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[ 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. ]

Yes, but we still haven't gotten you one! And a motorcycle, too!

[ Yes, Cloud. She was serious about that second one. ]

[ He knows. And considering the technology this world had at its disposal, it was just a matter of time! He wants one. Cloud's going to pursue getting one. ]

Rice Cooker, then house plans, then motorcycle.

...in roughly that order.

Maybe the rice cooker can be our gift to ourselves when we move!

[ Their own housewarming!! ]

House plans, rice cooker for housewarming, then motorcycle-

[ He doesn't start laughing outright, but he does chuckle briefly. He keeps changing the sequence to work with her. fadsjkl ]

Right. Done messing with the order.

Should we get a really big rice cooker?

[ OuO!! she saw some big ones at the mall!! ]

I'm so excited just thinking about it! It will make cooking faster, too.

You know, I saw something called a pressure cooker? Apparently has a button on it just for rice.

[ But, to keep it simple... ]

Maybe just a big rice cooker for simplicity.

A pressure cooker? [ No, she hasn't heard of it!! '-' ] What can you cook there?

Looks like a lotta things.

[ As they walk and talk however, fully engrained in this new day-to-day living, some comforting reprieve from whatever those in charge would have them do, ]

Let's look it up when we sit down next. With the tech they've got here, it's a lot easier.

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