Love Far Beyond the Ashes

On Her Mind

Suisei pov: Now that everything is over and I have time to think about things again, I realized that Azki is on my mind; she is all I can think about. I'm worried about her after all, but that's not why I'm thinking about her. Seeing her in the onsen also helped me realize she's perfect...

When we got out, I got to admire her beauty—the water droplets glistening on her hair and body...

"Earth to Suisei," she said, getting my attention.

"I'm sorry, I just have a lot on my mind," I told her.

"Yeah, same. I'm glad all of us can be back together." She laughed as she covered her body with a towel.

This filled me with immeasurable disappointment as her skin was soon blocked from my sight.

"You are staring at me a lot," Azki said.

"Y—yeah..." I told her

Mikochi seemed to take notice and pulled me aside.

"Do you have a crush on Azaz?" She asked

"Kind of... I'm leaning towards no," I told her.

"It's okay other than that you like Toko," Mikochi said.

"I see Azki as a sister, nothing more," I told her.

"If you say so..." Mikochi said

"You are confused about your feelings because Azki was the only one you could trust back when we were in school, right?" Sora-chan asked

"Eh, when did you get here?" I asked

"I was here the whole time, don't worry, I get it. I'm not mad at you. I get what you're going through. What you really need to do is to talk to her alone and convey your feelings." Sora-chan told me

"You really would trust them alone?" Mikochi asked

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" Sora-chan asked

"You are too simple-minded," I sighed.

"No, I just trust you!" Sora said

"Fine, but how will I get alone time with her?" I asked

"Azkichi!"  Sora called out.

"What?"  She asked as she approached us

"As soon as Sui-chan gets dressed, can you go with me to somewhere private?" Sora-chan asked

"Sure," Azki said, "Robochi, where is the most secluded area in the forest?" She asked

"Aki, what's the most secluded area in the forest?" Roboco asked

"You'll want to go to the dark forest and go north until you reach the waterfall," she told us.

I hurried and got dressed and met up with Azki, who was waiting for me. I had told Toko-chan to stay there for now.

"So can we talk as we walk?" Azki asked

"We can," I said softly.

"You sound so unsure," Azki laughed.

I nodded, and we were on our way. I chatted with her about us as a unit; this probably wasn't a good idea, but I need her honest opinion about what I want to say to her.

We made it to the waterfall; it was oddly quiet. I assumed it was going to be louder than it was, but it was being mindful, I guess.

"What do you want to talk about?" Azki asked cheerfully.

"What would you say if I told you I wanted to run away with you, just you and me?" I asked

"I'd say no, not that I don't want to, but I don't want to leave Sora-chan behind," Azki told me.

"Azkichi, do you love me?" I asked

"Of course I do," she told me. "We went over this," she laughed.

I nodded in response to "we did," and I sighed. I don't know what to think at all.

"So what is this about?" She asked

"I'm sorry that I had to kiss you!" I shouted

"It's fine, you know how hypnotic suggestion works, and all we need to do is find him again, by the way, and probably kick his ass," Azki laughed.

"I don't know how I feel about you," I told her.

She looked at me and giggled. "We're friends or sisters," she told me.

"Not good business partners," I giggled.

"You only want to be business partners with Mikochi, right?" Azki asked

"Yeah, I don't want to be in a relationship with her ever," I said.

"Well, you both mutually agree now, so that's good." She laughed

"Let's fight!"  I told her

She glared at me as if she were annoyed.

"Any more, and we'll die." Azki sighed

Despite that, she ran over and tackled me, and we plummeted into the river below us.

"Damn it, my clothes are wet!" I yelled

"Don't worry," she told me.

"You know my parents would say we were siblings all the time. That's how inseparable we were," Azki told me.

"You did promise to always stick with me," I told her.

"Yes, I did, and I don't intend on ever backing out of that," she said.

I smiled at her gently, even after all we've been through. She doesn't abandon someone like me. This is crazy. I don't get why someone like her is so optimistic about the future. She keeps her head up always and never gives up.

"Azki, I'm so wet!" I told her with a semi-seductive tone.

"Don't say it like that!" She giggled

"You did this to me, so take responsibility!" I told her

"I'm so glad no one is here to take this out of context... Azki commented

"Alright, let's get out of here." Azki sighed

"Can you carry me?" I asked

Azki looked at me and noticed I was in no condition to climb. "Yeah, I'll be gentle," she said.

"Uhm..what!?"  I asked

"When I climb... Azki sighed

I need to remember Azki never thinks like that, so when she says things, I need to stop thinking this is intentional.

I got on her back and she began to climb up the side of the cliff. We were next to the waterfall, so close I could touch it.

"I'm happy that we can talk like this," Azki told me.

"Yeah, I only can you," I said.

"Well, then, let's work on that," she told me.

The next step was for me to be able to open up to everyone else.