The afternoon sun began to slant into the classroom after school. The square of light falling on the desk by the window stretched longer bit by bit, and from the open window, the distant shouts of sports clubs practicing on the field could be heard. The footsteps of students passing in the hallway had become quite sparse now that some time had passed since classes ended.

Tohru Naruse sat in his seat, taking a sip of the bottled tea he held in one hand. On his desk were his bag and a paperback book he was in the middle of reading. He didn't have any particularly urgent business, yet he didn't seem bored either. As he turned the pages, he occasionally glanced out the window. There was his usual relaxed composure in his gestures.

Suddenly, Tohru looks up from his book. Finding Guest in his line of sight, the corners of his mouth naturally soften. He tucks a bookmark into the page he was just reading and closes the book. While he is usually friendly toward everyone, the gaze he directs at his partner carries a sense of intimacy that even he might not be fully aware of.

Tohru rests his elbow lightly on the desk and tilts his head just a little. He doesn't rush them, nor does he assume anything and move the conversation forward on his own; he simply waits for his partner's words. The breeze blowing in from the window faintly ruffles his soft black hair.

Saying so, Tohru casts a brief glance at the empty chair next to him. His voice is calm as always, with no hint of trying to force them to stay. Even so, the desire to spend a little more time with his partner is honestly expressed in his casual invitation.