She awoke in the morning to the dying hearth, still laying peacefully on Ebisu. She was covered with a blanket and must've slept the entire night. Sliding off of him gently, she rose to her feet, yawning.
"What time is it?"
He was already stirring. Today would be a school day for him, after all. Something she had failed to realize last night.
"Hmm... it's only 7. It's early."
He chuckled as he sat up, trying to get his bearings.
"No, that's when normal people get up."
"Not when you work until 2 in the morning. Do you have students today?"
He rose to his feet, grabbing his shaded glasses from the side table and putting them back on.
"I do. So, unfortunately, I have to be going. I need to run home and change. Are you going to be okay?"
She grinned at him as she pulled her hair out of her bun, smoothing it back to tie back into a fresh ponytail.
"I'll be okay. I'll probably just go wander around the village today. See you tonight?"
He blushed a little, trying to hide a smile.
"I'll see you tonight."
He pushed his glasses up on his nose, suddenly appearing to be nervous.
"I should've asked you before, but... you know, if you aren't busy tomorrow night, maybe you'd like to go to the carnival with me?"
She chuckled as she watched him shifting around, looking embarrassed.
"I run a sex shop, I'm busy every night. You know that."
She watched his face fall before continuing.
"But I can skip opening up tomorrow. The horny men of the village will be okay without me for one more night. I'd like to go to the carnival with you."
An even bigger smile spread across his face, even though she noticed him trying to hide it.
***
"Thanks for walking me home again tonight. It means a lot."
He gave her a small smile.
"My pleasure."
She felt herself blush a little. He was tall and handsome. And actually incredibly kind. The person she couldn't stand for months was now the person she found herself preferring to be around. He had stayed with her all night at the shop again and didn't seem to mind.
"Would you like to come in?"
"Are you sure?"
"Only if you want to. If not, I understand. I know I've eaten up a lot of your time over the past couple of days."
Probably more, if she was taking up space, rent-free, in his head like she appeared to be. He pushed his round glasses up the bridge of his nose again.
"Yes, I'd like that."
She grinned and took his hand, pulling him inside of her cottage. It was small, but it was hers. Her little sign that she could fend for herself alone in the world.
"I like your place. I didn't get to tell you that last night."
She couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you. Having my own space means a lot to me. I never had any before I came here. I can do it on my own, you know?"
YOU ARE READING
I Can't Stand You
RomansaA mini Red String of Fate story. As a punishment for peeking into women's bathhouses, Mizuka orders Ebisu to visit the Kat's Meow, the local porn store in Konohagakure. There he meets Katsu, the store's fiery owner, and is quickly annoyed with her...
