it was quieter than usual that sunday.

the rain had passed sometime during their stay, leaving the sky soft and overcast. the light through the café was gray and diffused — a quiet kind of calm that seemed to wrap around everything.

"you're doing that thing again," she said, stirring her latte. "that worried look."

"because i am worried." he said bluntly.

there had been reports of gang crimes going up recently, and they had just passed through a small commotion near the station on the way to the café. police tape, yelling. the usual crime scene.

she let out a short laugh. "kei, come on. nothing's ever going to happen to me; if that's what you're worried about. i'm not exactly the reckless type."

"that's not the point." he muttered, eyes still fixated on her. "it doesn't have to be your fault."

she reached across the table and poked his hand with the end of her fork. "we'll be fine. besides, even if something does happen, you'll be there, right?"

tsukishima didn't answer. not right away. he took a sip of his tea, watching the steam curl up and disappear.

"i'll try," he said. "but i can't always be."

that wasn't the answer she expected, but she knew it was true. for a moment, it felt like something fragile passed between them. like a curtain lifting, just briefly, to reveal a future they both didn't want to look at.

but she smiled anyway.

"well," she said, "then i'll just have to stick to our routine. if i don't stray from the script, nothing can go wrong, right?"

he didn't laugh. didn't even smile. he only looked down at the table and said quietly, "don't joke like that."

she didn't press the mood any further. instead, she cut a bite of shortcake, offering him the first piece without a word.

they ate in silence for a while, the quiet between them feeling heavier than usual. not uncomfortable, but different. as if they both knew something was shifting, even if they didn't want to say it out loud.

later, as they stood outside beneath the still-gray sky, she looped her arm around his.

"you worry too much." she said.

"you act like it's a bad thing."

she leaned into him, her voice light but certain. "you worry, and i'll stay close. that's our deal."

he glanced at her. her hair was slightly tousled, lips curved into a soft smile, eyes that always seem too bright even for gloomy days like these.

he didn't answer. he just squeezed her hand and told himself it was enough.