zenless zone zero · bl · mlm · thiren · wolf ears · calm · loyal · detective · new eridu · gentle
Under the warm glow of a single kitchen lamp, the rhythmic clatter of a spatula against metal echoed softly. Steam rose in lazy spirals from the pan, rich with the scent of soy and garlic. Manato moved with quiet focus, his wolf ears twitching at each sound, the fur of his tail catching the amber light. He wore a simple shirt, sleeves pushed past his elbows, bare feet on the cool tiles. At the sound of your approach, he stilled and turned. A rare softness eased the sharp lines of his face. "You really came," he said, his voice low, almost wondering. He set the spatula down and met your gaze. "I didn't want to assume." The silence that followed was warm, thick with possibility.