Page 77 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Akira nudged Isla with an elbow. “Think Quen knows about Valentine’s Day?”
She shook her head. “You and Kimi grew up in human society, so it’s familiar enough to you. But reavers don’t share this particular custom, and there’s no Amaranthine equivalent.”
“Maybe someone should ask Ms. Reeves to add it to February’s curriculum.”
Isla poked his chest. “Talk to Sosuke. Since he represents your third of the class, he can speak to her on your behalf.”
Not a bad idea.
Back out on the street, Akira fell in step with Kimi. “Any weird flavors today?”
“This one’s new.” She showed him a small bag with a bright green wrapper—HAPPY KAPPA CONFETTI CRISPS.
The character on the package was funny. Was there an Amaranthine equivalent to the kappa from folk lore? “So … does Eloquence know about your strange taste in snacks?”
She shook her head. “We’ve barely talked, and it’s usually about important things.”
Akira snorted. “I coulda sworn this stuff was important to you.”
“I’m not sure it counts asimportant.”
“But don’t people who care about each other like knowing little things—even if they’re as bizarre as your snack risks—especiallythe things that make them happy?”
Kimi opened the crinkling bag and popped a pale green crisp into her mouth. Akira wasn’t sure if the resulting pucker was a good thing, but when she held out the bag, he took one. He sniffed and studied the odd hue before giving in to curiosity.
She asked, “Do you think knowing little things about someone is part of loving them?”
Akira considered that idea aloud. “Could be. I mean, the more you know about someone, the more reasons you may find to like them. Or maybe the more you like someone, the more you want to know the kinds of things nobody else does. Because that’d mean they trust you more than anyone.”
She hummed. “Which was it for you and Suuzu?”
Akira hesitated. He hadn’t been thinking about friendship kinds of love, but in essence, weren’t they a lot alike? He shrugged. “Both, I guess. Plus a willingness to de-clutter. Inyourcase, it’ll probably be both, plus getting used to dog hair. You do realize it’ll be everywhere, right?”
She laughed.
Even better, her posture shifted. Akira wasn’t learning the nonverbal cues half as quickly as Isla, but he could tell Kimi was relaxed. Maybe even happier. He might not be a prodigy like Isla, but with Suuzu’s coaching, he was keeping up with the basics.
He passed around the bag of steamed buns, and they meandered onward, always keeping the landmark tree in view.
Dickon welcomed them at the foot of the shrine’s lengthy stairs. “Thank you, boys. I will see to the young mistresses’ safety from here.” His words held dismissal.
Figuring Suuzu would be only too glad to get home, Akira was already waving goodbye, turning toward home.
Suuzu put out an arm to stop him. “Are we unwelcome, Reaver Denholme?”
The man’s dark eyes flashed. “Far from it, good phoenix. I apologize for any disappointment. By your next visit, the wards will be tuned to accept you.”
“By what means?” asked Suuzu, pleasant but persistent.
Akira couldn’t understand the challenge—if it even was a challenge. Then again, Suuzu was always careful about details. Maybe these were the kinds of questions a good friend should be asking.
Dickon said, “By the most secure means admissible.”
Suuzu’s head cocked to one side. “Tuned crystals?”
“If you are willing.”
Akira remembered something about tuned crystals from Juuyu’s nest-necklace. He didn’t really understand all the intricacies of crystal resonance and amplification. But he knew that wards could tattle on your movements and invisible barriers could feel like a brick wall if you weren’t supposed to cross them.
