𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍; 𝐈𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐒𝐚𝐞

12. MIDNIGHT

You and Sae's conversation was cut short when the beeping of the timer alerted you both that the pasta was done. At that moment, it was a mad dash to finish dinner before anything got overcooked or burnt. The last thing either of you wanted was for Shoko to have a soiled meal. After a few stressful moments, dinner was done and Shoko was called down from her room.

The three of you sat pleasantly at the dining table, Shoko facing the two of you while blabbing away about her imaginary friends and the drama among them. You and her father pretended to be heavily invested in the complex conflict in her social network, and Shoko was all the more eager to say more upon seeing your interested gazes.

There were still unspoken words in the air between you and Sae, which eventually faded out over the course of dinner. You were glad the weight was temporarily suspended, though you were certain you'd have to visit the topic soon again.

During a break in Shoko's elaborate storytelling, Sae explained to you and his daughter that he had to leave at around midnight to catch a train to the airport. Shoko was adamant on staying up to bid him goodbye, claiming she could go sleepless easy-peasey. He only laughed and dared her to try, which only further stoked her determination to do so.

This lead to your current arrangement: Sae sat on one end of the couch with you on the opposite side, while Shoko sat pleasantly in between you two. You gave the young girl the remote to the TV to allow her to choose any show she'd like to binge. In your experience, kids will fall asleep to a slow movie faster than they would a lullaby.

Shoko's selection was Coraline, one of her favorite movies on earth, apparently. You were curious how she wasn't scared of that kind of movie.

"Coraline is the best!" She squealed.

You and Sae smiled and shared a single glance, as if to collectively fawn over her excited tone. He opened his mouth to speak. "Sho, tell Y/n what you were for Halloween last year."

"I was Wybie!" Shoko exclaimed. Your heart squeezed-- her enthusiasm was too adorable. 

"That's so funny!" You snorted. "Wbyie is my favorite, too. He's so cute and scrawny."

She grinned, a giddy shine glistening over her eyes. "You like Wybie too? Daddy is boring, he likes the bug-sofa."

You giggle, sending Sae a look. "The sofa, really? Isn't it evil?"

He smiled a bit. "It reminds me of Sho's uncle Shidou. That's why it's funny."

The movie began, and about thirty minutes in Shoko was getting tired. Her yawns became more frequent and her head started nodding off, and the final straw was when she scooted over to curl up next to you. She laid her head on your thigh and wrapped her arms under your leg, while her feet were sparked over her father's lap.

You were honestly so engrossed in the movie that you hadn't noticed Shoko had called asleep until you heard her soft snores. You glance down, seeing her peaceful figure slumped on your leg, and your heart squeezed a bit.

"I guess that's bedtime for Shoko." You mumble with a smile. You carefully adjust her on your lap so you can pick her up, laying her head softly against your shoulder as you stood up.

Sae rose with you, pausing the movie as he silently followed you up the stairs. His eyes softened as he looked at Shoko's face. She was so calm and at ease in your arms, as if she trusted you fully, even in her sleep. He liked how you so delicately picked her up and handled her without being told to. He couldn't help but smile at the sight— Sae got lucky with you.

You two walk into Shoko's room and place her softly into bed, shuffling the bed sheets over her body to keep her nice and warm. You step back as Sae whispers a goodnight to his daughter, followed by a chaste kiss on the forehead.