The courtyard behind Myōjō Academy was quiet at this hour. Most of the students had already returned to their dorms, and the faint gold of the afternoon sky filtered through the trees, scattering light across the stone path. The breeze was gentle, and warm enough to carry the summer leaves' faint scent.
Tokaku stood near the old ginkgo tree, her posture straight and her eyes scanning. "There are three possible access points from the west side", she said. "If someone wanted to approach without being seen, they would most likely use the stairwell, by the storage building. It's the least visible from the main path."
Haru was watching her with her head slightly tilted. Tokaku continued. "The roof is also a vulnerable area. The building next to it is close enough for someone to jump across. I should measure that distance once I get the chance." Haru only smiled. The breeze that blew by and made Tokaku's strands of hair brush across her forehead.
"If things get out of control, I want you staying behind me", Tokaku went on. "I've mapped out escape routes–." "Tokaku", spoke Haru. The blue haired girl did not stop, however. "If we head down the east wing, we can reach the front gate under forty seconds. We'll just need to keep a lookout for potential obstructions-." "Tokaku." She stopped mid-sentence.
Haru stepped closer. "I'm only explaining for just in case", said Tokaku, her voice firm. "It's important that-." A soft finger pressed gently against her lips. Tokaku froze. Haru's eyes were bright, amused, and unbearably close. "You talk a lot when you're nervous", Haru said gently.
Tokaku blinked. "I'm not nervous." Haru smiled at her. "Yes. You are." "I am not." "You're doing it right now." At that moment, Tokaku realised she had been holding her breath.
Haru's fingertip was warm. Soft. It was enough to make her heart trip over itself.
"I'm only assessing risks." "Mm." Haru leaned in slightly, studying her. "You're only this intense when it's just the two of us." Tokaku's composure faltered a bit. "That's because... I just want to make sure you're safe."
Haru's finger pressed a little more firmly against her lips. "I'm not a mission." Tokaku's chest tightened. "I know that." "Do you?" Haru's eyes softened. Tokaku swallowed, very aware of how close the girl was, and how the sunlight highlighted her prettiest features. "I protect you because I want to", she said. Haru didn't move her finger. "You don't have to protect me every second", she murmured. "Sometimes... just stay."
Those words hit Tokaku harder than any weapon could.
"You're thinking again", said Haru, tilting her head slightly. "Relax. You don't need to strategise this." Tokaku hesitated. Her hands, which had been stiff at her sides, slowly lifted. One hovered uncertainly near Haru's waist, as if asking permission. Haru didn't pull away. That was permission enough.
Tokaku's hand settled lightly at Haru's side, careful, like she was handling something fragile. Her other hand came up to lightly hold Haru's wrist, not to remove it, but just to steady herself.
"You're distracting me", Tokaku said quietly. Haru laughed softly in response. "Good." The sound of that laughter made Tokaku slightly tighten her grip. "You know this area is secluded, right?", murmured Tokaku. "Yes", said Haru. Tokaku quietly gulped. "And if someone came, then...." Haru leaned in closer, until their foreheads practically brushed against each other "You'd notice. You always do", she whispered.
Tokaku's breath hitched. Haru's finger slid from her lips, but didn't leave, instead lingering at the corner of her mouth. "You get like this", she continued. "Like the world is dangerous." "It always was", answered Tokaku. "Yes. Was." The blue haired girl let out a slow breath. She could feel the heartbeat from the girl before her through the small space between them.
"Right now, you're safe", said Haru. "With you?", asked Tokaku. Haru was taken aback at this comment at first, then smiled. "Yes. With me."
The two of them took a moment to let things settle between them, while Tokaku's thumb lightly brushed over Haru's wrist. "I don't know how to just stay", she admitted. Haru's finger then finally lifted from her lips. "It's easy", she said, her hand sliding down to Tokaku's collar. "You just have to clear your head, and you look at me."
Tokaku looked upon Haru's face. At the way it was framed by the sunlight. At the softness in her expression. At the faint blush that was on her cheeks. "See?", whispered Haru. "You can do it." Tokaku could only look to the side embarrassed. "You're unfair." The red haired girl giggled and stepped closer, making her partner's back brush against the tree behind her.
Haru's hands rested lightly against her chest, fingers curling into the fabric of her shirt. "Your heart's racing." The two girls then locked eyes. "You don't need to be on guard with me." It was then that Tokaku had moved her hand from Haru's waist to her back, and pulled her closer at the same time as she leaned in. "Then don't move." Haru's eyes widened as their lips met, then closed as she melted into the moment.
Tokaku's fingers tightened slightly at Haru's back, anchoring herself, while Haru steadied herself by resting her hands on her shoulders. When they parted, it was only by a breath.
"Are you getting it now?", asked Haru. Tokaku gave her a small smile. "I think so." Her lover laughed and leaned in to initiate another kiss.
The courtyard remained quiet. The world for once didn't feel threatening. Tokaku didn't scan the perimeter. She didn't need to calculate escape routes. She just stayed. Because with Haru, she was perfectly safe.
