AM N. NOT.
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The night cameā¦ in Nemuri's room.
Maki lay beside her, his arms wrapped around her neck as he held her close while they slept. Nemuri had long grown accustomed to this.
He hadn't spoken much the entire night. And by tomorrow, it would likely feel as if nothing had happened at all.
So Nemuri simply turned around and leaned her face against his chest, letting herself rest in his quiet warmth.
Both of them drifted into sleep.
Tomorrow was another day.
ā¤
Morning came.
The cameraman also woke up and fixed the camera.
(ććć)
ā¤
Maki was already awake.
He stood in the kitchen, silently cooking breakfast.
Nemuri was still in the bath, taking a shower.
Today was Thursday, and she had work to do.
Maki cooked quietly. It was the only thing he felt he could actually do.
He prepared a simple breakfast for her: a sandwich paired with her favorite tea.
After placing everything on the dining table, he waited.
(ććć)
A while later Nemuri came out of her room.
She wore a black skirt suit paired with black leggings, her hair still slightly damp from the shower.
She walked toward the dining table where her breakfast had already been served.
She sat down and began eating.
Maki sat across from her, quiet as always, his head lowered.
Nemuri watched him. It was obvious he still hadn't recovered from yesterday. His mind was somewhere else entirely.
She shook her head softly.
She had tried everything before to console him, but when he entered this state he shut everything out. Words meant nothing to him then.
So she simply watched.
After finishing her breakfast, Nemuri stood up from her seat and walked back to her room to grab her bag.
When she returned, Maki was still sitting there, motionless.
She approached him and leaned close to his lowered head.
"Makiā¦ I'm leaving already," she whispered.
The words pulled him from his thoughts.
"A-alright," he replied.
He stood up and followed her toward the door.
Nemuri slipped into her black two-inch heels.
When she finished, she looked back at him.
"Don't miss me too much, understand," she teased.
He nodded.
But he still followed her out of the condo.
Nemuri noticed and smiled.
They entered the private VIP elevator together, descending to the basement where her car was parked.
Maki watched quietly as she unlocked the door.
Then she stopped.
"Where's my goodbye kiss?" she asked.
Maki stepped forward.
He leaned down to her height and wrapped his long arms around her. His lips pressed firmly against hers as they kissed.
Their lips squeezed together as if neither wanted to break the moment too quickly.
Then she heard his deep voice.
"Take care."
She smiled.
"Wait for me, okay?"
He nodded.
Nemuri stepped into the car and lowered the window. She winked at him and waved as she drove off toward UA.
Maki waved back.
Then he stood there silently, watching the car disappear.
(ććć)
He remained in the basement for a while.
Then he looked down at his hands.
Once, his palms had been covered in scars and calluses from fishing rods, ropes, and struggling fish.
Now they were pale and smooth.
Clean.
There was no trace of the hard work he once carried in them.
Even if there had been scars, they would have healed long ago.
Maki stared at his hands quietly.
Who knew what he was thinking?
At UA, right wing, 47th floor ā the teachers' dormitories.
Isane had just woken up.
She looked around the bed and noticed her mother was still sleeping peacefully.
This was unusual.
Normally Unohana woke up early and would already be sipping tea by the time Isane opened her eyes.
But today she was still asleep.
The white blanket draped over her body outlined her figure clearly ā wide hips, slim waist, and a graceful posture even in sleep.
Isane slowly got out of bed.
The bed itself was enormous, a four-poster bed large enough that even five people could sleep comfortably without feeling cramped.
Her long white hair cascaded down her shoulders and back.
She grabbed a hair tie and tied it into a simple ponytail.
Then she quietly walked toward the kitchen area of the room.
She moved carefully so she wouldn't wake her mother.
As always, she prepared tea the way Unohana liked it.
Breakfast could easily be ordered from the staff, or they could go down to the teachers' private kitchen on the fourth floor.
As Isane prepared the teaā¦
Unohana slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze moved across the room.
She didn't see Isane in bed anymore, but she heard soft sounds coming from the kitchen.
"What a good dreamā¦" she murmured quietly.
She sat up and pushed the blanket aside.
Unohana wore a thin white night dress that reached her knees.
Her skin was pale and smooth, her figure dangerously curvaceous beneath the fabric. Her chest strained lightly against her black bra, while her slim waist and defined abdomen showed through the soft cloth.
Her wide hips and thick thighs shaped the dress as she moved.
Anyone who saw her like this would struggle to keep their composure.
Her hair was still braided as always.
Unohana stood up and walked toward the kitchen.
There she found Isane finishing the tea.
Isane noticed her and smiled.
"Good morning, Mother."
She placed the tea on the dining table where Unohana sat down.
"Good morning, Isai," Unohana replied.
Isane's mouth twitched slightly at the nickname.
The one her supposed stepfather had just recently given her.
Then she asked quietly,
"Motherā¦ why didn't you tell him that we aren't blood-related?"
Unohana lifted her tea calmly.
"There's no need for that," she said gently.
"You are my daughter."
She took a small sip before continuing.
"And I've finally found the father you once wished forā¦ someone who will truly protect you."
!!ć½(ļ¾Š“ļ¾ć½)(ļ¾ļ¾Š“ļ¾)ļ¾!!
AM N. NOT.