Not quite. What type of appearances must you keep?
[Mostly because she doesn't get it.]
[Mostly because she doesn't get it.]
Our kind of relationship is not acceptable in Japan and, though I am the head of my family, I am still considered under age. I must placate the branch families by comporting myself as a proper lady and not displaying anything they would consider deviant behavior. Also, as long as I continue to appear as if I will one day marry, they will seek my favor. Especially after I dismissed my engagement. If I don't, they will try to remove me and shift the power from the Tohno.
I...I see. While I understand your reasoning, I still am not fond of it.
It's only until I turn twenty. Then it doesn't matter and they can't take anything away from. Especially you.
Three years?
I can wait that much time but...
I can wait that much time but...
My birthday wish is that you must make up for all three years while we are here.
As much as you read those romance books, I would expect that you would have several good answers.
[HOLY CRAP, DID AKIHA'S FACE TURN BRIGHT RED JUST THEN.
And then she looked down, trying to not feel seventeen.]
And then she looked down, trying to not feel seventeen.]
Noth-- [Akiha's voice squeaked as she started to talk, so she stopped and cleared her throat.] N-nothing. I'm just feeling terribly...
[virginal]
...unprepared.
[virginal]
...unprepared.
Perhaps you should get prepared. Once the sun sets and we return to our room, it would make a great time to start.
[W-wow...]
Y-you're being unusually forward about this...
[Akiha cleared her throat again. She wasn't sure if she was ready for this step.]
We... we'll need to stop at a store so I can pick a few things up first.
Y-you're being unusually forward about this...
[Akiha cleared her throat again. She wasn't sure if she was ready for this step.]
We... we'll need to stop at a store so I can pick a few things up first.
It is my birthday. Rituals say I am allowed to be, correct?
What all do you need?
What all do you need?
Y-yes, but-- [BREATHE, AKIHA.]
I'm not sure! I'll have to look and see what I can put together since you're giving me little time to prepare! A multi-unit shopping center would be b-best.
I'm not sure! I'll have to look and see what I can put together since you're giving me little time to prepare! A multi-unit shopping center would be b-best.
Judging from your reaction, I am expecting that you would prefer to go alone, yes?
Yes! [Her voice squeaked again, making her face turn red again.]</i<
When we head back to the hotel, we can split up. How does that sound?
A-as long as you show me a good place to get a variety of things, including clothing, food and other amenities.
There are plenty of places in Cairo to shop that I know of.
Then, pick one near the hotel that has specialty shops and I will... make due.
Of course. I will use the time to arrange other things.
Y-yes. You do that.
[She starts to get up, lost in her spinning thoughts, not realizing the sun hadn't quite finished setting yet.]
[She starts to get up, lost in her spinning thoughts, not realizing the sun hadn't quite finished setting yet.]
[Sion gets up with her, unsure of her actions.]
Are we going to walk back?
Are we going to walk back?
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