Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Eighty-Five

"How long?" Ayato exclaimed disbelief etched across his face as he witnessed the tender moment between Chisana and Reiji.

Chisana glanced down at the delicate necklace resting against her collarbone. "Since July twenty-fifth. He officially asked me to be his girlfriend and gave me this beautiful necklace to mark the occasion."

"That long?!" Kanato shook his head in surprise. "That's nearly a month. Is that why we attended those festivals..."

"Did you turn those festivals into romantic dates with her?!" Ayato crossed his arms, his tone accusatory. "No wonder you tried to ditch us. You wanted some quality time alone with her."

Chisana noticed that Subaru, leaning casually against the wall, seemed unfazed by their conversation. "Subaru?" she asked, curious about his reaction.

Subaru chuckled a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I saw you two at the Obon festival by the shimmering waterside. Reiji genuinely cares about you and loves seeing you smile and laugh. I was watching from a rooftop, keeping an eye on things." A smile spread across his face as he recalled the moment. "He even went as far as to dry your feet for you. If that's not a clear sign of affection, I don't know what is."

Ayato turned sharply from Subaru to Reiji. "You did what?" he asked, incredulous.

Reiji closed his eyes, maintaining a calm demeanor with one arm securely around Chisana's shoulders. "Before I take her back inside, there are a couple of things we need to establish. First, do not enter my room without knocking. And second, I never used those festivals as an excuse to spend time alone with her. The letter from Father that we received a while back was genuine; it stated that we must continue attending the festivals." He turned to Chisana, fully aware that they could enjoy more dates and create lasting memories together. 

"What did he give you?" Kanato inquired, stepping closer, knowing deep down it would never be him in her heart.

Chisana held up the necklace for them to see. "It's aquamarine, my birthstone."

Kanato lightly touched the necklace, examining it before looking back at his brother. "So it's white gold then. Silver can harm us, and I would doubt Reiji would give you something that might hurt him."

"Exactly," Chisana affirmed. "And he knows how I react to silver." She noticed Ayato approaching, his expression revealing both curiosity and concern.

Ayato's gaze fell on the necklace around her neck. "He would never opt for something cheap. None of us would," he said, feeling an unexpected surge of jealousy.

She turned back to him, feeling the weight of his arms around her. Before she knew it, they had teleported to his room, a familiar comfort enveloping them.

***

"I'm glad they know now," she said softly, rising onto her toes to share a gentle kiss with him.

Smiling, he took a seat in a nearby chair, the relief evident in his eyes. "I didn't realize I would feel this relieved. Now we can go on dates without interruptions. How about a dinner date sometime?"

"Or just high tea, taking a stroll somewhere picturesque," she suggested, earning another sweet kiss from him. "Honestly, I don't need much—just you, pleasant weather, and maybe a full moon. A romantic walk on the beach or in the forest, or an adventure exploring parts of Germany. That's an idea I'm already excited about."

He nodded, feeling temptation tug at him. "It certainly sounds wonderful." He took a moment to appraise her outfit, appreciating the way she looked, before heading to her room to fetch a cozy cardigan. "Alright then, let's go." He took her hand, guiding her to their destination.

As they arrived, Chisana felt a gentle weight draping over her shoulders and looked to see her cardigan. "We can do this more often now," she said, her eyes sparkling with memories of their time on the rooftop. This is where he asked me to be his girlfriend. 

"Yes, we can," he replied, wrapping his arms around her waist as they both took in the breathtaking view before them.

Turning in his embrace, she voiced her concerns. "But what will this mean for Yui? Yes, they could only bite her, but it would be draining for her with the Mukami who visit every Wednesday and Saturday. The vacation won't last forever."

"Don't worry, I'm working on a solution," he assured her, noticing her hand rising and instinctively pulling his head down for a kiss, the warmth of the moment settling between them.

"Care to share your idea with me?" she asked with a playful giggle, carefully pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.

He nodded earnestly. "I don't want to keep many secrets from you, Chisana. I'm currently in touch with an orphanage where some children have connections to the demon world. As a peace offering between our families, I will be sending someone their way to help. There are a few teenagers there, and one of them will be sent soon. They would provide protection for her while she gets the answers she needs."

"Much like a sacrificial bride?" She asked, her brow furrowing in thought. His nod was all the confirmation she needed. "That could be beneficial. It would reduce the burden on the orphanage, she'd have a place to call home, and this could connect her to the supernatural world, aiding her in discovering herself or whatever she seeks. Plus, she would have the chance to go to school as a distraction, helping her adapt to a nocturnal lifestyle."

He could see she understood the intricacies of it all. "Yes, it offers only benefits and will help Yui too."

Chisana cupped his face gently and kissed him softly. "I can't believe how much has happened in just a few months. Or how quickly you became so significant to me. I wouldn't want it any other way. I found my mother, I got reintroduced to my father, but above all, I get to call you my boyfriend. I love you, darling."

"I don't regret anything either. Every moment we've shared has drawn me closer to you and made me fall in love with you," he replied with sincerity. He paused for a moment, placing a gentle kiss on her lips before continuing, "However, I might want to change one thing... I wish we had that moment of revelation sooner. Imagine how much longer we could have been together. I love you too, darling." He captured her lips once more as if sealing their bond.

She felt herself being lifted into the kiss, her arms circling his neck. Don't make me wait too long, darling. After I graduate, I'm sure, and I'll have my answer. I'm yours and yours alone. The only ones I'm willing to share you with are our future children.

✦✦✦