Hikari didn't really know what kind of answer to expect from him when she asked what he had planned for the day. She doubted it involved hanging out with people. He didn't seem the type to do that. As far as she could tell, he didn't like people. Yet he tolerated her. She wondered why, but she wouldn't question it. If anything, she was grateful and, somewhere inside, she felt a little warmth at the idea that she was different from most others, if only a little. Why she felt that way, she couldn't say, but she did. Then again, she couldn't really explain why she felt differently about him than others, either. Or why she had opened up to him, if only a little, why she cared for him when she had spent so long pushing everyone away, keeping them out to keep her heart safe. It made no sense, especially when she still had a nagging feeling that somehow, some day, he would hurt her.<br/><br/>She snapped from her thoughts and looked at him when he finally answered. She cocked her head to the side, ever so slightly, almost like a puppy as she listened, studying him. A mission, huh? She recalled the mission she was supposed to go on before they'd left. She had wanted to return to it, but she honestly hadn't thought about it since she had returned. But then, she had been otherwise occupied. She blinked, a bit surprised, albeit pleasantly so, when he said that they could hang out, if she wanted to. She felt a burning in her cheeks, the same faint pink as before, but forced herself not to look away this time, smiling and giving him a nod. "I would like that." she replied, the smile lingering on her lips. She didn't know why this, something so small, made her so happy, but it did, and that showed. Her smile was brighter and the light in her eyes danced as she looked at him, taking another sip of her tea.<br/><br/>She supposed that her appreciation of the small things would come in handy. After all, she knew that nothing with him would happen over night. She would have to be patient and accept the small victories, enjoy the little things, and she was okay with that. Unlike most people, she understood why opening up was hard. It was hard for her. For someone who had spent years, or practically their entire life hiding their emotions and pushing people away, it wasn't easy to break those habits. Opening up wasn't second nature, closing up was. It could be frustrating, especially for most people, those who didn't understand. But for her, she knew that in the end, it would be worth it. Every little piece of the puzzle, every time he opened up, if only a little, everything would mean more than it would with anyone else. She couldn't explain her interest, or why she thought that it would be worth the time and patience, but she did, and she had learned long ago to trust her instincts.<br/><br/>She tilted her head slightly and eyed him, blinking when he asked what she would want to do if they hung out. That... was a good question. If anyone saw them together, they would likely think that there was more going on, and they didn't need that. She finished her tea and set it down, leaning back on her arms and staring up at the ceiling as she thought. The lake was nice this time of year, but would he want to go? She didn't know if he was much of a swimmer. It was beautiful, so even if he didn't want to swim, there was always a nice view. But then, that was usually when most people would chat and get to know each other, and she didn't want him to think that she was pushing him or anything. And there was a chance that someone might see them. Maybe she was over thinking it. There weren't many places that they could go that were interesting where they didn't risk being seen by someone. They could go to her old home. She hadn't been there in years, nor had anyone else. It was nice, there were places to train and other such stuff. But she didn't know that she was ready to go back there, even now. "Well, we could go to the lake?" she finally spoke up, deciding to just throw something out. If he didn't like the idea, they could always come up with something else.<br/><br/>She waited to see what he thought of the idea, her mind trying to come up with other alternatives if he didn't like that idea. But mostly she was trying not to let her mind slip into any other thoughts. She wanted to just enjoy what she had right now, not worry about what might happen, or wonder if it would be worth it, if she would regret it. She wouldn't. At least she didn't think so. But how could she know? No. She didn't need to worry about that now. It didn't matter. She was here and she had made her choice. There was no use wondering or worrying now.