Teruchi sat outside in the warm summer breeze, after the last rays of sunlight vanished, legs dangling off a short stone wall. He wore a long overcoat emblazoned with the Vientatsu insignia on its back. It was weird seeing him in official uniforms these days, alongside a near constant frown and dark bags under his eyes. There was a time when Teruchi was all confident smiles. At least he was now honest.

Kaze sat to his left, dangling her feet off the wall as well. “Your hair is getting long,” she said as a greeting.

Teruchi responded by running a hand through his hair and slowly letting the locks fall from his fingers, contemplating its length. “I guess I haven’t cut it in a while.”

“I kind of like it. Compliments your sulky, dour look.”

For a brief second, the edges of Teruchi’s mouth pulled up into a smile. But it was gone as he turned his head back to look out towards the jagged Vientatsu cliffs.

“So, how’s…” Teruchi struggled to finish his sentence. Kaze was again reminded how small talk used to come so easily to him. Now his struggle to start a conversation showed how much he actually cared for such things.

“How’s things? With uh, with Angel?”

“Oh! Oh good. Fine. Great actually.” Did Teruchi notice she stayed the entire night at Lumentia castle? Probably. Did she want to elaborate? Not really. The details of her relationship were a closely guarded secret. It shouldn’t be, but emotionally the thought of being open about such things was terrifying. Certainly the by-product of their father’s prying and emotional blackmail throughout Teruchi’s relationships.

That’s messed up, Kaze thought. We should fix this, be unafraid to be open.

“So…” Kaze started, mustering up her courage. “You… out here because Serafina showed up?”

Dammit. Try again tomorrow maybe.

Teruchi’s face twisted in response. “No, I’m out here because I’m tired.”

Also, A+ topic to pivot to, Kaze.

“Well, you gonna go talk to her?”

“Yes…” Teruchi sighed. “It would be weirder if I avoided her than if I just said hello.” It sounded like he was trying to convince himself.