Etched In Their Minds

Octo: My Love

Isaac and Ina zoomed through the streets at medium speed, both enjoying the twilight atmosphere and empty road.

With Ina's arms wrapped around Isaac's stomach and her head resting upon his back, they enjoy the silence of words.

"Ina," Isaac broke the silence.

"Hn?" she replied lazily.

"I just wanted to say," Isaac slowed down their speed to lower the bike's loudness, "Your problems, are my problems. And my problems, are your problems. We can rely on each other. I don't intend to hide anything from you."

Ina listened carefully. She made sure to process every word and kept them in her mind.

"Of course. I won't hide anything from you too," she said with a gentle smile. Her eyes closed slowly, as Isaac accelerated.

"I see. Good to know," he said with a relaxed tone.

Sometimes, ignorance can be bliss.

-heart-

Isaac waved his hand and smiled. Ina did the same as they had already arrived at holoMyth's shared house.

"Have a good night, babe," Isaac said through his helmet.

"You too," Ina responded in earnest. She turned around and walked towards her house.

Isaac steered his motorcycle and went off. A sudden realization hit the girl.

[I should've hugged him!]

And so did Isaac.

[Fuck! Missed opportunity to hug...]

Ignoring her despair, Ina opened the door and entered the house. First thing she heard, yelling of swear words from one of her friends.

"Fuck! Shit! What the hell was that?! How is that fair?!" Calliope Mori yelled in frustration while playing a console game with her phoenix friend.

"Hey guys! I'm back!" Ina alerted them of her arrival.

"Oh what's up, Ina," Calliope said in a calm and composed tone, then immediately focused on the game.

"Hey, Ina!"

Amelia Watson comically slid across the floor on her feet from out of nowhere and stood beside Ina.

"Enjoyed your date?" she asked while moving her eyebrows up and down to add more teasing salt.

"W-What date?! I just hanged out with my friend!" she rebutted the claim frantically.

"Heehhhh? What's up with that reaction? I was just joking," she said with a sly smile and one raised eyebrow.

"N-Nothing.... I'm going to my room!" she announced and quickly walked upstairs to her room. Her face was as red as a cherry.

[Jeez, she definitely knows. Whatever, I don't care that much,] Ina thought.

After locking herself in, Ina began undressing while walking to her new bathroom to take a bath.

-squid-

The sound of a fist colliding with a wooden door multiple times interrupted Ina's giggly messaging session with Isaac. She was still wrapped in a towel, her hair still wet.

"Dinner's ready!" Gawr Gura said from the other side.

"Okay! Give me a sec!" Ina replied.

"Awright!"

Gura went down the stairs with a hop to her steps while Ina texted Isaac she was going to have dinner and hurriedly dried herself as best as she could and dressed up in pajamas.