-Akira asked Arima out. He was so shocked, she almost thought her intuition led her wrong, but then he clasped her hands in his and said he’d be honored.

-Arima loves observing Maris Stella. Cats are contrarians, which he admires after his upbringing. The day she ate treats from his hand was one of his favorite days.

-When Akira found out about the garden, Arima had to restrain her from storming the Washuu compound to demand a duel with Tsuneyoshi.

-On their rare days off, Akira cooks him mountains of food and he thinks it’s more delicious than any restaurant. 

-Akira was afraid to bring him along when she visited her parent’s graves, but one day she discovered him watching her. He offered her a tissue for her tears and said nothing as he slipped an arm around her. He didn’t need to.

-though Arima knows Akira is more than capable of holding her own against any sexism in the CCG, he has personally threatened to use IXA on anyone who insults women in his presence. 

-Arima had grand, romantic expectations for the first time they made love. It actually turned into an awkward mess, with Akira laughing so hard she cried, and Arima internally freaking out as Maris Stella watched them with her glinting cat eyes.

Unpopular ships need love too. 

Akira’s intuition has never led her astray before.

But then, her intuition has always been for things like ghouls and battles. 

Not this.

“Arima?” Akira knocks on his door.

“Yes? How’s Sasaki doing?” Arima looks up from his desk.

“He’s well.” She takes a deep breath. “Arima, are you the one who left me the chocolates on my desk?” 

His face turns red. “You were saying you hadn’t had many gifts from romantic partners.”

“So you took pity on me?” Akira snorts. She feels a bit hurt, though. Almost like she hoped the heart meant something real. 

“Does that upset you?” Arima sounds uncharacteristically worried.

“Should it?” Akira closes the door behind her. “Why did you bring me chocolates, Arima Kishou?”

His throat dries. He’s older, and a ghoul, and dying. Akira should be free.

He presses his lips against hers anyways. “That’s why.”

Akira hasn’t felt this strong since Amon vanished. She returns his kiss. “Arima, thank you.”