Sometime in June.

  "Ahaha, you always look like a sad puppy whenever I go home, Ringo."

  It was a Friday afternoon, which means Yukihime has to go home to the underground base as she does not stay in the Akanami household for weekends.

  Before Rin returns to her work after her short graduation leave, she had spent most of her time with Yukihime when she is not working at construction. It has become a normal occurrence to see Rin immediately feeling the loneliness when she does not have a roommate, but Yukihime never fails to assure her of the obvious fact that she will be back by the next week.

  "Gin is always just here, you know?"

  "I've gotten really close to you, though."

  "Don't make it sound like I'm going to steal you away from him…

  What I'm learning about you is that you can be a bit childish," Yukihime chuckled.

  "Oh, you tell me," Gin chimed in. "Even I didn't find out immediately that she can get clingy with girl friends when she gets to know them quite a lot."

  "Is that so.

  Then I guess I'll leave Ringo to you, then. We'll head out now."

  "Be safe."

  Outside the grounds of the household, Kuroko's white ponytail danced into the air as he waited for the lady to come out.

  "Good work out there."

  "Thanks for sending me home as always."

  "No prob. I always got you."

  For the weeks where construction work had started, Kuroko had always accompanied Yukihime on the way home, usually opting for a walk until they arrive at the abandoned greenhouse after sundown.

  "Hahh… It's still really hot at this time even if it's June."

  "I'm surprised you got used to the changes in temperature since it's relatively constant underground."

  "Working with machines is like our version of summer. There's never a day where we don't think about temperature control and ventilation across the entire base."

  "That aside, I'm amazed that you can still walk long distance after all that heavy work."

  "What can I say? I've pretty much grew fit and gained a lot of stamina from that.

  Enough about that, I've always been wondering, but do you actually get to do work when you're just sitting a few meters off the road?"

  "Oh, I sure do. I'm just fortunate enough that the nature of my job enables me to work remotely until I get a call from a director and other writers."

  "Wouldn't it be nice if I could remotely control a robot that can do the work for me?"

  "That sounds cool but just as scary at the same time."

  Then, a sudden silence visited the two of them beyond the sound of their footsteps, and Yukihime abruptly nudged Kuroko with her elbow.

  "Hmm?"

  "You can be pretty awkward, you know that?"

  "How so?"

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  "You let your actions speak for yourself, so I only have an idea rather than a confirmation. I wouldn't know your intentions if you don't tell me."

  "I'm trying to be subtle about it."

  "You saying it's subtle is a funny joke. You always come everyday and you even make me lunch even though we already eat at Gin's house. And every week you wait for me and ensure that I safely get home."

  "I… can't deny that.

  But if I were to answer you, it's probably because I respect your beliefs when it comes to choosing your relationship.

  I am a Resurfaced, technically. You've never told me about it but I know that you have your sentiments with choosing a Resurfaced as a partner."

  "So you heard… Still, there is that fear in me of not knowing what to do were something to happen to that person when they are out in the aboveground. Even after six years have passed before you became an Exile, Glen's death because of Horach is still fresh in our minds.

  Maybe… I'm just scared to lose someone that I love which is why I haven't found anyone yet."

  "I would have given up if you have told me to stop with it early on. But here I am doing things vaguely and you even acknowledged it just now.

  Hmm? Do you want things to stop being vague, all things considered?"

  Yukihime's steps slowed down, to which Kuroko followed the pace.

  "Having been gone outside and learning about the world is showing me different perspectives. I guess it's thanks to Ringo for always showing me around.

  And before I even realized it, I found myself on the shoes of the person I felt fear for most. I'm still scared of the world… but I think I know now why the older Exiles keep telling us to have an open mind despite the neutral divide that we have between us and the society."

  "You really are around amazing people, Yuki."

  "I suppose I really am…"

  With big steps, Kuroko went ahead and turned around to a stop until she's in front of Yukihime.

  "Before I was an Exile, I thought that it would be hopeless to find someone for me because of how I look, so I guess I'm glad that I became a part of your people."

  The crimson eyes never wavered and exuded confidence together with the words uttered thereafter.

  "I love you."

  Promptly, he then stepped aside and led Yukihime to continue walking.

  Now, the silence had suddenly bothered her.

  "I thought you were going to say something more."

  "Do you want me to? If we stop, we'll get home late."

  "Then say it on our way?"

  Despite Yukihime's declaration of her beliefs, Kuroko has been left dumbfounded with the assertion and seemingly wanting to hear more.

  "Sure?"

  "Am."

  Thus, Kuroko took a large deep breath.

  "It's no secret that I share Gin's memories and by extension, I have also seen some of your father's life through him. But I love you as I am, yet I don't like dismissing the feelings that aren't mine but still wanted to be fulfilled. So I want to make those feelings mine too and be able to tell you that you won't lose me.

  Despite everything, I hope that you will give me a chance."

  "I'd like to take my time, please."

  "Take all that you need… but well, I'm honestly not sure how patient I can get."

  "I'll try not to make it long. But speaking of long…"

  All of sudden, Yukihime started playing with Kuroko's hair.

  "There goes your habit of touching someone's hair, especially your mom's.

  Well… I'm not sure I should say this, but you've been doing that since you were really young. You used to pull your dad's hair a lot."

  "I don't know how to react on how much you know about me… In any case, I'd appreciate it if you tell me things about my dad more."

  "I got you."

  "But doesn't your hair get hot in summer even if it's tied? It's not getting any colder even if it's June."

  "It's bearable. I always wear hats anyway when I'm at work or sometimes outside so it gets hot all the same."

  "Does your hair hold something special that you're letting it grow?"

  "Not really? I just want to see how long I can get it without cutting it?"

  "So you're just a guy being a dude…"

  "But you, though. You work demands a lot more energy that mine does, and your hair doesn't get in the way?"

  "In my case, I don't want to cut mine short. Have you seen Ringo's friend recently—Shiro?"

  "Oh… I suppose she recently cut hers really short, huh."

  "The most I can do is probably until my shoulder. But I don't really have problems with my…"

  Yukihime in between her assertion had recalled the difficulties of cleaning her hair everyday after a day of work is done.

  "…It's just slightly inconvenient."

  "Hmm… I wonder how you would look at shoulder-length…"

  "Hey, don't just start imagining it."

  At a turn on a road that is less maintained, the two of them started looking around to see if there are any people at the vicinity before entering an abandoned greenhouse.

  And as they got in a lift, Kuroko's short-lived tension went away with a sigh.

  "Maybe we should build something like an inconspicuous house beside the greenhouse so it doesn't look shady when we go back underground. It's been so many decades that this is how Exiles get in and out."

  "Or perhaps the Exiles should push through with the farm plan near the park."

  "That could work too. I heard it can be used as a supplier for Giotto's and it makes it so that we don't have to rely too much on the artificial farms inside.

  Still, it's amazing that you guys cultivated such a big indoor farm."

  "Thank our predecessors for that."

  The elevator chime then sounded and opened towards the first floor of the underground base.

  "Welcome home, Yuki."

  "You too."

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