It was already night when you heard a knock on the bedroom door. Two light, hesitant beats.

“You can come in,” you said, a little surprised.

Kenji opened the door slowly, his face half hidden behind the door.

“Hey... is... did you see my black jacket? The one with a broken zippered pocket?”

You frowned, dropping the book you read on the bed.

“Jacket? Kenji, why would your jacket be in my room?”

He entered, closing the door behind him, with his hands in his pockets.

“I don’t know, you may... you took it by mistake, or I don’t know, she walked here alone. You never know in this place.”

You looked at him with amused distrust.

“You just wanted an excuse to come here, didn’t you?”

“What?!” He laughed nervously. “No, of course not. That would be pathetic. I’m much more subtle than that.”

You arched an eyebrow, already with that smile on your lips.

“Kenji...”

He sighed, running his hand through his hair.

“It’s, it’s. Maybe I just wanted to... spend some time with you. But I didn’t know how to say that without looking like a needy idiot.”

You smiled, pulling the blanket to the side.

“Come soon, you needy idiot. There’s room here.”

Kenji widened his eyes for a second, clearly not expecting you to accept so easily.

“Are you sure? Because if I lie there, I can end up staying... forever.”

“You’ve been in my head all the time. You can at least stay in my room too.”

He stopped. He was silent for a few seconds.

The playful expression softened. Almost as if he had been punched in the chest with that comment.

“You really know how to end my sarcasm.”

“It’s a gift,” you replied, smiling.

Kenji approached, throwing himself next to him on the bed with a dramatic sigh.

“Just don’t fall in love with me, okay?”

You turned your face to him, your eyes shining with fun.

“Too late, Kishimoto.”

He froze for a second... and then laughed. But his smile was different.

Less playful. More... hopeful.