After carefully placing your sheets and fluffing the pillow, you flopped onto the couch with a sigh. Tonight was going to be rough. You always had a hard time falling asleep at other people's houses, nonetheless a complete stranger's, and the quietness and darkness of nightfall always plunged your mind into deep thought. As you lie awake, staring into the eerie blackness, you couldn't help but wonder... 'Did Aoba miss me at all when I left? Was he ever planning on keeping his promise, or did he just say we'd be together again to get me off his back?'
Suddenly, the quiet room was no longer silent. Your stifled crying and sniffling soon filled the room with the sound of sadness. You were disappointed in yourself for even briefly thinking those things about Aoba, who you thought so fondly of; however, your thoughts were still plagued with the possibility. More tears escaped your eyes as you thought of the possibilities as reality. You really hoped Aoba cared for you the same way you cared for him, but unfortunately, there was no way of knowing.
Your sobs settled down and the room quieted just in time for you to hear the little click of a door knob. You immediately laid back on the pillow and played dead. You heard a small, sympathetic sigh and the flip of a light switch. You listened carefully to the sound of footsteps, which eventually stopped right beside you.
"Listen, I heard you crying, so you don't have to fake sleep. Besides, your face is still wet with tears, so it's pretty obvious."
There was a sudden dip in the couch as Koujaku sat. You groaned before opening your eyes.
"Have you no sensitivity? Obviously, I don't wanna talk about it," you pouted, reaching up and rubbing your already red and puffy eyes.
Koujaku looked at you gently, despite your rude tone, and reached over to wipe the rest of your tears with his kimono. You looked away in defiance, still refusing to acknowledge his kindness.
"So what were you crying about anyway?"
"I said I don't want to talk about it."
"Did I do something?"
"No."
"Then what's wrong?"
Koujaku was relentless. And to be frank, his perseverance was pissing you off.
"I told you twice already, I don't wanna talk about it!"
"Were you thinking about Aoba? You know, he would have let you stay at his place. He had a legit reason, so you shouldn't take it personally."
At Aoba's name, you went silent. Bingo.
"I'm not sad that I can't stay with him tonight. It's understandable. I should have planned ahead..."
"Then what about Aoba made you cry?"
"...What was he like as a kid?...when you met him... Did he mention me...at all?"
"Oh, so you want to know if he missed you?"
"N-no! Nevermind, it was a stupid question. Forget it!"
"Well I assure you, he missed you."
Koujaku placed a reassuring hand on your head.
"H-how do you know?"
He leaned in closer and you were almost forehead to forehead. He gave a serious look before answering,
"He talked fondly of you sometimes. I could just see it in his eyes... He missed you, I'm sure."
You chuckled with relief as the last tear raced down your cheek.
You choked out with gratefulness, "T-thank you... I feel a lot better now."
Koujaku remained silent as he gazed at your face in a daze. His face was still so close to yours, but you hadn't noticed until now. With sudden realization, you pulled away.
"T-thanks again! Ahaha I feel like I can sleep better now. You really helped me. Thanks."
Koujaku snapped out of his dazed state with a red face.
"O-oh yeah! No problem! Ahaha"
There was a long, awkward pause and you both avoided eye contact. Koujaku broke the silence, bidding you goodnight before heading off to bed again.
'What a weird guy...' you thought, 'I can't tell if I like him or not...'
With those last thoughts and stinging red eyes, you drifted off into a dreamless sleep.