The apartment was warmer now. Cleaner. Not perfectly so, but enough that you felt less cluttered inside your head.
Asia packed up her things, brushing crumbs from the kotatsu.
"I'll visit again in three days. Unless you need me sooner."
"You know you don't have to come. I'm not joining anything."
She paused.
"I know. But… someone has to show up anyway."
She walked to the door.
"Goodnight, Dorian-san."
"Night, Sister Asia."
That made her pause again.
"...You've never called me that before."
"I figured if you're going to pretend you're not trying to convert me, I should pretend I'm not resisting."
She smiled.
"We make a good pair, then."
And just like that, she slipped out into the evening.