Day 1: What does getting old mean to you?

Kido gave a sigh as she finished washing the dishes from the recent dinner. Everyone else was all but asleep, especially the duo of Shintarou and Konoha, who were both out like bricks. She gave a sigh and continued messing around with the soapy water, eventually rinsing it out of the sink and drying the dishes.

She put half of the dishes away, and left a few out so that Kano would be able to use them once he got back from his midnight strolls around god knows where. She gave a sigh again. That Kano. He really should learn to be less reckless. What if he got shot in the middle of the night? No one would know where he was, let alone be able to save him.

Hibiya gave a yawn and rubbed his eyes, suddenly next to her. "Why don't you put the rest of them away? Is there no room?"

"The idiot will need something to use. I don't want him waking us up in the middle of the night because he broke a glass."

Hibiya didn't answer, but he seemed to be content with her reply, because he headed off to Seto's room, even though Seto was probably asleep with Marry. At least his room was big enough.

Kido yawned, suddenly tired herself. She should go to bed as well. But then again, Kano would try to wake her up anyway once he got back. Either that, or she would stay up and worry. It was no use.

She sat on the arm of the couch; the two couches covered by the masses that were known as Shintarou 'hikineet' according to Ene, and Konoha.

She put her ear buds in and listened to music for a long enough time. She zoned out, not really paying attention to what time it was. It was a wonder that she didn't fall asleep.

Eventually, she noticed the door slowly widen, and a shadow came in from outside. The shadow slowly closed the door and locked it. It came in through the kitchen, but stopped once it saw Kido.

"Ah, Tsubomi-chan! Did you stay up this late just for me? I'm flattered." Kano had his usual smile on, but Kido didn't really question it. There was no reason to wear a mask, maybe he was just tired as well.

Kido got off the arm of the couch and paused her music. "There's dishes already out." Her voice was a whisper, but since Shintarou and Konoha didn't snore, it could be heard well enough.

Kano nodded, not bothering to reply, and they both sat down while Kano had something that could be called a dinner. It was mostly Kano doing the talking, with Kido just sitting there and watching him, trying not to pass out.

Eventually, Kano must have noticed. "You seem awfully tired, Danchou. You should go to bed."

"Kisaragi has mine. Marry also has it as well."

"Hehh, I thought Marry would be sleeping with Seto."

"She and Kisaragi wanted to talk about stuff. Hibiya told me earlier."

"Hmm. And where are you going to sleep, Danchou?" Kano yawned a little.

"I dunno… Probably on the floor."

"Aw, I was hoping you'd say that you would want to sleep with me, like when we were kids~" Kano wasn't wearing a smile, but his tone was playful enough.

Kido huffed. "Not everything can be as you want it, Kano."

Kano didn't answer. He just looked to the side, either bored or longing Kido couldn't tell.

"What?"

"Did you ever wonder what it would be like to get old? Like, would you be satisfied with your life? Would you be happy?" Kano wasn't looking at her. His voice sounded almost as if he was talking to himself, but Kido knew better.

"I think about it sometimes." Kido chose her words slowly.

"What would it mean to you? Would it mean death, or… satisfaction?"

"What's with the random questions?"

"Would you be satisfied with… Living as you are now? A leader?" Kano was looking at her now. "You don't ever think of yourself any more, Tsubomi. All you do is watch out for us. I appreciate that, but it also hurts to see Tsubomi not do anything that she wants to do."

"Are you saying that I want to sleep in the same bed that you do?"

Kano shrugged. "I'm not Seto. I can't tell that. Only you can."

Kido felt her face get a bit red. "Why such the controversy here?"

"I dunno. Maybe I'm just tired…" Kano didn't seem tired enough to be spouting random questions, so Kido ignored that.

Kido glanced to the side. "Maybe… Maybe I'll just cross that bridge when it comes. It depends on what happens, to decide if I'm satisfied or not, to answer your question."

"You can't always wait. Sometimes you need to make a future to have a nice past later on."

Kido gave a slight chuckle. "Getting philosophical on me now, are you?"

Kano laughed as well. "Well, it's nice to talk to Tsubomi normally once in a while. After all, I can't let her disappear~"

Kido sighed. "So much for making a nice past for our future selves."

"Ah, sorry, sorry. So, will you take me up on my offer?" Kano stood up and put his plates in the sink.

Kido gave a sigh. "Sure." If it was with Kano, then she wouldn't mind.

She was sure her future self would have to get use to it sooner or later anyway, if they were to be together.