#serizumo

When morning came, Izumo dressed and was set to meet Seri to speak of the political side of their almost-betrothal. He loathed political talk, even when it was limited.

He didn’t dare enter her room when she was unprepared, knocking lightly on the door and asking for permission to come in. “You again?” She held no annoyance in those words, welcoming another kiss that lingered too long on her lips and dared to go farther. She coughed  “I thought you’d left me for good this time.”

The corset was back, it would be every day until he took it off with his own two hands and felt more satisfaction from it than any other task. “We’ll send for the rest of your belongings tonight if all goes well, then I’m never leaving you for good.”

“We’ll settle that affair after the peace talks, I intend to get to know your parents well today.”

“You’re dangerous, my love, already winning over the king and queen?” Izumo snuck yet another chaste kiss in while they walked, careful not to leave a mark this time. “What’s next, taking my spot on the throne?”

“I could rule without you just fine, but I’d prefer to have you by my side.”

*

“You two have forged an even stronger, unintentional alliance between the kingdoms.” The king looked them over, his son’s attention split between Seri’s fingers linked with his own and at his father. “This will benefit everyone, without a doubt.”

As much as Izumo wanted to bask in his father’s praise, taking his happiness and spinning it for ‘the good of the kingdom’ did not blow over well. His audible sighs were enough.

“You’ve grown up so much,” His mother smiled and the wrinkles around her eyes crinkled. “My son will be married, finally.”

“Please, don’t cry.” He held a weak spot for his mother’s emotional well-being. Perhaps Seri liked that side of him too. “Otherwise I may myself.”

“I raised you, I’m allowed to cry when I find it appropriate.” 

*

Izumo rode by himself and took two guards for protection, dressed casually except for his horse’s tack of red and gold. Blue territory was not a far way’s away, and his racing heart was audible over horse hooves on the ground.

He was greeted by the Blue King’s advisor, the same one he fought with. “How pleasant to see you again so soon. Is all well?”

“The better question is what brings you here? You were just celebrating last night, you should be resting.”

“I have business with someone here, she and I are close.” The king’s advisor raised an eyebrow, curious. “Is the father of Lady Awashima present?”

“He is, as a matter of fact.”

Izumo motioned for the two guards to stay alert and mounted while he dismounted and followed the king inside on foot.

*

“Your Highness, I am here on behalf of a personal request.”

The Blue King was notoriously soft spoken, nodding at Izumo’s presence. “I request to speak with the father of Lady Seri, if I may.”

He had met Seri’s father on a few occasions before with some intimidation. This time was no different from the rest, a stern face hiding his own paternal worry for his only daughter. “Treat her well.” Prince or not, he would respect her father’s (and Seri’s own) wishes. “I’d like to see her one last time before you take her away from me.”

“I have no intentions to keep her from seeing her loved ones if she needs to. Now, or later.”

“Seri is all I have left, your Highness.”

“She is your daughter first, and my wife second.” Seri was, and always would remain, her own person. Izumo was not the type to undermine her capabilities.

*

The bells had not yet rung two when the thud of horse tracks signaled his arrival. Seri could barely contain herself despite holding a conversation with the queen and hopefully making a good impression. Izumo thanked the guards at the door and tread softly through the great hall he had left earlier, already tired from the day’s activities.

“The talks went well, as I expected.” He played it calm, internally he was riddled with contentment that there was little in their way now. “And you? Are you getting accustomed to it here?”

“What of my father, did he give his approval?”

“Of course he did. But do I have your approval?”

“Don’t be foolish, Izumo, you had my approval months ago.”

His mother didn’t say a word, instead she quietly left the room to leave them alone. Seri’s not so quiet ‘I love you’ drifted by his mother’s ear.

*

Mikoto captured Izumo in a headlock that evening, singing his praises. “We’re losing a friend to a lady! Tatara, we need to make the best of his last days as a bachelor!”

“That’s the next king you’re choking, Mikoto, let him go or you’ll have to deal with three people scolding you instead of two.” Tatara straightened out Izumo’s collar and gracefully accepted the drink offered to him. “Next time you choose to have a little night time adventure with the Lady, be more discreet.”

“I’m not ashamed of my talents.”

“The guards had a few stories of,” Tatara steepled his fingers in search of the proper word. “Some strange noises coming from her room the night she stayed over.”

Everyone in the surrounding kingdoms could not hold their excitement on the day of the ball, all roads leading to the Reds marred with carriage tracks by evening.

The campaign in the east was still the talk of the kingdom, as was the Prince’s age. “It’s always the same, isn’t it?” Sorting through letters from foreign dignitaries, hopeful princesses, and even more hopeful parents of eligible girls, Izumo finally found something worth reading. His courtship with Seri was progressing well, he believed so, judging by the nature and content of their letters.

Instead of being sent to “Your Highness” or “The Prince” it was simply his first name or ‘My Dearest’. After his time spent in the Blue Kingdom, he was making trips over to get to know Seri’s home when his father didn’t require his attention.

The letter was written in Seri’s clean script, as brief and nondescript as her letters usually were when not dripping with emotion. The wax seal was printed with her family’s crest and a royal blue color.

He smelled flowers after breaking the wax seal and the privacy of his room gave him the opportunity to indulge in the sweetness. My Dearest Izumo, the letter began, Sentimental you and faithful me...

*

Izumo clutched Seri’s note in his hand until it creased and he could smell the sweet perfume she’d sprayed on it before the wax-seal hid her words.

At the ball tonight is when we’ll meet again. I’ll be waiting for you by the stables when the bells ring nine times.

Love,

Seri

She dotted the i with a sharp quill accent and every letter curved just so. It looked like a well trained scribe had done it all, Izumo thought, dressing for the ball that was originally meant to find him a wife. It wasn’t necessary at all at this point, was it? He already had one, so long as his parents understood he was serious.

“Tatara, will you be in the stables tonight?”

“If you ask me to, I will be.”

“I’ll be needing your help, I’m expecting a visitor.” The velvet lining of the mask felt soft against the tip of his nose as he brought it up to his face to secure it with ribbon in the back. “How do I look, Tatara?”

“She’ll love it.”

*

The Prince had no problem introducing himself to every girl, smiling and kissing their hands as if it was second nature. (Which it was - women came as easy as breathing.) He lost track of how many times he gave empty compliments on dresses, hair, and whatever parts of their faces weren’t obscured by a mask.

It was a masked ball, as per request of the royal family. The anonymity of the prince’s identity wouldn’t last long, not when someone got a particularly good look at his eyes or recognized his voice, but it helped more shy guests adjust to the environment. The gold crown forced him to stand out in the room against his will, always catching the light. Izumo used the little bit of anonymity as a way to escape from the room without too much judgement from the other guests, standing on the outdoor terrace to watch.

An hour of vapid compliments and too-eager girls shoving each other for a dance with him passed and he was already done with the night. The band kept playing without a trace of exhaustion, albeit some intoxication. He wondered if Mikoto and Totsuka had snuck in to get a meal and a bit of drink.

“Your Highness,” This one had stepped on a few toes to get her spot in line, and more than likely proud of it. “It’s an honor to meet you in person, I’ve heard so many things about you.”

“Oh?” He pressed for more information, one hand resting on the small of her back inching upwards. “Please go on, my dear.”

“A-Ah, yes.” She blushed a similar pink to the silks on her dress. “I heard amazing stories of how you fought in the war and lead a successful campaign against the Greens.”

“That’s close enough, I suppose.” Their (blessedly) short dance ended and he sent her off in the direction of someone his age who’d been looking at her all night. “You were a pleasure to dance with.”

*

Since their first accidental encounter, and the second, and the third, and every subsequent letter exchanged, he was taken by Seri. Taken by her beauty and personality - she was far above him in so many categories.

Izumo wondered if she was equally as taken with him.

He waited until the cathedral bells rang nine times, obscured by the stable doors. He stood out in his dress clothes and gilded mask while standing beside a pile of clean hay. The horses were better company than the party guests because they only demanded fruit and carrots instead of his attention. Soft whinnying and stomping prevented Izumo from hearing Seri’s arrival, her carriage somewhere off in the distance on its way back to the Blue Kingdom.

“Izumo! Talking to your horse again?”

“My princess,” Totsuka had long since left the stables to go drinking with Mikoto for the evening, so they were alone. “You look even more beautiful, as if that’s possible for a lady such as yourself.”

Seri’s mild disdain for the compliment was enough to make him chuckle and lean against the wall. Her lack of reaction to being called princess was a good one. “There’s hay in my dress, isn’t there?” She kicked uselessly to shake it out.

“It doesn’t matter to me.” His crown was knocked to one side from a particularly touchy party-goer. “Was the journey safe?”

“It was, and it was quiet. It’s a wonder what arriving late does for the streets.” He offered Seri his hand, one of hers lifting up layers of dress as they walked away from the stables and to the pathways lit up by oil lanterns. “Taking me away from the party this early? I thought you wanted to brag about me?”

“You’re too good to mix with the likes of those people. You never threw yourself at me, or shoved others away just to be in my field of view. And you certainly didn’t -” Boots crunched on the ground and his words were cut short.

Izumo pulled Seri close to his chest and they ducked into the topiary maze, away from the night guard rotation. “The guards would tell the King about us sneaking around. He wants to maintain a good image of me until an official announcement is made.”

Blindsided by the soft lanterns overhead giving Seri an angelic-glow in contrast to her blue dress - she looked ethereal. “Izumo?” She touched his face to bring his focus back. “Are you well?”

“I’m perfectly fine, just a little overwhelmed.” They could kiss right there and any doubts of marriage would be gone but Seri might leave and change her mind. “You look even better in this light, if that’s possible.”

“Again with that?” Even though the night guards had passed and they were in the safety of the maze, they remained close. “Take your mask off, we’re not at the party yet.”

He was relieved of the mask and the weight it carried and Seri’s expression softened at seeing his face again. “Better now?” It went unsaid that it was in fact better even with his hair slightly tousled from untying the ribbon.

“Much better.” He shivered at the briefest contact of Seri removing the mask from his face, tracing the laugh lines and combing her fingers through his hair. “I expect the royal treatment from you tonight.” The roses in the maze smelled like Seri’s perfume.

*

Re-joining the ball later on and smelling like the garden, girls who had been hopeful for the Prince’s hand were now dancing with other guests. “I think you missed your own party, your Highness.” Seri was careful about latching onto his arm or resting her head upon his shoulder until the timing was right. “Do you think this was all part of your plan? For the other girls to resort to other guests and leave us alone?”

“This night was my father’s idea, it’s mostly for his ego. I only wanted you here, I could care less about who attends.” Izumo wanted to be with Seri without the mask and royal colors on. “If it were up to me, it’d be a much more intimate affair.”

“How so?” Seri lead him to the dance floor after securing her own mask and fixing his for the sake of identity. “I’m all yours and nobody needs to know about our little adventure earlier.”

“Well,” Izumo led her into a slow minuet, a simple three step that anyone knew in their sleep. “It would be you and I somewhere private, perhaps my chambers if you felt so inclined.”

He had an excuse to touch her more, a hand secure on her waist and the other clasping her right one. He groaned inwardly at the corset under her dress. Again, more metal. “The other girls are whispering.”

“Because I was polite enough to not come off as a barbarian but I held no interest in any of them except for you,” A particularly dramatic twirl put her dress in motion, a dramatic flair of skirts and embroidery and it wasn’t every day that the Prince smiled at his dance partner, who happened to be wearing the same blue as the Blue Kingdom. How dare the prince dance with a Blue Kingdom girl, is he too picky for someone from his own land? Do the king and queen permit this? “Gossip keeps them occupied when drink doesn’t.”

“How noble of you to say that, Your Highness.” She lead where he followed until the music stopped and they were expected to separate and act as though they were strangers. “Stay.”

“I’d want nothing else.”

*

The night went on until the clock rang one and then two, and guests were in higher spirits due to the spirits being served non-stop. They filtered out until only a few remained, two of them being the Prince and his beloved.

“Until next time, my Princess?” Izumo walked Seri up to her room for the night, past guards and guests that were prepared to leave.

“It’s late, don’t you think?” His eyes wandered and settled on the neckline of her dress, cut in a small v. “Don’t princes need their beauty sleep?”

“Yes, it is. Far too late for a lady like yourself to be awake.” A playful grin took over Izumo’s face, obscured by the mask still. “Could you oblige me one more thing before we part tonight?”

“Perhaps.” The facade of of saying your Highness was fading quickly, despite their isolated location from prying eyes.

“A kiss to remember the night?”

“I could do that much.” Seri stood only a few inches below him now thanks to a heel on her shoes - she let his hands rest on her waist and her back once more, leaning into his touch and reaching for his shoulders to hold. The stone wall felt cool against his back after passing the evening in a crowd.

They had abstained from kissing since their first meeting but in the cover of the night, one was destined to happen. He did not want it to end, he wanted more of Seri when the time was right. It was short and sweet, the more daring ones reserves for later and Seri tasted of the drinks being served that night. “You’re being watched, my love.”

“My father will rejoice once I explain.”

“I will leave a key for you outside my doorway.”

*

The King was blocking Izumo’s door as he came down from the rush of his first kiss with Seri. “So you’ve finally chosen a wife? After we took you to the Blue Kingdom and you disappeared with her for the entire day, I expect nothing less.”

“That’s a bit archaic, father, don’t you think? She isn’t a work of art, she’s a person.” He retained his sobriety the entire night, in case he needed an alibi. “I do want to propose to her, so long as she says yes.”

“She will, have no doubt about that.”

“You’re drunk, father. Go to bed.” The guards posted at his bedroom door shrugged as Izumo walked his father to bed, away from prying eyes and ears. “We’ll discuss this in the morning.”

*

Sleep was restless and unsatisfying - Seri’s chamber was just down the hall and she had left him with a lingering taste on his mouth from their chaste kiss.

Would she still be awake if he went to her room?

*

He paid no mind to the guards stationed by Seri’s door, cutting through the servant’s entrance that would let him directly in. Candlelight signaled that she had not yet gone to sleep yet; he was overtaken with himself.

One tap on the door separating them and Seri looked around until the tapping increased and she treaded softly across the cold floor to let him in. “Finally, I feared that you’d never notice.”

“Perhaps I wanted to sleep.”

“Not when I’m around,” Seri did not falter in rolling her eyes at that, welcoming his touch when it had been mere hours since. “Do you want me to stay?”

“Don’t waste your breath on foolish questions.” Seri initiated the next kiss, the remains of her styled hair falling in waves around her face. “Come to bed, please.”

“What about you wanting sleep?” Izumo teased and picked her up to even out their height difference once more, linen sleep clothes against her own silk ones. “Or is that not necessary?”

Seri teased and leaned in close to whisper in his ear “I spent countless nights thinking of us in this position. Can you surpass my expectations?” The moon lit up parts of the room that candlelight failed to reach.

He had been saving himself for this moment, to be intimate with her. The latter comment set a blush upon his face as far as his ears. There was no corset stifling her movement and he reveled in that fact, relieved her figure was equally pleasing without the help of steel. “Sleep later, when we’re married. In your -”

“Our, my love.”

“Our chambers.”

Seri fell back against the bed while taking Izumo down with her, overwhelmingly content. “Put the candle out before sleep takes us for the night.”

“That won’t be for some time if I have my way.” He kissed the junction where neck became shoulder and drew soft sounds out of her until she gave him permission to keep going.

*

At sunrise he gently woke Seri to part until he would walk her to her carriage. “I’m returning to my chambers.” He kissed her again, coaxing one last sweet noise from her and planning the rest of their time together.

“Don’t go.”

“I must.” He had heard Seri’s pleading voice just a few hours before, this tone much more personal. “Go back to sleep, I’m only down the hall from here.”

Gossip was a secondary trade of nearly everyone in both kingdoms - some curious squire had caught a glimpse of red and blue coats of arms, and a crown. It didn’t require an education to see the prince’s smile aimed in the direction of a woman, known as cold hearted and distant.

That was expected as daughter of the constable, whose mother passed unfortunately early. The idea of Lady Awashima having a suitor astounded the curious squire. The prince smiled at her with a palm cupping her cheek and the temptation to claim her with a soft kiss was written all over his face.

He withdrew. The curious squire frowned in confusion. Why? Why would the prince stop there?

*

The morning after his arrival home, Izumo dressed for breakfast and expected his mother’s disapproval of his choice, or his father’s joy for his choice.

He barely reached the table when the topic of courtship came up - not exactly the proper conversation. “This early?”

“It’s not every day you pick a wife. And it’s in our best interest to help you court her properly.” The subtle ‘for the good of the kingdom’ was left out. “She’s quite beautiful, Izumo.”

“Thank you, mother.” Not that her appearance mattered, he thought, but it certainly helped. “Where do I begin?”

*

He took up his quill once more - not that he hadn’t before.

My Love,

I miss your voice once more - yesterday was just a taste of what we could have. I yearn to kiss you but I will be good and wait til you are ready. Included in this letter is an invitation to our ball - my parents request that you stay overnight so they may get to know you better.

If you stay overnight til morning, I fear I won’t sleep because my thoughts will be consumed by you once more. Your hands are so strong for a lady such as yourself, you must show me how well you handle a bow and arrow one day. Or perhaps a sword, whichever you’re more proficient with.

Am I selfish for wanting you even more now?

Yours,

Izumo

*

Seri received his letter and the invitation, now increasingly popular within the court. She didn’t enjoy the attention, not from other ladies who preened and lacked the knowledge to keep gossip to oneself.

“Must be lucky to have the Prince’s attention.” One said.

“I heard he’s having a ball, perhaps we could dance with him once or twice.”

“He’s a hopeless flirt, it wouldn’t take much to convince him to s-”

That was enough.

Izumo,

I now understand why you become so sentimental over quill and ink - I shall arrange to stay overnight and continue to enjoy your gradual courtship. I’m shocked there are no flowers or grand gestures fit for a prince such as yourself, but I appreciate it. There’s enough talk here that I despise it even more than usual.

I want to be with you as soon as possible, no matter the cost.

Love,

Seri.

Her heart raced while sealing the letter, an unfamiliar blush decorating her face. Is this what it was meant to feel like?

*

The ball preparations consumed the next coming days - Izumo barely found a minute to sit and reply to his beloved’s letters, savoring the crisp paper and blue wax seal.

He was tugged between seamstresses and chefs, one of them fitting clothing and the other fitting a menu to his preferences.

The guest room Seri was meant to stay in was prepared well in advance, long enough for Izumo to plan a route to meet at her door or under the window, in the event of being caught there was an escape plan. Her trunk would arrive before her and set aside in the room, and then she would arrive that night.

Their moment was interrupted by the blue king’s large hands on their shoulders, separating them so he could step between. “Lady Awashima has caught your attention?”

“Well, I would like to speak to her to get to know her better. It’d be in poor taste of me to only judge off appearance. If that’s alright with Lady Awashima, of course.”

“How considerate of you, your Highness.” Seri struggled with maintaining her facade in front of Izumo and their kings, not after the piles of letters on her desk and hopeless nights had anything to do with it. “It’s absolutely fine with me, your Highness.”

Outside in the same courtyard there were no parents or kings watching over their shoulders. “You lied to me this whole time!” Seri was displeased, as would anyone be. “I thought you were different.”

“You like me regardless of my title.” Izumo flinched at the last remark, not showing it on his face and only by his tone. “Different how?”

“You didn’t trust me to be genuine with you if I knew the truth. Did you believe I’d use your status and deceive you or be unfaithful? I think of nobody but you.” Seri wouldn’t look at him, not even when he twined their fingers together and she didn’t fight it. “Was that your reasoning for deceiving me?”

“I wanted to come forward with the truth earlier but I wanted to see you one more time to verify that our feelings are the same.”

“I can’t be entirely sure of that now that you’ve come forward as a pr-”

“A prince?” It was difficult not to notice how nicely their hands fit together even when their blooming relationship was already weathering a storm. “I’m sorry it had to be like this, Seri. I wanted to tell you the next time we were together.”

She remained with her back to him, something their kings would have her punished for if she were caught. “That doesn’t excuse the fact you were brazen enough to approach me today.” Seri led him through the courtyard in bloom, blue hyacinths beside them. “So, your Highness, am I going to be under scrutiny of the Red Kingdom now?”

“Not unless I permit it.” Instead of standing at arms length, her temper slowly cooled and Seri came to his side. “You have my permission to be mad at me as long as you’d like, I won’t be offended.”

“May we speak candidly? Perhaps your words may sway me once more.”

*

Side by side felt like a good place to be, the gentle swish of skirt layers held up ever so slightly off the ground matching pace with Izumo’s steps. The stiff corset kept her posture straight and he wasn’t shy at admiring how she looked in it. “So, the crown prince?”

“Are we really bringing this topic back? I’m aware you’re not pleased with my actions.” A nondescript bench somewhere in the maze of flowers became their destination, “What else would you like to know?”

“Nothing, our first conversation came to mind again, I feel foolish.”

“I’m the foolish one here for withholding this from you.” When she turned to face him her mouth slightly agape and if he were a weaker man he’d kiss her there. “You lauded me for being intelligent and a skilled fighter, did you not?”

“I was defending you, unbeknownst to me.” Their hands never separated. “Tell me something you haven’t confessed in a letter.”

“Something I haven’t told you yet? As if the pages of letters aren’t enough to satisfy you, My Lady?” Seri cocked one eyebrow at his remark. “I suppose there’s more about me. Can you handle it?”

The corset made getting closer a strain; she lacked the mobility that Izumo had and she wished to feel him without a layer of steel and fabric between them. “Perhaps, I enjoy a challenge.”

Izumo’s grin grew wider as Seri bantered back and forth with him until their shoulders touched and there was no space left between them. “Tell me about your family.”

He searched his memories for something to say about his father that would pull a smile from Seri’s lips but settled on the story of how his mother questioned his father’s sense humor in front of dinner guests.

*

Seri unbuttoned the heavy outer layers of Izumo’s jackets, taking time to feel the embroidery and silk beneath her fingers. “I remember you dressed like this,” The plain linen shirt was a neutral off-white, not the pure white of Seri’s kingdom. “You talked to your steed and laid in the grass with me until it grew dark.”

Letting the weight of the kingdom drop from his shoulders and sitting beside Seri left him at peace, if only temporarily. “Well,” feeling the breeze hit his neck, “I have some time until we depart, if I may spend the rest with you.” Somewhere along their walk he picked a stray red flower among the hundreds of blue and tucked it behind Seri’s ear.

“I want nothing less.”

*

As much as neither of them wanted the day to come to an end, five bells rang. “My father is having a ball for me and for the war celebration. He feared I’d never settle down and invited princesses to try and marry me off. Having you there with me would be the perfect opportunity for us to quell those worries for good.”

“Are you inviting me to your unofficial engagement celebration, Izumo?” Seri relaxed her free hand, the other still intertwined with his until his grip tightened momentarily.

“Our engagement celebration, if you’d like to make it truly official then. But it’d be entirely your choice after today’s events and my lack of honesty.” His hand relaxed as well, feeling the pads of Seri’s fingers and the physical memory of her touch for a later date. “It would be an honor to be promised to a lady such as yourself.”

“Aren’t I the one who should be fawning? Swooning over His Highness and his warm eyes, strong hands, and quick wit?” They were dangerously close again with Seri feigning fatigue and leaning into his touch just to savor it a little longer. “Send me a proper invitation and I’ll join you that evening.”

*

Izumo adjusted his crown and embroidered jackets once more before stepping into the carriage lighter than he had been earlier that day.

Izumo had asked her out on a date a couple times. Sometimes he made it obvious, and sometimes he talked in a roundabout way. But it always had been the same answer. She refused. Not because of him as a person. The reason was the tense situation of their clans.

But this one time, it was actually a normal day like any other, Seri intended to give him a chance. And oh, was it a good idea. Izumo’s trick to make women fall all over him was that he was a gentleman. He knew exactly how to treat them right and that’s what made him resistless. Even for Seri.

They’ve had a beautiful night. A nice dinner and some drinks after that. Dates couldn’t have gone better, she knew that. It was around two in the morning and both of them left the bar together. This was a rare moment when Izumo actually spent time in another bar. 

“ Is bringing me back to my home too much to ask? “, the blonde asked with a playful manner. Of course, she knew it wasn’t. 

“ I’m not gonna let a lady walk home all alone in the middle of the night. “ 

A smile was formed on her lips as he started to speak. Seri was well-aware of why she liked him so much, even though it haven’t always seemed like it. And during this moment it kinda turned into more than just like. Izumo went ahead and turned his back on Seri, still having that smile on his face. 

“ Wait. “ She stopped. “ Actually it’s this way to my apartment. “ Pointing at the opposite direction she laughed. 

And Izumo couldn’t help himself. He was just longing for her too much. “ I know, I know. But this is the way to my apartment. “ Offering her to hold on his upper arm, he raised his eyebrows. “ So? You wanna come with me now, mademoiselle? “

Seri started to understand her feelings more and more. It was some kind of tingling inside her stomach. It felt bad but yet so good. Seemed like this was it. This is how women fall for him. 

Holding onto his arm, she couldn’t do anything but accept the offer. It was almost like she didn’t move on her own. Like a magnet she reached for it.  So they walked down the street, feeling how the closeness made both of them feel like this is the right thing to do. It didn’t even take that long to get to his place. Opening the door, Izumo let her enter his rather sterile apartment. It was still giving a comfortable feeling though. After taking off their jackets, Seri found her place on his couch. It was pretty big for one single person. At least that was what she thought. Izumo went directly into the kitchen. 

“ Drink? “, he asked, loud enough for her to hear.

“ More alcohol? We just left a bar--? “

“ You don’t wanna miss a good 13 years old Brunello di Montalcino, do you? Just the best-- “ He went out of the kitchen to hand her the filled wineglass. “ --for the best. “ There it was again, that smile on her face.

“ I guess I don’t have a choice, right? “ The sound the glasses made when they touched each other was some kind of relaxing. She never knew she could feel like that towards him. It felt nice. 

Izumo was watching her as she took a closer look at the deep red wine. She was sitting there in a beautiful blue dress. Her hair was falling down her shoulders and he had such a strong need to touch it. Yes, she was beautiful. She was way more than that. And this strange feeling inside his stomach, why did it feel so wrong and yet so right? He had to do something.