Chapter 27: Just the Two of Us... Somehow

Kaoru sat on the couch, flipping through the pages of his notebook, searching for any sparks of inspiration. Across from him, Aya sat at the dining table, her laptop open as she typed away.

For once, the apartment was quiet. No Kaede making sarcastic remarks, no Naoki lecturing them, no Takeshi or Emi causing unnecessary drama.

Just him and Aya.

Alone.

Kaoru tried not to think too hard about that fact.

He glanced at Aya, who seemed completely focused on whatever she was working on. Her fingers danced across the keyboard at an impressive speed.

"…What are you typing?"

Aya barely looked up. "Editing."

Kaoru blinked. "Editing what?"

She sighed, resting her chin on her palm. "I took a few freelance gigs."

Kaoru frowned. "Aren't you already busy with my deadlines?"

Aya smirked. "You assume I spend all my time thinking about your manga."

Kaoru gasped dramatically. "Betrayal!"

Aya rolled her eyes. "Relax. I can multitask."

Kaoru slumped back on the couch, arms crossed. "Still feels weird, though. I thought you were my exclusive editor."

Aya chuckled. "Are you jealous?"

Kaoru scoffed. "Pfft. Jealous? Me? Never."

Aya smirked. "Uh-huh."

Kaoru quickly changed the subject. "Anyway! Since it's just us today, should we, I dunno, do something?"

Aya looked at him suspiciously. "Like what?"

Kaoru rubbed his chin. "I dunno. What do normal people do when they hang out?"

Aya sighed. "You seriously don't know?"

Kaoru huffed. "Hey, I've always been surrounded by people! The chaos is normal! But now it's just us…" He scratched the back of his head. "And, uh… I have no idea what to do."

Aya shook her head in amusement. "You really don't know how to just enjoy a quiet moment, do you?"

Kaoru pouted. "Quiet moments are dangerous! It makes me start thinking about stuff!"

Aya tilted her head. "Like..?"

Kaoru opened his mouth to answer but immediately closed it. "…You know what? Never mind. Forget I said anything."

Aya smirked. "Oh? Now I have to know."

Kaoru groaned. "It's nothing! Don't worry about it!"

Aya leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. "Come on. I won't judge."

Kaoru hesitated, then mumbled under his breath. (what is this feeling..)

Aya raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"

Kaoru looked away. "I was… thinking about my next manga."

Aya blinked. "That's it? That's your 'dangerous' thought?"

Kaoru crossed his arms. "It's serious, okay?! I still haven't decided on a genre! And every time I do think of something, I feel like I'm just reusing old ideas!"

Aya tapped her fingers against the table. "Then maybe… you're overthinking it again."

Kaoru groaned. "I know that! But I can't help it!"

Aya stared at him for a moment, then stood up. "Alright. Let's take a break."

Kaoru blinked. "Huh?"

Aya grabbed her coat. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

Kaoru narrowed his eyes. "Wait… are you asking me out on a date?"

Aya immediately smacked him on the head with a rolled-up newspaper.

"IT'S NOT A DATE, YOU IDIOT."

Kaoru rubbed his head, grumbling. "Okay, okay! Geez!"

Aya sighed. "I just think you need fresh air. Sitting here overthinking isn't gonna help."

Kaoru sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. Lead the way, oh wise editor."

Scene 1 Action: A Walk Through the City.

The two of them wandered aimlessly through the city, passing by various shops, restaurants, and parks. The evening air was crisp, and the streets were lively but not too crowded.

Kaoru stretched his arms. "Man, I forgot what it feels like to breathe fresh air."

Aya scoffed. "That's because you're practically married to your desk."

Kaoru smirked. "Jealous?"

Aya rolled her eyes. "Of your desk? No."

Kaoru chuckled, then stopped in front of a bookstore. "Hey, let's check this place out."

Aya shrugged. "Sure."

They stepped inside, the scent of paper and ink filling the air. The shelves were lined with every kind of book imaginable, from classic literature to the latest manga releases.

Kaoru immediately gravitated toward the manga section, flipping through different volumes. Aya, on the other hand, picked up a novel and started reading the synopsis.

Kaoru held up a book. "Oh, look! A romance manga! Maybe I should take some inspiration!"

Aya smirked. "You joke, but it wouldn't hurt."

Kaoru scoffed. "Please. If I ever write another romance, it'll be over my dead body."

Aya raised an eyebrow. "So dramatic."

Kaoru sighed. "I just don't get it. How do people come up with good romance stories?"

Aya crossed her arms. "You did write one, you know."

Kaoru groaned. "Ugh. Don't remind me."

Aya smirked. "You just don't realize you're better at romance than you think."

Kaoru narrowed his eyes. "That sounds suspiciously like a compliment."

Aya smirked. "Maybe it is."

Kaoru blinked, then quickly looked away, rubbing his neck. "W-Well, uh… thanks, I guess…"

Aya chuckled. "See? You can be normal."

Kaoru huffed. "Tch. As if."

After a while, they left the bookstore, continuing their aimless walk. The city lights flickered beautifully, and the atmosphere was strangely peaceful.

Kaoru glanced at Aya, who seemed lost in thought. "…You uhmm.. okay..?"

Aya blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "Yeah. Just… enjoying the quiet."

Kaoru tilted his head. "That's a first."

Aya smiled slightly. "Yeah. It is."

For once, there was no teasing, no sarcastic remarks. Just a simple, quiet moment between them.

Scene 2 Action.: Narrator's Closing Statement.

(Narrator)

You're probably wondering.

Where the f**k is everyone else?

Well, let me break it down for you Mark.

Takeshi and Emi? They're off on another date. We all saw this coming.

Naoki? He's just vibing at home, playing video games like the shut-in he is.

And Kaede? Oh, she's just casually walking around the MASSIVE Kagami estate, enjoying the rich people lifestyle. Yep, in case you forgot, the Kagami bloodline is disgustingly wealthy.

And that leaves us with Kaoru and Aya, alone for an entire chapter. Congratulations to them for surviving each other's company.

Now then…

"That's all for today. See you in the next chapter."

---

End of Chapter twenty-seven