"No. Answer first. Where did your fox marble go?" The entire restaurant fell silent, with everyone staring at Miko. Even Ryo himself was curious, but he didn't say anything. Seeing there is no way to keep this hidden any further, it was time to tell the truth.
"I gave it to Takei a hundred and twenty years ago..."
"What?! Why?!" Miru asked. Out of everyone, he was the one most against her being together with Takei. That was why Asura didn't dare tell him about the trial then, and only told Ryo. Of course, Ryo strongly objected like Asura, but didn't actively tried to stop her. lt was Miko's decision, and he had no right to change it.
"For god's sake! We are not going through this again are we?" Miko shot back. She knew how much her brother hated it when she mentioned that human, so she tried not to. But this time, he made her say it! Since he hated him so much, he was willing to kill him, which was why Miko had never showed him how Takei looked like before.
"Yes we are! Why did you give it to him?! Don't you know you two are impossible?!" Miru shouted.
"We are not impossible! We love each other and I will be searching for his reincarnation, whether you like it or not! Besides, we can always have halflings!"
"But he will die first! Your children most probably can never cultivate to immortality! You will grow old and die alone, or ascend and live the rest of your life in loneliness!"
"So? Who cares about the children now?! I just won't have them! And, I will just use the rest of my life to search for all his reincarnations, and live with him in every single one of them!"
Yasuko got where this conversation was going. Whenever a beast got together with a human, many people would object, which was what made halflings rare. One would die faster than the other, leaving the other to spend the rest of their days in loneliness. Usually, before their allocated time was up, the loneliness would be too mhch to bear and they would suicide, to join their partner in the afterlife, where they would hope to be born as both beasts or humans in the next life, so they could be together.
"You! Whatever! Do what you want! Just know, if you ever choose him, don't ever talk to me again." Miru answered, before storming out the shop and slamming the door behind him. He went to a nearby tavern, and ordered a shot of alcohol. He just wantes the best for her, what was so difficult to understand about that?
"Heh... Then I should try to forget you... I don't want to love or remember you if I ever become an immortal, so I won't be sad..." Miru sighed, before downing the glass.
Back at the shop, Miko stood there awkardly with Yasuko and Ryo. They had never seen Miru lose his temper before like that, as he was usually more calm and less emotional. Well, other than Miko. She had seen him flare up like this the past times she mentioned Takei.
"Nevermind, lets eat." She responded, settling herself onto the chair. Ryo followed suit, sitting down opposite of her.
"Did I overdo it?" She asked. Unsure of what to answer, Ryo shook his head.
"You can tell me if I did. I'd prefer it if you were honest."
"Then yea... a little..."
"Sigh. Then, do you agree with what I'm doing?" Ryo was unsure of what to answer. When she wasn't being emotional, or chasing and talking about that human, she was a good friend and fun to be around. He didn't want to lose her, but since she asked him to be honest, Ryo decided to put things in a tactful way.
"As a matter of fact, I don't. However, I do not have the right to control your decisions, I can only advice you. I agree with Miru's points, however, if you do die due to heartbreak... I'll-." Ryo answered honestly, although he didn't finish the last part of his sentence. Listening to him, Miko teared up a little. She knew others were doing it for her own good, and they cared for her, so she couldn't bare to leave them.
"Actually, I offered my powers to the god of reincarnation. I cannot ever cultivate to immortality again... So, within the next few humdred years, I'll die, especially since I can feel the god taking away the years I have lived, even though it seems I only have a tail."
It came as no surprise to Ryo, considering what he heard from Asura. However, he did not expect Miko to tell him this on her own. Death was a difficult topic to beasts just like humans, moreso since they could potentially live forever.
"Then I'll be sure to spend as much time with you as I can before you go. In your next life, I'll look for you as well, so we can be friends again, whether you are still beast or not." Miko couldn't stop her tears anymore, and they came flowing down her cheek.
"Ryo..." Miko sniffed. Ryo got up from his seat and embraced her in his arms. He didn't want to see her leave either, but for her, he would do the same also...
Miko had also just realised her actions had not only impacted her, but also affected others around her. She didn't want them to be sad. Maybe its for the best if she did that, just letting them forget about her...