Page 10 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Bewilderment settled on Suuzu’s features, his strikingly orange eyes widening. And for the first time, he looked young.
Akira folded his arms over his chest and gruffly muttered, “Apologize to Kimi.”
An increasingly flustered phoenix angled his face away, assuming a posture of regret. “I have been thoughtless. Please forgive my words. They were unnecessarily sharp.”
“It’s okay.” Kimiko managed a small smile. “I rank pretty low, so Amaranthine don’t usually register my presence when there are brighter souls around.”
“Really?” Akira looked to Suuzu for confirmation. “Is that how it works?”
The phoenix’s gaze sharpened, and Kimiko consciously slowed her breathing and relaxed her posture. Trust. Because there was little else she could offer. She’d passed her certification for tending during her first year at Ingress Academy, but hers wasn’t the sort of soul that attracted interest. No one ever came to her for tending. But reavers of low ranking were encouraged to learn their limitations so they could work safely within them.
Kimiko hadn’t been tapped by any of the High Amaranthine on campus, so she’d presented herself to the many Kith fostered at Ingress. Retired from active service, these were aged beasts whose limbs had grown creaky and whose sight was dimming. But their minds were sharp, and their wordless guidance had strengthened Kimiko’s self-possession.
Suuzu finally said, “Not the brightest soul in this room, but certainly the brightest in our group.”
Akira blinked, then burst out laughing. “There you have it, Kimi! You’re our one and only reaver.”
The phoenix gestured toward their table. “I will accept Kimiko Miyabe for your sake.”
“Mine?” Akira led the way across the room. “How come she’s mine?”
“You are in need of information a reaver possesses.”
“And you’re not?”
Suuzu pulled out a chair for his friend. “If I have questions, I will pose them.”
“Kimi’s not just a resource, you know.” Akira waved her over and made her sit in his chair. “We’re friends now.”
The phoenix quietly took a seat.
Although he hadn’t said a word, Akira frowned. “Oh, come on. I’m not asking you to take her as a nestmate or anything.”
Kimiko knew—in the textbook way of knowing—that Amaranthine of the bird clans were slow to trust. She wasn’t about to rush Suuzu, but Akira wasn’t half so reticent. He was already calling herKimi.
“We’re a triad.” Akira glanced at the front of the room before flipping his chair around and straddling it backwards. “You heard Hisoka-sensei. We’re supposed to be setting a good example for the whole world.”
Suuzu sighed.
“We’ve talked about this.” Akira flapped a hand. “We’re still roommates—nestmates. That won’t change just because we make other friends.”
Now that was interesting. Kimiko asked, “You consider Akira to be a nestmate?”
“He is mine.” Suuzu’s voice lowered. “He understands it as a bond of brotherhood.”
Intrigued, she turned to the boy. “Hajime-kun, are you familiar with the nuances of such a pledge? An honor like this isn’t given lightly, nor is it ever revoked.”
“Fine by me.” Akira grinned. “I like knowing he’ll stick around forever. I’m an orphan, you know. So this is a big deal for me, having someone to rely on. Suuzu will always be here for me.”
For the first time, Kimiko thought she understood why the world still needed reavers. Because even two friends, with all kinds of trust and loyalty already established, could miss nuances of meaning. She turned to Suuzu and jumbled several signals—confusion, sympathy, apology, and a willingness to mediate.
Even though she hardly knew what she meant, Suuzu seemed to understand. “Enough, reaver. It is enough.”
And with that Kimiko decided that she liked this young phoenix. He’d given a human boy something rare and precious. Even if Akira didn’t understand everything, he expected to remain friends with Suuzu his whole life. Over time, and with the learning he’d receive here at New Saga, maybe Akira would move past the limits of impressions and assumptions … into the realm of true understanding.
“Partners?” Kimiko stretched across the table, offering them each a hand.
“Friends.” Akira went one better, locking his fingers around her wrist and reaching for Suuzu.
