Aoi and Kaoru had a moment to themselves last time until something disrupted it. Saffron found out the current events of Aoi's process. So now Aoi and the others are at the Sun Festival in Arinnitti City.
Wow, I never thought I would be here. I need to take pictures. I replied. We've seen your photos. They aren't the best. Aoi replied. I punched Aoi in the arm. Stop flirting, children are present. Samara replied. We are not. Aoi and I replied. So they say. Saffron replied. As we walked around there were so many food stalls. So much food. I replied. Mommy. Tomoe replied. Let's go to the food stand over here. Saffron replied. Now that I look, what is what? Saffron asked. Alright that on the right is the equivalent of Turkish Delight. The left supposedly tastes like Shawarma. I replied. Wait, did you say Turkish Delight? Saffron asked. Yeah. I replied. Turkish Delight is my favorite. I feel he may like them. Saffron replied. Oh yeah, you ate these and real Turkish Delight. My brother loves you after all. Chicken Madras? I asked. No, the Guloese version. Now I'm warning you. It's medium and spicy. Aoi replied. I eat medium spice. Aoi replied. See, I am born and raised in Arinna. So these dishes are not spicy for me or Kairo. Samara replied. You've been feeding him spicy food since he was a baby. Ayin replied. Saffron giggled. I've never had that before. I replied. Me either. Saffron replied. We went over to the stand and I translated to order the food. We found an empty table. As we prayed over the food, we ate. Tomoe liked the Guloese food. He like mostly the Guloese Turkish Delight. Mommy, can I have more? Tomoe asked. You didn't eat all your chicken. Saffron replied. Tomoe pouted and ate his food. I laughed. What's funny, Kaoru? Saffron asked. When Ren and I were kids, he would pout like that and still eat the food. I replied. Really? Aoi replied. The reason he's eating is because my mother knows that he doesn't dare to defy her. I replied. I've noticed that. Saffron replied. Kaoru, your mother is terrifying. Aoi replied. People always imply that about her. I replied. Same. She's so nice to me. Saffron replied. Megumi is terrifying. She is powerful with an intimidating aura. Samara replied.
Hedone appears.
Hey you all. Hedone replied. Grandma! Tomoe replied. Hello Tomoe. Have you been a good boy? Hedone asked. If good boy means pouting because he has to finish his dinner? Saffron asked. Tomoe, you have to eat. Then you can have all the desserts you want. Hedone replied. Please stop spoiling my child. Saffron replied. I can't help it. He's one of my grandbabies. Hedone hugs Tomoe. He knows grandma loves him. Hedone replied. Now Tomoe, finish your food. Hedone replied. Tomoe scarfed it down. Why did he scarf it down like that? Saffron asked. He's on a mission to eat dessert. He knows what he must do. Aoi replied. Shut up. I replied. Right, Tomoe? Aoi asked. Sweets. Tomoe replied. He ate more dessert. As time went on, the alcohol vendors appear. Saffron and the others dipped. Aoi and I were alone together. An employee of the nearby bar offered us alcoholic drinks. How about we go up to the balcony? I asked.
As we bought up our drinks. We realized how many stairs we had to climb.
It's a beautiful sight but for three flights of stairs. Do not recommend. I replied. Yes, and I could drink to that. Aoi replied. Sighing. Agreed. I replied.
As we sipped our drinks, Aoi's phone went off.
He looked at it and turned his phone on silent. Aren't you going to answer? I asked. No. Aoi replied. I looked at him and it seemed like he had something on his mind. Kaoru, I need to tell you something. Aoi replied. Yes? I asked. Come on Aoi. She before you. Aoi thought. What did you want to tell me? I asked. Uhmm. Aoi replied. Did this man froze up? I thought. My phone went off. I looked at my text messages.
Saffron: Did Haru freeze up?
Me: Yeah
Saffron: He's afraid you may reject him.
Me: What?
Is this man trying to confess his love for me? I thought. Hey Aoi, are you? I asked. He looked away. Is he becoming anxious? I thought. I walked closer to him. He became flustered. As I looked him in his handsome golden eyes. Kaoru, I love you. Aoi replied. I blushed. Do you mean that, Aoi? I asked. Yes, I do. Aoi replied. At the moment, I could tell he meant every single word he said. As he smiled. He laid his glass to the side as I did as well. He leaned in closer and kissed me. I put my arms around his neck as he puts his arms around. At that moment I realized, I found a man who accepts a broken woman as myself. As I thought about I cried. Soon after he asked, he asked me why I was crying. I looked him in his eyes. I told him something as well.
Life has a funny way of bringing people together. I replied. That I can agree. Aoi replied.
I don't mean to trauma dump, but you may not or may have realized. For a long, I have never loved myself. I have always been a people pleaser. Look where it lead me. A woman who is mentally and physically abusive relationship. I have finally found a semblance of happiness. I replied. He hugged me. I've always known you haven't love yourself. Believe it or not, I was the man who gave you the advice to leave Xavi. You randomly trauma dumped on me in a bar in Mytilos drunk off your ass. I think you finished a job and needed downtime away from Xavi. Aoi replied. Wait you were the guy whose room I woke up in? I asked. I put my head down. Yup but back then I had three nose piercings and short black hair. Aoi replied. Don't be embarrassed. Everyone has their moments. Me included. Aoi replied. But I don't remember. I replied. How about we go down near the shore? Aoi asked. That doesn't sound bad. I replied. We returned our glasses and paid the employee. As we walked down there, I saw the locals smiling right along with Eshe. She smiled and jumped for joy. We sighed. We found a nice spot.
Finishing what we talked about. I was in his lap this time.
This might sound crazy but every time something crazy happens to you. I always end up finding a way back to you. Aoi replied. What happened to me? I asked. As you were drunk. I asked you why are you were telling me this. You said. "I don't know why, but I feel a connection between us," you said. I looked at you crazy as hell. But as I looked at smiled drunk. I was shocked I see you after all these years. But drunk off your ass. Trying to numb the pain. I took you up to my room, and I saw you were using magic to cover up your bruises. Aoi replied. I did, but I don't have to do that anymore. I replied.
We kissed each other again.
Stay Tuned for the final chapter of Book Three.