In Sickness And In Health (Yandere M. Genius x F. Reader x Yandere M. Prince)

Chapter 13: Nature Versus Nurture

For the next handful of days, Kazuya went to meet with Mica almost every few hours. The two were inseparable despite the age difference between them, and since they were both massive intellectuals, it was easy to get along with one another. They could discuss things like politics with ease, but talking about their shared love of literature was also a major topic of debate. Sometimes (though no one really could explain why), Satoru joined them, the man primarily having affection for wine and books. If Kazuya didn't have to return sooner or later to his home country, they probably would have started a book club together.

In the meantime, the younger girl and Haru spent their time exploring. Though the former was none too pleased about being dragged outside in the sunlight and being made to walk, the latter insisted upon it. He dragged his feet, hoping that, somehow, someway, if he was annoying enough, she would just abandon him. Sooner or later, Sona would go pick him up and he wouldn't have to walk anymore. That was the wonderful thing about technology; it did just about anything so that people didn't have to exert effort.

Unfortunately, she didn't let him go, dragging him from place to place with more energy than he ever had. She seemed to like the constant flowers and greenery, though, he didn't really understand why that was. Anywhere in the world was bound to have grass. Really, they could have just stayed in Echal. He huffed thinking about it, receiving a look of warning from her. He gave one right back, wondering why he had to cater to her wishes again until she brought it up.

"It's not a chore to be here, you know," she sighed, eyes gazing at one flower and then another, "Just think of it like a honeymoon or something."

The brunette resented that remark. She was the one that kept stringing him along from place to place, making him do things he never would have dreamed of. And though one of those things was walking, there were plenty of others that he could have mentioned. For instance, she kept trying to force-feed him vegetables instead of the more appetizing options of cheese snacks and pizza. Holding up his hand, he showed her the back of it, narrowing his eyes discontentedly with a pout.

"Where's my ring?"

He gawked at her like she would magically pull out a wedding ring for him, but she could do no such thing. Instead, amused at his resolve, she began to laugh, affectionately ruffling up his hair. The brunette flinched at that, beginning to panic over his disheveled state. In his mind, even a moment of unkempt hair would deter her from ever giving her said ring. He began to tidy himself up, putting each strand of hair back into place and glaring at her. She couldn't guess what he was thinking (no one really could), but it must have been something along the lines of betrayal.

"You can be cute, too, huh?" she giggled, the male flushing just a bit as she gave him a peck on the cheek, "I guess I'll play along. What kind of ring do you want?"

Haru became very energetic all of a sudden. He thought very hard about how to answer, presumably expecting she would take everything as literally as he did. For a while, he just slumped on the grass, crossing his arms over his chest while glaring menacingly at any ants that bothered him. When he had finally made all the details of whatever shackle he wanted to parade around, he lit up like a firework, quick to grab onto her hand and pull her down.

Though the action, itself, wasn't gentle, he had meant it to be, a somewhat masked look of shy regret on his face. She was quick to forgive him, as usual, and allowed him to retain the excitement about the piece of jewelry. He prattled on and on about how he wanted it to be special and one-of-a-kind and unique, elaborating about how, if it wasn't, it would be useless. Honestly, most of what he described was just nonsense. She couldn't wrap her head around it, but there was one part she thought was very sweet.

The brunette took great joy in explaining that he wanted her signature on the inside of the ring. He said, if he was ever stressed - which, unlike the common consensus of his mental state, he could be - he stated he would rub the inside of it for good luck and happiness. She knew the brunette wasn't one to believe in things that he could not see or touch with his own form, despite his enjoyment of the fantasy genre. However, to see he was so taken with the idea of her name bringing him much-needed support, she smiled.