She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her round belly as she let out a satisfied burp that smelled of cumin. "I'm so full... but so happy."
Kageyama Sora paid the bill and reached out to ruffle her hair. "As long as you're happy."
On the way back, since he had been drinking, Kageyama Sora did not dare drive and called the driver to pick them up.
As they waited, Amae Koromo looked up at Kageyama Sora, her eyes astonishingly bright. "Cousin, let's come eat this again next time. It's a hundred times better than yakitori!"
"Sure." Kageyama Sora lowered his head and met her gaze. Moonlight fell between them, stretching their shadows long. "As long as you like it, we can come anytime."
Amae Koromo smiled and reached out to tug on the hem of his clothes, as though afraid he might run away.
The night breeze carried the lingering scent of barbecue, warming their hearts. Neon lights flickered in the distance, and at that moment, this moonlit alley seemed to become a little secret belonging only to the two of them.
When the driver pulled up in the black sedan, Kageyama Sora opened the rear door. Amae Koromo let out a cumin-scented yawn, her steps a little unsteady—the half bottle of beer she had drunk was slowly brewing up drowsiness.
"Get in." Kageyama Sora supported her by the waist. His fingertips touched her warm skin, and through the thin dress, he could feel her faint tremble.
She gave a soft "Mm," climbed into the car, and curled deep into the seat like a cat searching for a warm nest. Tilting her head, she rested it against Kageyama Sora's shoulder.
The driver glanced at them through the rearview mirror and tactfully raised the partition between the front and back