A Little Twist

Sixty-Nine

'I'm sorry for the things I've done, Risa. It took me some time to realize that you have nothing to do with Yui or the reason how she died.' Ruki chooses his words carefully. 'I know that you won't forgive me easily and...'

Risa interrupts him. 'It's not about forgiving, Ruki. I can forgive you easily but it's not like I can forget it. I'm mostly happy that Daiki is too young because he won't remember it.'

Ruki shakes to disagree. 'I don't know what to say or do for you to forgive me, but I...' Damn, this is humiliating because everyone is here. 'You said it before, you have nothing to do with Yui, nor are you the reason she's dead. It was hard to see that everyone here could move on like she didn't mean that much.'

'Then you're not paying attention,' starts Reiji while folding his hands together, 'we started to change once Daiki was born. We needed time as well but everyone deals with it their way. Don't ever do it again.'

'I won't.' Ruki wants to go back home. 'I would apologize to Daiki as well but maybe...'

'No.' Shu won't let him get close to his son. 'You apologized to Risa. Now it's time to leave. Get him out before I lose my temper.'

Yuma doesn't hesitate and grabs Ruki to teleport away.

'It seems the others threaten Ruki to leave him if he would try something toward you and Daiki.' Reiji is happy to see those four leave. 'Actions speak louder than words, we'll see how it goes from here. Though I don't think we'll see them anymore outside of school.'

Shu pulls her from the chair. 'Come on, we're going to a park.'

***

I remembered how you reacted to the wisteria garden. Shu took them to Shinjuku Gyoen national garden. 'It's usually quiet around this time.' He smiles and follows her with Daiki in his arms.

Risa doesn't know where to look. Autumn colored the trees and surrounded her. 'This is gorgeous.' Her eyes land on him. 'And then to enjoy it with Daiki and you. It's a surprise and I love it.'

I know a spot for us and where we have some privacy. He does like her reaction. 'I wanted you to see it during Autumn and not Winter. The many colors makes it feel alive and warm, but it's almost dead and pale if I would wait another week or two.'

'Autumn is my favorite season because of the warm colors.' She pets Daiki's head and kisses Shu's cheek. 'This surely changes my mood for the better, thank you.'

He catches her hand and intertwines his fingers with hers. 'I can see what it does to you.'

'And no one would be here at this time.' It feels like we have all privacy in an otherwise popular visited garden.

He just pulls her closer and wraps his free arm around her. 'We have plenty of time, Risa.' We look like a couple like this with Daiki. Anyway, it's best to forget about earlier tonight. He promised to leave her and Daiki alone.

'Shu, I'm right here and you carry him.' She realized he seems far away in thoughts.

'I'm not that far away.' He answers and glares at his son. 'No, he seems fine. Not hungry or that he wants a clean diaper. We're still good for now.'

She smiles at him. Thank you, I know you took us away as a distraction from earlier with Ruki. And he's right. She checked her son in the carrier. 'Unless he's getting hungry, I don't want to leave soon.'

'I wasn't planning on leaving after just thirty minutes. An hour at least.' He likes to see her enjoy their night out.

✽✽✽