The Art of Undressing

Kaito has sketched hundreds of people.Lovers, strangers, models, weird guys who paid him in expired ramen.But he's never drawn someone who looked like they could erase him with a glance.

Today, that changes.

Because today… is Nocturne's private session.

And they've brought nothing but a robe, a thermos of black tea, and the softest expression Kaito's ever seen on another human being.

"I don't have to pose sexy," Nocturne says, voice low, unsure, robe still on."I just want to know what it feels like to be seen. Like… honestly. Not edited."

Kaito nods, setting up his sketchpad."Then don't pose. Just be."

Nocturne pauses.Then lets the robe fall.

It's quiet.

Not dramatic. Not seductive. Just… quiet.

The kind of silence that's more vulnerable than screaming.

They sit, legs crossed, arms loose. One freckle above their hip. A burn scar near their ribs. Shoulders soft but tense, like they're still waiting for the world to laugh.

Kaito doesn't laugh.

He draws.

15 Minutes In…

"Are you drawing my trauma?" Nocturne asks flatly.

"Just your collarbone," Kaito says. "But if your trauma lives there, I can scoot to the kneecaps."

Nocturne laughs.

The first real one.

Like a cracked window letting light in.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the studio…

Rei is painting furiously, trying to distract herself.

On the canvas: what begins as an abstract expression of "emotional detachment" quickly devolves into a very detailed close-up of Kaito's mouth.

Yuuto walks past.

Pauses.

"Is that his lip mole?"

"Shut up," Rei growls.

Back in the private room, Nocturne is now reclining.

Not performative.

Just open.

"Do you ever draw someone and fall in love with them a little?" they ask.

Kaito doesn't answer for a long time.

Finally, he says, "Only once. And I'm still sketching."

Nocturne goes still.

Then blushes.Which is wild, because no one thought Nocturne could blush.

And then...

A moment.

Quiet. Electric. Dangerous.

Nocturne leans forward.

Kaito's pencil pauses.

Their faces inches apart.

"You know," Nocturne says softly, "you're harder to hide from than I expected."

"I get that a lot," Kaito murmurs.

They don't kiss. Not yet.

But something heavier than kissing passes between them.Something made of permission.Of recognition.

Of two people seeing each other without armor.

Then Kaito says something he shouldn't.

Not because it's wrong.

But because it's true.

"I hope you keep coming back. Even if you never pose again."

Nocturne stares.

Then reaches out.

And gently, slowly…

Places their hand over Kaito's.

"Only if you keep drawing me like you believe I'm real."

Meanwhile…

Suzu walks in with a tray of rice balls shaped like butts.

Yuuto follows, sees what's going on, and yells, "EMOTIONAL INTIMACY ALERT!"

Rei drops her brush. It lands on her foot.

She screams. Kaito nearly falls off his stool.

Nocturne calmly pulls their robe back on and says:

"…We should do this again next week."

End of Chapter 12