387 Chapter four, 2017, petty revenge: 8 (1/2)

”Thank you.”

Ryu looked at Kuri when she ended the call. Despite the thin tin-can quality to the sound he recognised his sister's voice from the other end, but he hadn't been able to listen in to her side of the conversation.

”Sis?” he asked for confirmation.

Kuri nodded and smiled. For once she looked small and vulnerable. ”Noriko helped me, and I owe her an apology.”

Leaning into the sofa Ryu returned her smile. It was his first time here, which was kind of odd since officially they'd been a couple for half a year. It could have been a perfect love nest, apart from being big enough to run various sports tournaments in, or apart from being furnished in a way that had him wonder if all money ran out after they put up the building.

”There's a lot of floor,” he said.

That bought him a smile from Kuri that showed a little teeth for the first time in days. At last a genuine smile. She flashed her prefect teeth whenever the camera demanded it, but it wasn't the same thing.

”Never got round to make it my home.” Kuri grabbed a towel and went for her bedroom. ”Shower's long overdue. Just wait for me, will you?”

'Of course her bedroom has an attached bathroom.' ”Sure.”

This was the kind of flat that serviced the really rich, but it contained almost nothing inside to prove it. For a moment Ryu wondered why Kuri didn't care, but then he recalled the reason why Kuri had once moved here.

'Urufu. They broke the two of you apart. But that wasn't all of it, was it? They broke you as well, or did you do that to yourself?' Whatever he did Ryu knew he could never force a wedge between Kuri and her memories, or he'd lose her. She needed a place for Urufu in her heart.

The smartphone on the table chimed and Ryu threw it a glance. Sunday, noon. Noriko should be home by now. She spent the night with friends, or at least he hoped she did. Just thinking of her spending the night with Urufu made him angry.

'Thank you? I owe her an apology?' No, Noriko hadn't slept at Urufu's place after all. Besides, even if she did Sato-sensei probably would put a stop to anything indecent.

He listened to the muffled sounds of Kuri showering. A little over a year earlier he'd be blushing to his ears or try peeking; or at least imagine what he'd see if he tried peeking.

'Am I growing up?'

But that was too easy an answer. He listened to some more watery sounds. Last time he had shared the shower with her. There really was no reason to go peeking. Ryu doubted she'd even as much as scold him if he walked in on her.

He sighed and sank down in the sofa. Maybe they could make use of some dating time to buy at least a little furniture for her flat. Enough to make it resemble a home. Maybe they could spend nights here rather than in the down town establishments for couples who didn't want to bring the other home for one reason or another.

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Another few minutes went by while Ryu dozed off, and in the end he felt Kuri's hand on his shoulder shaking him awake.

”Afternoon date?”