So many things have happened, she still couldn’t believe it: she gained her abilities back, has a grandfather now, rescued Lord Kudou with her dream sight and survived her first official party in that pretty white western-style dress, side by side with her soon-to-be sister-in-law Hazuki and her fiancé, Lord Kudou.

Some routines in their household have changed too. Miss Yurie would normally arrive after the young master has left the house, so Miyo could prepare, serve and enjoy the breakfast next to her fiancé. In comparison to her first morning at the Kudou's, when Kiyoka accused Miyo to have poisoned his food - they have moved on a lot.

After they ate and Lord Kudou left the dining room to get ready for work, Miyo finished the dishes. The young woman knew, this house was her home now too, but she couldn’t step across the line to call her fiancé Kiyoka or his house, well, hers. Time would tell, she guessed and sighed.

„What is it now?“, his voice, raspy and filled with concern, startled her.

„Oh, Lord Kudou“, she whispered: „it’s nothing. I don’t want to concern you.“

Kiyoka Kudou, already dressed in his white button-up shirt (last two buttons of his collar open) and dark, tailored pants, stepped inside their kitchen, pulling the dark-haired woman into a gentle hug: „Miyo?“

„Yes?“, she gasped.

„Do you remember our first date?“

„Yes?“, she looked up, peeking through her dark lashes.

„Remember, I’ve told you, to always be honest with each other? Not to hesitate if something is bothering one of us?“

She bowed her head down again, her forehead rested on his chest: „Yes.“

„There is something, that concerns me.“

„Oh?“

„It’s the way you address me.“

Oh, not this again, she thought. Lord Kudou and his sister were more alike than it seemed: „…“

„How often do I have to ask you to address me as Kiyoka?“, his breath stroked her hairline, soft and caring, like his arms around her.

„I am sorry, Lord K…“

„Hmm?“

„Sosorry, Lo…Ki…Kiyoka“

The sound of her velvety whisper touched his heart and soul - it was the first time, since they met, that she called him by his first name. The young gift-user gasped, blushing.

„Oh, Miyo“, he sighed, grasping her more, hugging her tight to his own body.

The young woman in his arms blushed likewise, honored and astonished, that she finally said his first name out loud. She had whispered it, in her mind and dreams before, too shy in her former reality.

„Kiyoka?“

„Yes, Miyo?“

„I don’t want to be the reason, you’re late for work.“

He chuckled, pulling her even closer to his chest: „Oh-ha. Don’t worry. I am still the head of the Special Anti Grotesquerie Unit - I enjoy certain advantages. But yes, I should leave now. Would you do me a favor?“

„Of course. What can I do for you?“

„Would you tie my hair for me again?“

Kiyoka kneeled, Miyo sat at his side, also on her knees, while her fingers were stroking over his head and through his hair. A shiver ran down his spine, her touch was so gentle and kind. When she tied the handmade hair accessory, she admired the contrast between the bright purple and his moonshine-colored hair. It suited him so well.

„All done“, she said, while she moved his low ponytail around his neck, so it could rest over his shoulder - like always. Today was a little different though.

„Huh“, the young man gasped, startled by a certain touch, his shoulder went up a little to protect his skin.

„I am so sorry, Lor… Kiyoka. Did I hurt you?“, Miyo replied, unsure if her nails were a little too long or if the hair tie itself had scratched his neck. She couldn’t see any bruises.

„No, um…“, he blushed: „It’s… you…“

„Yes?“

„It’s nothing, really. You just tickled me, that’s all.“, he whispered shyly.

„Oh… OH!“, Miyo’s eyes went wide, her cheeks blushed under his gaze even more and her hands covered her mouth: „I am so sorry!“

He chuckled, putting one hand onto her head, like he’d done it at their first date: „Don’t be sorry. It was unintentional, correct?“

„Yes?!“, she whispered into her palms.

„So, nothing to be sorry about.“

„I am so sorry, Lord Kud… Kiyoka. I-ah…“

„If you do try to tickle me, you won’t get away with it.“, he grumbled, unable to hide the smirk, that tucked at the corners of his mouth. Her own eyes widened even more, her cheeks were burning red now, while she tried to become invisible. Had he teased her? Had he threatened her, if she ever tries to tickle him on purpose, he’d do the same to her? She couldn’t remember, if she was ticklish herself at all, or if anyone had ever tried to tickle her. Her mother maybe, when she was still alive? Or Hana? But no one else, ever. With all those open questions running through her mind in chaotic order, her fiancé stroked a loose strand of her midnight-black hair behind her ear, now with a full grin on his face: „Unfortunately, I have to leave now, but…“

„Yes?“, she squeaked, still flustered from all that.

„…I am off-duty tomorrow.“

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