“  oh  NO  mankanshoku--san,  don’t  TOUCH  these !  ”      barely making it, momo pulls back mako’s hand from touching the flowers. beautiful, sure, but  ––––  her gaze flicks above them, to the leaf green figure hanging out the window, arms dangling, expression bored. taking it rather well, considering their meal was just denied.

momo gives them the briefest of glares but is smiling when she looks down at mako, already herding her away from the building’s side.  she manages a laugh, sounding only half nervous.     “  they’re  ah,  extremely  DELICATE  flowers.  you  musn’t  touch  them  before  they’re  in  bloom.  ”

    "  woah,  hey.  ”      he catches mako just on time, her reaching the apartment complex  &  blocks her with his body, closing the blue door shut behind him.  he leans against it, smile on, hand carding through his hair.  casual as ever.       “  glad  i  caught  you,  mako.  listen,  they’re  not  ready  upstairs,  so  do  you  want  to  walk  around  here  for  a  bit ?   i’ll  keep  you  company.  ”      under no circumstances, he was told, should he let mako enter the apartment until ella gives him the say so. planning a human -- like dinner isn’t easy.

he’s  getting  used  to  the  crowded  space in his dining area. the life filled in his apartment. keith didn’t think it possible, is still doubting, but looking around the table of five women, he feels  ---  if not peaceful, something edging on it. something he wouldn’t mind more of.

if nothing else, having actual home cooked meals is a welcome change.

❛  this  is  really  good,  ❜     keith says through a mouthful, pointing to his bowl with his chopsticks, eyes big with gratitude on yerin. 

❛  oh indeed ~  ❜     yuuko purrs from the other head of the table, raising a small toast to yerin with her shot glass.     ❛  you get better  &  better every day. ❜

❛  sauce could be stronger,  ❜    quips tomie, on his left. she's never satisfied with yerin’s meals.

a meow pulls his attention to the box set near their table  &  the tabby sitting within. cheeks puffed, he stares.     ❛  ...  have  ...  uh.  ❜     swallow.      ❛   ---  are  we   keeping  it  ?   have  you  decided  on  a  name  ?  ❜