The next morning, Amai woke up feeling quite delirious. Making love to Shigure had felt like a dream and she couldn't tell if it had truly happened or not. But as she turned from her side and onto her back, she could feel the soreness between her legs. She seethed, her brows furrowing slightly as she clutched onto the quilt that was covering her naked body.
Once the pain calmed down, she released the grip on the quilt before opening her eyes. She saw that she was alone in the room but she knew Shigure always woke up early no matter what time he fell asleep. The clock on the wall showed that it was almost 10am.
As she stretched, releasing the tiredness from her muscles, the bedroom door slid open. Shigure entered holding a tray of breakfast and smiled upon seeing her awake.
"Ah, perfect timing," he said as he walked over and placed the tray on the middle of the bed. "I made us breakfast."
Amai smiled and pushed herself to sit up, holding the quilt to keep her chest covered. "It smells delicious. When did you wake up?"
He sat beside her. "About an hour ago." He leaned over and pecked her lips. "Did you sleep well?"
Her smile grew as she held his chin and kissed him back. "I slept very well. Last night was something else."
Smiling himself, he gently nudged her nose with his before kissing her again softly. "I agree."
With one more kiss, they parted before sharing breakfast. Once they were done, Shigure left the room so that she could shower and freshen up. She also changed the bedsheets before putting the other ones into the wash.
But for the rest of the day, they were all loved up. Even as they sat together with the TV on, their focus was on each other. He held the back of her neck as they shared sweet kisses. Just moments later, Yuki and Kyo returned from school and were instantly disgusted at the sight.
"Ugh, can't you two just stay away from each other for a few minutes?" Kyo complained.
Shigure laughed as they parted from the kiss. "Nope!"
Amai smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "You'll understand one day, Kyo, when you fall in love."
He scoffed. "Yeah, right. I don't have time to fall in love. My goal is to beat that damn rat boy!"
Yuki heaved a sigh. "You'll be wasting your life trying."
"Oh, yeah?! Try me!"
Shigure sighed sadly. "And just when I thought their fighting days were over."
Amai suddenly stood up. "That's it. I'm gonna do it."
He looked up at her. "Do what?"
"I'm gonna hug 'em."
They both stopped arguing and looked at her in confusion. Smirking evilly, she pretended to go after them.
"SPLIT!" they both yelled before darting off in two different directions.
Amai laughed as she sat back down beside Shigure. He chuckled quietly before leaning over to kiss her cheek.
"Thank you," he said.
"You are welcome."
***
Now that they both had found a way to make love, they weren't afraid for their passion to grow. They had discovered new ways and took their relationship to a whole other level.
Another four months had passed. In that time, Amai had gotten closer to Ayame and Hatori. Ayame would love having her in his store and would often get her to model his latest designs. Hatori would also visit the house and stop by for tea. He even rushed over when she had fallen ill with a cold, scolding Shigure for not taking care of her properly.
News of Amai began to spread in the Estate of the Sohma Clan. People would often hear of her and word would spread of her closeness with other members of the clan. Even ones who hadn't met her yet, such as Hatsuharu, Momiji and Kagura, were talking about her. They had become curiosity about Shigure's secret love life but Hatori had already forbid them all from going to their house and bothering her.
However, the recent interest in Shigure's lover bothered Akito greatly. Not only had Amai stolen Shigure from her, but even Hatori and Ayame were spending less time in the Estate. She had even heard of Amai mending the brotherly relationship between Yuki and Ayame and even attempting to get Yuki and Kyo to befriend one another. They even celebrated their birthdays with Amai. Akito was not happy upon learning that Amai had thrown a birthday party for Shigure. When Akito tried to get Shigure to go to the Estate for his birthday, he had refused.
Shigure was unaware of Akito's anger towards Amai. Even when he visited in between, Akito seemed so calm. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to him, she had her own plans.
He wished to propose to Amai on the anniversary of their first date, which was only a month away. For that, he needed Akito's permission and blessing. He resented the fact that he had to but it was tradition.
While Amai was at work, he paid a visit to the Estate. He made his way to Akito's home and went to her room. He entered to find her sitting on the veranda leading out into the garden. He walked over to the open doors.
"Hello, Akito."
She didn't look at him. "I'm surprised you've decided to visit me, Shigure."
Her tone was calm but he could hear the bitterness in her voice. He knew that Akito had feelings for him but he could never reciprocate it. At one time, he was the only one who knew she was female and he still was the only one who could hold her back whenever she got angry. He was the only member of the Zodiac who wasn't afraid of her. But he could never love her.
With a quiet sigh, he knelt down. "I've been busy."
"With her?" She smirked sarcastically. "She taking up too much of your time."
"I would give all of my time to her, Akito. That's why I'm here."
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye before looking away again. "And what would that be?" she asked, her smirk dropping.
He looked directly at her. "I wish to propose to Amai."
Akito didn't say anything. For the next two minutes, she was silent. Shigure didn't know what she was thinking but part of him didn't want to know. And then she finally spoke.
"Is that so?" she asked almost in a taunting manner. "You know, I never did get to speak with her."
Shigure was weary about allowing her near Amai. "I don't believe that's necessary."
She turned her head to look at him. "I want to know the woman you wish to marry. Bring her here tomorrow evening."
"But tomorrow is the new year's banquet."
"Even more of a reason for her to come. If she wants to be part of our family, then she has to come tomorrow. Bring her here before the banquet," she ordered. "I'm not giving my permission before that."
His hands clenched into fists. "Very well."
With that, he got up and left. As he walked out of the Estate, he was stressed and nervous. He had no idea what Akito was going to say to Amai but he knew it couldn't be anything good. He wasn't afraid of Akito, but he was scared of what she would do to Amai.
Instead of going home, he changed directions and went towards the library. In that moment, all he wanted was to see her. Once there, he entered and made his way to the front desk.
"Hi, excuse me, where can I find Amai?" he asked the elderly woman.
"She's stacking books in the romance section."
"Thank you."
He made his way further into the library. There were random people dotted around reading books and studying. It was the perfect place for her to work and it was no wonder she loved it so much. Making his way to the romance section, he searched each aisle until he found her.
He couldn't help but smile as he watched her stacking the shelves. She looked so calm. As she turned to grab the next book from the trolley, he snuck up behind her. When she turned back around, she let out a frightened squeal. Once she realised who it was, she relaxed but placed her hand on her heart as it beat rapidly.
"Oh, my god..." she breathed out before whacking his arm as he laughed quietly. "Shigure!" she whisper-yelled. "You scared me."
"Sorry. I'm sorry." He smiled brightly as he held her shoulders. "How's my girl?"
She blushed softly and smiled. "I'm well." She tiptoed and pecked his lips. "What are you doing here? Were you missing me?"
"I always miss you when you're at work."
"Awww, you're so cute. I was missing you, too. You know, it's funny you came now because look."
She picked up the next book from the trolley and showed him. It was his book "To Love's End". He had submitted five copies of the book to the library in her name for people who may not have been able to afford it. He had never thought about it before but he was glad that she had requested it. She opened the front cover where the library check out stamps were made. In the last three months, that particular copy had been checked out three times.
"It's our most popular book," she told him. "The other four are still being borrowed."
He smiled, his eyes lighting up. "That's brilliant."
"And it's the most sold worldwide."
He chuckled softly. "You've been checking?"
"Of course! I love this book," she said, hugging the copy she was holding. "The librarians also love it. They thought the dedication was about me but I told them it wasn't."
"If only they knew." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "When do you finish?"
"I finish in an hour."
"Great." He took her hand and kissed it softly. "How about I pick you up and take you out somewhere? And then in the evening, we can sit on the hill and watch the sunset."
Her smile brightened. "I would love that."
He leaned down and kissed her softly. "Good girl. I'll see you in an hour."
"Okay."
She blushed softly as he gave her another kiss and left. Now she was more excited to finish work.
When she left the library, she found Shigure waiting for her outside. He wasn't wearing a kimono like he usually did. He opted for a suit but he wore it casually; no tie, top button undone and his blazer flung over his shoulder.
She squealed quietly as she ran over to him. She couldn't help but find her boyfriend to be incredibly handsome They shared a quick kiss, like always, before she stood back to look at him properly.
"Wow, I'm impressed," she said with a bright smile.
He chuckled lightly. "Do you like it?"
"Yes. I love it."
"Thank you," he smiled before opening the door for her. "Let's go."
***
He had taken her to an adorable puppy café. Everything was puppy themed and customers could even play with the puppies that walked around. Of course, they all had a natural liking to Shigure but Amai was used to it. With him being the dog of the Zodiac, they were attracted to him and he could even communicate with them.
After that, he took her to the hill she used to go to everyday before meeting Shigure. After she started living in his home, she would watch it from the garden. It had been so long since she had been to the hill and so he wanted to take her there.
They sat together on the grass, watching as the the sky slowly turned orange. Amai rested her head on his shoulder, their hands locked together on his lap.
"Can you believe it's coming up to a year since we first met?" she spoke quietly.
"The time has flown by. I'll never forget the day you came knocking on my door with a scraped up knee."
She laughed. "I'm actually glad I slipped that day otherwise I never would have met you."
He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly. "Perhaps. We would have found each other eventually."
"Do you really believe so?"
"Yes. We were always meant to be together, Amai."
"As in soulmates?"
"Exactly like soulmates."
She blushed softly, looking at their hands together. She knew he was the one for her. He was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. And he also knew that it was going to be her or no one. He wanted to marry her. That way Akito couldn't hurt her. He just hoped that she gave her consent.
"Amai, I went to the Estate today," he said reluctantly.
She knew he usually visited every now and then to check on Akito. "What did you talk about?"
"Not much. But she was saying that she never did get to speak with you properly."
"Oh... Yeah, I forgot about that."
"So, she's invited you to the banquet tomorrow."
She lifted her head to look at him. "But that's only for Zodiac members. Kyo and I were going to have a meal together at home because he didn't want to go."
He turned his head to look at her. "I know. She wants you to come earlier but if you do want to leave before the banquet, I have no problem at all. And then you can join Kyo for your meal."
She went quiet for a few moments before sighing. "I'm kinda worried... I don't know if I want to go..."
He gently squeezed her hand. "I know but if you don't go now, she's going to want to see you another time. It's best that we get this over and done with."
She nodded. "You're right. Better sooner than later. And then we won't have the impending thought of Akito looming over us."
He laughed. "Exactly. And I'm going to be there too. In fact, because it's the banquet, everyone's going to be there. Even Ayame and Hatori."
She smiled and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Then I'm happy to go."
He smiled and pecked her lips. "Good girl. I love you."
"I love you, too."
They continued to watch the sunset together. Shigure lay his head on her lap as she played with his hair. It was so peaceful. It a was a dream that he thought he would never be able to reach. But being with Amai changed everything. There was a chance for him to have a future and there wasn't a future without her in it.
When night fell, they returned home and found the boys watching TV. Since it was the holidays, they didn't go to bed so early.
"Guess who's been invited to the banquet tomorrow?" Shigure asked them as he and Amai entered.
Yuki sighed. "You wouldn't be asking us if it wasn't obvious so I would have to say Miss Amai."
"What?!" Kyo exclaimed, smacking the side of his fist onto the table.
Amai smiled and sat beside him. "Yeah, but I'll be back before the banquet starts. I'm not changing my plans with you, Kyo."
He nodded but continued to frown. "Good."
Yuki narrowed his eyes at Shigure as he sat down. "Why has Akito invited Miss Amai?"
"Well, it's almost been a year and they haven't formally met. What better time than at the banquet?" Shigure answered calmly. "Besides, they will meet before the banquet and Amai has already decided she will leave before the banquet begins." He looked over at Amai. "Yuki's just nervous because he'll be performing his dance this y-"
Yuki slapped his hand over his mouth with an annoyed frown on his face. "Stop yapping like a dog."
Amai gasped happily, clasping her hands together. "You're going to dance, Yuki? That's so exciting!"
Shigure nodded. "It's a tradition that happens every year. Next year, it will be someone else's turn. Are you sure you don't want to stay back?"
Amai giggled as Yuki's face turned pink. "No, it's okay. I'm excited for my dinner with Kyo. Plus, I don't want to embarrass Yuki any more than he already is."
Both Yuki and Kyo were appreciative of Amai's decision. Yuki didn't want to embarrass himself and Kyo was grateful that he didn't have to spend it alone because he hated going to the Estate.
Amai was calm because Shigure was calm. But he was nervous on the inside because he didn't know what Akito was going to do or say to her. However, he didn't show it because he didn't want Amai to worry.
But then the day arrived.