The Tale Continues (Saiunkoku Monogatari Fanfiction: Ryuuki x Shuurei lemon)

Chapter 92: Friend

Seiran watched with envy as Jyuusan talked happily with the military officers as they left the training field. He wanted to be able to talk like that with Jyuusan too. He helped her train the soldiers today and they had just been dismissed. He tried to talk to her again but before he could ask her to come with him, Jyuusan quickly said bye and left with her soldiers.

He recalled that tomorrow, Shuurei would be having tea with Jyuusan. After that he would try and talk to her. He can no longer take how Jyuusan treats him. She could at least walk with him like they used to do after training the soldiers and talk about how the military officers improved. He don't want her avoiding him. He felt like he is being treated coldly and rather cruel.

The next day, Shuurei came to watch as Jyuusan and Seiran trained the soldiers. She noticed that Jyuusan is indeed avoiding Seiran. When Seiran was about to talk to her, Jyuusan quickly ran beside Shuurei and told her they'll be having tea now. But Shuurei noticed that Jyuusan looked sad even as she smiled. She looked like she is holding back tears.

''Where are we going to have tea Shuurei-chan?'' Jyuusan asked like she did not see Seiran nearly holding her hand to stop her from avoiding him.

''We'll have tea in the garden,'' Shuurei mused. ''The cherry trees there are in full bloom so it's more relaxing.'' Shuurei brought Jyuusan to a part of the garden near Seiran's mansion where people cannot see them. While having tea Shuurei asked, ''is something wrong Jyusan? You look so glum.''

''Eh? Really? I thought I hid it pretty well,'' Jyuusan said. She really cannot escape Shuurei's eyes. They had been together for years now so of course Shuurei would notice.

''Is this about Seiran?'' she asked knowingly. She saw Jyuusan blush.

''Why would that sadistic beast even be of my concern?'' Jyuusan said as an excuse. Then gave an apologetic look to Shuurei for calling someone dear to her as a sadistic beast.

Shuurei smiled. ''But you do.'' At that Jyuusan suddenly hugged Shuurei and cried.

''That idiot Seiran! I don't know what to do about him anymore,'' Jyuusan mumbled.

''The why won't you talk about it with him?'' Shuurei suggested.

''I – I'm afraid to hear what he would say if we talked. A lot of things happened and he must be thinking that I am really a little devil now. I really don't want to hear what he would say,'' Jyuusan admitted. ''I don't want it to end yet.''

Shuurei's eyes widened. ''You mean you have been dating him?'' She remembered how Seiran looked. Is that why he looked so morose and desperate to talk to Jyuusan since their relationship might be coming to an end depending on how he acts?

''Kind of. But it's really just like a game we play. But even so I treasured it all. I don't want it to end yet,'' Jyuusan sobbed. She can only sob like this on Shuurei. She always looked strong and tough and happy when others look at her. But Shuurei could see through her.

''Then don't let it end. Hold on to it. If you do, maybe he will too,'' Shuurei said gently as she stroked Jyuusan's hair.

''I don't know,'' Jyuusan said. Then she looked up. ''Now that I cried I feel much better. Thank you Shuurei-chan,'' she said and sat properly again. She's back to being energetic.

''Don't worry about it.''

''But Shuurei-chan, are you sure that you're allowing me to have the good man who had always been with you? I thought it would be good to if the two of you got married,'' Jyuusan honestly asked.