Kentarō kicked the table.
"I'M MAKING A LIST."
Rokuro didn't even look up."Nobody asked."
"I DID."
Shichiro blinked."What list?"
Kentarō pulled out a crumpled notebook.
"TOP TEN REASONS I HATE ROKURO."
Katsu burst out laughing."THIS IS GONNA BE ABSOLUTE CINEMA."
Aegis sighed."Please don't start."
Ketsuki sat cross-legged."I'll judge who's right."
Rokuro finally looked up."I already don't care."
Kentarō cleared his throat.
NUMBER TEN.
"He breathes like he's judging the air."
Rokuro: "It's called existing."
NUMBER NINE.
"He froze my water ONCE. ONCE.I still check every cup like I'm in a murder mystery."
Rokuro: "You deserved it."
NUMBER EIGHT.
"He walks like he has boss music."
Katsu started humming dramatic music.Rokuro kicked him.
NUMBER SEVEN.
"He never reacts. I could say the sky is exploding and he'd go '…ok.'"
Rokuro: "…ok."
Kentarō screamed.
NUMBER SIX.
"He says 'whatever' but clearly cares."
Rokuro: "Whatever."
NUMBER FIVE.
"He looks like he has a tragic backstory but NEVER EXPLAINS."
Everyone looked at Rokuro.
Rokuro: "Correct."
NUMBER FOUR.
"He's weirdly tall when I argue with him."
"THAT'S NOT HOW HEIGHT WORKS!" Aegis yelled.
NUMBER THREE.
"He called my dagger 'kitchenware.'"
"It LOOKS like kitchenware," Rokuro said.
NUMBER TWO.
"He acts cool but tripped over NOTHING yesterday."
Katsu fell on the floor laughing.
Rokuro: "wind bro."
Kentarō raised his finger dramatically.
"AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON I HATE ROKURO."
Everyone leaned in.
Rokuro stared.
Kentarō pointed at him.
"You care about us too much and it's embarrassing."
Silence.
Rokuro blinked.
"...Idiot."
Kentarō grinned.
"Yeah."
Shichiro laughed softly.
For once…
No gods.
No monsters.
Just them.
Ketsuki raised her hand."I like Rokuro."
"TRAITOR!" Kentarō yelled.
Katsu collapsed laughing.
And the Haven felt like home again.