“Oh no, there is no need for you to stop eating the amount you usually do, tell me how many more you need and I’ll go fetch them right away…”

Aikano reached out and gently caught her wrist. "I was teasing, Riko-san, really." He smiled at her. "This is more than enough." Once he was sure she understood he meant it, he released her wrist, and nodded to her seat. "Olease, sit back down. And thank you for thinking of making breakfast for us."

As for her comment out how the spear was heavy, he smiled. "It just takes a little practice. If you'd like, we can try after breakfast...but if you still don't think you can get the hang of it, we'll see if we can think of anything else." He'd often found fishing with the spear to be tricky, so the fact that she had done so was quite impressive in his opinion, even if she didn't see it.

“I enjoy your music as much as I enjoy your company AIkano-san, feel free to do either whenever you like. And thank you for being so nice to me, I hope to one day be able to do as much for you.”

Aikano couldn't help but smile more. She was a very sweet girl, and he couldn't imagine why anyone would want to hurt her. "We'll talk for now, then, Riko-san, but I may play later." He put his flute away, and stetched where he sat. "And you've been very nice to me already. You don't have to worry about it for now. Your company is more than enough payment."

“Do you…visit your family often?”

Aikano's eyes brightened. He loved his family, and was very proud of them. "Every chance I get. I was on my way there when I heard your call." He admitted cheerfully. "Actually, I've been traveling so I could do small jobs and earn money to take back to them." He chuckled. "I've got a big family...there's my mother and father, and I've got a twin brother...and eight other younger brothers and sisters. The youngest just turned one." He chuckled. "My father is a blacksmith, and my mothers works as a seamstress, but my brother Renji and I help out as much as we can. He tutors kids in the village for money, teaching them to read and things like that." He realized he had said quite a bit about his family that didn't have to do with her question, and he smiled a bit sheepishly. "Sorry..." He rubbed the back of his head. "I could talk about them for hours, espcecially the little ones."

Haji flopped over onto his back so Riko could rub his stomach. Aikano laughed. "I think Haji's found a friend...he doesn't do that for just anyone." He shook his head. "Though he's always been fond of pretty girls..." Wait, had he just said that out loud? He felt his cheeks grow a little warmer, and looked down at his hands. Well, she was pretty, after all. Very lovely, in fact, and he found he really liked the color of her eyes...

He pushed that thought aside. After all Riko had been through, he needed to keep a clear head if he was going to help her. He looked over at the fish and nodded. "They should be ready to eat soon." They looked like they were nearly done, and he realized he was very hungry. He reached into his pack and took out two canteens. "I'll go get us some fresh water to drink with them." He stood and headed toward a nearby stream. He filled the canteens and took a handkerchief from his pocket and soaked it in the stream. He then returned and sat back down, offering her the handkerchief. "Here, so you can clean your hands before you eat." He smiled as he sat one of the canteens down by her before taking a drink from the other.

"I was teasing, Riko-san, really… This is more than enough… Olease, sit back down. And thank you for thinking of making breakfast for us.”

She blushed lightly feeling a fool for not understanding his joke but she nodded at his words and sat down to eat her share of the food. She only hoped he id not mind that she had thane his words so seriously, she honestly did not know what she had been thinking but, in any case, she decided she would relax some. She felt she could be herself around this young man and that was all you need to make a good friend, right? Despite being unable to remember everything about her past, she sensed that her intuition was good to follow so, she decided she would et things flow more naturally and if he tired of her she was sure he would let her know. She hoped, however, that she would be able to regain her memory before that came to pass. She was not afraid of fighting her own battles, but not remembering things about her past mad eyer unsure and she knew she would be completely lost on her own at present. Besides, Aikano was a nice person and it was somewhat fun to be with him. She began to hand out some fish to both Aikano and Haji and then she took her own share.

“It just takes a little practice. If you'd like, we can try after breakfast...but if you still don't think you can get the hang of it, we'll see if we can think of anything else.”

She smiled at him and then said, “We can do that, I do not mind, I hope I am not a lousy learner or too sow, I would feel terrible if I were.” She was a very honest person especially when in the company of people she trusted. She then busied herself with the fish she was eating and watched Aikano and his fury friend as they ate their share of the fish. At least it tasted better than nothing, she was quite proud of having caught her first fish, it was there first fish right? No, something inside her told her she had done this before, with someone else, someone some years older than her, and his hair was of the same colour as her own, which was rather surprising. But she still could not fully remember the person or her past or why she had been fishing back then. She sighed and drank some water once she was done.

“We’ll talk for now, then, Riko-san, but I may play later… And you've been very nice to me already. You don't have to worry about it for now. Your company is more than enough payment.”

She smiled at his words and said, “Sounds good to me.” She began to put things away and decided she would probably go and fetch some more water, she was still very thirsty and she had finished her whole canteen.

"Every chance I get. I was on my way there when I heard your call… Actually, I've been traveling so I could do small jobs and earn money to take back to them… I’ve got a big family...there's my mother and father, and I've got a twin brother...and eight other younger brothers and sisters. The youngest just turned one… My father is a blacksmith, and my mothers works as a seamstress, but my brother Renji and I help out as much as we can. He tutors kids in the village for money, teaching them to read and things like that… Sorry… I could talk about them for hours, espcecially the little ones.”

She looked at him for a moment, “I am sorry that I stopped you from visiting your family, I hope they are not expecting you. I am so selfish, I shouldn’t have asked you to help me remember my past life.” She looked down a bit sad and when he spoke of his family she knew that he loved them very much. “I hope you know that I will understand if you ever need to go to them, I am grateful for all the help you have rendered me thus far.” To his last words she laughed softly and covered her mouth before saying, “There is no need to be embarrassed, your family sound like wonderful people.” He seemed to come from a rather humble household sand she found that rather fascinating and she felt akin to that, as if her own upbringing had been rather similar in some ways and her way of life was… simple.

”I think Haji's found a friend...he doesn't do that for just anyone… Though he's always been fond of pretty girls…”

She laughed and scratch at Haji but then Aikano’s words made her blush deeper than a red pepper and she wondered if he said that because he truly thought so or if he was simply being polite. Although, tat should not matter right? He was just a brave man who had saved her and wished to help her return to her home.

“I’ll go get us some fresh water to drink with them… Here, so you can clean your hands before you eat.”

She smiled, it seemed he read her mind and went to get water for them. She took the canteen and drank from it before she accepted the handkerchief and clean her hands, “Thank you.”

Aikano could tell when Riko finally started to relax, and that made his ever present smile broaden just a bit. He wasn't a formal, stuffy person and he wanted others to be as relaxed and happy as he was. He didn't knnow much about Riko, and he couldn't say for sure what she had been through, but he knew she had suffered recently, and in many ways, she continued to suffer because of her memory loss. He also knew she was a very sweet, gentle and caring person. That meant that he considered it his personal job to keep her safe until she no longer needed him to do so.

“We can do that, I do not mind, I hope I am not a lousy learner or too slow, I would feel terrible if I were.”

Aikano shook his head.”Now, now, Riko-san, none of that. There’s no such thing as a slow learner. It’ll take you exactly the right amount of time to learn, and no more.” His smile and tone were both gentle and encouraging. This was something he told any of his siblings when they couldn’t pick up a new skill right away. He said it so often because he firmly believed it to be true. “And if you don’t think the spear is a good match for you, well you’ll just have to say so, and we’ll come up with something else. Just be yourself, and be honest with me, and that’s all I could ever think to ask of you.”

“I am sorry that I stopped you from visiting your family, I hope they are not expecting you. I am so selfish, I shouldn’t have asked you to help me remember my past life. hope you know that I will understand if you ever need to go to them, I am grateful for all the help you have rendered me thus far. There is no need to be embarrassed, your family sound like wonderful people.”

He shook his head and moved to place a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Riko-san, I won’t have any of that either. You have been anything but selfish. You didn’t ask to be taken by those men, whatever it was they wanted from you, and you didn’t ask me to stop and help you. I’m helping you because I want to. Don’t blame yourself for the actions of others.” He then smiled more brightly. “Besides, there’s nothing saying we can’t go ahead and see my family. My home village isn’t far across the border, and I bet the kids would just adore you.” So would his mother, but he wan’t going to comment on that. He kept teling her he wasn’t ready to settle down and start a family, but… Parents never listen.

He quickly discovered two things about Riko, as they sat there chatting and eating. First, he found her laugh infectious. When she laughed, it raised his spirits and made him smile just a bit brighter. The second thing was that she was unbelievably adorable when she blushed. He almost wanted to make her blush more. Rather than focus on that thought, he busied himself helping her clean up, and put away anything they wouldn’t immediately need. Digging in his pack, he pulled out a couple more canteens, They took up a lot of room, but sometimes he didn’t have access to fresh water, so he always stocked up when he had the chance.Those in hand, he whistled, and Haji immediately crossed to his master. “Time to pull your weight, big fella.” He told the large dog as he hung the two extra canteens on shoulder staps around the dog’s neck. Haji seemed used to this and darted off toward the neatby stream, clearly ready to play, now that he had eaten. Aikano gathered up the things that may need cleaning and offered a hand to Riko. “As soon as we finish cleaning up, I’ll start trying to train you with the spear. I have a feeling, just based on how well you handled it fishing, you’ll take to it quickly, and if I’m right, we can set you up with one that’s a better fit for your size, once we get back to my village.” Haji barked once from the stream, and Aikano laughed, raising his voice. “We’re coming, we’re coming…” Once Riko was on her feet, he didn’t immediately take his hand from her, instead lettinf her decide when or if she wanted her hand back. After a moment, he headed for the stream, feeling happier than he had the previous morning, although he wasn’t sure why.

While it frustrated Riko to some extent having no recollection of what happened to her that day and, more importantly, what her life was like before such unfortunate event, she could not deny the fact that shew as a very lucky girl. If it hadn’t been for Aikano, she most definitely wouldn’t be here to live another day. That was more than enough reason for eh to try and forget that incident and do her best not to be a burden for this young man. She did hope that she would regain her memories and know who she was but, she was enjoying his company very much. Was it selfish of her to want to spend some more time together before she fully regained her memories and knew where her home was? She could not even recall if she had family although eery time she thought about that she had a feeling there was someone looking for her.

Was it a father? A mother? A brother or sister?

At the thought of a sibling, however, she felt a bit of pain on the back of her head. It was nearly as if the pain prevented her from remembering. It was the strangest feeling.

”Now, now, Riko-san, none of that. There’s no such thing as a slow learner. It’ll take you exactly the right amount of time to learn, and no more.”

She felt a little bit embarrassed. For a moment there it made her feel as if she were being gently scolded by her mother. It was rather a strange feeling. But she knew he was simply encouraging to practice self-defence with a spear and since he will be teaching her, she had nothing to worry about. Right? She smiled up at Aikano and then said, “I’ll do my best, you won’t regret it.” Maybe it would take a lot of work, but she was sure that if she put her mind into it, she would progress on this regard and stop being a burden whenever danger was near.

“And if you don’t think the spear is a good match for you, well you’ll just have to say so, and we’ll come up with something else. Just be yourself, and be honest with me, and that’s all I could ever think to ask of you.”

She was surprised, she was not sure how someone so young could offer such soothing words. However, just this once, she would accept such generosity and hope that one day she can repay him. She only hoped that, if she did have any family, that they would be okay and not too worried about her. After all, she knew that she had been rescued so she did not leave her house willingly. At least not expose herself to be kidnapped with full knowledge. “Thank you, Aikano-san. You have no idea what that means to me. I also hope you will always be honest with me.” She was truly grateful to him. After all, it was not his duty to help her, he chose to do so and to keep her company for as long as she needed him. The moment they returned her to her home, she would make sure to offer to cook him the best meal he has ever had. She blushed realising that probably, no, definitely… there were better cooks anywhere in the world. She could not call herself the best cook, she was must too young, it would be absurd. Of course she would not voice these things to Aikano, she was already self-conscious enough as it was. Especially when, she had slept in his arms the night before without any scruples. Although she was quite shaken due to the incident… She had still been rather bold. She was about to blush once more when she was grateful for a distraction as Haji licked her fingers and she giggled and pat him behind his ears.

“Riko-san, I won’t have any of that either. You have been anything but selfish. You didn’t ask to be taken by those men, whatever it was they wanted from you, and you didn’t ask me to stop and help you. I’m helping you because I want to. Don’t blame yourself for the actions of others.”

She looked down for a moment, his bright smile made her feel warm inside and she was afraid that if she looked into his beautiful amber eyes she would blush uncontrollably after that statement. She did smile though, he really was a generous young man and she was honoured to have met him. “Then let me cook something nice for you when our quest is over, I would like to show my gratitude.” And she certainly wanted to do something nice for him. Cooking, she was certain, was one of her strong points.

“Besides, there’s nothing saying we can’t go ahead and see my family. My home village isn’t far across the border, and I bet the kids would just adore you.”

She flushed deeply at his words. Meet his family? She was not sure how to answer to his words as she had not experienced such an invitation. On the one hand she was embarrassed by the prospect of meeting his family and for them to misinterpret their current situation and on the other hand, well, a family was a most precious and intimate thing any person could have. The fact that he invited her without a second thought and stated that his family would like to have her and meet her… she was not sure what to make of it, “How many siblings do you have?” Her curiosity outweighed her shyness our the matter and she decided to ask questions and learn more about him and his family. After all, it would be rude of her to walk into his parent’s house without at least knowing their names, ayes and particulars.

“As soon as we finish cleaning up, I’ll start trying to train you with the spear. I have a feeling, just based on how well you handled it fishing, you’ll take to it quickly, and if I’m right, we can set you up with one that’s a better fit for your size, once we get back to my village.”

After watching him put things away with a smile on her face she started to help him with any bits and bobs that still needed toasting and putting away. She occasionally threw little grantees and twigs for Haji to fetch them back and finally she did her best to fix her hair and clothes and look presentable.

Despite being told how friendly his family was, she could not help it being nervous to meet them. She smiled and said, “I’m ready.” She allowed him to guide her only becoming aware of them holding hands. She blushed softly but smiled, for some reason she could not explain nor understand she liked feeling his warm hadn’t in hers. She liked being close to him and she could not bring herself to let go. As they reached the river she noticed how his hair shot with the wind, she wondered how soft it would feel to her touch. Feeling surprised at such a thought she looked away in embarrassment.

“I’ll do my best, you won’t regret it. Thank you, Aikano-san. You have no idea what that means to me. I also hope you will always be honest with me.”

Aikano rubbed the back of his head, a bit embarrassed, but he laughed warmly. “Don’t worry, Riko-san, I don’t know any other way to be but honest, and my mother says I often don’t have the good sense to regret my actions…” He had noticed that she seemed more relaxed overall, though she did seem to blush a lot. He wondered for a brief moment if he was the reason she was blushing so much. Was he behaving inappropriately? He really hadn’t meant to, if he had. <maybe he should keep a closer eye on things like that…

Then again, maybe she was blushing because she liked him. That thought made him blush just a bit. Nah, they hadn’t known each other long enough for that. ”Still, she is very pretty, and sweet... And she’s so cute when she blushes…” Not being used to openly communicating with someone else telepathically, he didn’t realize that she would likely hear these thoughts. He was sometimes bold, and often spoke his mind, but this was a level above and beyond anything he would normally do. Though that didn’t mean it was n’t all true…

“Then let me cook something nice for you when our quest is over, I would like to show my gratitude. How many siblings do you have?”

Aikano rubbed his head again. “I don’t think I’ve done anything to earn so much gratitude yet, but I’m sure if you offer to help my mother cook, she would be glad for it. There’s ten of us in total. Let's see…there’s Renji, he’s my twin brother, though I’m about an hour older. Then there’s my sister Shouka who is about your age, then my brother Kou who’s 12.” He took a deep breath and then let it out with a laugh. “Mei and Mai are 10, and the rest of the boys are Ken, he’s 8, then Sho is 6, and Kei is 3. Finally, there’s little Hinata who just turned 1.” He smiled at her. “Don’t worry, I won’t expect you to remember all that. Trust me, it’ll be easier to keep straight once you meet them all.”

Once Aikano had everything ready, he led the way back to their clearing before sliding the spear out of the strap holding it to his back, and then offered it to her so they could start training.

“Don’t worry, Riko-san, I don’t know any other way to be but honest, and my mother says I often don’t have the good sense to regret my actions…”

Riko noticed the embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his head and that made her feel slightly embarrassed in turn. Had she been too bold with what she said? She thought for a moment but could not think of anything that might have been. Perhaps he was not used to being complimented and Riko suspected that because she knew she was not well equipped to dealing with compliments either. She was not sure how she knew of this but, either way, she just knew. Perhaps some memories were returning to her without her being aware. It might be a good idea for her to start testing this theory just in case. The last thing she wanted was to regain clues and not make the most of it, she did not want Aikano to think she was not doing her job in remembering things about her past.

She could not help it but to laugh softly when he mentioned his mother considered him rude with how honest he could be. She looked at him for a moment as his honey-coloured eyes moved back to meet hers, “I think honesty suits you Aikano-san.” She then thought for a moment and said, “I rather hear the truth as blunt as it might be than be told a lie and then never know where I stand.” She was not sure if she explain herself well but she ran a hand through her hair in order to distract herself, the last thing she wanted was to overthink everything she said or did. It would be tiring and she had other more important things to do. One of them being showing gratitude toward Aikano for saving her life and then keeping her company, surely he had things to do himself and she was only disrupting water it was he needed to do. But he ensured she did not think of it, and he seemed to be enjoying her company so… She also liked travelling with him and she would be sad once they parted ways, something in her heart told her she felt something for this young man. But she was too afraid to analyse what it could be right at this moment.

“I don’t think I’ve done anything to earn so much gratitude yet, but I’m sure if you offer to help my mother cook, she would be glad for it. There’s ten of us in total. Let's see…there’s Renji, he’s my twin brother, though I’m about an hour older. Then there’s my sister Shouka who is about your age, then my brother Kou who’s 12… Mei and Mai are 10, and the rest of the boys are Ken, he’s 8, then Sho is 6, and Kei is 3. Finally, there’s little Hinata who just turned 1… Don’t worry, I won’t expect you to remember all that. Trust me, it’ll be easier to keep straight once you meet them all.”

She was a bit surprised at his words, he had so many siblings she knew it would take her a long time to remember them all by name and she felt a bit silly. Maybe she could practice pronouncing their names several times in her mind but she had already forgotten self of them, she felt a bit embarrassed but admitted, "It might take me a little bit of time to remember all the names. But I might ask you again closer to meeting them.” She accepted the spear he handed her and then felt her mind travelling back to her feelings for some reason.

There was a bit chance he only saw her as he did his siblings. And thus, if she said anything or realised her feelings it would only make things awkward between them and he would have to excuse himself and part ways. She felt that was the one thing she feared the most, him turning around and leaving her there. Not because she would be alone but, because she did not want to part ways with him. And yet she knew he was a Seishi there was no way he would stay by her side forever, and more importantly why had she turned so selfish all of a sudden? She turned to look back at Aikano in an attempt to ignore her feelings when she noticed he was blushing. Did she make him blush somehow? She could scarcely believe it and she was just about to ask about it when she felt him communicate to her through telepathy.

”Still, she is very pretty, and sweet... And she’s so cute when she blushes…”

She was not sure the message was meant for her and that made her stare at him in disbelief. First of all he had voiced his feelings to her and second of all was he aware he had done this? She felt her cheeks turn a light shade of vermilion as her eyes sparkled with her mind analysing the words and trying to grasp their meaning. He thought her pretty? Really? That meant he did not see her as he would a sibling and that made her happy in her heart. She did not consider herself beautiful but was glad that he did. Then she felt embarrassed because his words had made her happy rather than turn back the way she came form and leave him standing right there. Not only that, he thought she was sweet, the intensity of the colour of her cheeks increased and she looked at the grass for a moment trying to play with a lock of hair or something. She placed the spear against a tree for a moment.

It was the last words that made her snap back into the present. He thought she was… cute? She probably could have burst in the embarrassment she felt but there was also great happiness and a warm feeling in her chest that spread through her whole body. She could not recall feeling something like that before. Still, She turned to look back at him and slowly approached him, “Do… Do you really think of me like that?” She was embarrassed but happy, she was trying to think of the best way for her to coney her feelings and so she leaned her hands on his chest and then gently leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek. She then blushed some more, for good measure, and then said softly, “No one had her told me that before…” She then realised she had just kissed him and turned her back to him trying not to panic, “Aikano-san, I'm so sorry… the kiss… it just… well… I…” She grasped her hands in a panic and confessed, “You just… made me so happy.” She was not sure what to do with herself, “Thank you for looking after me until now.” She took off at a run trying to distances herself from the man she knew she had feelings for. She did not want to annoy him any more than she probably just did. All she could think of was running would help her clear her mind, maybe. Haji was trotting right next to her as if unable to accept the fact that she wanted to part ways out of embarrassment.

“I think honesty suits you Aikano-san. I rather hear the truth as blunt as it might be than be told a lie and then never know where I stand.”

Aikano smiled. He wasn’t used to someone complimenting him so much. “In that case, I promise to always be honest with you, if you are always honest with me. No matter what it is, I won’t get angry as long as you tell me so I can help you.”

”It might take me a little bit of time to remember all the names. But I might ask you again closer to meeting them.”

He laughed. “The only way I can remember them all is that I only had to learn them one or two at a time.” He grinned, “Mei and Mai like to try and trick people by pretending to be each other. They've never figured out that I can tell with my telepathy…” His expression was fond. It always was when he spoke of his family.. “I’ll help you out until you can keep them all straight for yourself…Though I did tell my parents that we really don’t need any more siblings. Our little house is already full.”

“Do… Do you really think of me like that?”

His eyes widened. Had she heard his thoughts about her just now? Well, it was true that they weren’t rude thoughts. They were all compliments… And they were all how he honestly felt. Still, if she thought of him only as a friend and protector… If he was more of a big brother to her, it would make her feel very uncomfortable. “Riko-san, I’m sorry if you heard that. I-”

“No one had her told me that before… Aikano-san, I'm so sorry… the kiss… it just… well… I… You just… made me so happy. Thank you for looking after me until now.”

Before he had time to realize what was happening, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. He was stunned. Did this mean she did like him as well? “Riko-san-” Before he could react, she had said her goodbyes and taken off at a run. “What?” Ignoring everything else, he took off running after her. “Wait! Riko! Come back!” His long legs meant that he could cover more ground faster, and so even though she was fast, he was able to catch up with her. Unsure of what else to do, he grabbed one of her arms and carefully tugged her back against him, bringing his arms up to hold her there. He was breathing hard now, equal parts exertion and the fear that she could have slipped out of his life forever.

“Riko…please don’t do that. Don’t leave. He blushed a bit to think of what he was saying, but he took a deep breath and continued. “I promised I would be honest… Please stay. I like you. A lot. And I care about you already, and I want you to stay with me.” He took another deep breath. He may as well address the kiss while he was at it. Things would be awkward if he ignored it. Blushing, he cleared his throat again. “As for the kiss…Well, I… I didn’t mind it. In fact, I kind of wish it had been…” Trailing off, he gently lifted her chin enough that he could lean forward and press his lips to hers. It was a gentle, innocent kiss, and she would be able to pull away if she wanted, but he secretly hoped she wouldn’t. Pulling back after a moment, he spoke softly once more. “Please say you’ll stay with me, Riko?‘

“In that case, I promise to always be honest with you, if you are always honest with me. No matter what it is, I won’t get angry as long as you tell me so I can help you.”

Neither of them were aware of the seriousness of this promise. Honesty was easy when it came to simple matters and trivialities but, when it came to deeper matters of the heart and those that require a level of intimacy create with a person in order to speak of incidents of the past, family issues or anything that might worry the person and unable to share it they turn to that one person they trusted. Both Riko and Aikano were rather young. Riko knew that they were inexperienced in life but that did not mean they did not have a choice on what they revealed of themselves and when they chose to. Aikano had saved her life that day, and he diligently respected dead looked after her form that day forth. It created in her a sense of trust unlike any she had ever granted. He was like family to her but something different, of a different depth but just as close to her heart. Her dark blue eyes examined his of a honey-amber colour that always intrigued her. She brought this up on themselves, she requested the true of honesty for honesty and Aikano readily agreed.

She smiled softly, perhaps it was time to take a step forth in her life and mature some, “I promise, I too will always be honest with you no matter what, even if it does make you angry because you asked for it.” She laughed softly. It was such a gentle sound that if it weren’t for the gentle breeze he would be unable to pick up on the sound. She would not look back now, they were both walking forth hand in hand and water the future hand in store for them, they would learn together the best ways to overcome any obstacles.

She had been a little hesitant to take that step but she held no regrets. It was true that they were young and when you are of those ages, well, you were in between staying a child or becoming an adult and no one truly wanted to become an adult. The world hardened you when you reached a certain age that enabled you to understand how everything worked and it was not a pleasant thing to experience. She was not entirely sure how she knew this, but something in the back of her mind told her that her memories would answer that question. She had a feeling she had some bitter tastes of reality in her life and her abilities were partly the reason. But now, she found Aikano. And she would let go of all hesitations and step forward into the future they will experience together for as long as they remained together. She hoped that it would be a long time, but what certainties were there in life?

“The only way I can remember them all is that I only had to learn them one or two at a time… Mei and Mai like to try and trick people by pretending to be each other. They've never figured out that I can tell with my telepathy… I’ll help you out until you can keep them all straight for yourself…Though I did tell my parents that we really don’t need any more siblings. Our little house is already full.”

Riko laughed softly, “I trust you won’t tease me too much and give me their real names when I meet them.” She knew Aikano could be playful although not in a bad way and she liked that about him. There was a sense of joviality that emanated from him and it made thins much easier for Riko. Maybe the fact that he had so many siblings was not a bad thing, she doubted he would be the same man he now is had things been different. She was not sure why thoughts of this nature entered her mind as of late when she was certain she had never considered things like that before. Maybe something inside of her was changing, after all, people would always change right?

Riko-san, I’m sorry if you heard that. I-”

She noticed the embarrassment in his eyes. And that only cemented her desire to run away. Had she misinterpreted his words? They seemed to express his fondness for her but she had never felt romantically for anyone before and she her knowledge on the matter was little to none so al she could do was reach out to her childish nature and run to escape this she was feeling. Of course she did not expect Haji to oppose her wish to escape instead of assuming the feelings she was experiencing like a grown up woman would. The fear was far too great and she did not feel ready to be rejected or even to figure out how he truly felt about her. She had acted too fast, reached conclusions with ought analysing the situation and the words directed to her and that had given rise to a misunderstanding and her inability totalise that it had been wrong of her to consider that the truth was much more tangible than she wished to admit. If he had not liked the kiss he would have moved back, he would have reacted differently and yet…

“Riko-san… What? Wait! Riko! Come back!”

He was running after her.

Could it be? Was she giving her heart false hope? No, she could hear him running after her. She knew for some reason that she could run much faster although, Aikano would always catch her, something inside her made her aware of that and she realised she did not really want to get away form him. At some point she sensed he was so close to her that she could nearly hear his breath. Haji, as if guessing what was happening, moved to a halt right in front of her and she had to stop abruptly. She nearly gasped and fell forward but at that very moment Aikano garbed her by the arm and within seconds she found herself right in front of him and his arms were wrapped up around her in an attempt to stop her from running away again. She blushed deeply when she saw the exertion and panic in his eyes and the way he was catching his breath and she felt guilty. Had she actually brought pain to such a gentle man?

“Riko…please don’t do that. Don’t leave.”

Riko gasped in surprise as she too was catching her breath, “Aikano…” She realised he had dropped honourifics with her and so she did the same. She was not entirely sure why she followed suit but it felt almost natural to her. Her eyes did not lead his, for a moment she felt… mesmerised and she did not want to do anything that would break the spell. Maybe he was about to tell her that he did not feel about her that way, but she denied that if that were the case she would stay by his side regardless because… being with him like this was all she wanted even if he could not return the feelings. She blushed lightly feeling embarrassed and ashamed of having made such a childish decision and run away form her feelings. “I… I’m sorry.”

“I promised I would be honest… Please stay. I like you. A lot. And I care about you already, and I want you to stay with me.”

She could not stop herself from showing how surprised she was at his words. In fact she found herself speechless. He seemed to feel about her the same way she felt about him. Now she had come to terms with the fact that she had amorous feelings for Aikano and she could not deny that fact. He had chased her to stop her from abandoning him and she realised how cruel she had been with this gentle man. Her hands unconsciously moved around his neck as if to signify that she would not try to run away again. She would face this head on for she felt the same way about him. Whatever the future held she did not care. She blushed at his confusion and wondered how she could show him just how she felt about him.

“As for the kiss…Well, I… I didn’t mind it. In fact, I kind of wish it had been…”

She blushed and looked down when he said he had liked it when she kissed his cheek. She was trying to get her thoughts in order to reply to his words but he gave her no time. His words made her even more embarrassed but that was not enough, his hand reached out to lift her chin so their eyes met. Her cheeks were tainted red and her eyes sparkled like gems. Her lips had been slightly parted. And then she felt something soft touch her lips, her eyes opened wide for a moment but soon after as if her being reacted to the kiss she welcomed it and closed her lips. Her arms around his neck gently pulled him closer and after their chaste kiss she blushed as much as he had and looked down in embarrassment.

“Please say you’ll stay with me, Riko?”

Despite her embarrassment she nodded to his words and managed to find her voice, “I will always be by your side Aikano, I… I love you.” She blushed and dared not look into his eyes. “I’m sorry if I hurt you by running away.”