Kissing had never really factored into Shirogane's life up till this moment. Before it, he had always placed work, work, and his responsibilities to his work. As far as he was concerned, kissing and relationships were things that happened to other people (who didn't want to work). It wasn't for lack of trying from other people, because even though he didn't really see it, he was apparently attractive. But it didn't take long for admirers to leave because all he talked about was work, and because all he wanted was to work.

That was one of the reasons, he supposed, why he and Akari were together still after nine months. Because she understood that.

And without any arguments about which-was-more-important-work-or-me, he could focus on her. What had started as respect for Akari as a person had, before he even noticed, become the comforting, warming feeling of genuinely enjoying her company and wanting to spend time with her, wanting to hear what she had to say.

Which is why, when he leans in and his lips brush chastely against hers, what he wants more than anything is to make her happy.