Kira shot Kou a playful look, his grin widening with unbothered enthusiasm. "Puke away, my dude. I’ll consider it a compliment to my poetic talents. And hey, if you don’t like chocolate… more for me!” He waggled his eyebrows as he simply held the basket to himself like a proud grandma.

When Hamuko’s laugh rang out, Kira’s attention shifted to her. She had that way of lighting up a space just by being in it, and it was infectious.

Kira felt a sudden, inexplicable warmth rise to his face. He blushed faintly, scratching the back of his neck as he shrugged. “Heh. Yeah. It’s... nice. I, uh… can appreciate liking everyone,” he said with a small, slightly self-conscious grin.

For just a split second, his usual bravado dimmed. Not because he wasn’t proud of who he was—but because… well, he hadn’t exactly done much about it. He was always on the move. Always one foot out the door. The people who mattered most to him were tangled up in heartbreak, bloodshed, and farewells that felt more like goodbyes.

He stopped himself before that train of thought could get any further.

Kira kept his grin up as he shifted gears, turning the conversation toward Hamuko instead. “Man, it’s funny, though. I’ve been here longer than you, and I would grab myself a yellow one. You? Straight for the red.” His eyes sparkled with teasing curiosity. Who caught your eye? he almost asked.