Cultivator of Magic

Chapter 5: Anyone But Him!!

It was a long way back, though it felt as if it took longer to get back to the Kumo Clan's Palace than it did to arrive at Oclain. Perhaps it was because Aiko was unknowingly taking his time getting back. He wasn't in a rush, so it was alright.

As Aiko and Kai walked side by side, they finally arrived at the city below where the Kumo Clan palace was located.

The two stopped and decided to get something to eat at one of the restaurants that lined the streets, upon Kai's request.

They walked in with Kai leading and he ordered a table for the two of them. The waiter guided them to their seats and handed them a menu for them to pick items off of.

Aiko looked at the menu and gaped. These items were all so expensive!! How in Titan's name was he gonna pay for this?

Just as he was about to speak up, he was met by Kai's warm gaze. Right then and there he knew the other was willing to pay for everything.

Even though he was more than willing, and was even the one who offered in the first place, Aiko couldn't help the feeling of guilt settle within him.

Of course, Kai, ever the clever one, caught on when he saw him looking at the menu with a distant stare.

"I have more than enough money with me for the food, no need to feel bad. Money is of no problem for this one. Take it as my treat for letting me tag along with you for that little bit of fun we had together."

     Why'd he say it like that? Fun? The wording makes it seem as if we did something promiscuous...

Aiko hid his face in the menu at the thought, panicking as to why that was the first thing that came to mind when Kai said that; his ears began to turn pink when the waiter came back and asked what they'd like.

In his flushed state, Aiko stammered out softly that he wanted some wontons with a cup of tea to drink, and then Kai ordered some soup.

Not long after, their food was delivered and they began to eat. As they ate, Kai stared at Aiko, the question he wondered earlier coming back to him.

Aiko was too busy eating his wontons to realize he had a foreign gaze stuck on him.

After a moment of staring, Kai began to feel creepy, so instead, he opted to ask the question that's been invading his mind.

"Why do you wear an eyepatch?" Fearing the worst, he swallowed before he continued, "Are you blind or...missing your eye?"

Aiko, upon hearing the question, looked up from his wontons. After registering it, he set down his chopsticks gently and sighed.

Sensing his hesitance, Kai said, "If you don't want to answer that, it's ok."

Aiko gave a small smile, "No, it's ok. You're curious so I don't mind telling you. You'd find out sooner or later anyway..."

A moment passed before Aiko spoke again as Kai watched quietly, waiting patiently for the answer, "I have heterochromia...the eye you see is purple, but the one under the eyepatch is gold."

Now it was Kai's turn to keep silent. Aiko watched his expression closely, watching for any negative shifts.

The more time that seemed to pass, the more anxious Aiko felt. Though it had only been a few seconds, it felt like a whole incense time!!

His fears were washed away like water once Kai spoke in reply, with a smile on his face at that!!

"Oh. Well, that's not a problem. Why do you hide it?"