Setting aside issues

The following morning arrived and Ayame was sleeping snuggly in Kasumi's embrace. The sun would leak into the room and land directly on Kasumi's eye. This caused her to wake up, but when she tried to move, Ayame hugged her tighter refusing to let go.

Kasumi then realised that they had hugged all night and thought she was seeing things.

'So much happened that I forgot that we ended up like this.' It was all blurry to Kasumi since it was the rollercoaster of a ride. She felt pressured to confess and ended up rushing it, then she told the truth about what actually happened a week ago. It was an accumulation of things that put a lot of stress on both of them

'I'm sorry Ayame, feels like I've put a lot of responsibility on you just because I wanted to be selfish.' With her being the first to wake up, she enjoyed the hug, but it also gave her time to think. Most of the trouble like she said last night stemmed from her and most of it could have been avoided if Kasumi didn't chase a fleeting feeling.

'No, as Ayame said, there is more happening in the background than I realise. I just brought it to light quicker.' Ayame's voice echoed in Kasumi's head reassuring her since in reality most of the issues didn't actually involve her. It all came from Sebath her father who put up a head hunt for Ayame.

Although her name wasn't known or a detailed description was given, there was a more deeply rooted issue.

'Maybe I should have played good girl and not run off, that way I could find out more about this… that's if father would even let me get involved.' It annoyed Kasumi that she couldn't turn back time since there were so many things she would like to change.

'Ahhh whatever, I just need to do what I can to help Ayame. I wonder if I could join some of the assassination jobs.' An idea popped into her head which sounded unlikely, but if Ayame would let her then she could protect Ayame.

'Hmmmmm.' Kasumi poked Ayame's ear trying to lightly wake her up since she wanted to find out right away but a part of her didn't want them to get out of bed.

Unfortunately for Kasumi, Ayame woke up from the light poking to the ear.

"Hmm?" Ayame opened her eyes, but she didn't see anything. Moving her head she felt a soft sensation and a quiet moan. It then occurred to her what she did last night and where her head was.

"Ara~ someone is eager this morning." Kasumi couldn't resist the urge to tease and it was also payback since Ayame just made her moan by accident.

"I-I ummm, I didn't mean to!" Ayame quickly rolled away and almost fell off the bed.

"Pffhahaha~ no need to roll away, you can come back." Kasumi patted the bed inviting Ayame to come back, but she was too embarrassed to even make eye contact.

"N-no it's fine, I'm awake now." Ayame being back to her normal self found her heart unable to withstand being near Kasumi since what happened yesterday all rushed back to her.

'What is wrong with me, I can't believe I snuggled with Kasumi… at least it was comfortable.' Ayame was tempted to take up Kasumi's offer, but she wanted to keep some distance.

"Your loss, I'll go cook some breakfast for us." Kasumi didn't want to push, so she got up to start their day. She also figured it would be better to ask about the assassination job when Ayame was more awake.

"Hmph." Ayame regretted her choice, but she needed to not overindulge.

Kasumi walked out of their room and Ayame took this chance to get into some less revealing clothes. Putting on her stockings and a loose t-shirt, this would be her daily attire since she didn't need to go out.

*Sigh* 'There is too much to think about.' Recalling all the problems Ayame found out about last night, the stress started to build up again.

'There is no need to worry for now, I just need to slowly figure out what is truly going on. It will only be a matter of time until I find out.' Ayame figured that even if she didn't find out, it would still be happening behind the shadows, so she needed to just live her normal life like usual.

If anything this gave her more of a goal with her missions than just killing a target. There are answers to be found, but she needed to be careful and not accidentally tip off Sebath she is onto him.

'I guess this isn't as bad as I thought, but seriously, knowing that probably for most of your life, you have been a target is unsettling. I wonder why this is the first time I'm hearing this. Surely Tomoe would have given me a warning… however, she has kept secrets though so it shouldn't be surprising that she knows more than she is willing to say.' It was totally within Tomoe's character to hide the truth to protect Ayame since despite being a really strict mother, she was a very protective one. It also gave a plausible explanation for why Tomoe sheltered her for so long.

'I wonder if I should talk to her.' This made Ayame question if she should even try since she felt like she shouldn't know.

'Let's leave it for later, if things start to get out of hand then I will go to her.' Wanting to take action for herself she decided to not rely on Tomoe and solve it on her own.

'Now the only thing to worry about is university and Kasumi.' Organising some of her thoughts, now what was left was her feelings and the fast-approaching start date of university.

*Growl* Ayame's stomach was calling for food which put her thinking to a halt.

'Yeah let's eat something before I continue this rabbit hole of thoughts.' She foresaw the agonising thoughts that were to come and so she took this chance to procrastinate by eating.

Walking out to the dining area, Ayame sat at the table waiting for breakfast to be served. However, there was another kind of meal in front of her.

Kasumi seemingly stripped down and only wore an apron. Her tail prevented Ayame from seeing anything, but it made it more enticing.

'Damnit, this is going to be hell.' Ayame blushed and tried to look away. Kasumi was purposely moving in such a way to tempt Ayame but sadly gave no reaction.

'I really need to decide soon otherwise Kasumi will just brute force her way in.' Ayame knew what Kasumi was trying to do and it was effective. She really wanted to go along with it, but just wasn't ready for that kind of commitment. She only just started exploring the outside world, so she wanted to experience it before having to worry about anything like a relationship.

Eventually, Kasumi sat down while putting down their breakfast. Ayame still refused to look since she could imagine Kasumi leaning over the table. This caused Kasumi to pout and bonk Ayame with a spoon she had in hand.

"Ow!" Ayame held her head and looked at Kasumi who changed back to her sleepwear which was equally as lewd, but at least she was used to seeing it now.

"That's what you get, hmph." Kasumi wanted to be looked at, but seeing Ayame purposefully look away annoyed her.

"S-sorry, but I rather not die of a heart attack." Ayame still didn't make eye contact as she indirectly said she liked it, but it was too much for her.

"Heh." Kasumi felt better now since it indeed was effective, but was probably too aggressive.

**

They then started to eat and Kasumi decided to ask if she could join the assassination missions.

"Is it alright if I join you on your next mission?" Kasumi expected it to be a no since it wasn't as easy as just tagging along.

"Wait what? Why?" Ayame was confused by the question since it was rather dangerous and she didn't even know if Kasumi was allowed to.

"Well I just figured I could help and I rather not be bored at home." Although the real reason was to protect Ayame, what she said wasn't false either.

"I would have to ask Tomoe, but I don't see an issue with you tagging along. I will have to train you though since there are some things you need to keep in mind." It wasn't a bad idea, but it would completely change how she do missions.

"I guess you will be my sensei then." Kasumi was rather shocked to hear that it would be fine, so she gained a bit of hope.

"D-don't say that, I still need to ask Tomoe if it's okay." Ayame felt weird about the title since Kasumi was at least 2 years older than her.

"Even if she says no I won't mind taking some lessons." Even if it was a no Kasumi would still like to learn since it sounded like a good skill set to have.

*Sigh* "Fine, when I get a new mission I will ask if you can tag along. The only missions you probably can't join are the government ones but that is only once a month." Ayame gave in and embraced the role, but she wasn't confident that she would be a good teacher.