View source for Away from Shadows (Coco Kiumi)

{{Cutscene Header
|Date of Scene=2025/12/03
|Location=Pearl Pier
|Synopsis=Coco's and Rihito's first discussion after his waking up.
|Cast of Characters=55,NPC-Rihito
|Tinyplot=An Ocean Aria
}}
Sunlight seeps through the windows, chasing away the shadows, leaving the black hair resting on a pillow as the only spot of dark colour left. The door opens quietly, and Coco steps into the room, carrying a small roll on a tray with a glass of water she had set out for when Rihito woke.

Her sunshine eyes, framed by pale skin, look for the bed and the boy asleep in it, and a smile slightly curves her lips at the sight of the colour she can now see on his face. Despite his long time asleep, his calm face eases her worries; no way it hadn’t worked if he could look so peaceful.

Coco places the tray on the small cupboard by the door and shuffles toward the open curtains, a little slower than usual. She steps carefully to the right, and looks back down at the chair one more time.

She exhales in relief and moves forward, but her leg brushes the chair, sending it against the bed with a thud. Rihito’s eyes snap open; he pushes the covers aside and turns to see Coco standing by the chair, her pale face turned toward it with a glare.

“Good morning, Coco,” he yawns, sitting up on the bed. That gets a small chuckle from her, despite the tired lines at the corners of her mouth. Her smile stretches, but the lines around her mouth fade at the sight of his smile.

“I thought to bring you a few bites in case you woke up early,” she explains, with a nod that Rihito slowly imitates.

Coco’s eyes shift around as Rihito gazes intently at her face. “What? Trying to make up for the time lost asleep?” She tries a joke, but her boyfriend’s face doesn’t shift as it usually does. “Are you ok?” he asks, pulling the covers away from over him, fully unveiling his blue pajamas.

Coco winces slightly but keeps her tone amiable, even if a crease deepens between her brows. “That’s good news. If you are feeling well enough, you can eat with everyone!”, she exclaims, clapping her hands. Rihito stands up, and comes closer to her. “Thank you. I am guessing you saved me”, he says calmly.

“Naturally. I would always come for you. “She smiles, then adds. “But I was with my friends too. They did a lot”, she replies. Her arm stretches forward, then it abruptly shifts to flip her hair back. “I didn’t think we’d ever see the Black Beauty Sisters again. I’m glad you’re okay, Rih.”

Rihito looks down at his arm and lifts up the sleeve. “I am glad too. Magic is really something else. I don’t even have a scar left.” He rolls the sleeve back down. “I think I was conscious at times. Enough to hear everyone talking. Are they okay?”

Coco nods. “I don’t think the Black Beauty Sisters were at full strength; they were only shadowy things. We dealt with them, no problem,” she says, giving him a wink.

Rihito moves an arm around her waist and pulls her close. “What about you, Utahime? You don’t look all that well”, he asks.

Coco’s cheeks blush around her soft lips that curve upwards at the affectionate nickname, but her eyes blink at Rihito's seriousness. She can’t be looking that bad, can she? “Uhm, me? I am fine too.” She gives a laugh that slowly dies down when Rihito takes her hand. “Coco, please, did they do anything to you?”

Coco bites her lips. He is not saying anything. Can he feel how cool her hand is in his? She tries withdrawing it, but Rihito starts squeezing lightly. Coco stumbles over her words as she tries to reassure him. “Well, you know, no, they didn’t. Just a bit tired. I will probably get better after I, well, rest.”

Rihito squeezes her hand lightly. “If they didn’t do this to you, then what is it? Can you tell me what’s going on? If you were any paler, I think I could see right through you.”

Coco blinks, and turns around to sit at his bed, adjusting her skirt under her with her free hand. The blonde girl gives his a squeeze too. “I am not sure myself, but I couldn’t leave things like that, Rih. Your wound looked bad. Really bad. I just used what I had, and I don’t mind.”

Following her at the unmade bed, Rihito’s eyes slightly widen. He can’t help but feel she is still downplaying what she did, but he gets it. He hates harsh decisions. The choice is never actually real. “I hope you get better soon too. So what now? Are you dealing with the Black Beauty Sisters?

Coco smiles and leans against his shoulder. “We will be calling on everyone. And then we will track them down, and force them to return your powers.”

Rihito quietly laughs at that. “I wasn’t really using them much before. Try not to push yourself. That’s actually important right now. Why don’t you stay here for a moment, and tell me about them, Utahime?”

Coco leans against him, her flushed forehead pressing lightly to his shoulder, and his hand caresses hers softly. “Of course. Gaito had four servants loyal to him only, the Dark Lovers, and the Black Beauty Sisters were mercenaries he promised power to, in exchange for their services. They were the fiercest enemies of his division.”

Her voice continues as the sun climbs, further warming the room. Nikora can handle the hotel by herself for a moment. Rihito interlaces his fingers with hers, listening raptly to her words, while his breathing fills her ears. They will be called to help soon, but for now, Coco wants to enjoy this moment.