(It’s been six months since I became Amane’s guardian. Ever since I took this position, Amane has been much more energetic and outspoken, at least to me. He remains his forlorn, quiet self to most other spirits, but he happily confides in me when he can.)
I’m home!
Welcome home, Nemoto-sama. I see you went shopping on the way home?
Yup! I got everything I need to make some Nemoto-style kitsune udon.
Kitsune udon? (How cheeky.)
Well, I want you to try it out with me, of course! I know that spirits don’t eat often, but you gotta enrich your palate every once in a while.
Oh! How thoughtful.
I’ll get started on cooking!
(Amane prepared the ingredients, some of which I could not even name. All I could do was admire his skill and the scent of the udon; as he mentioned, we spirits seldom ate, so we had little use for cooking either. After a while, he finished, and placed a bowl on the table.)
Here it is!
Oh my! It looks delectable!
Thanks! I haven’t made a dish this pretty in a while.
(One slurp of piping hot noodles… Oh! It’s heavenly!)
What’s the occasion, Amane? Why specifically kitsune udon?
Just felt like treating you, that’s all.
…You never cooked for Father, did you?
No. I didn’t think he would appreciate it.
I see… Well, I think your cooking is quite commendable!
Haha… Thanks.
(We took turns eating the udon.)
Omiko-san… I know this is kinda random, but…I want to confess something. I…
(Oh dear. It sounds like he’s stumbling over his words.)
I love you.
You…love me? A-As your guardian? You…love me as your guardian? Well, I’m thankful for you as well—
…I love you as a woman.
(Silence filled the air. I didn’t know what to say to that…)
I love you, Omiko-san! I can’t bear to hide it anymore!
(I'm so confused…)
Ever since you became my guardian, I’ve had feelings for you! You’ve been my light, and I’m eternally grateful to have you in my life! You’re the first person to truly understand me! You're the reason I keep on going! You’re the reason I wake up every day! You’re the reason for my existence! So please…
Oh my…
Will you marry me?!
…Amane!
I’m…sorry. I might have overstepped my boundaries.
It is forbidden by the Komi Clan to form a union with a human.
…Somehow, I knew you would say that.
My apologies, Amane. I didn’t mean to offend. I understand that I am truly special to you, and you are truly special to me. You are the heir of the Kamiwatami Clan, and I am the heiress of the Komi Clan. Our clans have had a close relationship with each other ever since their founding.
Yes, I know all that…
What I am saying is… It would not be unusual for romance to bloom between our clans.
What? It wouldn’t?
Indeed, but it has always been stifled by the laws our predecessors have placed. Should we betray those laws, the legacies of both of our clans would be in jeopardy.
Omiko-san.
Yes?
Let’s say there were no laws against it… Would you marry me?
(This is a difficult question. Take a deep breath and relax, Omiko.)
Omiko-san?
(What’s coming over me? What is this feeling?)
I-It’s OK to not answer now, really! I’m sorry for putting you on the spot like that. I know you weren’t expecting a marriage proposal out of the blue…
(Is this what humans call romantic love? Is this what has pent up inside me these past months? I’ve simply never acted on it, because of our laws, but… How do I truly feel?)
Ahem. Amane.
Y-Yes?
I… Oh, to hell with it. I can’t say as to whether I would marry you, but…
(I gave Amane a kiss on the cheek.)
This is how I truly feel.
O-Omiko-san! Omiko…
Are you truly willing to love a forbidden love?
O-Of course! I love you, Omiko! No matter what those stupid laws say!
Then… Let’s make this our little secret.