Black Smoke

Sunrise

You felt a soft kiss on your forehead that gently woke you up. As you opened your eyes you were partly surprised to see Rika pulling away from the soft peck. She smiled softly at you, causing you to slowly sit up and notice it was only the two of you in the room. The morning sunlight drifted into your windows and reflected through the curse's transparent skin.

"Good morning~" she said.

"Good morning!"

"Sleep well?"

"Best I've ever slept, where did Yuta run off to?"

"He's in the kitchen, I hope that's not a problem."

"Not at all, I can make us breakfast if he's hungry!"

Rika shook her head side to side and crawled out of her spot next to you on the bed. You joined her and slowly stood up from the bed, there was a slight soreness in your legs from the night prior. The young woman was already dressed in her usual clothing and that motivated you to get dressed. You quickly picked up your pants that were discarded on your floor from last night and tossed them into the laundry hamper.

The gray sweater you wore yesterday doubled as your pajama shirt and you promptly took it off and discarded it too. Opting for a black tee shirt and shorts for today's outfit. As you finished dressing Rika headed for the bedroom door and you followed. Both of you waltzed down the stairs and to the kitchen where you found Yuta struggling with your coffee maker. His cursed spirit clung to his side as you both chuckled at the man's adorable struggle.

"Morning!"

"Good morning! I was going to try to surprise you with coffee but-"

"Need some help?"

"If you don't mind-"

Yuta chuckled nervously as you helped him with the coffee maker, you also happily offered to make breakfast. He was so adorable and delicate, almost helpless. After the coffee maker was all set you started working on strawberry muffins, in all honesty it was the one thing you could actually bake. You never really spent too much time in the kitchen, instead just learning a few new things every few months on a whim. The oven was set and you sat down with Okkotsu and Rika, who had already prepared your coffee.

"Sorry I wasn't much help with the coffee, I was planning on waking you up with it to tell you I have to leave soon."

"Really? When can I see you two again?"

"Whenever you want, I just got assigned a small mission today. Nothing big at all, shouldn't take more than a few hours."

"Oh, well then it's no big deal, just come back whenever you have the time." You sighed happily.

"Are you free tonight~" Yuta mused.

You nodded as Okkotsu flashed you a reassuring smile. The three of you recalled the wonderful night with compliments and embarrassment. Rika had no need to eat but you and Yuta quickly finished your food and got to your goodbyes. Before you knew it the duo had left, and you started your day.

Yet again your day was free, so you spent quite a long time eating lunch and cleaning the kitchen. Next, you decided to reorganize your closet, get your laundry done and eat dinner. Everything you needed to complete today was checked off of your list. Luckily the sun was already getting low and you managed to distract yourself enough. Okkotsu and Rika would probably be back soon, you sat down at your living room couch and did some light reading to pass the time.

While you read your book the words began to blur and you felt a soft soreness in your eyes, just enough to shut them for a few moments. As you did so your eyes jolted open, peering out the window you could see it was night. The clock read almost midnight and you immediately worried about Yuta and Rika. Even if they were struggling on their mission there wasn't much you could do regardless. Opting to put yourself at ease you walked up the stairs, opened your bedroom door and crawled into bed.

You were still understandably sore from yesterday but the soft covers soothed the tired pain in your legs. I wonder where Rika and Okkotsu are, how they're fairing? Not to worry, Yuta seems incredibly calm and collected and Rika- Rika held an overwhelming presence of power. Surely the duo was unstoppable, no need to worry. The blankets took you in eventually and you were back in your tired state as you easily fell back asleep.