♱͟ʰᵉ ┈┉━ ℜₑₐ̳ₚₑᵣ

〝  hm?  i don't have much on me now,  but you can if you want ＂ she said upon returning and hearing his offer.  lihua's arm later hooked with seiryu's before lightly nudging him〝  but aside from that,  i'm all ready to go when you are! ＂

  ⠀།  ︲   ᆢ⠀ @tunedsongs ，  pink briefly tints his cheeks when the kiss was placed unexpectedly upon his hand—  he nodded,  trying his best to remain calm. ⠀"  sure..  i'll wait.  " ⠀he'd grin all bashful,  as he patiently remained over his spot until she returned. ⠀"  do you need help?  i can carry your stuff.  "

lihua's eyes lit up while letting out a happy hum〝  i'd be more than happy to join you!  just give me a sec so i can get my stuff ＂ she briefly took his hand into hers before leaving a small kiss on the back of his palm with a smile〝  wait here,  i promise i'll be quick! ＂ and there she went,  quickly scurrying off with excitement behind the small stage to get her belongings

〝  i'm so happy you like it because there's always more if you want ＂ she seemed especially proud at hearing his approval seeing as she was the one who made the food in the first place〝  i was worried for a sec that you wouldn't enjoy it since i don't really cook for myself that often.. ah hah ＂

  ⠀།  ︲   ᆢ⠀ @tunedsongs ，  "  it is exceptional.  " ⠀replied the latter,  rather content of the meal.  his chopsticks are picked again,  resuming to consume the delicious pork cutlet along with the rice.

〝  enjoying food is just as important as eating it.  can't do one without the other after all ＂ her own chopsticks were taken to gather up a potion of her ramen to eat〝  sooo,  what do you think of it? ＂ she asked,  expectant to hear his feedback

〝  now you're giving me a conflicting answer ＂ she couldn't help but say with a small chuckle before she now used both hands to cup his face once again.  her touch was gentle as they pressed against his cheeks,  occasionally squishing them with a smile〝  there,  is that better? ＂

  ⠀།  ︲   ᆢ⠀ @tunedsongs ，  "  i wouldn't have asked for it if that was the case.  " ⠀his hold loosened,  in favor to her to proceed with his request.［...］however it had become rather unbearable for him to abruptly act out of character himself. ⠀"  nevermind.  forget i asked-  "

〝  ah,  my hand had a mind of its own.  i really didn't mean to do that- ＂ her words came out frantically out of worry the other had found her touch uncomfortable.  but upon seiryu's hand once again holding onto hers,  especially urging her to instead continue,  she was briefly stunned as she blinked in surprise〝  you're..   actually alright with it?  are you really sure?? ＂

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the ravenette's teary eyes looked in seiryū's direction as he spoke,  only choosing to solemnly nod her head in response〝  give yourself some credit,  you're just as kind too..  ＂ she said as her teary visage was wiped away thanks to the other's help〝  ..i don't feel like i'm not cut out for this kind of responsibility,  but i have no choice but to follow the wishes of my family.  i don't want to fail them and their expectations of me.. ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ ⠀ "  you cannot save everything in this world lihua,  no matter how precious or fickle it is.  " ⠀for it even failed to save someone,  but that feeling had a hurtful depth to his accursed soul.  why was life so fleeting?  how could..  anyone endure loss?  it often comes unpredicted. ⠀"  don't diminish yourself and your duty from this.  it does not make you any less of a person,  and this is the truth.  " ⠀with an exhale,  he pulls back from the embrace and instead cupped her cheeks to wipe away the tears. ⠀"  i hope for you to realise and see the kind of person you are..  "

〝  sei... ＂ she managed to utter out in a wobbly tone before the waterworks came bursting.  her held back tears and sobs erupted brokenly as she buried her face into the crook of seiryū's neck〝  how can i be considered a sorcerer if i can't save people... ＂

a dramatic gasp came from her as if offended by his words〝  i have friends,  a lot of them as a matter of fact﹗  they're uh-  just busy﹗  yeah that's it﹗ ＂ she was quick to sputter out before she pushed at seiryū's back to have him move towards the rink

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ ⠀ estranged,  the cursed spirit agrees.  after all⸺it signed a contract with her,  so therefore she's the one in charge.  except that this wss quite..  ridiculous. ⠀"  i'm starting to think you lack friends.  "

〝  don't worry,  i just so happen to be better than average at this.  so i promise to catch you if you fall﹗ ＂

〝  you say that,  yet you're not stopping me~﹗ ＂ her tickling continued as she also let out a few giggles herself〝  who knew that a curse as poweful as you could be taken down by a few tickles.  consider this a weakness of your's i'll be exploiting from now on﹗ ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ ⠀ "  if you dare to try,  you will witness how i'll make you regret it.  " ⠀the threat is given,  and yet,  she truly dared to come so close  ..  enough to achieve her goal on making its lips curl⸺he had obviously refused it.

〝  i've seen you do it before,  so it shouldn't be that difficult to do it again ＂ she reasoned with a mischievous expression on features,  her fingers wiggling menacingly in seiryū's direction〝  maybe if i get you to laugh it'll work,  so come here sei~﹗ ＂ li hua spoke in a sing-song tone as she inched her way closer to the other

〝  i'd like to consider it a tactical retreat actually﹗ ＂ li hua was quite proud to say that wasn't she-  but a smile still made its way onto her face at hearing seiryū's words,  her hands ruffling up his hear with a cheeky laugh〝  and alright,  i will if it puts my bodyguard at ease.  wouldn't want you to be growing anymore white hairs from stress,  aside from the ones you already have- ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ ⠀ "  yes,  you were so strong that you chose to run away..  "  ⠀they were used to it,  but who can say she's to blame?  those who were about to attsck her were quite a lot. ⠀"  the next time you venture so carelessly,  at least let me go first.  " ⠀its arm held her perfectly still,  while he guided her back into the alley they originally came for.

li hua's slight squirming in the other's hold breifly stopped after she had adjusted herself to sit along the curve of seiryū's arm〝  you worry too much over me.  i'm strong enough to handle my own in a fight﹗  well,  one's that aren't involving direct combat at least ah hah.. ＂

〝  oh..  my condolences.. ＂ the sudden shift in atmosphere caught her off guard,  but she still made sure to try an comfort the spirit〝  she must've really cared for you right﹖  seeing that you still keep memory of her and all ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ ⠀ "  it was only one person.  and yet..  i lost her,  because of my own doing.  " ⠀solemnity heard,  as the mere memory of it ached the spirit.  a haunting echo,  one where he refused to fully hear again.

〝  you've been alive for many eras right﹖  i just wanted to know if you met any worthwhile companions during those times ＂

〝  i'd rather be here by your side than back at home.  the atmosphere is nearly suffocating and always so tense there- ＂ she sighed,  a solemn smile making its way onto features despite a tired look being on her face〝  and don't go saying that.  you're worth all my time and attention.  you always will be in my eyes  ＂ 

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ⠀⠀"  ...  " ⠀ the spirit frowns,  his figure turning from herᅳ  yet still,  it remains laid upon the maiden’s lap. ⠀ "  you shouldn't be wasting your time on a cursed spirit such as me.  "

〝  keep resting if you're still feeling unwell,  there's no need to rush to get better ＂ an gently urged,  a index finger softly poking at the other's cheek〝  we have all the time in the world anyways,  so let's just relax and enjoy this moment alright﹖ ＂