Mira's apartment was… well.
It was lived in.
The moment she stepped inside, she was met with the distinct lived-in chaos that somehow suited Mira perfectly. A mix of clean laundry and crumpled clothes was draped over a chair, half-filled coffee cups were scattered across the table, and the floor had more snack wrappers than she cared to count. Books and notebooks were stacked in random places, as if Mira had started organizing them at some point but then got distracted.
A pile of mail sat unopened near the entryway.
And in the middle of it all—Mira, standing proudly like this was some kind of grand tour.
"Behold!" Mira spread her arms wide. "My humble kingdom!"
Hikari stood near the entrance, hugging her bag close to her chest, taking it all in.
"...It's a little messy," Mira admitted, stretching her arms behind her head.
"A little?" Hikari murmured.
"Shhh," Mira waved her off. "I call it organized chaos."
Hikari didn't respond right away. She was still adjusting, still processing the fact that she was standing here at all.
But despite the clutter, the space felt warm.
Not in the way a well-kept home did, but in a way that made it feel lived in. Like every corner had a story, like nothing was placed too perfectly to be touched.
It wasn't cold. It wasn't suffocating.
And for the first time in a long time, Hikari didn't feel like she had to brace herself.
Mira studied her, then stretched her arms behind her head. "Alright, time for house rules!"
Hikari blinked, snapping out of her daze. "Huh?"
Mira dramatically cleared her throat.
"Rule #1: If you steal my socks, I will hunt you down."
Hikari frowned. "Why would I steal your socks?"
Mira ignored her.
"Rule #2: If you find expired yogurt in the fridge, it's a test of fate. Eat at your own risk."
Hikari opened her mouth. Then closed it.
"Rule #3—the most important rule—if you eat my emergency snacks, you must replace them."
Hikari raised an eyebrow. "Emergency snacks?"
Mira nodded seriously. "They're hidden. Don't ask where."
Hikari exhaled through her nose, shaking her head slightly. "Well… I'll make sure to keep them stocked then."
Mira tilted her head. "Huh?"
"You're letting me stay here," Hikari said simply. "So I should at least take care of the house chores."
Mira blinked, clearly thrown off by the sudden responsibility. "I—I mean, you could, but, like, I don't expect you to—"
"It's fine," Hikari interrupted, her voice soft. "I want to."
There was a pause.
Mira opened her mouth, then closed it.
Finally, she sighed, shrugging dramatically. "Fiiiine. But don't go too hard, okay? This place might actually collapse if it gets too clean."
Hikari let out a small laugh.
A real one.
Mira grinned.
Hikari ducked her head, feeling warmth bloom in her chest.
-
Later that night, after showering and changing into one of Mira's oversized t-shirts, Hikari sat on the futon Mira had thrown together for her.
The room was dim, the glow of the streetlights outside casting soft patterns on the walls.
Mira sat on the couch, flipping through a magazine, not bothering to pretend like she wasn't keeping an eye on her.
Hikari pulled out her phone.
Her fingers hovered over the screen.
She knew she shouldn't.
But…
Mom.
Her stomach twisted.
She typed out a single message.
I'm safe.
She stared at it.
Watched as the text sat there, unread.
No response.
Not even delivered.
She swallowed, lowering the phone to her lap.
Across the room, Mira yawned and stretched her arms, but didn't comment on what she just saw.
Hikari appreciated that.
Instead, she opened a different contact.
Elias.
Her fingers moved before she could second-guess herself.
Sensei. I'm staying at Mira's place.I don't know for how long, but… I'm safe.
She expected a delay. Elias wasn't always fast at replying.
But the message was marked as read within seconds.
Then came his response.
Good.
A moment later, another message appeared.
You're allowed to take care of yourself too.
Hikari's throat tightened.
She stared at the words.
Then, slowly, she typed a quiet thank you before setting her phone aside.
Mira, still flipping through her magazine, finally spoke. "So. You good?"
Hikari pulled the blanket around her shoulders.
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
Mira smirked, tossing her magazine aside. "Good. Now sleep, nerd. You look exhausted."
And with that, she flopped onto the couch, curling up with a blanket.
Within minutes, her breathing evened out.
Hikari lay awake a little longer, listening to the quiet hum of the city outside.
For the first time in a long time… she didn't feel like she had to brace herself.
She closed her eyes.