Study Session

[halfemptyglasses]

"Oh, good evening, Autor-senpai," Mirai greets when she opens the door to her sparse room. "I'm sorry there's not much."

The plush bed sits unmade, the comforter piled on the end. A small stack of books and papers wait on the low table that serves as her desk next to a few canned juices. Living on the fund for minors provides the necessities but not much else. Still, Mirai can't complain.

"We'll pretty much have to work from the floor," she says, padding over there with stocking feet. "Ah, and please help yourself to something to drink."

Comments

[herr_bookman]

Autor mimics her body language, and nods. "Rae has to assure me that I've learned how to be a friend on occasion, and believe me when I say I'm still learning, too," he says quietly. "As far as I understand it, being a friend is an odd mix of vulnerability and understanding boundaries. It's about trust, and extending the benefit of the doubt, which--correct me if I'm wrong--but I believe you've done that for me."

He glances up, shy. "I like having you as a friend, Miss Kuriyama."

[halfemptyglasses]

Mirai lets his words seep in before giving a small nod. "I- I think I like this. That I can trust you. That we're friends."

[herr_bookman]

Autor cheers in his head, but keeps his exultant celebrations restrained on his face, with a small, soft smile. "Good. I'm happy to hear that."

He cocks his head. "Are you still hungry? You can have that second bowl, or we can break into dessert."

[halfemptyglasses]

"Ah, what about you? We could share it. Like, split it up between the two."

[herr_bookman]

Friends share dinners, right?

"Really?" he asks quietly, almost shy. "I'd appreciate that. I still need to drink my own broth, but after that we can split the third bowl. Thank you, Miss Kuriyama."

He rummages through his food bag and locates the bowl, which is still warm.

[halfemptyglasses]

"I mean, you made it. And you like it, right? So if you're still hungry, you should. I don't mind."

She finishes up her own bowl and grabs another juice.

"Are you comfortable? It's not too cold in here, is it?"

[herr_bookman]

"Yes, but I primarily made it for you," Autor says, uncapping the bowl and pushing it towards her. He sips his broth, pleased with the taste, and sets his bowl aside.

"It's a bit cold, but I'm all right. Are you cold?"

[halfemptyglasses]

"A little. Hang on."

Mirai gets up and walks over to the bed, grabbing her comforter and tossing it around her shoulders.

"I have a spare if you want one?"

[herr_bookman]

"Oh, please," Autor says, easing into a smile. "I'd appreciate that, Miss Kuriyama."

[halfemptyglasses]

Mirai grabs a blanket, this one folded up, and hands it to Autor.

"What did you bring for dessert?"

[herr_bookman]

Autor wraps the blanket around his shoulders with a nod of thanks--and instantly regrets it. The covering smells like artificial strawberry. Like Mirai.

Think on my shoes, think on my shoes, he thinks. He's grateful for her distracting question, and nods again.

He turns away for a moment, and messes with something. When he turns back to her, he presents a plate full of green tea and apricot mochi, pastel balls artfully arranged with mint leaves.

[halfemptyglasses]

"Ah, they look good," she says, taking a seat again. "I-is it all right if I have one now before the rest of our dinner?"

[herr_bookman]

Autor sets the plate down near her. "Of course. They're meant to be eaten," he says, and plucks one up for himself.

The mochi is sweet and chewy, with a subtle flavor of matcha. Autor decides that he really enjoys all the Japanese food he's tried because of Mirai, and vows to learn how to make more of it.

"Next time, I'll make us some of these."

[halfemptyglasses]

"Ah, it's sweet," Mirai says in approval at the apricot mochi. "C-could I take some of these with me when I go?"

[herr_bookman]

Autor sits up. "Of course. I... didn't realize that you were leaving so soon," he says. "Is there... Can I do anything for you before then? Or are you pretty much prepared?"

[halfemptyglasses]

"Well... I mean, if I just leave it alone, it... it won't get better. I don't really know what else you can do, b-but you have been helping." She looks at her hands a moment before going, "I don't really know how I'll ever be able to thank you, Autor-senpai."

[herr_bookman]

Autor holds up his hands. "Oh, no, don't worry about that. Just come back safely, that's all," the boy says, and then wraps up in the blanket again. "You're quite welcome, though. I've enjoyed being here for you."

He nibbles on his mochi a moment more, considering her. "Miss Kuriyama, have you ever been sledding?"

[halfemptyglasses]

"Hm? No, not really. Why do you ask?"

[herr_bookman]

"Well, Mrs. Bonnie Murdock--do you know her?--had the idea to get the young people of Milliways together in a sled-building contest, and then race them down the mountainside when it snows," he explains. "I'm thinking I might try, because it sounds like a lot of fun to me."

[halfemptyglasses]

"Ah, yes, I've met Murdock-san. I wouldn't know how to build a sled, but I... if I'm here, I guess I could check it out?"

[herr_bookman]

Autor relaxes into a small smile, finishing his mochi. He thinks of a winter with her, of making her lebkuchens and hot cocoa and eggnog, and possibly building a snowman with her, too.

"I look forward to it, then, if you're here," he says, inclining his head. "I've never been sledding, so we'd be in the same boat with regards to building one."

[halfemptyglasses]

"It's funny," she says. "It wasn't that long ago that we had last year's Christmas. And here we are heading into winter again."

[herr_bookman]

Autor nods. "It's April in my world now," he says, plucking up another green tea sweet. "Frankly I've been keeping track of my birthday here, too, given how much time I spent here. Thankfully no one noticed back home."

[halfemptyglasses]

"Oh! I wonder how that will work with me. I guess mine's not too far away in either place, but it's much closer on the other side of the door."

[herr_bookman]

Autor blinks. "Oh? When is your birthday, Miss Kuriyama?"