You are my comfort

How deep can you sink before drowning?

A sound of the doorbell jingling woke Yuichi up.

The rabbit shot up from his place with a racing heart and stood straight like a soldier.

-I'M SORRY, BOSS. I D-DIN'T MEAN TO FALL ASLEEP ON THE POST! - the poor boy tried to excuse his unprofessional behavior with eyes closed tight.

-Sheesh, Usagi, didn't know you could stand straight like that, - a feminine voice reached Yuichi's ears and he recognized it as one of his friends.

-Oh, Kitsune, it's just you...- Yuichi paused for a moment, looking up at the person behind his short friend. -...and Chizu! Hi!

Kitsune smiled at Yuichi and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his waist. That's just as far as she could reach, after all. Chizu, however, stood still and unwillingly muttered out a short greeting.

-Did you hear that?! She said hi!! - Yuichi joked as Kitsune laughed at him, boisterous laughter, lightening the atmosphere within the restaurant.

Obviously, Chizu was not amused. She slapped Yuichi on the back of his head slightly and shut him up quick. The boy could only let out a hiss as a response.

-Anyways, what are you guys doing here? - Yuichi asked.

-Having dinner, what else do you come to restaurants for, - Chizu cut him off.

-Don't mind her, she's having a bad day, - Kitsune intervened, trying to soften her girlfriend's words. Even if Chizu spoke harsh, she didn't truly mean it. Or, at least, that's what Kitsune believed, and so did Yuichi. -We're having a date here again, Chi seemed to have liked the food here!

-Yeah, but I don't like the employees. Let's go somewhere else.

-Stop it with this rudeness, he's trying his best y'know! - Kitsune argued before the topic of the discussion could defend himself.

-Yeah? Well, looks like he's not trying enough. This will never pay back for the lives and the homes we lost.

With that, Chizu stormed out of the establishment.

Yuichi was left speechless, while Kitsune rubbed the bridge of her nose in annoyance. She took a deep breath in and out, before speaking again.

-I'm sorry she's bitter like that. We've all been having it tough, but the Neko Ninja Clan suffered the biggest losses. Give her a break, okay?

-Yeah, she definitely needs one, - Yuichi paused for a moment, - I wish I could help her like you do, but she doesn't even consider me a friend, does she?

-Oh, no, don't say that. You are her friend, and mine too. She just needs some time to get used to you again! - Kitsune assured Yuichi with a firm pat on his arm. -Don't tell her I said this, but she was really sad when we couldn't find you anywhere after the invasion.

-Really? - Yuichi's eyes brightened up.

-Yeah! She'll never admit it, but I know that she missed you. So, give her some time, please.

-Nah, don't worry about that...and thank you.

Kitsune smiled at the rabbit boy again and hugged him. Yuichi couldn't help his eyes watering a little – he missed her hugs so much.

After such a heart-felt moment, leaving would be awfully painful, but with Chizu staring daggers into Yuichi's face Kitsune had to go. Yuichi watched them leave, hand in hand, as if they were never letting go of each other, and he felt envy burning his guts.

He could've had that.

He would've had that if he wasn't such a faceless moron.

A memory of Leo kissing him popped into his mind. His heart started beating so fast, he almost mistook it for a panic attack. He knew this feeling, it wasn't the first time he got it, but it was still confusing. There was nothing good about that kiss, it wasn't a happy moment, neither did it mean that Leo wanted Yuichi. But Yuichi couldn't help this feeling, this hope, blooming. Is he weird for thinking of it as a little bit romantic?