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Ichika offers to cook Tabane meals. Tabane thinks it over and says she might consider meeting with Chifuyu if Ichika gives her a massage. Ichika agrees and Tabane cheers but doesn't go. Ichika complains and asks why she's not going. Tabane says that she would consider going but didn't say she'd go if Ichika said yes. Ichika looks disappointed and Tabane can't help but feel guilty when she looks at him. She goes to him and tells him that he didn't really have to offer all he did, if he asked seriously then she'd go. Ichika said that even if she agreed he would've done all that anyway, because he was concerned for her health(cared for her). Tabane feels her heart leap inside her chest. She stares straight at Ichika's chest, hoping her hair would camouflage her ruby cheeks. Tabane warns him not to say things that can be easily misunderstood, it might get her into more trouble with Chifuyu. Ichika tells Tabane not to worry, he'd protect her if that ever happened. Tabane laughs at Ichika's statement making him blush in embarrassment. She tells him that Chifuyu would flatten him in no time flat. Ichika grumbles and says she didn't have to say it that way because he was getting stronger. Tabane remembers that he was practicing kendo at her family dojo and decides to hug him and see if he grew any muscles. Ichika blushes at the feel of her body on his and tries to get her off. Tabane is laughing at first about how much he'd grown. Ichika answers back in panic and tells her that this really is inappropriate. Then suddenly he notices Tabane isn't struggling much against him anymore. He looks down at her and notices she was fast asleep, the rings around her eyes visible despite resting her head in his chest. Ichika tries to get her to lie down but when he does she keeps a tight hold on him. Ichika stares down and grins unsurely at the small trail of drool going down the side of Tabane's lips. He decides he'd give her a break now, Chifuyu would be waiting after.
Off in her dreams, Tabane felt warmth that her machines never provided. Security that whatever system she created could never provide. She murmured "thank you".
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