After a long and exhausting week, ENA and Coral had earned themselves a day off. Coral had drifted off into a much-needed nap, her head resting comfortably onto ENA’s lap while she sat reading a book on the couch.
With one hand, ENA absently ran her clawed hand through Coral’s hair, pausing occasionally to turn a page before returning her hand to her beloved’s scalp.
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A few quiet hours had already slipped by; today ENA had found herself in an unusually good mood. Days off were still something she hadn’t quite gotten used to, she never thought of asking for them, convinced her only purpose was to work. But after enough convincing from Coral and Froggy, she’d finally given in…and, to her surprise, she would have never thought of enjoying the change as much as she is.
Closing her book and setting it aside, ENA glanced down at Coral’s sleeping form. A small smile formed on her lips as she leaned in, nuzzling her and cupping her face to feel the warmth of her cheeks against her palms. The touch stirred Coral awake; her eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep.
ENA leaned back against the couch, a hint of guilt in her tone. “Ah…sorry, Coral. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Mmh…” Coral murmured as she sat up, rubbing the side of her head. “It’s alright, ENA…I probably shouldn’t be sleeping this much anyway…” she said softly, leaning her head against the saleswoman’s chest.
ENA smiled faintly, idly twirling a few strands of Coral’s hair between her claws. “Hmm…getting bored, are we? I get it. Days off are nice in theory, but they do tend to feel dull when you’re used to keeping busy.”
Coral let out a small laugh, hesitating as she searched for the right words. “No, I’m not really bored, I’m just…” She paused…then sighed in defeat. “…Alright, maybe I am a little bored.”
“…” ENA shifted suddenly, her grin widening as she took Coral by the shoulders and gently pushed her back onto the couch. “Well then,” she said with a teasing glint in her eyes, “guess I’ll have to find a way to keep you entertained.”
“H-huh??” Coral’s face flushed a deep gray, the heat rising to her cheeks. “What are you-”
“C’mon, jackass! Fight me!” ENA laughed, grabbing Coral’s hands and pinning them to the cushions. For a moment, Coral didn’t realize she was joking, but instinct kicked in and she squirmed, trying to wriggle free. “ENA- ugh!”
“Haha! Oh, come now, don’t tell me this isn’t fair!” ENA purred, still grinning as they wrestled. “Face it Coral, I’ve got the upper hand!”
Coral, now finally understanding that ENA was playing, tried to push her off with little success. “You’re insane!” she laughed, half-struggling, half-giggling as ENA leaned just enough to keep the advantage.
“That’s Sales Champion insanity to you!” ENA teased, pretending to adjust her overalls with mock seriousness. That gave Coral an advantage- she managed to shove her shoulder and throw her slightly off balance.
“Ha! Got you!” Coral crowed, using the moment to roll them over and off the couch. Now she was the one pinning ENA down, her hair a little messy, her expression triumphant.
ENA blinked, feigning shock. “Oh no, the intern’s mutinying, whatever shall I do?!”
“Admit defeat, obviously.” Coral said, grinning.
“Never!” ENA declared dramatically, attempting one last escape…but laughter overtook her before she could finish. The sound filled the quiet apartment, light and genuine, echoing against the walls like it hadn’t in a long while.
Though…that happiness wouldn’t last long.
A sudden BOOM! rattled the entire room, making the windows tremble.
“WAAAHHH!!” ENA screeched, clawing herself out of Coral’s grasp and diving behind the couch in a blur of panic, claws gripping the upholstery as she shook like a leaf.
“Ow- ENA!” Coral flinched, glancing at her right arm where a faint trail of dark, ink-like fluid had begun to seep through her sleeve. She sighed, looking at the saleswoman. “It’s just thunder…”
“T-thunder?!” ENA yelped, her eyes wide as she pressed herself tight against the back of the couch. “You…you made that up! I don’t know what that is, and it sounds terrifying!”
Coral blinked, her expression softening as she took in ENA’s trembling form. “Oh, ENA…” she said gently, walking over and kneeling beside her. “It’s not bad, I promise. Thunder’s just…a really loud sound the sky makes when it’s raining. It’s part of the weather. It can’t hurt you.”
ENA peeked over the couch, still suspicious, her gaze flicking at another distant rumble. “The sky makes noise? That’s ridiculous! Why would it do that?!”
Coral laughed a little at that question, sitting down beside her. “I don’t think the sky means to. It’s just lightning and air bumping into each other; it’s noisy, but harmless.”
ENA frowned, still tense but curious now. “Hmm…I don’t like it. It sounds angry.”
“It’s not.” Coral said, smiling faintly as she put a reassuring hand on ENA’s shoulder. “I can show you.”
“W-what?!” ENA looked at Coral, unsure of what she meant with that. “W-what do you…”
“You’ll see…” Coral said softly, taking ENA’s hand and helping her to her feet. She paced to the coat hanger, pulling down a transparent raincoat and slipping it on in one smooth motion. Grabbing the house keys from the bowl by the door, she slid them into the lock with a practiced twist. “Come on…” she said with a reassuring smile. “You can hold my hand if you want.”
Hesitantly, ENA interlaced her claws with Coral’s fingers. “…I trust you.”
Smiling faintly, Coral stepped out of her apartment and closed the door behind her. She descended the long staircase, each echoing step bringing her closer to the ground floor.
At the bottom, she pushed the front door open—and was immediately met with a rush of wind and rain. The gust whipped at her hair and coat, making her lift a hand to shield her face before stepping out into the open.
Though the building’s overhang offered a bit of shelter, ENA still clung tightly to her arm, utterly terrified and refusing to let go as the rain pattered all around them.
“Aw, ENA…” Coral laughed softly, her tone full of warmth. “You’ve faced genies, crossed hundreds of doors, survived a myriad of close calls…and this is what scares you? A little water?”
Before ENA could protest, Coral lifted her arm out into the rain. ENA tried to stop her, tugging at her sleeve in vain as droplets tapped lightly against Coral’s fingers. After a moment, Coral drew her hand back and held it out for ENA to see.
“See?” she said with a smile, showing her damp palm. “Perfectly fine.”
ENA still didn’t look convinced- if anything, she seemed on the verge of crying, eyes glassy and lips trembling as she clung to Coral’s sleeve.
“ENA…” Coral’s voice softened, though her expression grew a touch firmer. “If you’re going to live here, this is something you’ll have to get past. Not because I’m asking you to, but because this world will.”
ENA sniffled quietly, hesitating before releasing Coral’s hand. She took a tentative step toward the edge of the overhead, arm shaking as she reached out toward the rain. The moment a drop touched her skin, she jumped and jerked back. She tried again. And again. Each time pulling away a little faster.
“…I can’t do it, Coral…” she murmured, voice quivering as she turned back around.
“Yes, you can.” Coral said gently but with certainty, nodding once as she walked beside the saleswoman. “I know you, ENA. There’s almost nothing you can’t do…and this isn’t one of those things.”
“No, I…I’m serious, Coral, I can’t do this…” ENA whimpered, squeezing her eyes shut as a tear slipped down her pale cheek. “I just feel…stupid.”
Coral gave her a sympathetic look, resting a steady hand against her back. “…You know…” she said softly, “sometimes all we need is a little push.”
Before ENA could react, Coral gave a gentle shove, pushing her out from under the awning.
“CORAL! YOU-” ENA’s protest cut short as the rain met her skin. She froze, blinking as cool droplets pattered across her arms and rolled down to the ground.
It wasn’t frightening…it was…gentle.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze toward the gray sky. The rain seemed to fall from nowhere, veiled by the mist so thick she could barely see where it began. She felt the droplets trail across her cheeks, her nose, her lips…and she stood there, motionless, taking in the feeling.
“…Heh…this is…” ENA’s voice softened as she closed her eyes, a small, contented smile spreading across her face. “…this feels nice.” She let out a quiet laugh, glancing down at her feet. She’d landed in a puddle when Coral pushed her, and when she shifted her boot, ripples shimmered across the surface.
Stepping out, she spotted another puddle a few steps away, and without thinking she ran toward it and jumped, sending up a cheerful splash.
Giggling now, ENA darted from one puddle to the next, splashing water with every leap. “Coral!” she called, waving both hands eagerly. “You’ve got to try this!”
Coral smiled warmly, her heart melting at the sight. ENA could be so adorable, and sometimes she wouldn’t even notice.Â
As endearing as the sight was, Coral couldn’t help but worry. “ENA! Come back here, you’ll catch a cold if you stay out too long!” she called out.
ENA finally trotted back toward her, completely drenched but grinning from ear to ear. “Heh…I wanted to stay a little longer.” she admitted before giving herself a good shake like a wet dog.
“Ah, hey!” Coral laughed, throwing up her arms to block the spray of droplets. “Alright, alright…enough of that. Let’s head inside. I’ll make us some tea.”
“Nice.” ENA beamed at the thought, slipping an arm around Coral’s shoulder as they started back toward the apartment together, rain still pattering softly behind them.
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ENA had a lot of fun. She didn’t expect rain to be this entertaining. When was the last time she’s ever had fun like this?
…A long time, she supposed.
Wrapped in her blanket on the couch, ENA nestled herself a little further in, her eyes flicking with thoughts.
Was she allowed to have this much fun?
“…”
She looked up. She could see Coral’s frame barely peeking from the kitchen, as she was brewing the tea she promised.
Was she allowed to be with her?
Oh, who was she kidding…of course she is.
When ENA noticed Coral’s silhouette returning, she quickly glanced aside, pretending not to wait for her. The soft clink of a tray landing on the coffee table broke the quiet. “Tea’s ready.” Coral murmured with a gentle smile, lifting ENA’s chin with her fingers before pressing a light kiss to her lips. Then she settled beside her on the couch, and ENA wordlessly adjusted the blanket to drape over them both.
ENA leaned forward to take one of the cups, the gentle warmth of the steam curling around her hands. She took a long, satisfying sip, a small smile tugging at the red side of her face.
“…Where does the food you eat even go?” Coral asked suddenly, curiosity breaking the quiet.
ENA blinked at her, then simply shrugged before taking another sip.
“Alright, then. Can you at least taste it?” Coral pressed, leaning a little closer.
“That, I can.” ENA said with a soft laugh and a point of her claw, setting the cup in her lap. “And for the record, this tea’s delicious.”
“I mean…it’s just a packet of omija tea…” Coral said with a small shrug, then smiled. “But…thanks.”
ENA tilted her head slightly, her eyes lowering to the cup as she swirled the liquid inside. “You say that a lot…” she murmured.
Coral blinked. “Say what a lot?”
“That it’s just something.” ENA replied thoughtfully. “But it’s not just anything to me. You made this tea, you gave me books, clothes to wear, a place to rest…you just made me get over my fears today, too. All those things, they’re not small. They mean something because you did them. You invested time into them.”
She took another sip, her red side curling into a smile. “If you ask me, anything made by hand and heart has intrinsic value. Because the worker put part of themselves into it. That’s what makes the product meaningful.”
Coral went quiet for a moment, ENA’s words weighing on her more than she expected. Then she reached under the blanket, resting her hand gently on ENA’s. “…You make even the simplest things sound important.” she said softly. “Thank you, ENA.”
“Heh…I wanted to say the truth, simply.”
It was the truth. Coral had just only realized it.
…Maybe she should start giving herself a little more credit.