"can we converse with each other, even if i borrow just a small moment of your time?"

the teen followed after the foreigner who was walking in front. lips pursed from the silent treatment, he began to walk faster, later walking by side-by-side next to his betrothed. "please? can we just talk about this issue circling about?"

"idk what you're talking abt, my g."

"you know damn well what i'm talking about.."

she turned around after his reply, crossing her arms against her chest with a dubious look on her visage; brows raising and all--it almost looked like she was doing that light-skin stare.

"look, look.. is it my fault you protected me?"

"no."

"is it my fault you tripped?"

"no."

"is it my fault you embarrassed yourself?"

"..no."

"then the problem is solved," the foreigner beamed. "thy tripping of yours is not my sin to acknowledge, therefore, it is yours; for you, yourself, is dumb alone."

"the council is mad that you showed up to the estate with your.. with y-your damn collarbone exposed!" michikatsu exclaimed; his face flushing by his own words. "because of that, they're rushing the marriage! so of course i have to shield you from it! you don't want to get married this young, after all..!"

"..w--wha..?"

eyes blinking, her eyelashes fluttered shut a few times from his words.

y/n didn't know he listened and remembered intently to what she always randomly rambled about.. he-- because of that, he.. he randomly made her feel butterflies in her stomach.

her cheeks heated up the slightest bit.

"..o-oh.."

"that's why i told you to take my haori!"

"but you were also bleeding! just look at your arm," a finger of hers pointed at his injury, "the shit is still bleeding--and the smell is too strong!"

"i'm fine!"

"you're not!"

"i am," he pressed.

"you are not." she also pressed, "now stop acting like an emo shit--as long as i can smell the blood radiating off of you, you are more of a priority than me."

"you're my fiance, for heaven's sake! so of course you're going to be more important than me!"

"and? well, you're my fiance as well. so where's the argument at?" the (h/c)nette turned around and walked forward once more.

"y/n--"

"i am suddenly deaf."

"..." the brunette looked frustrated.

the girl sneaked a glance behind her; looking at the boy before pursing her lips. she noticed his frustration, she really did. but, who was she if she wasn't stubborn? definitely not y/n.

she will not lose to a fight.

may it be verbally or physically.

"..y/n," michikatsu sighed softly. he really didn't expect her comebacks. they were strangely uncommon, but they were damn witty; that, he can admit.

he just couldn't place a finger on how--or even why she was very stubborn about the wound of his. the boy was a samurai, and they get hurt, they get scratches, they get scars--battle scars, to be exact. y/n knew this, but she still cared even when just a little scratch gets on him.

it made his tummy feel weirdly warm.

"hurry up, michi. we're gonna feast on some katsudon--your favorite."

too warm.

michikatsu's eyes itself gleamed in excitement, "..okay," his feet shuffled, quickly walking again to be beside her.

a smile was present on her lips. that same encouraging smile she always got on, despite any situation. may they be too uncomfortable, horrifying or sad--it was always present.

"also, don't worry about the councils," she held his hand; softly caressing it. "whether they like it or not; we're moving things to our pace. they can go suck my dick if they're too pushy about the marriage."

"yes," that seemed to improve his mood a lot more. a breathy chuckle escaped from his lips. "they can also suck mine if they do."

"can i, too?"

heat steamed out of him.

soft wind passed by.

the boy's long hair, that was tied in a ponytail, swayed alongside it. he breathed out a heavy, satisfied sigh; finding the situation calming. maybe it was even more enjoyable since he just ate his favorite meal, especially since it was because he had the presence--the company, of the one and only (h/c)nette.

someone you can find rarely, one in a million.

in front of him, the foreigner was laying on her stomach; a hand propping her chin up to keep her head steady, while the other hand moved at a fast pace, sketching something on another scroll he had given to her.

michikatsu stood up and sauntered closer to her, tilting his head slightly at the scene.

"what are you drawing this time?"

the girl hummed, "hm.. i dunno, wanna guess?"

"everything you do is unpredictable. i'd rather not."

"hehe, unpredictable is my middle name!" she grinned at him, and that made his stomach feel awfully warm again. "but to answer your question.. i also don't know."

he crouched down, also propping his head with his hands; a palm holding his chin with amusement gleaming in his irises.

"is it the lady again?"

"yeah..! so you did guess it after all," a giggle could be heard from her. "it is the pretty lady."

he mused, a slight smirk making its way to his lips. "not as pretty as you."

"..o-oh," she blinked, slightly bashful from his sudden compliment.

"hm?"

"i wouldn't say that.." y/n was flattered she really was--but nothing and no one could surpass this lady's beauty. "she's really.. beautiful. you get me, michi?" she began to add more words to prove her claim, "it's just.. she has these pretty, viridescent eyes.. and black, silky hair. and she's so soft-spoken, it always left me speechless."

"the way you're speaking about her.. have you perhaps met the woman already?"

"not that i remember, no. but she always appears in my dreams.." another figure came to her mind, "..along with another guy, who almost looks exactly like her, may i add!"

michikatsu plopped down beside her, later laying his head on her back; then looking up at the ceiling with newfound curiosity in his crimson-like hues.

"..an odd dream you rather have."

"it is." y/n agreed. "what about your dreams..? what are they like?"

"nothing, really.. just him all over again.."

"rii, huh? well, bonds do grow closer when the two subjects are apart," the (h/c)nette sagely nodded. "..i wonder if rii misses you too much than he can bear."

"..eugh."

"is the thought that bad?"

"not bad--but horrible."

she laughed at his dismay. "well, i can only hope someone like rii would miss me that much if i'm away from them." her (e/c) eyes softened. "just.. thinking about it is making me want to smile--someone misses you just because you're away from them even for a short while? it sounds so endearing.."

"i would," he turned his head; gazing at her smiling figure.

"i know you would."

the soft chiming of bells echoed, being hit with the breeze once again. with everything being windy, the time must be here soon. there wouldn't be a storm, not yet at least. the setting right now was calming.. too calming.

y/n frowned to herself, still feeling very lost after all that happened. she stopped propping her head up, lightly smashing her face later on her numerous scrolls scattered around the area.

everything was fine.

everything was.. good.

everything was perfect.

but, she couldn't help it. it just feels like.. something wrong was supposed to happen--or at least, something bad is happening right now. variables of a puzzle are missing, and it looked like they were important pieces.

many pieces.

michikatsu was unsure of what the (h/c)nette really is.

the teen knew of her as a foreigner, that was obvious as much. but he wasn't sure of her origins. where did she come from? why was she in japan? how was she able to be in a completely different place at such a young age?

..he.. couldn't figure it out.

she was clearly a mystery.

as mysterious as the monstrous entity that died from sunlight that day.

sighing; he couldn't contain it, and only walked forward with his head high--representing that he was one of nobility, and that he shouldn't be bothered during his free time.

crimson-like irises danced around the street, finding stalls that contained one of the items which were almost applicable to be called a present.

feet trudging forward; nothing was presentable enough to be given to her.

everything he saw was shit.

and he even stepped on shit.

his lips frowned, finding the end of the day distasteful already. luck wasn't on his side, especially even more when he bumped into a lady--one that looked around in her twenties.

"hm?" she turned around, lavender hues glimmering from both her curiosity and from the lights reflecting in her eyes, "..are you okay?"

fluttering his eyelashes--blinking them, he shook his head with little effort then later bowed it slightly.

he was curious; curious about such a fact on why a lady was out and about at night; many kinds of  danger were lurking about in every corner. the boy didn't have the courage to ask, though, so he merely apologized for his clumsiness.

"a-apologies.. i wasn't looking at the path," his gaze turned to the stalls, "i--i was looking at.."

the female noticed his gaze laying on the displayed items. seeing his frustrated face, and hearing his bothered tone, she guessed that he was having a hard time towards something.

"do you need help, young lad?"

"no, i don't."

"you look like you do."

"no, i do not."

the woman raised a brow, a slight grin lit her face. "are you certain?"

the teen pursed his lips, face almost looking comedical before hesitantly nodding.

his voice came out timorous; shy from suddenly getting help from a stranger.

"m--maybe i do.."

a humorous chuckle could be heard from the woman.

the two walked.

the male with onyx hair, with flamed crimson tips by the end of his locks, swung left and right from the pace of his walking. he was following from behind the woman--letting her lead their monstrous path to picking out a gift to his bethrothed.

"so, to whom is this gift going to?" the lady asked, her voice soft yet silky.

he was quiet, thinking back on her question before opting to answer. if she knew, then she would definitely help him more, "it's for my betrothed.."

"ah, your lover?"

his ears burned. "n-not exactly a lover.. more like friends. close companions who were tied to an engagement made between two clans.."

"..i see," the lady hummed, amused at his hesitance for answering her little question. a fox-like smile later wormed its way to her lips, "may i know the maiden's name?"

"..no."

"quite possessive, aren't you? her first name is what i meant."

michikatsu reluctantly answered, "..y/n."

the woman's eyes slightly widened, before it curved with undefined joy. "..a beautiful name," she looked at the fourteen year old boy before chuckling to herself at his priceless expression--who seemed to agree with her words. "tell me, what does she look like?"\

"why should i tell you?"

"..so, for example, if you are to buy an accessory for her; i can tell you what color suits her best." a good reason.

the boy looked at her, hesitance still clear in his body language; before he gave in--succumbing to telling the lady the girl he considers his dearest friend.

"..she has these beauteous, (e/c) eyes,"

"gorgeous, foreign, (e/c) irises.."

"and (h/c) hair."

"with (h/c) locks.."

"i.. cannot explain her beauty into words." michikatsu pursed his lips, brows furrowing in the middle.

"..remember her features well, tamayo."

the woman's purple hues glinted.

fully turning around, she sent a smile towards the boy--a smile which looked soft, making him believe that she was fully invested to the current conversation; to which was true.

she was.

"may i know what she likes the most?"

"..she likes milfs."

coincidence, coincidence.

the lady's a milf.

and that was the last information the demon needed before confirming that it is muzan's beloved that she and the boy were indeed talking about.

"y/n loves milfs, tamayo. get it right. dilfs go second, according to her." the woman could clearly remember the progenitor's sneer when she mistook it as dilfs rather than milfs.

her smile grew, "anything else she loves other than that?"

michikatsu pulled a lock of his, looking down whilst pouting. "..she likes flowers."

"what's with the expression?"

"she eats flowers."

"oh."

"if she likes flowers, then go ahead and gift her one." she trudged forward once again; elegance clear in her every movement. "you were going to pick out an accessory for her earlier, were you not?"

"..yes."

"why give her one thing when you can gift her many more?"

the boy nodded. "i see your point.." he did, as he put a hand on his chin; contemplating on what accessory to present to the foreigner.

"i am afraid that you cannot give her a flower today, though." the woman turned her head, looking to the numerous stalls that were already closed. "due to the time, the stores are already shut. you should come again tomorrow."

"no need, i can just find the plants outside and clean them off." he shook his head in disagreement; already having a plan in mind. "as for the accessory.. i might just make a necklace for her."

"you sound confident in making one." she chuckled

"because i am. i excel in craftmanship, just so you are aware. i even made a flute to-" he stopped himself from saying his name. "..to someone."

the woman raised a brow, but did not question his antics. "i see, i see. why a necklace though?"

"necklaces are.." michikatsu looked around, growing wary and cautious; staring at everything yet at nothing to see if a certain (h/c)nette was here, "..nice to look at."

if y/n was here, she would most certainly ask if the necklaces itself are nice or if the sight of a necklace on her collarbone was nice.

heat began to crawl up to his neck.

he most certainly did not get the image of her exposed collarbone out of his mind; he was but a young teen undergoing through puberty, after all--that was a pain to go through.

 michikatsu frowned; embarrassed to such a fact. he later focused on the lady ahead of him again, before bowing his head low to show his respect and gratitude for her help; clearing his thoughts.

"i am deeply indebted to you. i hope i can repay the favour soon enough, miss..?"

"i am tamayo. my greatest congratulations to you for finally being able to pick out a gift, erm.. two gifts," tamayo bowed her head. "you were entertaining, but until then."

"until then, miss tamayo."

the boy didn't know when he'll meet her again, but he predicted that it will be a long while before they do.

on the other hand..

the woman knew their next meeting will be soon. very soon.

flowers stuffed her face.

"happy birthday."

those words spilled from his mouth, not finding the usual confidence he has to gaze at her. instead, he looked down; avoiding her memorable, (e/c) hues.

a smile instantly grew on her beauteous visage.

"thanks for the food, second bbg!"

'second bbg?' who was the first one?

"you're more than welcome." a smile of his own lifted the corner of his lips. "if i can, and i would, i would've gotten you all the prettiest flowers for you to eat. but that would only get me locked behind a cell for destroying private property."

"then i'll do smth illegal too so we can get locked up together!"

his brows furrowed in worry, "you do not like cells, though.."

"true, i don't," a nod came from her. "but--if i was locked up with someone, then at least it would be.. worthwhile, i guess? especially if it's with you!"

"..o-oh.." flustered, the tsugikuni looked down; pulling a strand of his bangs downwards. 

the foreigner plucked a petal, later chewing on it. the taste was sweet, every nectar of a flower was sweet. it may taste plain at first, but the flavour really comes out when you sip on it.

the taste was simply divine.

she caught a glimpse of michikatsu staring at her eat. a tilt of a head came from her, before offering one from her bouquets to him. "you want a taste?"

"i'd rather not."

"why not?"

"why would i eat something i have gifted you?" he crossed his arms.

"why not?"

she clearly didn't see his point, causing him to sigh and give up. "..y/n.."

"just try one! then you'll understand why i love plants!"

"why exactly do you love plants..?" he succumbed to her offer and picked the flower out of her hand, later eyeing the so-called delicacy she named it.

a giggle could be heard from her, "hehe, so you see.. once upon a time, i ate a flower!"

he raised a brow, "..and?"

"the flower was sweet, very sweet! it had this beautiful, azure color.. and.." her face soon crumpled in confusion. "..huh?"

"what's wrong?"

"when did i eat that flower?" contemplation circled her whole being. "..uh.. bro, i remember it being bussin' bussin'.. and- and someone was there."

silence followed after that.

who was the one with her before?

her mind began to ache.

someone was with her when she ate the flower for the first time..

a man, who had long, raven hair--and crimson, blurry irises.

she could remember eating the flower, talking to him about how tasty the plant was, and..

her face began to heat up.

didn't something happen after she ate the flower?

her skin could feel the wet sensation around her lips and throat, though her mind couldn't remember, her skin could.

"u-uh.." heat steamed out of her ears. she could feel her neck scorch from remembering a blurred memory.

when did that happen?

it seemed like, the flower wasn't the only thing sweet during that moment.

"happy birthday."

flowers were softly placed down on a grave, with the soft light of the moon glazing on the petals of the entity.

his shortened hair was picked up by the soft breeze flying past him, and that motion of his locks alone made him frown; sitting on the wilting grass laying all around the vicinity.

the area was quiet, and he considered it good; because only if there is silence can he really think about the past more deeply.

the progenitor deeply missed his best friend--he missed her too much.

even if the time was long, or short--he would be missing her.

always and forever.

melancholy swirled in his hues, finding every second that passed being more