Tea for Two

The apartment in Nerima was quiet.

It was a Tuesday morning, three months later. The sun was shining, but the blackout curtains in Room 204 were drawn tight.

Kenji sat at his desk. He was working on a graphic design commission for a client overseas. He didn't go to the office anymore. Tanaka-san had never recovered from his fall, and the company had "downsized" Kenji, which suited him perfectly.

His leg still ached when it rained, but he walked without a cane now.

"Kenji."

He turned. Ai was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She looked more solid now. Her skin was still pale, but less translucent. She wore a floral apron over her kimono.

She held a tray with two cups of tea.

Kenji smiled. It was a genuine smile, one that reached his eyes. "Thank you, Ai."

She glided over and placed the tray on the desk. She didn't retreat to the ceiling anymore. She sat on the floor beside his chair, resting her head on his knee.

He ran his hand through her long, cold hair. She purred—a low, vibrating sound like a cat, or perhaps like a distant earthquake.

The world outside was loud and dangerous. The police were still investigating the "gang massacre" in the woods. The debt collectors had erased Kenji’s name from their lists, terrified of the curse that followed him.

Kenji looked at his screen, then down at the monster who loved him. He was isolated. He was haunting a dark room. He was technically living with a corpse.

He took a sip of the tea. It was perfect.

"I'm happy," he said softly.

Ai looked up, her dark eyes narrowing with possessive delight.

*"Mine,"* she agreed.

Kenji went back to work, the red string of fate finally tied tight, binding him to the darkness he had learned to call home.