[OOC: 1 koku paid for room]

Sitting in the private room on the second floor of Snow Moon Flower, Akodo Akihiko was unhappily alone with his thoughts. Somewhere in the night -- or maybe it was already morning? -- he'd messaged Daidoji Shizuku:



Akihiko was still in his full dress uniform from the funeral, his face drawn. If he'd slept, it hadn't been much.

True to her word, the Crane appeared less than 20 minutes later, a little out of breath as she entered and bowed. "I would say good morning, Akihiko-sama, but it seems not so much for you." She slid into a seat in the cabinet.

With tired eyes and deadpan voice, Akihiko dives right in.

"Last night, one of my kin was killed here in Shiro Yoake. Matsu Chiyoko. I do not know any details, though I know the story of a mugger killing her is a lie. I would sooner believe a single Matsu had leveled a city than that they were killed by some thug." He shakes his head, eyes downcast. "I do not know what all this means, but I fear it ... changes things."

She listened to his explanation with seemingly uncharacteristic solemnity, nodding. "Yes... That doesn't seem like a reasonable explanation. Please, go on."

The effort Akihiko was making in controlling his emotions was clear.

"There may need to be action to satisfy my clan's honor," he says vaguely, knowing that the Lion Clan's reputation will fill in enough details. "I... hope to keep you uninvolved."

She slid up from her seat, moving over next to him instead. After a moment, she touched his sleeve lightly. "I see. If... there's anything I can do to support you while still respecting that hope, please tell me."

Akihiko is thankful for the touch and does nothing to disturb it. He bows his head, nodding tiredly. "Thank you Shizuku-san," he says quietly. He relaxes visibly. He stays there for a time, feeling a peace that stabilizes him after the highs and lows of the last day.

When his head turns to Shizuku, his face still shows the tiredness, but there is contentment as well. "I wish for this feeling, always."

"Of course. I'm glad I can be here for you." She leaned over and touched her shoulder to his lightly. Nothing pushy or particularly improper. Just another point of comforting contact.

"... I would, too."

The shoulder touch brings the Crane very close, and Akihiko closes his eyes. Even breathing normally, he catches a light scent of Shizuku. His tired mind is a turmoil of thoughts, and rather than say the wrong thing, the Akodo remains silent and savors this time.

She closed her eyes and sighed in satisfaction. She didn't move, didn't try to push anything forward or back. The light contact simply remained unchanged, letting the moment be.

Akihiko, eyes still closed, hears the sigh. He can feel his head tipping toward Shizuku, the natural urge to lean into the warmth and serenity of the moment.

But with a somewhat forced breath, he preserves the small space between their heads. His head sinks ever so slightly closer to the floor.

After another heavy breath, the Lion's head does drift toward Shizuku again, though his eyes remain closed and his face toward the floor.

She opened her eyes a little, glancing up toward him with gentle concern written over her face as she saw the lowered angle of his head. She brushed her fingers lightly over his sleeve, an attempt at comfort.

Akihiko gently raises his head and finally opens his eyes. Very quietly, almost hoarsely, he says, "Yesterday morning, I told Matsu Chiyoko to stay safe when she left the city later in the day." A heavy sigh. "She came back fine, apparently, and then was killed in the city." His hands squeeze and release a couple of times, like he wants to grab or throw something.

She nodded, quietly, listening. "Of all things... That must have been difficult."

His head slumps forward, and he nods twice. "I know that technically none of the other Lions are under my command. But I told them we'd do this together, as a team."

She nodded as well, softly, fingers stroking gently over his sleeve. "How are you feeling about that?"

Akihiko sighs. Talking about his feelings -- even jabbing real feelings -- isn't something he likes. Even a little. But he's by far the most tired he's been since pulling back-to-back combat missions. His usual defenses aren't up, and couldn't stand up to Shizuku's touch anyway.

"I didn't come here to be in charge of anything," he says, not angrily, but with defensiveness. He talks to the empty air in front of him, clear that Shizuku is on his side. "I don't even know what I'm doing here. This is..." He waves his hand wildly. "This is no place for me." He sighs. "Maybe not for any of us," he adds, thinking of the two miai participants who've died in a week on Asakaze.

The Lion sighs again, elbows on his knees, head hanging forward again.

She nodded. "Yeah." She let out a sigh. "This is just this place, not a matter of anyone being in charge or not. I'm not sure anyone should be here. Combat is one thing, but this shouldn't happen at a miai. It could have just as easily have happened to anyone here."

The pressure on his shoulder became slightly more present. "It's almost over."

"Hai," Akihiko groans. "It is almost over. The choice will need to be made." His voice sounds far away.

Taking a deep breath, the Lion manages to say, "My choice will have more pressure now, more expectations and politics." He keeps his eyes on the ground. "With no other Lion doing so well in the nakodos' estimation, all eyes will be on me."

With the contact at his shoulder, he can feel her stiffen a little, but loosen up soon after. She let out a long breath, nodding a little. "I kind of expected that your choice would be pretty fraught, knowing your rank."

"Still..." She tapped her temple a little with two knuckles. I had to go and get attached like an idiot. "I hope you're able to find a way to find some happiness within the bounds of duty, at least."