She (TakashiMorinozukaxOC)

Chapter 25: Talk

They were on the roof again. This time, instead of facing the city, they were facing the garden below. They were on Jenni's side of the house, deciding it was too risky to be climbing all over the roof over Takashi's family after Jenni had yelled through the quiet estate. 

The morning was chilly, but she didn't mind so much with Takashi there. She leaned into his body, letting him wrap his arm around her as they stared down at his bedroom window. He was warm in comparison to the air.

"I think I'm gonna apply for citizenship," the comment took him off guard. Of course, she had a student visa that would be renewed when she enrolled in college. 

He hadn't thought about her citizenship; it never even crossed his mind. 

"I love it in Japan, and if I'm going to get a degree here, I might as well stay here forever." 

"Won't you miss your family?" he asked. 

Jenni nodded, "Absolutely, but," she shifted and sighed a bit, "I can always visit, and it's not like I'm not already thousands of miles away from them." she explained. 

"It'll be good for everyone. I can become my own person... Sarah can have her own room, and my aunt and uncle won't have anyone but their own kid to take care of." 

"Jen," he said, "you're not a burden." 

She sighed, "Hmm," she mumbled, "It's what's best for everyone, I think." 

He continued to hold her. She continued to let him. 

"We don't have long until graduation," he started, "If you're staying, I want to be in your life." 

Jenni couldn't help but to smile, staring down at the paint on her shirt. 

She was always a bit of a mess; a beautiful one. An immaculate one. She, who danced with paint-covered hands in her room at night. She, who cried as passionately as she laughed. She, who sank into his hold as if she were going to fall asleep any moment. She, who was there, and who would remain there. 

He had a chance with her. 

He'd be alright with that-- just being in her life. Hell, he swore he'd be alright with anything as long as she was involved. 

"I know," she said, "I want that, too." 

She yawned, a bit loudly, and did an odd gesture with her nose. As if she were nuzzling into his chest, she breathed in deeply. She always liked the cologne he wore; it was the same as him-- a bit dark, a bit light, a bit like a breath of fresh air. 

Takashi was a breath of fresh air.

"I think you and Mitsukuni are like my best friends," she admitted.

He tried to bite his tongue, but couldn't. She always made him squeal, "What about Nathan?" 

"Mm," she shrugged, "It's been rough since I moved here, but... I never had friends who I really clicked with, you know? Nathan's a great guy, but he's also, like, my second cousin. Anything I tell him goes on a direct pipeline to the rest of the family." she smirked, feeling him release a breath, "You know, for a guy who doesn't express himself, you sure are jealous." 

That hit him in the gut. Embarrassed, he looked off to the side, ashamed, and mumbled something that sounded like I know.

"Hey, Takashi?" she asked, drifting a bit into his hold, feeling herself sway in the rooftop breeze as she breathed in his cologne once more. 

"Hm?" 

She yawned, and said in a small, high-pitched sleepiness, "I think I like you."

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