𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 | 𝑺.𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒛𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒘𝒂

𝟑𝟖 | 𝐀 𝐁𝐢𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

~*~

NEXT DAY ~ AT THE DRAGON ESTATE ~ (Hayami's Pov:)

"It's a relief to have you here,"

Kneeling down I place the tray of multiple sweets, and some Matcha tea in a traditional Japanese porcelain teapot that was given as a gift by Mitsuri herself with a teaset. Taking my pillow I kneel down on my knees, about to pour her some tea when she squeaks. "Let me! Let me serve you today!" Mitsuri waves her hands around, with a flustered look brightening her pale complexion.

With a warm chuckle I nod, "Sure, thankyou,"

Leaning back my attention focuses on how nervous she looks, with the way her fingers and hands shook with anxiousness. Once she pours my tea she leans back as well, not daring to take a bite from the bowl of sakura mochi I've made specifically for her. I somehow knew she would come round, despite her avoidance. Her eyes flicker away from my mine once they meet, with a sound of discomfort or worry.

"Mitsuri, you've done nothing wrong," I spoke up, my voice filled with sincerity. "Let's take this a step at a time, and rekindle this relationship. Hmm?"

Her eyes flicker to meet mine finally, "O-Okay.......right, one step at a time," she repeats in response, her hands resting on her laps with her knuckles tightening til white. She soon inhales deeply; suddenly slaps her cheeks to wake herself up causing me to blink in surprise. Her face soon fills with resolution and determination, causing a smile to curl upon my lips. "I'm sorry for avoiding you, and for not joining you on our patrols. It was careless of me, and I don't expect you to forgive me right away and I'll explain everything here and now! So please--?"

I raise my hand quietly to silence her, "You're already forgiven Mitsuri, I already understood your story......." as my hand slips into the inside of my sleeve, where the note Shinobu has written. "....Shinobu informed me about your worries, and concern. However, I want to hear from you personally so I can understand from my own experiences."

Her soft green eyes widen in response, "Y-You.......do? Oh Hayami......." her hands rest over her mouth, holding back her tears. She then closes her eyes and glances back to her lap, her fingers intertwined together nervously. "I kind of......felt like my reason becoming a slayer, was pathetic and a sore excuse to fight. To find a man, a husband who was stronger than myself. I've been hiding myself......behind the expectations of society. A woman's body isn't supposed to be strong, and unnatural colour hair is uncommon and ugly.....and my heavy and large appetite isn't normal for a woman and also to give up on Love."

My brows slightly pinch together sympathetically, listening to her more.

"So I gave up all those things, and tried to become someone I'm not," She continues, her face slowly becoming lighter the more she spoke. "Love was what kept my breathing technique going, it was my strength. Shinobu even said that skipping on meals, will only make me falter in battle. I kept denying it all, but Shinobu opened my eyes and now I feel at ease in who I am as a woman and a Slayer......"

Her voice fades finishing her early predicament, as I smile gently.

Lifting my tea to my lips I sip it gently and lower to the table, "I envy you too, you know....." I spoke up, admitting my own weaknesses. She seems a bit surprised hersefl, "........getting to eat so much, not worrying about gaining weight. You still remain so beautiful, and so bubbly it's quite refreshing."

"-But how come you envy me? You're gorgeous Hayami!!!!" She exclaims, in disbelief.

Chuckling I gave her a wry smile, "I am more on the chubby side, being more thicker......" I gesturing to my shoulders, and my biceps and then my belly. "I have thick biceps, and I'm more solid than petite. I have a chubby tummy, that I'm very insecure about with stretch marks. Even my own thighs........and my wide hips. Even scars I bare......and I know I'm my own worst enemy, but I do have my days where I find myself angry at my own body."