A wandering Matsu, I (D9, EE, Expecting)

[Shinjo Akil]

"I suppose I can accept that," he nodded. "At least you are pretty when your face is red like that?"

[Matsu Kogo]

And the redness is showing no signs of disappearing. "Ahhh....Thank you, Akil-san." She looks up at him. "But should you say such a things when you are all but engaged? Telling me of your love, calling me pretty....Would not Doji-san disapprove?"

Not that I care that much about how she feels but I suspect he does and somehow, that changes it all. Benten, I am going to chuck your idol in the lake before I leave.

[Shinjo Akil]

"You are correct, of course. But should then I instead lie? Pretend I don't care?"

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo shakes her head. "I do not know. Honesty says you should tell the truth, even when it is painful. Courage would say not to fear these obstacles. I am just unsure of what Duty and loyalty would say." I am unsure if I even understand what those terms mean anymore.

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded. "I certainly do not regret what I have said."

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles. "Nor do I regret what I have done." She looks at him, a little mischief in her eyes. "Though I do regret breaking my word to you." Her face is slightly more serious.

[Shinjo Akil]

He considered. "I... Know it is not the most honorable thing to say... But I am not sad you did."

[Matsu Kogo]

She looks at him, slightly puzzled. "Why is that? It was dishonest at best. I am deeply sorry for my mistake."

[Shinjo Akil]

"Because... I like kissing you?" Now it was Akil's turn to be red.

[Matsu Kogo]

Yup,redness. Fire, the sun. Nothing on Kogo. Rubies, just a little glimmer. "Ahhh....I...liked kissing you too...Probably a bit more than I should say." She looked at him and then looked down again. That way lies danger.

She pauses. "I...have told no one. I did not wish for you to be shamed in rumors for my actions." She looks back at him, biting her lip unconsciously. How am I back here all over again? How did I end up here?

[Shinjo Akil]

"Thank you," he smiled and nodded. "I... If it happened again, I don't know that I could say I would be sad."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo looked at him, unsure how to even act in this moment. What....Oh Benten. I will set your idol on fire after this miai.


She looks at him, her face red, the lack of surety clear. "Not sad....is not happy Akil-san. As I said, I will not take what you do not choose to give. Especially when your heart holds another. I may be one whose word has been flawed, but...I would not take from you now, just to satisfy...myself."

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded. "I only say it wouldn't make me happy because..." He blushed, "well, I get the feeling we would have difficulty with, erm... Control..." He too many sharp breath, "and, well, anything beyond what we already have done should probably wait until a bit after I have married."

[Matsu Kogo]

So red. Redder than anything that has ever been red before. "Uhhh..." She looks at him, then looks down. "Control...in these matters...is not my best skill. I will admit." She listens to his words again, in her head. Is he offering...again?

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded. At the least, he didn't step closer. "Nor mine." He smiled... Then sighed. "But... We should be good. For our future Spouses' sake."