7/8/2026, 2:04 PM
Each time Izumi's gaze chanced upon Osamu, he was already watching first - and each time his eyes of silver would dart shyly away, a gesture more befitting a child than a grown man. It would take some time to get used to the idea that he needn't hide his affections, particularly now since they had declared themselves to one another.
Yet why did his stomach still lurch in fear as if she might suddenly change her mind?
Osamu admittedly had no grasp of time. However long the pair had been dancing around the subject, however long they'd harbored these secret thoughts, he knew it had at least been...
... Years.
A few of them.
And it didn't take a genius to see the way their eyes lingered upon each other. Osamu knew they weren't subtle, and he kicked himself internally for it. Gekirin was a little too eager to get away from the pair under the (reasonable) guise of 'scouting ahead', probably thinking they wanted to spend more time together, and he was probably right.
Osamu felt immense guilt.
That is... a good idea,he said truthfully, wishing it wasn't while being simultaneously grateful for the opportunity. The Samurai gnawed at the corner of his lip reflexively.
We'll continue heading inland to check the state of the den-site and cache. If you find anything, do not hesitate to call for us.
Er -
If - the Empress wishes to check the state of the den-site and cache.
![[Image: ZvwmV36.png]](https://i.imgur.com/ZvwmV36.png)
