Chapter 161 - Not Time

"We're so sorry!"

Suzuki Ara couldn't count how many times she bowed in apology in front of her friends and the two older brothers who were giving them knowing looks since they returned.

It had suddenly started snowing again when the lovers finally realized they had wandered out too long and that the others were already totally famished. It was good if they would have already eaten when they returned. But, knowing their personalities, they would endure hunger and wait for them.

She was right.

So now, she was bowing her head. The only reason why she hadn't begged for his forgiveness yet was that Ryuu was holding on to her, which made her annoyed and look at him.

"Why am I the only one apologizing?" she asked, and Ryuu smirked.

"Because you're the only one feeling sorry," he countered wittily with a grin, reminding her of the reason why they got totally sidetracked and delayed, making Ara roll her eyes, although her cheeks had turned a telltale pink hue. "Princess if you stop bowing and go to your place then everyone can already eat," he added.

Ara then realized that he was correct, and so, she followed. However, instead of going to her usual place, she asked Ryuu to switch so she'd sit next to Kazehaya instead. Ryuu didn't see anything wrong so he humored her request. Gin and Aki, on the other hand, looked at them inquiringly but didn't dwell on it, seeing as the Koutaishidenka didn't care.

As soon as they were all seated, the servants carrying trays of food arrived. Among all of them, only Sonoda hadn't experienced having a main meal at the Cedar Palace, and so he crowed audibly at the kaiseki ryori served. Seeing him happily gulped down the meal made the atmosphere feel light.

However, there was something strange that transpired, and Kazehaya Gin was at its receiving end.

"Big Brother Kaze, you need to eat more vegetables, it's good for your health," Ara said as she handed him her small bowl of salad.

Gin had just finished his and was surprised by the sudden offer. At first, it was alright, and so, he graciously accepted it.

However, Ara didn't stop there.

"Big Brother Kaze, do you want more sushi?" Ara offered her plate of sashimi and sushi towards the now confused man.

"Ara, are you on a diet?" The chestnut-haired CEO had no idea why the sudden development. He was more used to Ara bullying him than being this nice to him actually he was starting to sweat. After all, he had a little bit of trauma over women who suddenly turned super nice – not that he suspected that Ara was out to do him harm of course.

He continued to look at her quizzically, with her still expectantly holding the platter on her hand, presenting him her share.

"Take it," the Koutaishidenka urged and Kazehaya Gin reluctantly took the plate.

He then turned to Aki, his hazel eyes asking him if he had any idea what's going on, but the older Suzuki just shrugged and continued to eat his meal.

After that, Ara kept trying to push food on him. He wanted to decline, but the look Ryuu gave him prevented him from doing so. He just accepted them while internally crying over kissing his diet goodbye. Dinner ended with him feeling like an overfed piglet.

After the meal, Ara's friends were led to the open-air bath in the estate, while the others remained. They reckoned they should let Ara and Aki have their last sibling bonding before the marriage, so when the older Suzuki requested to walk in the garden with his sister, nobody complained.

Kazehaya Gin, on the other hand, took this time to pull Ryuu to the side to talk to him as well.

"What's going on? Why is Ara suddenly so nice?" he asked in between burps. He was really totally very full, he felt like he was going to burst. 

"She knows," Ryuu answered.

Kazehaya Gin, on the other hand, didn't understand. "She knows about what?"

"That you're dying."

Ha?

The wind caster was flabbergasted. "Does she also know how and why?"

"Of course not," Ryuu abruptly answered as if the thought itself was preposterous. "How do you think she would react if she found out that you will die because I will have to kill you?"

"Then why did she…"

Kazehaya's voice trailed off as he realized what might have just happened and he was more shocked. "Ara thinks I have a terminal disease?"

It was the most intelligent guess he could come up with, that fit the circumstance. Else, why would Ara ply him with so much food stating it would help boost his health?

Ryuu nodded and Gin sighed.

Of course, as of now, it was the only acceptable reason. The relationship between Ara and Ryuu was still very new for the new wife to be privy to the Homura House's deeply guarded secrets. They would have to have at least one child before the details would be revealed to her, but even then, Kazehaya didn't believe it was the right time.

Look at the late Lady of the Kazehaya House for example; before marrying his father, Kazehaya's mother was rumored to be very sweet and gentle in nature. She was also in love with the Master, and the Master loved her in return. But love was not enough for her to bear reality.

There was no one more surprised and horrified when a huge harpy appeared upon giving birth to her firstborn son whom she used to adore inside her womb than his mother. She was never the same since. Her mind just snapped – way beyond repair.

It was why he had to agree with Ryuu's intention to let Ara misunderstand. It was better than telling her everything. Because there's still a huge possibility she might not be able to handle the truth. He would have found the misunderstanding so funny actually if it weren't for the pain of indigestion he's starting to feel in his stomach. Since that time his mother tried to kill him, he's always had a sensitive stomach. He normally wouldn't dare eat a lot, although tonight he did.

"By the way, I told her I'm a god," Ryuu suddenly said casually that it took time for Kazehaya to absorb his words, his head spinning towards him in shock. 

"WHAT?"