Any Bystander

"Now, that's a surprise. I'm all ears."

The smirk on Kyōko's face exposed her thirst for gossip.

Although I wasn't planning on revealing too much, I needed to vent to someone. However, I needed to do something else before that to be able to open myself.

Still lying on the floor, I asked Kyōko.

"Can you grab the cigs on the table for me?"

She turned around, also sitting on the floor, and stretched to reach the cigarette pack and the lighter. She then handed them to me.

"Thanks."

I was taking a cigarette out when I noticed my bad manners.

"Do you mind if I smoke?" I asked.

"Actually, I always get a throbbing headache because of the smell, but it's your apartment. Do whatever you want."

"You're here to help me. The last thing I'd want is to make you uncomfortable."