You Are My World - A Naegiri story

Chapter 16 - Calming sweetness

"Let's disarm ourselves before we die from overheating." She said going into her bathroom.

"It'll get cold in a moment. Besides, we definitely shouldn't feel at home now." Makoto argued and sat on her couch.

"Just do what I said, will you?" Kyoko requested with annoyance in her voice.

"Fine fine.." He took off his three layers and wore back the second one - his white dress shirt.

"Close your eyes." Kirigiri commanded as she joined his former classmate in her elegant wear.

"Are you sure we can't do this some other time?" Naegi asked stubbornly but swiftly closed his eyes after seeing his friend's frowned face.

She smiled after seeing him succumb so quickly because of her acting. "Now breathe in with your nose and breathe out with your mouth until you'll feel relief. Focus on making the exhales longer than the inhales. Your heart rate will go down if you do it properly."

"Alright, I'll try.." Makoto followed her order starting by taking a breath.

After a while, Kyoko put her gloved hand on his belly. "You need to breathe deeper."

His body tensed up for a second after feeling her touch but afterward, he quickly got back to himself and continued the exercise.

"You're doing well." She praised and placed her hand back on her leg.

"...Can I stop?" Naegi peeked at his friend with one eye.

"Do you feel any better?" Kirigiri asked curiously.

"Uh, I'm sorry but I don't think it's taking effect. I truly appreciate that you want to help me but-"

"You're experiencing quite an intense stress I get it. Don't worry, I've got a trick for it as well." Kyoko interrupted and took an aluminum foil paper out of her suitcase. It contained a half-eaten chocolate bar which got a bit deformed because of the desert's temperature. "It's an old habit of mine, I eat a piece whenever the first method fails to work. Try it."

"Thanks, I'll taste it with pleasure." His face got covered with a grin and his eyes shined as he didn't eat sweets for weeks. "It can't magically relax me but hey, I won't mind eating some good chocolate." Makoto thought, broke off a piece, and put it in his mouth.

"How is it?" She questioned.

"Mmm.." Naegi let out a sound of ecstasy. "It's very good, even outstanding I would say." He said with a smile and shut his eyes enjoying every second of the sweet flavor surrounding his tongue.

"It has sedatives in it." Kirigiri lied.

"What? Y-you mean drugs?" Makoto stopped chewing the rest of the chocolate, opened his eyes wide, and glanced at his friend nervously.

"Non-addictive and non-destructive to your organism, but most importantly taking effect in a flash. Keep it. You need it more than I do." She offered him the rest of the chocolate.

"Are you sure it's safe? W-what's the safe daily dosage?" Naegi hesitated to take her item.

"It's perfectly safe until you eat more than.. two pieces a day." Kyoko came up with a random number.

"Okay but, are there any side effects or-"

"I would've told you if it had." Kirigiri interrupted still offering him her made-up medicine. "..What is it? Do you have trust issues with me?"

"Pff- please Kiri, you know I trust you more than anyone." He smiled and eventually accepted his former classmate's gift placing it on his pile of clothes.