Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Sixty-Five

If this doesn't work out, I don't know what will. She put the muffin mix with the fruit in the baking form while Kanato opened the oven. "Thank you." Closing the oven, she set the time for twenty minutes. "We'll know soon enough." I made pudding earlier to be safe. One raspberry pudding and a strawberry pudding. But that's a surprise for you. 

"It does smell nice. How come it failed when the recipe is on the back of it?" Kanato looked from the muffins to the woman.

"I have no idea. Perhaps I didn't have enough patience for this? I was into learning to play the piano or reading a book." She really didn't know how it could fail. "I've questioned it many times and stopped thinking about it at some time."

Kanato hugged his Teddy and looked at the time. "Well, it takes eighteen minutes. I'll be back on time. But they still need to cool down between five and ten minutes."

"You would know that better than me. I'll see you later then and start cleaning." She saw him nodding, and Kanato left. 

*** 

After cleaning up, Chisana got her book and kept an alarm with her. Not that she could keep her attention with her book. I followed his instructions so they shouldn't fail. Feeling a couple of arms, she didn't turn her head but leaned back. So we can find a moment together.

Reiji picked out the hairclips one by one and put them in her pocket before running his hand through her hair. Enjoying it, he turned her head and kissed her.

Is no one close? I can't tell. But shouldn't that be enough? Biting her lip, she turned around and noticed the look in his eyes. When she kissed him, she closed her eyes at the same time. I want to do this more often.

Wanting to do it more often, he pulled her against him and enjoyed the kiss. Only to stop so she could get some air, making her lean her head on his chest.

I wonder how he's going to make it official. Wait, I can ask him other questions. No one cleared it up with the whole bride thing. "You only mentioned it briefly but what does it mean to be a bride?" She got comfortable in his arms.

"There are two types for us: sacrificial brides and prospective brides. The prospective brides are the ones who might pull through the awakening, whereas the sacrifices do not. That's self-explanatory." He explained and played with her hair. "You came by yourself, but if someone would have sent you here you would fall in the prospective bride category. After surviving the awakening, the bride is supposed to marry one of us in the future. At some point, Yui would have to make her choice..."

"Isn't she with Ayato? They sure look like a couple." She made eye contact with him to say sorry for the interruption.

He smiled for a second. "It's not just her, it's Ayato too. He can't make up his mind and make it official. He even has a nickname for her, and was the first to bite her. The one to bite first would have a claim on the girl but it has to be her choice as well."

"I could talk to Yui about it and see what she feels for Ayato," she suggested. "Especially since she has to make a choice. I take it you have informed her about this."

"I have," he confirmed and leaned back with his head against the wall. "But she still seems to be indecisive. It's taking too long."

I'll see what I can do. "How long is she here?"

"Four months, close to five months." Closing his eyes, he pulled her up a little. "If I did have a heartbeat you would be able to hear it. Would it calm you, otherwise?"

She shook her head. "Don't go wondering about what if on me?" Being quiet, she kept checking if they were alone. "I like this, being in your arms so don't question it. I like you for who you are, not who you can be. I'm not out to change you."