Candace
What started as a simple night of relaxation between two Courtiers seemed to have evolved into a pattern. Meeting in Tomura's room, the Fox and Musician would meet and well, drink. Sake flowed, gossip was had and much shit was talked. This night however, Tomura was already down on six cups, his mask barely attached to his face as he downed a seventh, Baka looked up in amazement that he could hold down such booze, at least he would he if had the concept of booze, but master was upset and he nuzzled his leg. Tomura himself was dressed in a black yukata, already a bit loose on him after so many drinks.

What else was noticeable was on of his woodcuts was... Well, destroyed for lack of a better word, seemed someone went at it with a sword and hacked at it.
Ezra
These last several days had been... Difficult. More than ever was their clan the subject of derision and mockery, and this time, there was ample justification for it, at least in the eyes of "Proper" Samurai. How a clan said to have no honor to begin with had somehow lost more was a mystery.

That was why this night was more important than ever. Tomura and Kotori had become good friends, and as such, she had noticed that things were not well. Outwardly he had been little different, save perhaps an additional note of exhaustion in his voice. But his tension, his *Anger* Had been roiling off of his slim body in almost visible waves. 

Balancing a tray with snacks—and water— with one hand, Kotori stood outside his room. 

"Tomura-san, it's me."
Candace
Tomura lifted himself up from the floor and walked towards the door, sliding it open. Kotori would find that, even his usual 'bedhead' aside, his hair was disheveled, the Yukata slung off him a tad, leavin his right shoulder and some of his chest exposed and... Oh there where alot of books scattered on the floor and several empty cups already.

"Kotori-chan," He offered a smile under his mask, as forced as it was, "I wasn't expecting you, is it drinks night already," He lazily turned his head to look back to his room, then turned back, "I'm sorry for the mess, I promise it was the result of a single samurai, no geisha have been here." Oh he is not giving a fuck today. He then looked down at the tray.

"Oh, wonderful, I could use some food..." He once more looked back to his room, then shrugged, just not giving a damn.

"Please come in, it's... Cozy." And he just flopped on the floor
Ezra
Kotori almost dropped that tray upon opening the door. 

His room was utterly destroyed, and precious, adorable little Baka, even on his most vicious day and possessed by all the Furies, could not be the culprit. 

Rushing inside, she nearly knocked the door off its track in her hurry to close it. 

"Tomura-san, what happened?" She knelt beside him immediately, setting down the tray afterwards and within arms reach. 

"You look like... Like you have been attacked, and not in amorous pursuit." She gestured helplessly at his ruined collection. Even if she hadn't entirely *Understood* His interests, she knew those wood cuts had been precious to him. Seeing such wanton destruction hurt her artist's soul.
Candace
"I made a new work," He said absently, "I call it... Well I'm not really sure what to call it," He pointed to, what seemed to be an attempted at drawing a flayed horse. The books where not damaged, merely scattered about like he was reading them over and over, throwing them about when done, something that after he freaked out once when one was not put in it's *Exact* Spot, seemed... Very wrong.

"I have been attacked Kotori, you where attacked, we all where," He took a long breath, "Generations of work, blood, sweat and toil, destroyed by... By...*Those gaijin savages*!" He snarled, "Those self righteous, horsefucking, waist of life!" He shot up from the floor, "You where courting one, yes?" He cocked his head and stared at her for a second, "No matter, he was obviously trying to use you, perhaps gain a mole for this... Ugh." And he collapsed on his back again.
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Ezra
"Oh, Tomura-san..." She poured out a cup of water and shuffled closer on her knees, closing his fingers around the vessel. 

"Please, drink this." 

He certainly knew where to hit where it hurt the most. Takeda's smiling visage flashed in her mind, and her heart gave a throb of such ferocity it bordered on physical pain. She did not want to believe something so terrible, not when he had been so *Kind* To her. She did not want to, but the memory of his handsome face was tainted now by the smell of burning flesh. 

"I-I know we have suffered a very great loss..." The little Scorpion murmured helplessly, even as she looked down at him with concern and sorrow open in her expression. 

"...I do not know how to help."
Candace
Tomura took the cup in his hands and sipped, letting the cool water flow into him and wash away the hellfire that seemed to burn in his heart and mind, taking a breath and leaning himself onto Kotori, just closing his eyes and thinking.

"We Swim, we swim... We'll swim Kotori," He breathed, "I... Apologize, for this... Behavior, it's unbecoming of a Samurai but most of all a Bayushi, please forgive me." He raised himself and adjusted, sitting straight.

"I won't go into details, but we will bounce from this I'm just... Shocked, not a word of it, we've been entrenched here for generations, no matter who calls themselves governor it's a Scorpion city... So how the fuck did our spies not hear of this, I'll never know." He took another breath.

"Your Unicorn... I hope you know the true colors of those dogs now Kotori, slaughtering peasants who simply wished to provide for their families," He sighed, removing his mask and setting it on the floor, turning to her he offered a smile.

"Your helping now, just... A soothing presence in the storm."
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Ezra
She let Tomura lean against her without complaint, closing her eyes as he vented his anger. "These are your rooms. You owe no one an apology within these walls." 

"We will swim, yes. Bayushi's children are not so easily toppled." She spoke softly, reassuringly, and decided to throw manners to the wind. Small hands reached up and smoothed his tousled hair, pulled his collar into better position.

"I wish that I had answers to give you." 

When Tomura began to rail against the Unicorn again, Kotori turned away slightly under the guise of beginning to tidy his room. She began by pulling loose papers into piles, tapping the edges against the floor the align the sheets. She looked up, and that smile he gave her caused another painful twinge. 

It certainly did seem truly impossible that she might ever find happiness with that charming farm boy, especially not now. 

But a performer is trained to perform, and so she did. Kotori smiled in return. "I will take your words to heart." 

*Even if it is broken.*
Candace
Tomura allowed her to adjust him, helping him be more... Presentable, when she went about aiding his room, he moved about as well, picking up his books and returning them to their proper places, he had a system after all.

"I hope you do Kotori," He said simply, "I don't want to see you hurt or used, your... Gentle, kind, much too kind for this city, I'm afraid people will try to use that against you."
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Ezra
"You are very kind to worry for me."

It was a good thing she had not yet started drinking. Had her inhibitions been lowered, she may well have blurted out something stupid. Something like...

*Utaku Takeda would not do that!*

The man had taught her to ride a horse—on his own steed!—instead of trampling her. He had taught her to play shah. He had seen that she was more than her mask. 

Remembering such kindnesses made her nose sting and tears began to well unbidden in her eyes. She sniffed them back, hoping Tomura was still too deep in his cups to notice. 

Several volumes were gathered up, turned so as all to face the same direction. Neat. Orderly.

*Controlled.*

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Candace
"We're both Scorpion, we're both Bayushi, if we don't look out for each other, who can we trust." He offered, once the room was cleaned up he sat back down, "Your... A true and noble friend Kotori, and one of the only people in the palace I can... Be honest with." He shrugged, "I'm glad to have met you." He reached over and picked up the water, taking another sip of it.

"But, we will survive, we will thrive, it's just... A waiting game."
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Ezra
"I am glad that you feel that way, Tomura. I know that I cannot always do much that has practical or quantifiable value to the clan. But if I am able to put your mind and heart at ease, even momentarily, I am glad." She meant every word she said, even as she dabbed her eyes with her sleeve.

"Does it not all seem..." She sat down and sighed, waving a hand as she sought out the right word. "I don't know... Unfair?"

"People stare at us as though we are common criminals. The sanctimonious glares of others in the streets is sometimes more than I think I can bare." Kotori reached out and picked up the sake carafe, pouring herself a cup and knocking it back in one go. Her eyes watered slightly at the burn making its way down her throat.

"Being treated as a villain is one thing... But now we're being treated like incompetent villains."
Candace
"Kotori," He sighed, moving to sit right in front of her, "Let me tell you a simple truth." He frowned.

"Under everything, under the covers of nobility and duty... People are flawed, weak, scared, ruled by their desires, the moment Opium was introduced into the Empire, people *Will* Abuse it, it's going to happen, it's a fact, now, what is the better option, for a laweless gang of thugs to control it, or the Scorpion, who would curb the worst excesses and evils of such a thing." He took a sip of the sake

"What happened... What the Unicorn, Lion, and Crane have done... So many people are going to suffer, now that we lost a good chunk of control, they *Hurt* People from doing this, it's short sighted, it's petty, it's cruel... But in their childish minds, they are the righteous heroes..." He moved his hand to her cheek, wiping the water from her eyes

"Real heroism... Is waking up everyday knowing the world hates you, covering yourself in the shit and mud so the Empire can maintain it's facade of Bushido, we, the Scorpion, we work in the dark to serve the light... I'm a hero... Your a hero," Throwing decorum to the wind her took her hands and held them in his own. "So, I, Bayushi Tomura, thank you Kotori, for all you have down and will do for the Empire, even if no one else will see it that way."
Ezra
The little Scorpion looked searchingly at Tomura, hanging on every word and silently hoping that something he says might take away the ache in her heart.

"I know that. At least, I tell myself that I do. But... But it's so hard to believe them, sometimes."

When Tomura touched her face, she nearly bit through her lower lip to keep from sobbing. Several big tears rolled down her cheeks though she kept her eyes lowered; her hands lay helplessly in her lap.

"Tomura-san... I...I am *Frightened.* I know you said we will recover, but what about until then? If the other clans are capable of such violence—parading it through the city—what else might they do? We are not warriors! Not you and I! What if... If..." 

The sobs came openly down, the full weight and gravity of the situation descending all once on her. 
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

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Candace
Tomura said nothing, but wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly, against decorum, yes, scandalous, most certainly, however he gently pet her hair and press her face to his shoulder.

"It's ok... It's going to be ok," He said gently, "We can swim, we *Will* Swim... Kotori, we are going to survive this, I don't know if we'll ever *Rule* The city in our life time... But we will thrive." And that was all he said, for now, he simply held her and and gave comfort.

Even little Baka came up, nuzzled Kotori's leg. Why is the two-legs sad... Be happy
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Ezra
The little Scorpion leaned into that embrace, hiding her face against his shoulder while she wept. It took several minutes, but the sobs eventually quieted to whimpers, and the whimpers quieted to sniffles. 

Feeling a little pressure against her leg, she sat up and looked down, wiping her eyes with her sleeves. At the very least, she managed to cry prettily. 

When she saw it was tiny Baka, she could not help but laugh softly, plucking up the little cat and cradling him close to her chest. 

"...I apologize for losing my composure. It's just... Just so *Much*, and so suddenly." Slender fingers stroked through the feline's soft fur, his fuzzy warmth a great comfort.

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Candace
"What do you mean losing your composure, just a second ago you were telling me of one of your favorite music pieces." He said with a smile and slight shrug. 

Baka for his part meowed happily as he was picked up, YES, two legs is happy again, he did good!

"As for your worries... It's true, the other clans can be... Worse than Gaijin in times of war, they forget civility and sense... But, if they where to turn to true violence, if blood ran in the city, surely even Hantei could not ignore such injustice... I think they made their move the only way the brutes know how... And for now, the'll preen, in the meantime, we'll rebuild." 
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Ezra
She exhaled a quiet laugh, more like a sigh, at Tomura's consideration. He was being extremely generous given that it was an unsightly thing for anyone to lose themselves like that, especially a courtier who is supposed to be beyond such shows of emotion. 

She scratched Baka under the chin, behind the ears. It was impossible to be *Too* Sad with such an adorable kitty on their lap.

"We will swim." Kotori repeated their family motto softly. She looked up with a faint, tired smile. "I do believe I need swimming lessons. And a drink." 

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Candace
"A drink would be lovely... But prehaps I have had one too many." He said, giving a sad chuckle, "I'm afraid of any more loss of control around such a beautiful woman." He laughed, then pour her a cup and sake and himself a cup of water.

"To the Scorpion, no matter what happens, we'll swim."
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Ezra
"You and I both know you have considerable control over your emotions and actions, Tomura-san." She accepted the cup gratefully and with another small smile.

"Kanpai." She lifted the cup, sipping it this time instead of knocking it back like an old drunk. Kotori let out a long breath through her nose, closing her eyes. 

"We will swim." 

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Candace
Tomura drank his cup, letting the sake fill him out and renew his hope and courage. If their was anything that proved the Kami where divine, it was that Hida gave the world Sake.

"So... Your Unicorn friend, what's that heading towards?" He asked with a raised brow, the Unicorn publically humiliated them, burned their assets... Maybe Tomura took it a bit personal because he was the Cartel boss... But that was neither here or there.
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Ezra
Kotori blushed almost as red as her kimono, looking down and away. And here she thought she and Takeda had been reasonably innocuous with their interactions. She sipped from her cup again.
"Heading towards, Tomura-san? I don't think it's heading towards anything." Her voice had an oddly squeaky quality, clearly indicative of her jangled nerves. 

"He taught me to play a game similar to shogi." That was innocent enough, right? 

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Candace
"Ah, then it is the sake that makes you crimson." He chuckled, "I just think you should be careful is all, especially after these events... I would be scared if anyone in the palace thought you were fraternizing with the enemy." He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink, "I like to imagine I know people Kotori, it's apart of my job, it's what I was taught and trained... And I can tell when young ladies swoon over the kind and noble gentleman." 

Another small sip, watching her reactions to his words.
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Ezra
She looked down, thoroughly chastened even though Tomura had been kind, if not honest, with his words. A sigh puffed from her lips as she stared down into her cup, as though the answers may lie within.

"I *Know* That it is... That it is unacceptable. I know that, and yet my heart aches all the same." She almost used the word *Wrong* But that wasn't true. Such feelings couldn't be *Wrong*, could they? "Is is so wrong to want to be loved, Tomura-san? To want to feel valued as more than a political tool or pretty set piece? I... I felt that was around my friend, as you call him. But I know whatever it is we had cannot be sustained. It cannot be allowed to happen."

"I just wish I knew a way to stop these feelings, and I do not." 

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Candace
Tomura sipped his Sake, giving an amused shrug.

"It's not wrong, in fact as I've said, we do the work no one else wants to and are derided for it, I think it's natural to *Want* To be seen as the person you are, not as the villain people paint you as, the tool your higher ups see you are, or the pretty set piece you've tricked yourself to be seen as." He frowned, "I want to be seen more as the voice, more than the face, the desk worker, the serpent in the grass... I would love someone to just hold my hand and tell me I'm just... Enough as me." He sighed

"I wish you found that in any other Samurai Kotori, I truely wish you could have met a Hida, a Shiba, a Togashi... Utaku are just not in season as of now... And for that I can't apologize enough." He gave a bow to her, as he said this, facing the floor before rising.

"A way to stop them, I don't know... But a way to distract them, I know several, however I doubt it's advise or teachings you would wish." He rubbed the back of his head with a small smile and chuckle.
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Ezra
"In style? You speak as if men are like kimono." She laughed softly, giving him a sad smile and setting her cup aside. Her eyes widened slightly as he bowed, apologizing for something that was in no way his fault. 

"Tomura-san, please. You never should bow your head to me. I am unworthy of such an honor."

She reached out then, and took his hand, sandwiching it between her own. "You are more than enough in my opinion. You have been so kind to me, and welcoming, and even listen to me when I am... Like this." Kotori gave a little smile. "That is more consideration than was shown to me in my entire life, before I came to Ryoko Owari. I think you're amazing, Tomura-san." 

She gave his hand a little press between her palms before letting him draw away, if he so wished. 

"I was thinking perhaps I should start attending plays more often. That would be a worthy distraction, would it not?" She clearly missed his implications, innocent little dove she was. 

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Candace
"Your my friend Kotori, that makes you more worthy of the honor than the Ambassadors." He waved her humility away, "My conversation made a behavior woman upset, so I had to apologize." He drank some more of the water she brought, too much Sake for the night.

When she grabbed his hand, he looked away as his cheeks grew red.

"Don't think anything of it, if you have any trouble with men in the future, just... Let me be an ear to vent your frustrations on... I'm just glad I've been able to affect someone in such a way." 

"Plays would be a good start, perhaps some reading too, there are plenty of fish in the sea, I would even dare say perhaps you should visit Yasuke Rei."
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Ezra
She refilled her own sake cup, finishing off the carafe. It was good they were not being as indulgent as their prior get together. "You didn't upset me, Tomura-san. The situation upsets me, but that isn't your doing."

Kotori did not notice his cheeks redden, and if she had, it would have been attributed to the sake. Tomura was certainly safe in that regard. 

"I have heard good things about Yasuki Rei. I should like to meet her, even if I am not necessarily in need of her services." 

A quick glance was given to his room. "Would you like me to help you finish tidying up?"

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Candace
"No, but even if it's not marriage, she likes setting people up, the best way to distract a broken heart is finding someone to fill the void." He suggested, "Even if it's merely as a distraction."

He then looked around the room, wincing at the state of it now that he was more lucid.

"No... I think for my penance I'll see to it myself... It's the least I can do, I apologize for you finding me in such a state."
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Ezra
"Please allow me to help you. You are always so kind to me. And... And we're friends, are we not? Friends help each other." She climbed to her feet, plucking up one of the piles of books and carrying it to the shelves. 

"You know where everything goes, but I can at least help you carry them." Kotori offered a helpful smile; this time the flush in her cheeks was certainly from the sake.

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Candace
He gave a sigh of relent.

"Ok," He nodded, picking up some books and placing them in the shelf, "I have a system, dividing them by genre, the titles in alphabetical order, and the degree of intensity." He explained, "The most... Colorful of them go at the top with... The most salacious in a row behind the one that faces the front." He's trusting her with his secret porn location, the most carefully guarded secret in the palace.

"We are friends Kotori... If there is anyone in this city I trust, it's you."
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Ezra
She beamed at him upon 'winning' their little contest of wills. 

"Shall I read the titles to you and you can place them? That may be faster."

With the books in her arms, she turned one to face the right way. "Like this one, let me see. 'Lords, Wives, and Whips.' Is this one about horsemanship?" She waited for Tomura's direction with a smile.

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Candace
Tomura put away what he had and then turned his head, his face just... A bit blank, more like he was trying to find the right words in his mind.

"It's about riding... In a way..." He said, sliding over and gently taking it from her hands, "It's about... The flavors of passion one can find, how pain and pleasure can be a intoxicating mix, and the amount of trust one has in their partner to... Guide them in finding that vintage." He explained as diplomatically as he could.

"It might be a bit advanced for you."
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Ezra
"Oh, is it written in older script? I am admittedly not as adept at reading more antique pieces." She hummed happily, righting a few more of the books.

"Or this one. 'Honey of the Southern Lands.' On what shelf do you place your culinary works?" 

Gods help this poor, innocent fool. She was knee deep in smut and hadn't the faintest idea.

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Candace
"No... I'd say that also belongs on the top one." He wonders if the Crab would be insulted for his 'Love in the Shadolands' collection, "Just... Nothing to worry about, just tell me a title and I'll place it in it's correct spot." He smiled and placed it far in the back.

"You could borrow any of them sometime, if you wish." He offered
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Ezra
"I'll keep that in mind!" Kotori had cheered up considerably by this point, and the offer to borrow from such an extensive private collection was a great honor.

She read several more titles, some more salacious than others, but never once asked for a synopsis. After all, she was here to assist, not nose around. 

"For how many years have you been collecting, Tomura-san? I don't recall if I've ever seen such a number of books outside a shop or library." 

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Candace
"Well, I'd have to say." He gave pause for thought, "Since I was... About eight I collected ghost tales... Which evolved to flat out horror when I was thirteen... And I added a another... Spice to that blend when I was sixteen." He mused, "All together I'd say this collection is the result of thirteen years of hunting and collecting stories that amuse me."
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Ezra
Kotori nodded, pushing a few spines into place to better align them on the shelf. 

"I, too, have always loved books. They were always a reliable companion for invalids like us, no?" She flashed a grin over her shoulder. 

"After all, books never grow tired of my company, and never become upset if I must put them aside." 

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Candace
"And you know what to expect, they can't turn on you or betray you." He nodded with an understanding smile, "Books and other invalids I suppose, we're the only ones who can rely on each other I suppose." 

As they cleaned up the room, he took a moment to look around there work, nodding in satisfaction.

"We make a good team."
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Ezra
"I agree. We should join forces more often." Another smile, and then she hid a yawn behind her hand. "Oh, please excuse me! Rather snuck up on me." 

"I know you said you were often ill as a child. When you were not, were you allowed to play outside?" She straightened up some of the woodblock prints that had been strewn about, only looking closely enough at them to sort them all in the right direction.

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Candace
"No, mother was too worried if I'd be out too long, I'd get hurt or catch some other illness." He explained, "I was... More or less confined to my house, my father putting his foot down and ordering I'd be sent to train at the Manipulator School was the first time I'd left Shinomura... And then I've come here." He chuckled.

"I never have seen beyond my villiage, my dojo, and this city... And for the time being, this city is my world, and I intend to master it."
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Ezra
"I see." She sighed. "Were you, or are you close with your parents? Do you have siblings?" 

More books sorted, more organized. Now that they had found a rhythm, their progress flew along.

"...I never knew either of my parents."

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Candace
"My father had... Expectations of me, generations ago we had ancestors among the Kuge... But you know how it is, third and fourth sons get spread put, separated from main branches, it was always his hope I would be the one to crawl back up... And the weight of that was put onto me." He said simply, the root of his more ambitious nature

"My mother was from the Crane, a Doji, she was told that I was to die a few hours after my birth... She's been protective of me ever since, to the point where she smothered me, would put up a fit if I so much as had a cut... As for siblings, I'm an only child."
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Ezra
"While I can imagine such attentions can be smothering, as you said, how nice it is to know you are so loved and valued." She spoke softly, kindly, uprighting a vase that had been knocked to its side.

"Did you ever wish that you had siblings? I have three cousins, none of whom are very pleasant... Though I'm not sure I would say I was raised *With* Them." 

She paused in their activities, pouring them both another cup of water. She nibbled a rice cracker as well, glad for something to soak up the excess sake. 

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Candace
"Sometimes... Maybe if I had siblings my parent's wouldn't focus too much on me... That maybe I wouldn't have to deal with both expectations and worry... But then I feel if I did, I'd be made to compete with them I suppose." He admitted, taking a seat once all was done, he nodded to her in thanks as she poured him water, taking a cracker for himself.

"You said you didn't know your parents... What happened?"
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Ezra
"My mother died in childbirth, and my father within a year after." She sat down next to him so she might avail herself to more snacks. There was no trace of sorrow in her voice. After all, how can you miss what you never had? 

"So, I was passed to my father's second eldest brother. I was his ward until it was decided I should be sent here."

"I was so nervous when I arrived." Kotori laughed. "I was afraid that I would be... I don't know. Seen as an interloper, I suppose? Isn't that foolish?"
Candace
"I'm... Sorry... About your parents." He reached over to pat her shoulder... That's what you do when people lose family... Right?

"Your uncle... Was he kind to you?" He asked gently, he heard some horror stories of evil and cruel relatives, "When I arrived, I didn't know what to expect, just my first posting... I didn't beleive it when it was to be the famed City of Lies."
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Ezra
"Your uncle... Was he kind to you?" He asked gently, he heard some horror stories of evil and cruel relatives, "When I arrived, I didn't know what to expect, just my first posting... I didn't beleive it when it was to be the famed City of Lies."
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"It's alright." A smile at him, and the friendly pat. "I never knew them, so I cannot really miss them, if that makes sense. I *Do* Wonder what things may have been like, but I think that's a bit similar to wondering what it may be like to fly."

"As to my uncle... He was not *Unkind* To me, but I think I was something of an afterthought to him. He saw that I was well cares for, but I was not raised as one of his children, however surrogate." She shrugged her narrow shoulders. 

"Despite my fears, I am glad I am here. I have friends now." She smiled again at Tomura, pushing back a lock of hair from his face. 

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Candace
When she touched a look, he gave a small playful roll of the eyes, the physical closeness between them now something he was more used to.

"If it helps, I'm glad to have met you, your a good friend and it's good to have someone in the palace to apreciate the finer aspects of culture with." He chuckled, "Or just drink the night away, and if anything where to happen to me, who would take care of Baka!?" He asked, lifting up his cat
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Ezra
"We certainly cannot allow anything to happen to Baka!" Kotori agreed, reaching out and giving the little cat a scratch under the chin. 

"I am very grateful for you, Tomura-san." One more glance was given to his room. "I think we've gotten most of it. Is there anything else I may help with?"

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Candace
Tomura let her play with Baka a bit before setting the cat down, a soft sight of content escaped him as he looked the room over, sure he made a bit of a mess of it in his fit of rage... But now that he simmered, he saw just how much Kotori helped repair it, but the room and his mood.

"No, I think I'm good for the moment, thank you Kotori... For everything, your presence has soothed a storm in me."
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Ezra
"You're welcome!" Apparently, a good cry and a couple of drinks was enough to restore the little Scorpion to her usual cheerful self. Playing with an adorable kitty didn't hurt, either.

"I'm glad we could make each other feel better." In a different life, in a different world, she would have pressed a kiss to his cheek. 

Kotori crouched one final time to gather up the cups and carafes, balancing them on the tray upon which she'd brought them. Rising, she went to the door, flashing Tomura one last smile. 

"Sleep well, Tomura-san. Tomorrow is a new day." 

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