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SHEATH YOUR BLADE.
The Defense Force headquarters had its moments of intense activity, but today, the break room was a sanctuary of calm. The soft hum of the vending machine and the distant murmur of ongoing missions created a backdrop of white noise that was almost soothing.
It was a rare respite from the chaos, and Akira found herself savoring the quiet as she sipped her tea.
Vice-Captain Soshiro Hoshina entered the room, his usual composed demeanor slightly softened by the absence of immediate crises. He carried a steaming cup of coffee and, spotting Akira, made his way over to the table where she sat.
"Enjoying the peace and quiet?" he asked, settling into the chair opposite her.
Akira looked up, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's a nice change of pace. I almost forgot what it felt like to just sit and relax."
Hoshina nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "Days like this are rare. We should make the most of them."
They fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. After a few moments, Hoshina's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief as he glanced at Akira.
"You know, you seem to be spending a lot of your free time around me lately," he teased, his tone light. "Starting to think you might be a bit needy for my company."
Akira raised an eyebrow, setting her cup down. "Needy? That's a bold claim, Vice-Captain."
Hoshina leaned back in his chair, a playful smile on his face. "Oh, it's just an observation. You seem to enjoy being around me more than anyone else. Should I be flattered?"
Akira laughed, the sound bright and genuine. "Maybe you should be. Or maybe I'm just keeping an eye on you. Someone has to make sure you take a break once in a while."
Hoshina chuckled, shaking his head. "Touché. But I think there's more to it than that."
Akira's smile widened, and she leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Well, what can I say? Your company isn't so bad. And besides, Mina can't be your babysitter today anyways."
Hoshina's eyes sparkled with playful mischief. "Oh, so you're my self-appointed babysitter now? I never pegged you for the type to volunteer for extra duties."
Akira smirked, crossing her arms. "Someone has to keep you in line, Vice-Captain. You're known for overworking yourself."
Hoshina leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "And here I thought you were just needy for my attention."
Akira rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face was unmistakable. "Needy? Please, you're the one who seems to enjoy having me around all the time."
Hoshina's grin widened. "Maybe I do. Or maybe I just like seeing you try so hard to keep up with me."
Akira shrugged, her smile never wavering. "Looks like it. You're stuck with me, Vice-Captain."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "I could think of worse fates."
Their conversation flowed easily, the light-hearted teasing continuing as they discussed everything from their latest missions to the mundane details of their daily lives.
Hoshina found himself relaxing more than he had in a while, appreciating the ease of their interaction.
As they talked, Akira's eyelids began to droop. The warmth of the room and the soothing rhythm of their conversation were lulling her into a state of calm she hadn't realized she needed.
She stifled a yawn, trying to keep her focus on Hoshina's words, but the pull of sleep was becoming too strong to resist.
Hoshina, engrossed in recounting a particularly amusing incident from a past mission, didn't notice at first. It wasn't until he asked her a question and received no response that he realized Akira had fallen silent.
He looked over and saw her head resting against the back of the chair, her eyes closed, her breathing even and deep.
A fond smile crossed Hoshina's face as he watched her sleep. She looked peaceful, a stark contrast to the fierce warrior she was on the battlefield.
He chuckled softly, careful not to wake her.
Moving quietly, Hoshina stood and gently draped his coat over her. The fabric settled around her shoulders, providing a comforting weight. He took a moment to ensure she was comfortable before stepping back.
Glancing around the break room, Hoshina spotted a vending machine in the corner. He retrieved a can of soda and placed it on the table next to Akira, a small gesture for when she woke up.
With one last look at her sleeping form, he smiled and turned to leave the room, closing the door softly behind him.
"You really do need to take better care of yourself, Akira," he murmured.
