Finding Kotoko daydreaming isn't exactly a rare occurrence. In fact, more often than not when he finds her it's because she's lost in one of her fantasies. Otherwise, she'd likely be seeking him out herself. Part of him envies her ability to lose herself in her imagination, her willingness to give herself over to a "what-if." Naoki is always firmly in the present, weighing the possibilities and his next steps but only in so much as what is actually possible and makes sense. Kotoko has never seemed to restrict herself with the unpleasantness of limitation or logic. It's one of his favorite (and one of the most frustrating) things about her.

She's perched at the kitchen table, elbows on the table top, dinner half-eaten in front of her, chin settled in the palm of her hands. She's staring at the wall in front of her without really seeing it. Her bangs have made their way into her eyes but she doesn't seem to notice that either. Her lips are pulled into a mindlessly happy smile, the occasional contented sigh leaving her lips. He can't even begin to guess what embarrassing thing the version of him she's conjured in her mind up is doing.

Suddenly, Naoki realizes he's been standing at the edge of the kitchen for much longer than he intended, a quick glance at his watch lets him know at least a full minute has passed by. He straightens up and makes to move toward the bedroom but hesitates, giving himself another moment to watch her. Only that. One heartbeat. Long enough to capture a picture in his mind. To remember in detail the far off look in her eyes, the gentle upward tilt to her round lips, the way her tiny hands cradle her face, the soft curve of her light blue top, contrasted by the angular jut of her collar bone. He wants to linger, to stare at her a little longer. Let her catch him looking just so he can see the blush pinken her cheeks and hear her trip over her words, thinking she's been the one caught out. He wants to, but he doesn't.

He's found that it's much too easy to continue watching her as she daydreams, too tempting to give in to the warmth that blurs the edges of his vision and sweeps at his thoughts, willing him to empty his head of anything but her. It's an appealing idea. So appealing he worries that if he does so, even once, it would just as easily become habit. One he doesn't have the time for. If he stopped to stare at her as long and as often as she allows her thoughts to wander he would quickly find himself woefully behind on work.

He shakes himself and slips out silently, leaving Kotoko to her thoughts, but as he makes it to the base of the stairs he turns one last time when he hears Kotoko muttering quietly to herself.

"We're going to be so happy," she promises, rubbing gently over the tiny bump that's recently formed beneath her shirt.

Naoki smiles, soft and small. Maybe fantasy Naoki wasn't doing anything embarrassing after all. Although, he does doubt it was anywhere near realistic. Despite what Kotoko may believe, he is only human. Which is why he doesn't fight the urge this time. He gives in. He lingers. There are worse habits.