…

It pained him to leave her alone after having had such an intense day, and he felt guilty to have started such a conversation with her being in such a state. Nevertheless, he did as he’d been told, and stood up to silently exit the room.

“Kuro I’m sorry I… I think I need to be alone.”

“… Of course you do.”

“I get that you’re confused but you can’t make me live my life as if I were something I’m not anymore.” Tears filled his eyes. He remembered how Hope had been the only one who’d told him how human he actually seemed to her, and then felt a sharp pain in his chest when he thought about Kiara not being able to see the same thing.

“Oh because I used to be a cat that you accidentally turned human? Yes, I know. But it’s been- what? Five, six years since? Do I not look human to you now? Do I not feel human? Is it so uncomfortable to be around me?”

“No, but I…”

“I’m not trying to. I would like to hug you right now. I’d love to. I’d tell you everything’s going to be okay. That I’m here for you if you need me. That I am always going to be. But you… You keep pushing me away and I… I don’t understand…”

“You know why-”

“It was nothing. You know… You know I’m always here for you, Kiara.” His hand moved and their pinkie fingers grazed against each other. Kiara inhaled sharply, a shiver running through her whole body. She moved her hand away.

Kuro furrowed his brow. “Why is it so hard for you to come close to me?” He asked, half annoyed, half saddened.

“Don’t make this even harder, Kuro, please…”

“Thank you… For today.” Kiara muttered. Both could not help but think about that hug. She remembered how warm, welcoming, and caring it felt. How he smelled like nighttime and pine trees. How she had felt so incredibly safe between his arms.

It was half past four in the morning when Kuro whispered a soft “You’re not sleeping, are you?”, which was followed by an even softer “I can’t” from Kiara.

“Can I come with you?”

Kiara looked at him, surprised. She hesitated, but finally nodded. Kuro crawled on top of the bed and laid beside her, both staring at the ceiling.

After some time, their chatter died down and the room fell into a peaceful silence. However, both were perfectly aware of the fact that the other was not sleeping. Neither of them could – for different reasons.

They spoke about the matter for hours. About how she felt about the issue in a different way now than how she did years ago. About how that did not mean wanting Jared back into her life. Kuro reassured her and insisted on her having the right to feel the way she did, and he also criticized Jared’s actions that day.

“Precisely because I know,” Kuro insisted, but in a very soft tone, “you know we can talk about it.”

After a moment of silence, as if she were thinking what to say, Kiara spoke. “I just- I missed him so much, for such a long time”, Kiara said, sniffling a cry. Kuro looked at her and then to the ground. He felt the muscles in his back tensing. “But I still hate that I had to leave my hometown because he flooded it with tourists. I understand his motives, but I can’t completely forgive him and – am I being childish?”

Kuro shook his head. “You’re allowed to feel hatred towards him, as well as love, if that’s what…”

“What?” Kiara interrupted him, “No. I- I didn’t miss him like that.”

“Oh.” A wave of relief came over him.

After some seconds of silence, a faint “yes” was heard from the inside. Slowly, Kuro slid into the room and closed the door behind him. He sat down on the couch next to the bed.

“Want to talk about it?” He asked. Their eyes met.

“There’s… There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Jared?”

“You know what happened back then, you’ve seen what has happened today. So… There’s nothing to say.” She said.

Kuro knocked on the door softly. “Kiara, can I come in?”

Kuro gulped and only managed to say two words, although only a whisper came out:

“Thank you.”