“You are tired.”

It is not a question, nor it is an accusation. A mere observation made on how carelessly she flops down, her head on his legs and body on a cool stone of the rooftop. Usually, Kou moves elegantly, with a cat-like grace, so seeing her careless and limp… well, for Hokusai it was probably a first.

“I am,” Kou doesn’t bother trying to deny his statement, and simply closes her eyes with a sigh when she feels his hand find its way in her hair, caressing and patting it gently.

Recently, it has become sort of a ritual for them: Kou would find Hokusai playing with kittens and, whenever she felt like it, she would join in. To be honest, Hokusai never thought that Kou could be this calm… or silent, or, even more so, tranquil.

It is sort of nice to see her like that, though. To Hokusai, this Kou feels much more genuine. Much more… real, perhaps.

“Have you finally been captivated by my face?” he blinks, inclining his head in confusion, and Kou can’t help but laugh a little. Her tricks and teasing rarely work on Masaki, if ever. It amuses her all the more.

However, more than amusement, Kou feels relief of sorts. Hokusai never falls for her tricks, but he never uses it against her. He doesn’t point this out, either — probably because he doesn’t understand the implications fully. This gives her the freedom — the excuse — to be herself. Guarded, still, but way more honest than Kou would usually be.

She laughs again, quietly, and raises a hand to touch his nose.

“I jest,” Kou smiles, but her eyes do not reflect this emotion as her gaze finds his, soft and curious. “It’s better if you don’t, anyway. I like you more the way you are.”

“Why?” Hokusai's confusion shows in the way his brows are knit together, the way he slows the caresses. To Kou, he is like an open book, and that, perhaps, is why she finds herself at ease. With him, there is no ulterior motives to be afraid of— and no battle to be fought with words.

It is unfamiliar, but not an unwelcome feeling.

“Because I'm capricious and manipulative, for starters. And a flirt.”

Hokusai is silent for a moment, and Kou finds herself a bit surprised even, to see him pondering over the matter so seriously. She didn't say it for him to think about it.

She knows some people wouldn't.

“… cats are also capricious, and can tease and cause trouble when they want attention.”

This, Kou didn't expect, and it causes her to burst out laughing, and she sits up, covering her face and smile with a hand.

“Did you just compare me to a cat, Hokusai?”

At first, Hokusai isn't sure how to react. However, seeing a trace of Kou's smile and mirth in her gaze, he simply responds with a slight smile of his own.

“You are very feline, Kou.”

“Then I demand my obligatory praises and headpats,” she plops back and closes her eyes once again. Of course, she doesn't expect Masaki to oblige to this jest, but…