“Inuchiyo! Inuchiyo!” She yelled as she ran through the crowd. His usual bright colored kimono was nowhere to be seen today. Eventually, her steps paused at the never ending flood of people.Â
“Where is he?!” she huffed.
Then, her eyes caught sight of the distinct lilac robes she’s known since childhood. Relief coursed through her body and despair left in the form of an exhale. There stood the boy she’s known since she couldn’t see above the shop’s kitchen counters; since she first learned how to cook; since she first felt love for another person.
But her first love wasn’t Inuchiyo. No, it was a boy from a neighboring restaurant who sought her out in hopes of stealing her family’s recipes. However, the relationship never furthered into something more. Inuchiyo might have had a part in ending their coupling because, true to his name, Inuchiyo acted more like a guard dog than an older brother whenever the boy was around. Alas, she was too caught up in the rosy hue of love to notice, to realize. Now, however, she knows and she won’t let him live in the background any longer.Â
Thus, when her calloused hands grab the back of his shoulder, wrinkling the prestigious robes of a samurai, her grip tightened at the reminder. Inuchiyo jumped at the sudden touch until he noticed the owner behind the act. His gaze softened at the sight of her, flushed cheeks and all. Lips moved to form her name, but she interrupted with a shout.
“Inuchiyo! It’s you. It’s always been you. Whenever I need someone to sit and bare my feelings to or try my new dishes, even if they didn’t turn out right, you’re there. You know when I need help and show up whenever you can. You’ve always made me your priority and even though I couldn't say the same for a while, now I’ve realized. You’re always number one. Even with all the available guys around here and your other samurai friends in Owari, it’s always been you. I’m sorry I couldn’t realize this sooner. I hope you can forgive me because you love me, right?”
She ends her speech with a shy smile and for a second Inuchiyo is frozen. Her smile almost falters at his lack of reaction until she notices the ruddy hue growing on his cheeks. So, she laughs under her breath and rests her head against his chest. Maybe a public confession wasn’t the best idea for her easily embarrassed childhood friend, childhood friend now lover.
