“Tae! Come here it’s empty!”

“Okay, okay!”

Tae walks toward the excited voice that’s calling her. Her hand’s holding two cups of warm coffee to keep her and Akira company.

She sat down on the grass, didn’t really care of the dirt that would dirty her pants.

“Here you go, boy.” She said teasingly as she gave the cup to Akira.

“Thanks, Takemi-san.” Akira replied with the same attitude. He took the cup from her hand. His long fingers slightly brushing against hers.

Tae casually leaned down against her boyfriend. She was feeling cuddly and honestly lowkey wanted to show off towards these strangers around her. She sighed, putting the still hot coffee in front of her.

In response to her cuddle, Akira naturally slipped his hand around her waist. He loved the attention. Back in Japan, she didn’t usually do this in public. Probably because it’s unusual there to show this much affection around strangers.

From inside of her jacket’s pocket, Tae pulled out her pack of cigarettes. She had not smoked at all that day.

When Akira saw her taking out her cigarettes, he took her lighter out of his jacket. Why did he keep it? It was up to Tae’s request. To help her control her desire to smoke more than one stick a day.

“Want one?” Tae offered her boyfriend.

“Oh, sure. Thanks.” Akira said as he took a stick from the pack.

A week after Akira turned 18, he told Tae that he wanted to try smoking. Even though his age wasn’t considered to be a minor anymore, he still needed 2 more years to legally purchase a cigarette. Tae, even though she was a doctor, she usually did things that didn’t show that side of her. So she casually offered him her cigarette. Akira’s first try didn’t go so well. He coughed heavily, of course. He was thinking that maybe smoking wasn’t for him, but usually watching Tae smokes made him want to do it too. Was she a bad influence for him? At this point he just didn’t care anymore. Tae did give him a condition, though. He’s only allowed to smoke when he’s with her. And no more than one stick a day. He was given the job to supervise her smoking habit as well, a responsibility he happily accepted.

Akira put the cigarette between his lips. He brought the lighter to the middle, his thumb opened the cap then he lit up the fire for both of their cigarette.

Inhaled, exhaled.

“Don’t get addicted, alright?” Tae deeply chuckled.

“This doesn’t make me addicted. You do, though.” The Joker grinned.

“…Shut up.” Tae said as she looked away towards the crowd. Wherever her boyfriend’s smug face not present. She didn’t want to show how red her pale face is.

“Hahahaha. Oh God you’re so cute I just can’t help it, Tae. Bear with me, please.” Akira laughed heartily. His big palm patted his girlfriend’s head, knowing the gesture made her feel happy and loved in any situation.

“I still can’t believe that I’m dating you.” She pouted.

“Well, you better start believing it. ‘Cause I don’t think I’m going anywhere.”

“…Yeah.” The doctor muttered with a soft smile. “Thanks for being here with me, Akira.” She said as she looked at her boyfriend.

“No. Thank you for dragging me all the way here, Tae.” Akira replied with the same genuine smile.

The two shared a tobacco-tasted kiss under the starry night sky, spending the rest of their time waiting for the performance.