Chapter 187: Must you marry me?

Amami, the main face of the rain goddess, rolls on the bed and reaches for the black grapes on the bedside table. There's a lazy smile on her face that is no longer chubby. Instead of the round and full cheeks, she has an oval face with slightly red cheeks.

She has successfully managed to lose all the extra weight in twenty-nine days.

The foreigner god didn't turn up. She was both happy and disappointed that day. Her disappointment came from the fact that she couldn't see his disappointment. The reason behind her happiness was as simple as not being bothered by that god again.

It took twenty-nine days to get rid of the weed in the shrine. It's perfectly clean now and people are coming here a lot. In fact, she is daring herself to eat again. But she doesn't want to get fat lest he appears someday. 

"What is this?"

The tiny grape falls from her lips. She looks over her shoulder and finds him sitting on a branch of a tree that is growing in the middle of the room. He is dressed in a white robe. His green hair is a little messy. But she can't figure out if it's due to his curly hair or not.

"How could y-y-you do…" Cina points at her with disbelief, feeling mortified that she is no longer a huggable goddess now. The girl has a slim figure -- narrow waist that he wants to hold more, round arse that he wants to pinch, and straight back that his hands are itching to feel. She was huggable before, and he can't see how she's not huggable now. This change is certainly delightful.

He scrutinizes her face. Though her cheeks aren't pinchable anymore, her features are well-defined. Darn! How could a person look this pretty even after losing weight? He has always wanted a fat wife but he still wants her after she lost weight.

Amami hasn't expected him to return. The moment she sees him, her heart skips a beat in anticipation. She gathers her wits soon and controls her expression. He seems heartbroken. "Tree God, I was dismayed by what other god with my name. So, I was depressed for days and couldn't take care of myself. I ended up losing weight. I know that you don't want me anymore. I won't hold it against you. A handsome god like you should have a beautiful wife. I am no longer fit to be your wife anymore. I release you from the promise."

She turns her face away from him, covering it with her palms, pretending to sob. Surely, this god will leave her alone now. Amami smirks internally. 

"My bride, you had a hard time without me." Cina's voice is full of pity and melancholy. He jumps into the bed, startling her. Before she could react and run away, he pulls her into his embrace and rolls on the bed. She's still so huggable. "You worked so hard that you even lost your weight. But my bride, do you not understand my heart? How could I abandon you? I am Cina, the god of trees and lands. I have chosen you as my bride. Until the end of time, you will remain as my bride."

"..." This isn't what she wanted. Amami squirms in his arms. Why is he so strong? The God of trees shouldn't be able to hold onto rain. But Cina is clutching her tightly. She's only wearing an inner robe -- nothing inside or outside. It's not proper to roll on the bed with a man. The warmth from his skin seeps into hers. She swallows. "Cina, don't you think that you are being hasty? Why don't you marry a woman from your world? I am sure that there are many goddesses who want you."

Cina digs his face in the curve of her neck and takes in her scent. The rain goddess smells like wet earth and sweet cherries. It's a perfect scent. Drunk in her scent, he raises his head and brushes his lips against her earlobe. "Who cares if they want me or not? I want you. Isn't that enough?"

A shiver runs in her body. Amami squeezes her eyes shut. Is she done today? Why didn't it work? He was clearly obsessed with fat women. "Cina, I am not a powerful goddess. As you can see, the main face of the rain god keeps changing. I might lose my position soon. I am afraid that I am not the right goddess to be with a god like you."

"Is that why you are hesitating?" Cina lifts his head and looks at her face. Lying on the top of her, holding her narrow waist, there's barely any space between his chest and hers. He seems to be losing himself in her dark eyes. "You are pretty. That's enough for me."

Last time, he said that being fat was enough for him. Amami feels like crying. "But I don't want to marry you."

"Your insecurities!" Cina shakes his head and clicks his tongue. This goddess has such a low confidence level. "You are still worried that you won't match me, aren't you? Don't worry about it. I will ask Noras to include you in Iravan's karma system. We will settle you as the only rain goddess in my realm. There's Niela. She's the goddess of water. I am sure that she will help you settle in my world. Don't worry, my little bride. Iravan is a good place. You don't have to rely on faith or offering. Only power matters in that world. Gods and mortals mingle together and live a happy life."

What kind of world is that? Amami blinks her eyes. Is it like ancient Earth?

"And you have me." He bends down his head and licks her cheek. "I will take care of you as long as I exist. I will make sure that no harm comes to you and you never feel like you lost your home. Whether you become fat or skinny, I will continue to hold you like this."

That's a strange thing to hear. Amami closes her eyes and sighs. There's a promise between this god and her. She can't deny the marriage even if he still wants her. Why is she paying for something that the fake god did? Ah! She shouldn't have ignored the happenings in the city. "I couldn't find the fake god."

"It's fine." Cina kisses her delectable neck. "The other gods are here. They will find who we are looking for."

More gods? She places her hand on his chest to stop him from kissing her. Each kiss from him burns her cool body. She peers at him with a blushing face. "If the main goddess does this before marriage, it will be badly looked upon."

"You are right." Cina gives her an understanding look. "Let's get married then. My children will be witnesses. All we have to do is a simple ceremony. Then, we can have a bigger one after Renasir is found."

Who is Renasir? Amami bits her lower lip. She really can't avoid this marriage. "Must you marry me?"

"Of course." He pinches her nose. "You are a treasure. Only you can entice me with your fat and thin bodies."

Of all the reasons, she hasn't expected to hear that. "Can't we --"

Cina climbs off the bed and goes to the tree in the room. He pats the tree's baulk. "Have you prepared for it? Should I let you dress her up?"

What is this god talking about? Amami sits up and stares at Cina's back. He mumbles a few things to the tree, and then, he looks back at her. "I will see you outside then."

"Huh?" 

The god of trees walks out of her room without giving her an answer.

After an hour, Amami comes out of the shrine. She's dressed in a red bridal robe. Her hair is ornated with flowers. The priests are praying loudly to her. People are surprised by the spring in winter. Nobody can see her though. She walks on the path of pink petals, toward the mini-forests that has appeared behind the shrine. It's dark but the strange hanging flowers in the trees are glowing mildly with soft light. There's a sweet scent in the air. 

She walks on the path that leads her to him. Under the sky full of twinkling stars, surrounded by the trees with glowing flowers, he's standing quietly. Fireflies dance around him. She hears the sound of the night birds singing a joyful song. Amami heart flutters when he turns around and grins at her. This time, her heart isn't afraid. Rather, it's excited to hold that outstretched hand.

Maybe, it's not bad to get married. She's been single too long. And there's someone who appreciates her more than she appreciates herself. Eternity is too long without another hand to hold on to. So, Amami takes a step toward him and holds his hand.