mistsplitter | 🌸 seasons inbox

[ Stopping himself, he closes his eyes with a little sigh through his nose. When he opens them again, he's smiling, more relaxed.

She already looks good next to him. This was just encouraging him to keep up appearances right back. ]

So.

All set?

[ She still can't believe it sometimes... The words that Cloud tells her. Not because she doesn't believe in herself, but just like how she is? Cloud is shy, too. He's admitted it to her before. And he doesn't have to compliment her appearance, or to tell her she's a 20/20 for her to know how he feels about her. But he goes out of his way and overcomes his shyness just for her in moments like these.

Moments like these... when he makes Ayaka's heart beat really fast.

He asks her if she's all set. Ayaka moves to take his hand without saying anything else, lacing their fingers together. ]

I'm ready. [ Slowly... slowly... there! A soft but shy smile. ] Our White Day date.

[ 'u' ]

[ "Our White Day date." ]

[ He's learned to adjust to the heightened sensations whenever he touched someone. With Ayaka, it felt different. Warmer in an affectionate way. It only encouraged him to overcome that shyness further as their fingers enlace. He has his phone and key on him, and for tonight, both the Buster Sword and Tsubaki are remaining home. He won't be arming himself on their day out in Nightwake City. Ayaka's the one who was still capable of summoning her sword if anything did happen, after all. Cloud, on the other hand...

Well. It didn't matter, did it? He needed to learn to trust that he could go out without the need to prepare for a fight. It wasn't like back home. Things were different. Very different. ]

Off we go!

[ There's a lift of excitement in his voice, but it's just a little burst for her. Just enough to get two of them mentally prepared for this. It's just an outing like any other. A special date for the two of them. A trip to the bookstore before they inevitably find a spot to dine. Whatever the day had in store for them, it may have been a day he dedicated to her, but she made it feel like it belonged to both of them.

That didn't mean Ayaka wasn't going to get the royal treatment that she deserved. He'll never stop trying for her. ]

[ Off they go, indeed!

While today may have started off with Ayaka front and centre, receiving presents and surprises, it doesn't mean that it's all about Ayaka today. There wouldn't be White Day if not for her relationship with Cloud, after all! There is nothing that Ayaka wouldn't share with Cloud, that even if she had the last piece of unagi nigiri in the world on her place, she would still offer it to him if he wanted it.

They get to the busier part of the city without any trouble, the teleporters being a big help to get around. Ayaka's still nervous using it even up to now, but with Cloud with her? It's no big deal! And on their way to one of the bookstores, she tells him about a little plan she has in mind. . . ]

It's Ayato's birthday soon, hehe. I thought to use one of my wishes to get him a present.

[ To be fair to Ayaka, the teleporters were foreign to him as well. Despite the technological advances Shinra made so rapidly, it almost still felt like teleporting was in the realm of science fiction despite what they were capable of pulling off. ...at least, not unless you were some ancient, mythical beast summoned by the knowledge of the Planet. The point was that humans were still not quite there yet. But here they were, safely being transported around the huge, bustling city of Nightwake with but a simple "blink and you'll miss it" moment.

Still hand in hand with her in public, it's become less something he actively thought about and more something that was just...happening. It felt natural. It wasn't like the two of them were getting extra affectionate or nuzzling one another in public. No. Cloud's keeping her feeling safe and sound. And holding her just felt right. ]

Oh yeah? What'd you have in mind?

Well. . . [ It's clear she's a little nervous with how her voice trails off, but she still wants to do this, anyway! She only hopes that Ayato will appreciate her gift for him. ] It is nothing extravagant, but I was hoping to put up a shrine for our parents once again.

If I could perhaps make a wish to get a portrait of theirs... I think he would like that very much.

[ And a custom pen, for an actual gift! ]

Do you think it's still inspired? Even though I had done something like this before?

Another shrine...

[ It catches him by surprise, yet as he settles and thinks on it...he can only think about how Ayaka went to great lengths to successfully gift him a piece of his own memories back. The portrait of himself and Claudia when she was still here... Every day, even here in this realm, he has the chance to wake up and look at the portrait that came with him. All because of one bright girl who saw fit to make sure every birthday was celebrated. Every day with him was celebrated.

It's a gift for Ayato...but as they come up on the bookstore past the crosswalk, she'll feel her beau squeeze her hand as she asks him what he thinks. ]

Coming from you? Nothing's uninspired.

[ She had nothing to fear. ]

He'll like it.

[ Her smile is isn't excited like it was before, but she's relieved. If Cloud says so, then she really has nothing to fear. Thank you for putting her worries aside. ]

Alright, then. Thank you, Cloud.

[ She'll push through with her gift! And she'll use her wishing star for it.

That's enough of that for now. She does not want to dwell talking about Ayato, especially when she's not sure how Cloud feels about her brother at this time. If Cloud wants to talk about what Ayato may have told him, then she'll let him do it in his own time. All she knows is that Ayato thinks he could improve the way he. . . speaks.

It was a little strange, but her brother didn't really offer anything more beyond that. But it's alright if Ayato doesn't fully trust Cloud. They've only just met, after all. Strange as that may be— the two of them meeting again and all.

She loves Cloud, though. To her, he doesn't need to get better at speaking or talking about how he feels. She understands him as he is, and she wasn't exaggerating when she told him that he's already perfect in her eyes. And she looks forward to the day Ayato welcomes Cloud into his life, too. She does not want to give any of this up. Not ever.

Entering the bookstore, she's already tugging on Cloud's hand to take him to where the... young adult books are. ]

I suppose we can get some books we can read together? Though I would like to look at the various books on poetry, too. . .

[ BOOK SHOPPING!! :D ]

[ There is indeed a more "mature" section of the store. But Cloud's not here for any of that. ...not this time. Whatever "reference" material he had from Nippon? It's bottom priority to him. The fact that his first big gift from her, the Hanakotoba booklet was still in his possession? He couldn't have asked for anything better. ]

Think I'll take a peek at some cookbooks later.

[ But as he squeezes her hand, another rush of warmth going up the length of his arm thanks to this world's affinity to touch, Cloud follows her into the poetry section as well. Cookbooks weren't exactly a "shared session" kind of material. Not in a way in which they can get nice and cozy. Seeing the halls of book shelves in such bright lighting...

It was nothing like the dreary basement in Nibelheim. So many books in this store, all about endless possibilities and so many subjects. This...this he likes. ]

[ Ayaka takes her time in looking at the books available. Eventually, she has her pick! Two different books filled with poems, a light novel, and a book of a famous play for her! And if Cloud picked some stuff on his own? She can probably borrow those at some point in the future. 'u' ]

These shouldn't be too heavy to carry...

[ Especially if they're going to go out, still! The bookstore seems to have bags with handles available, at least, so Ayaka doesn't have to worry too much about carrying anything. ]

Shall we pay for these? I may have gotten excited and picked a lot...

[ A cookbook ~~that's the equivalent of more Japanese cuisine~~ and a light novel of his own. One of which Cloud had selected while he was with Ayaka browsing. ]

Lucky you, I can carry 'em.

[ Just put everything into one bag or two! They can go through it when they come back home. ]

Don't see a problem there. [ As far as picking up a lot of books today. ] Gotta start somewhere again if we can't have what we got in Nippon.

Shall we build our own library?

[ You know what? She says it in humour, but thinking about it now? It does sound like a lovely idea. ]

A room just for us, where we can spend time having tea and reading a book... perhaps a desk for work by the window...

... A little library room for the teahouse?

[ Why does he sound more excited than usual. KDSFLJHA That's actually such a cool idea?! ]

I was thinking... in our house, perhaps?

[ Our!! House!! Theirs!! Just like what she mentioned to him earlier.

She has a sheepish smile on her face as she looks up at him, hoping for him to be okay with it, too. ]

If you're amenable to it.

[ There's little pause or hesitation on Cloud's part. The store isn't very busy so there's someone waiting to take their purchase of these books, but as they make their way up, he hasn't lost sight of her. ]

Yeah... [ His tone softens. ] Yeah I think I'd...like that.

[ A room dedicated solely to reading and a little library of their own. He sets his pair of books down to pay for his first. ]

You ever hear of secret doors behind bookshelves?

[ Because if they're on the topic, that sounds kind of cool to consider. FDLJKSA He may as well be honest with her. Not leave a single idea behind. When he's given his total, he pays for his books and has them placed in a small bag. Nodding with a little, "thank you." ]

[ They have an army of ninjas at their disposal in Inazuma. They for sure have a lot of secret rooms. But Ayaka doesn't tell him this now. He'll have to discover it himself. ]

Would you like us to have something like that? [ Their study would be a secret room! It's not a bad idea or anything... And it certainly is possible...

She's next in line and hands over her books to be packed by the cashier. She'll bring out her wallet to pay for it not soon after, a bow of her head to the lady offering her purchased books back. ]

It could be a place just for us...

[ You know what? Now that she's saying that out loud? She likes it. She wants it now! ]

[ Giving a little wave with his free hand to the clerk, he turns around to walk away with Ayaka now that they were done here in the store. It certainly felt different being in clothes that weren't Nipponese/Inazuman in style, or his own more combat-ready outfits. But being able to actually go out so casually with Ayaka at his side? It's a change of pace he didn't think he wanted until it was already happening. He likes this.

"It could be a place just for us..."

As she says that, he holds the door open for her as they leave. ]

Then that's what's gonna happen.

[ Her books will go into Cloud's bag! He did say he'll carry them. :) ]

Hehe... Thoma won't be able to call us when lunch is ready!

[ Because they're hidden!

But you know what? It's still a fun idea. Ayaka's excited.

Imagine! They're talking about living together. Ayato will be with them, but it still means they'll be under the same roof everyday. What a life. ]

Hmm... what else would you like in our house?

[ And they weigh...next to nothing to him!! Opening his bag up for her, he waits until they're neatly slotted in with the rest of their goodies before they start to walk again. ]

We gonna try and keep it a secret from the others for a bit?

[ It sounds like something that Ayaka would have fun with. Something so harmless until they were finally ousted. And he can't help but feel some of that excitement with her. What can he say? Ayaka's contagious. ]

Hm. [ A beat. Two beats. ] A sparring room? Or a little Dojo separate from the house if the space is anything like the estate.

I suppose we could.

[ Ayaka does enjoy those little things that are "just for them". It is the most special out of all the special things out there. ]

I cannot say I am good at keeping secrets, but I will try my best.

[ She doesn't seem all too bothered by not being able to keep secrets, at least. It's not like one of them is going to get in danger when this is revealed! ]

A dojo... [ Perhaps they will have to look for a bigger house, then. She'll have to confer with Ayato on this one. Ayaka's request was just a house with a garden, after all. ] Let's see if we are able to afford one.

I can train anywhere. [ He can already tell that she's contemplating the possibility. He certainly wouldn't be disappointed if it was a cozier living space. Which is why he's quick to add with a little nod and smile, ] All I'm saying is if I had to pick between dojo or our secret study, I'm going with secret study every time.

You would not mind if we could not afford one?

[ A dojo, she means... Maybe they can get those room expansions for it, too? ]

If we buy from Riki's Rewards, then it would be an indoor training area.

Nope. It's never a bad thing to daydream here and there.

[ Looking right at her with that one. Biggest daydreamer he knows. And he wouldn't want it any other way. ]

Not a bad thought. We'll put it in the "maybe" pile.

Let's get a rice cooker then.

[ Yet another plan the two of them can make together!! ]

Wasn't that one of the firsts on our "to do" list?

[ Yes. Yes it was. ]

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