Page 119 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
“What gives?” Akira asked. “You can’t be nervous for Kimi. She’s got this whole group handled, especially Quen.”
“He yields gladly.”
“And I’m happy for him, but I’m worried about you. Seriously, what gives?” Akira poked his best friend. “You’ve been weird ever since the thing about Kimi’s family treasure.”
“Yes.” Suuzu lifted him and launched upward, rising high above the moonlit courtyard before coming to roost in Kusunoki’s branches.
Akira didn’t protest. Suuzu must need more privacy before answering. He wasn’t surprised with the phoenix traced matching sigils on their palms. This conversation was for their ears only.
And still, Suuzu didn’t speak.
From this vantage, mingling guests were hidden from view by leaves or the canopies where hot coals and warm drinks kept the cold night at bay. Akira could see Gingko playing with Kyrie and Ever, chasing along garden paths lit by stone lanterns. It was past their bedtime, and Kyrie wouldn’t last much longer, even bundled as he was. The little guy didn’t like cold weather.
Suuzu was back to arranging—his hair, his coat, his scarf. “Are you warm enough?”
“It’s not so bad, but I gotta say, this Amaranthine cloth is kind of … blowy.”
“You are cold.”
“It’s fine. Honest.” Akira said, “We should take a picture later to show Sis. And Juuyu.”
“Hmm.” Suuzu did his best to shelter Akira with his body. “You wear my colors well.”
Akira was getting worried. “Is this something you can’t talk about?”
He trilled softly. “My secrets are yours, but this one is … embarrassing.”
“We’ve gotten over a lot of embarrassing stuff.” Akira smiled. “Remember the thing with the wool sweater?”
Suuzu covered his eyes with one hand. “This is a matter of understanding rather than misunderstanding. I fear Hisoka Twineshaft has found cause to question my integrity.”
“Why would he do that? You’re totally honorable.”
“Temptation comes in many forms.” Suuzu tugged and tutted, settling Akira against him so he could speak more quietly still. “He has seen my wavering will and moved accordingly.”
“Sensei’s our friend.”
“Every traitor was once a friend.”
Akira leaned into Suuzu’s shoulder. “You’re awfully serious about something, but you haven’t really explained anything. Are you going to tell me or not?”
“Do you know the stories about Auriel of the Golden Seed?”
“Nope.”
Suuzu spoke softly. “There is a forgotten lore, older than oceans, sung by the stars. These most ancient of tales recall a time when the waters parted and the heavens sent sowers over the emerging land. Some call this the first Emergence.”
Akira chuckled. “If the stories are forgotten, how do you know them?”
“Because one of the ten tasks given to a tenth child is to remember what the other nine cannot.” Suuzu continued, “One of the sowers was an angel called Auriel. To him were given the nuts, pods, and cones of every kind of singing tree, for they would be needed.”
“Amaranthine trees?”
Suuzu nodded. “Hither and thither, he flew, seeking good soil in the world’s secret places. And in his wake rose the elder orchards and ancient groves, gifts from the Maker for the good of all Creation.”
“For real?”
A chiding trill. A wistful smile. “One age passed into the next, and Auriel’s task neared an end. Only a handful of seeds remained in his pouch—burnished like gold, thrumming with promise. He searched for new ground, far from the places his efforts were already bearing fruit, and happened upon a group of women fleeing the harem of a cruel king. At Auriel’s appearance, they wept for joy, saying, ‘Guide us, for we have lost our way.’”
