Chapter 182 - Realize

"Ara, I think after today, you may go back with your brother to Denenchofu…"

Huh?

Suzuki Ara frowned as she didn't understand. "What do you mean?"

Sensing her sudden tension and withdrawal, Ryuu held her hand firmly as he looked at her straightly in the eye. "I mean only if you want. I still have something to settle in Hakone, and I would be worried that you would feel so bored at the Cedar Palace while I'm gone."

Oh.

Ara finally understood what her husband meant, and she finally relaxed. She had totally thought for a while that she had misjudged him – and that he was alright getting rid of her now that she had wedded him and fulfilled her part in the prophecy.

Why was I suddenly so paranoid?

She wondered. She was never one to be so suspicious before.

With shame, she smiled sheepishly at him as she confessed. "I thought you didn't want me around anymore since we're already married."

"Of course not!"

Ryuu's passionate declaration made Ara finally let out a chuckle. "I know, I know. I'm so sorry for thinking that okay?"

She had no idea why she suddenly felt so negative, but she just chalked it up to wedding jitters in the end. She might still be very nervous and very conscious of herself that she became more sensitive than normal.

"Well, you should be sorry."Ryuu narrowed his eyes on her in mock anger. "You should even be ashamed for thinking that way, woman. I gave you my name. With it comes my everything – all of me. How could you think I'll just abandon you?"

"I'm sorry okay?" Ara was totally apologetic now. She realized she had made a mistake again. By feeling like that, it meant she didn't believe in him.

However, her new husband was very forgiving. He patted her hand. "I'm so sorry for making you feel insecure. If things aren't so tough at the moment, I will never choose to leave your side."

Hearing that things were difficult for him, her worries returned. "Are you sure you don't need my help?"

Ryuu laughed. "Not for now, no. I prefer that you stay here and focus on what you still needed to be done so we can go on a trip after."

"A trip?"

Ryuu nodded. "Didn't you promise me we'd go back to Hakone? I think it would be nice to go there with you after you finish your exam."

Ara was thoughtful for a moment before nodding. He was right after all. He said he didn't need her help, but at the same time said that he would definitely ask for aid when he felt he needed it. She really should start to learn how to trust him.

Just like what her brother said to her last night, Ryuu was her husband. He was her greatest ally from now on, and she should be his.

"I will study hard and pass the test then," she promised. "Also, I'm really sorry for suddenly being paranoid. I didn't mean to be like that, but I suddenly got unreasonably scared."

This time around, her apology was easily accepted. It was as if Ryuu knew she had finally realized all her wrongdoing and was forgiving her as long as she understood.

"I was thinking that it's better for you to be with your brother for now. At least you will be more relaxed in your previous house."

"I will?"Ara countered, her voice finally light.

Ryuu raised his brow as he gave her a smug look. "Of course. The Cedar Palace will be lonely without me. You wouldn't be able to take it," he said with so much confidence that made Ara laugh.

"Ya!"

She retrieved her hand from his grasp to playfully hit him. She, of course, failed as Ryuu took her hands back so easily.

"What? You will miss me, right?"

Ryuu's tone was laced with teasing, and yet, there was something about the way he looked at her, and the sulky way his lips turned to the side told Ara that he was totally expecting that it was a serious question and that her husband was ready to throw his own version of a tantrum if she said no.

"Of course," Ara readily agreed as she took her hands back again so she could reach out and frame his face with them.

Homura Ryuu was so handsome.

Suzuki Ara couldn't imagine a more handsome man. Of course, both Kazehaya Gin and Alistair were also handsome – but they were handsome in a way that was already beyond the boundaries of feminine beauty. Her husband was totally manly; it made the butterflies in her stomach flutter their wings once more.

Looking at his serious visage, his ice-blue eyes, a pair of warm pools as they stared back at her, Ara realized she could finally answer his question truthfully. "I will miss you a lot…"

Her confession came out as a breathy whisper – barely audible, but it was enough to be heard by Ryuu. His eyes then widened at first in his momentary surprise before they returned to their normal size, his face softening as he also reached out to cup her face with his hands.

"And I will miss you too," he whispered back as he leaned over until his breath fanned her upturned face.

They stayed that way for a while with only a few centimeters separating their waiting lips. The driver and Koga felt like another very private moment would happen and so, they quickly raised the partition of the car, giving them privacy.

As soon as the partition was up, the bride got impatient and pulled her husband, closing the distance. Their lips met in a quick kiss that separated again as they smiled at their silliness.

"You're getting more and more aggressive," Ryuu commented in amusement.

"What? Is that a complaint?"Ara challenged, her own eyes danced in mirth.

"Of course not!" Ryuu let on an innocent expression as he denied her claim, and he leaned over once more. "In fact, I quite like it," he whispered, his voice husky as his lips once again descended upon her waiting pink ones.

Their lips locked the second time in the car, but this time in a more urgent manner. Gone was the playful banter of earlier. As their lips fused, his tongue slipped into the hot caverns of her mouth, exploring and savoring the hidden sweetness within.

Ara felt waves of heat washing over her as she returned his kisses with equal fervor. Following his lead, her tongue intertwined with his, equally searching deeper and deeper, curious and longing. This went on for quite some time before they finally broke apart, their hearts overflowing with a sense of something so infallible.

Ara knew then and there what she wanted to say the most right now. There was neither hesitation nor confusion on her feelings anymore.

"Homura Ryuu, I like you…"