Chapter 54: Chapter 54 - Aoi’s Quiet Monopoly

Kuro Kurogane made a horrible error.

He treated Aoi Tachibana like anybody would.

That’s the problem.

Because unlike Akari’s over-the-top love and Mina’s wild teasing Aoi has the ability to attack him gently.

Silently.

Like the slow drip of water into everything around them unperceived.

And some way, anyways, it’s affected him the most.

It started again, around 1AM, not to mention that Kuro has had his head spinning because he’s not slept properly in a month due to the stupid emotional war.

So he decided to find himself something to drink and peace again, as he has on most nights by strolling into the kitchen at 1AM for water.

When he entered, the kitchen light was already on, and Aoi was standing at the bar preparing tea while her hair was gorgeously lit by the dim light coming from above the counter.

It was then that the room got quiet.

Dangerously peaceful.

Aoi turned toward him and said, "Can’t sleep?"

"No."

"Me neither."

Very common conversation.

Yet somehow with Aoi, having a quiet moment never felt like an uncomfortable silence.

More like a warm quiet.

Kuro sat in front of the kitchen counter while Aoi made them both tea.

There was not any craziness or loudness.

Just the kettle boiling ,the soft hush of midnight ,the gentle raindrops falling.

Then out of nowhere Aoi set down a warm mug in front of him.

"You look tired today."

Kuro eyed Aoi in shock.

"You noticed me?"

Aoi looked at Kuro like he was crazy.

" Of course I did."

There she hit.

And she would have.

Aoi sees everything.

When he doesn’t eat lunch; when he sleeps poorly or when he has too many things and isn’t managing them well.

She would remember everything whether intentionally or not.

That is sometimes a little scary.

"...Has Akari been wearing you out?" Aoi asked girlishly.

"...A little."

"Mm."

At the same moment, they each drank a few sips of tea.

Then after a few minutes of being quiet.

"Mina-san as well?"

Kuro almost choked.

"...Why do you ask calmly?"

"Because I know the answer."

That is a scary lady.

Then in a whisper Aoi said again.

"You smile a different smile around her lately."

Silence.

Kuro looked down at his cup.

Because she is right,and Aoi is always going to know.

Just like that, Aoi smiled.

Just a small, soft smile.

"....I am so very jealous."

Kuro froze.

Aoi just threw out that casual statement and his brain sort of short-circuit for a second.

"....You say dangerous things as if you’re very calm now."

"....I’m sorry."

She did not sound sorry, either.

After a few quiet moments.

Then suddenly the lights of the kitchen flickered.

Then suddenly complete darkness.

Kuro blinked.

"...Power outage?"

"It appears so."

A light rain outside softly increased in volume.

Thunder rumbled softly somewhere in the house.

And then lightly Aoi next to him in the darkness slowly moved closer to him.

Not dramatically.

Not awkwardly.

Her warm shoulder lightly grazing along his arm.

Kuro’s heart skipped a beat.

In darkness,every tiny sensation becomes exaggerated.

Warmth closeness her breathing nearby.

Unbelievable.

An utter exaggeration.

Aoi softly whispered to him:

"You’re tense".

"Of course, anyone would be."

"Is that because of me?"

Clear, accurate shot.

Kuro looked at her faint silhouette through the moonlight.

And very unfortunately he had to answer yes. Very much yes.

Because Aoi had affected him so profoundly recently.

Not at all overwhelming.

Not erratically.

Just profoundly.

Like she nestled quietly into places inside him without asking.

Thunder rumbling outside.

Then all of a sudden Aoi rested her head against his shoulder so gently.

And then, Kuro stopped immediately with warmth spreading through his chest.

"...Aoi."

"...Just for a little."

Her voice was soft.

And sleepy.

And pure.

And somehow he could not deny her.

Because any time spent with Aoi was always peaceful.

Way too peaceful.

Like time slowed down around Aoi.

And then quietly Aoi whispered:

"...I like this."

Kuro’s throat constricted just a little.

"...What."

"Moments when only the two of us exist." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Silence.

No joking.

No acting.

Just raw honesty.

And that raw honesty was hurting him.

The rain was still gently falling outside as dark and quiet as their kitchen.

And then slowly Aoi raised her head from his shoulder a small amount.

Now they were close enough.

A little too close together.

Moonlight glimmered in Aoi’s eyes as she looked directly at him.

Calm. Gentle. Deadly sincere.

"...Kuro."

"...What."

Aoi hesitated which was rare.

Then softly asked him:

"...When You Are Tired Who Would You Want To Be Next You When You Are Tired?"

That was Directly Walking Brazenly Into Kuro Heart, To Kill It.

Kuro was as still as stone.

Because, honestly, he did not know.

Or at least, maybe, he was scared of his answer.

Aoi looked at him without speaking.

Then she smiled weakly.

"Sorry," she said. "That was not fair," she whispered softly.

Even after apologizing she only held on to the end of his shirt unfold.

As if she didn’t want them to be apart.

Then all of a sudden the lights came on in the kitchen.

And the two of them blinked.

Like reality rushed back into them.

And she slowly let go of the end of his sleeve.

And then the warmth was still there.

And then quietly she rose from her seat with her tea cup.

"Goodnight, Kuro."

And walked out of the room.

But then she stopped at the end of the doorway.

And turned around to look at him quietly.

So beautifully.

And said in a whisper, "I believe that I understand you better than anyone else."

Then it was silent.

And she walked away down the hallway.

And left Kuro in the kitchen, completely emotionally destroyed.

Because the scariest part , she was probably right.

The next day at school Mina immediately narrowed her eyes at Kuro.

"Why do you look emotionally attacked?"

Akari leaned forward suspiciously.

"Wait,"Did Aoi do something to you?"

Kuro stared blankly at the wall.

"I fear quiet women."

That would have been an honest and correct answer.