And his smile is just bright enough, just warm enough, that she falls for it completely.

She returns that unbelievably bright smile with a softening of her eyes, the tiniest furrow between her brows as she clutches onto the fabric of his shirt. It was a plea not to be left behind. It was a shackle to make sure he didn't leave her behind.

"Ichi....can really stay? Promise? Pinky promise?"