"Why are you depressed?"

"Hmm."

On the couch, Yuki had been sitting for about an hour. He looked so handsome in his new leather jacket. It was a motorcycle style, with lots of silver important zippers all over it. The leather was thick, the smell real. He'd just bought it that morning, going out special for it. I'd waited patiently at home, wondering about this little errand. 

After I did laundry and strung it up on our tiny balcony to dry, he came home triumphantly and took the jacket out of the bag. He'd always wanted one, he'd said. Now, with the money from Cinderella Bar that he was being paid, he could finally afford one.

How proud I'd felt in that moment. Helping him to achieve his dream like this. A little bit of disposable income, but spent on something so precious.

Now I'd made lunch for us. "Made" is a bold word for it. Yuki is the cook in our family. I'd microwaved some leftover gyudon that he'd prepared for us last night. It was ready now, and I'd found him on the couch when I'd gone to get him.

My fists went onto my hips, over analyzing him. He was facing downward, staring at the carpet as if it were a TV. Obviously deep in thought.

My hands went onto his newly squishy shoulders, the leather so supple and squashy as it bunched in my fingers. It was such high quality, luxurious. It had to have been a lot of money. He should be proud. Not depressed. 

"What's wrong? Hm?" I asked, being sympathetic, squeezing his shoulders more. Wanting to help him, whatever it was. Had I missed something as I'd prepared lunch for us? Did something happen while he was out?

"Um."

My only response. Getting close to his face now, he was so distraught. His mouth was even downturned. 

"Yuuuki." Drawing out his name. He liked when I did this. Usually.

"Hmm."

"What's wrong? You can tell me anything."

"Oh. Okay. Well..."

My hands left his shoulders as he moved them. He rolled them back, then heaved a big, big sigh. The leather of the jacket creaked as he moved a little bit. It was impressive.

"What is-" I began, but he interrupted me in a rush. My eyes went wide.

"Well, it's just- it's just this- this-"

I burst into laughter before he could even finish talking. My hand was over my mouth, like some kind of naughty villain in an old manga. I couldn't help it. There were tears forming at the corners of my eyes, because-

His elbows flapped like useless chicken wings. The leather creaked so hard as his arms went up. He struggled. His arms spread out at his shoulders, and he made a strained, adorable face. He tried again, but as the leather creaked there was no way his arms would go any further. 

"You see! You see, it- oh no-" He made noises of effort as the restrictive leather forced his arms in that awkward position, flapping his elbows like an annoyed chicken all over again. He gave up, falling back against the couch. Such a big sigh. "I can't raise my arms over my head!" he exclaimed, exhaustion so evidently there. 

My hand pressed to my mouth in awe. Wanting to laugh more, but oh my. Staring at him as he breathed hard, in his new precious leather jacket. 

"How much did it cost?" I asked, reaching out to touch it again. Swiping at the chest, feeling its suppleness again. 

"Forty-thousand yen," he sighed hugely. "Forty-thousand yen, and I can't-"

Laughter burst out of me before I could stop it again. Wiping at my tears, my smile too big. 

"Heyyyy," he mock scolded. "This is serious." Oh, but he was smiling just like me. 

"Forty-thousand yen and you can't lift your arms."

"Yeah, I can't lift my arms." He snorted, finally laughing with me. 

"Ohh, my poor darling," I cooed to him, going over to the couch. Sitting with him, so close. The leather was cold on my nearly bare arms, but I didn't care. My arm went over his chest, squeezing him to me. The leather smell filled my nose, sharp and rich. The side of my face was dug into by one of those silver zippers, but I didn't care. "You still look so cool."

"Maybe." Such a softened voice. Sheepish.

"Just don't-" I couldn't help it, it just escaped. Laughter again. "-just don't raise your arms too high! You won't look cool anymore!"

"Awww, maaan."

He snickered, though. His arms went around me, too. Snuggling, the leather between us. As we laughed, he really was too cool. Always impressing me, even without any leather jacket.