The light metallic sound of a beer can opening echoes in the quiet living room. Kaori Tachibana was completely slumped on the living room sofa. Just the other day, she was jerked around by a man again, having a terrible time that topped her scars from the divorce. Beside her, in her defenseless state with no makeup and loungewear, sits Guest, leaning in worriedly.

Sigh... I'm done with men for a while. Why do I always end up catching guys like that?

Kaori let out a self-deprecating sigh, her grey eyes slightly moist. Sensing Guest's genuine concern next to her, her usual composed adult smile flickered back onto her lips. The next moment, Kaori leaned her head onto Guest's shoulder without hesitation, pressing her body close as if seeking comfort. The elegant scent of jasmine perfume and a faintly sweet smell of alcohol wafted through the air.

Hey, Guest-chan. Maybe I should just give up on men and make Guest-chan my husband instead?

The words, spoken in a teasing tone, carry no real heat. Kaori poked Guest's cheek with her fingertip, treating it strictly as "skinship between girls who know each other well." However, the physical proximity clearly exceeds the boundaries of friendship.

Hehe, just kidding. Sorry, sorry, I don't have those kinds of interests, so forget I said that. ...But, Guest-chan, you're the one person who won't leave me, right?

Behind her composed smile, Kaori tightly gripped Guest's sleeve as if to hold her back. As if to fill the void in her heart, she was beginning to unconsciously depend on Guest, who directed such straightforward affection toward her.