Chapter 119 - The Question

"Oh, what one does for love…"

Kazehaya Gin watched the Koutaishidenka finish the egg slowly as Ara fed him by hand and shuddered. How could Ryuu eat something he totally hated and still act like nothing's wrong? He wondered. Aki, on the other hand, felt amused but refrained from commenting as he ate his own egg. He silently applauded his brother-in-law's consideration of his sister's feelings.

"Aren't you going to taste it?" the Koutaishidenka then asked Gin who looked at the prince as if he's gone mad.

Of course, he wouldn't eat it. He disliked it. Then again Ryuu hated it and yet still ate it.

"Oh, Big Bro Kaze dislikes it?"

Hearing Ara's question, Kazehaya felt a bit guilty because he talked to her before buying the souvenirs and he didn't say anything – or rather couldn't say anything.

"No, he loves it," the Koutaishidenka interjected, making Aki nearly spat out the egg in his mouth while Gin looked at him like he was some kind of a traitor.

Ara, on the other hand, let out a relieved smile. "That's good then. You can maybe have Ryuu's share too since you love it," she continued.

"No need. Ryuu will be angry if you give me something that's supposed to be his from you," Gin quickly made the excuse. He didn't want the eggs, and wouldn't want to have more of those things. The black egg was not really black inside. It was just like an ordinary boiled egg that's a bit salty, still, they disliked it.

"Oh, is that so?"Ara turned to her fiancé who just finished his last bite of the egg.

Aki wanted to applaud the guy again for not gagging. He looked a bit distressed to him though. But since Ryuu's taller than his sister, Ara was not able to see his face immediately as she was busy putting all the shells in the paper bag.

"Do you want another one?"Ara asked as she cleaned the table and Aki pitied the younger man who froze as if he's going to die.

"Ara, we will have dinner soon. Stop eating eggs for now," Aki said and Ryuu looked at him with grateful eyes.

"Elder Brother, you should stay the night too. You haven't seen Ara for a while and it's easier to go to the conference from here. As for your clothes, we can have it arranged easily."

"That's right," Kazehaya added, as he gave Aki a meaningful look.

Before they talked about the issue with Okada, they had discussed Ara, and Ryuu informed them that he would ask her about their earlier than planned marriage registration tonight.

"Sure," Aki agreed readily.

It's better to get things going as early as possible so Ryuu would stop fretting about it. The Koutaishidenka might not look like it but he was such a pure soul and he was honestly nervous that it was almost cute.

Soon, the servants informed them that dinner would be served, and asked them if they wanted to have dinner there in Ryuu's receiving room or in the hall. The prince, of course, wanted Ara to see a very nice view, and so he ordered food to be served there. Besides, the hall was too big for just the four of them.

Servants came in and set up small tables for each one of them. One, however, hesitated if he'd give Ara her own pillow seat as the Koutaishidenka seemed to enjoy sitting so close to her. But of course, she had to have her own. It would be difficult to eat otherwise. However, they still made their tables close to each other and even smiled secretly to see their Young Master look happy about it.

Soon, their meal was served.

Ara looked at the beautiful tray of food the servant had placed in front of her happily. When everyone had his own food, she quickly picked up a lotus root tempura and ate it with gusto. She had realized from her class trip that it was so yummy, thus her current favorite. Her spirit dampened however when she realized there was only one on her plate. But she kept quiet and continued to eat.

She was about to pick up another item from her tray when a lotus root tempura dangled in front of her face.

Huh?

Ara looked up in surprise to see Ryuu handing her his lotus root, and she blushed. How did he know she liked it?

"Take it little sis or it'll get cold," Aki prompted her, and she accepted Ryuu's tempura with a smile.

She had no idea how Kou knew she wanted to have more of it, but now that he did that, she suddenly became aware of his eyes on her, and she blushed as she tried to finish her food albeit with difficulty. She kept messing up with her chopsticks she couldn't pick up her food properly. 

Kazehaya Gin and Suzuki Aki, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile and shake their heads at the couple.

"Koutaishidenka, behave and stop looking at your wife like she's food. She can't eat with you devouring her with your eyes like that," Gin scolded playfully.

Ryuu on the other hand finally realized that Ara indeed couldn't eat and cleared his throat before turning back to his own food. It was only then that they were able to finish their dinner finally.

The servants cleared the tables and trays of food away, and all four lounged on the tatami feeling satisfied. The servants then served some sake for the men to enjoy afterwards.

"Do you want to go take a walk outside?"Ryuu asked Ara who pouted.

"I won't drink sake even if we don't."

Ryuu grinned. "It's not like you can drink even if you ask for it anyway. Nobody here would give alcohol to you," he said with a chuckle.

"Go walk outside lovebirds. Leave us single dogs here to drown our sorrows," Kazehaya Gin shooed them away.

"My brother is not single," Ara retorted, and Gin rolled his eyes while Aki looked depressed suddenly.

Huh?

Before Ara could ask why Ryuu pulled her up from the floor and out of the room.

The two of them walked the length of the engawa, with Ryuu holding her hand. The winter night air was warmer than usual. But, even if it's fine not to be too wrapped up, it was still winter.

"Are you cold?"Ryuu asked her, and Ara shook her head.

He studied her face afterwards and nodded in satisfaction when she really seemed fine.

"That's good," he commented as he gave a signal to the servants who were hidden along the corridor.

Ara wondered what was that for until a small howl echoed in the darkness in front of them.

Huh? What's that?

AWAAAARWRAAAAWRAAARW

Ara scowled. It sounded like someone talking and howling at the same time.

Soon, a small ball of fluff came running towards them, and Ara's eyes widened in delight upon realizing what it was.

AWOOOOOOOOOOO

"Oh my!" Ara picked up the very small Siberian husky pup from the floor in delight.

True to his words, the puppy's coat was black and white, and its pair of eyes was ice-blue ones like Ryuu's. It was wagging its tail like crazy as it howled and kissed Ara at the same time.

"Soooo cute!" Ara cooed as she rubbed her face against its fluffy fur, but stopped upon feeling something hard on it.

With a frown, she fumbled under the pup's fur to check what the hard object was, and her finger found a leather collar. But it wasn't the same shape as the one she felt earlier, so she fumbled more until she found it.

In the collar was a ring – a diamond solitaire ring.

Huh?

Ryuu then cleared his throat from behind her. She then felt his hands on her shoulders as he turned her around until they were facing each other.

"Ara," Ryuu started, his gaze a deeper blue than usual, and her heart skipped to her chest. "Will you marry me?"