feels strange to be so shy in front of a mortal. He’s never experienced a feeling like this. The kami reaches out to brush a finger through her hair, but even that feels overwhelming.

No wonder Yuuto is so happy now. Everything is different when you have love.]

Mm. I like it, Himeko. I like you? I think that’s what this feeling is?

[dereban]

Ah-

[ She can feel her heart practically leaping out of her chest st his words, face turning a little scarlet. ]

You... g-geez, it's embarrassing to hear you say that.

[spacialeyes]

[Someone whose power is too far reaching when he’s like this notices and frowns softly with concern.]

Should I say it differently..? [He tilts his head slightly when adding,] Are you okay? Your heart rate changed.

[He’s apparently more shark than cat when he’s in full kami mode.]

[dereban]

There's no need for that! I'm fine.

[spacialeyes]

I see… Because I was going to ask? Is… “love” more accurate a word? I wonder… if this feeling is “love?”

I’m not sure what the difference is in practice…

[dereban]

That's why you were thinking about changing the phrasing for...?

I can't really answer that for you. You have to look inwards for that answer.

[spacialeyes]

Ah- Auuu..! I’m really not sure… [He pouts more than he’s aware.] Would it even be alright if I did use that word?