Page 117 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Tenma decided not to mind all the staring, the smiles, and the shy nods. People needed to get used to seeing Amaranthine around town. The Emergence was about living openly. Integration needed to spread beyond the classroom.
Nice in theory. But Inti’s unconventional behavior kept Tenma on his toes. He’d had to apologize a lot for his roommate, who was prone to touch, taste, or take things without invitation.
“How about a quick lesson,” Tenma suggested.
“Again?”
“A little one. About sitting in public.” Tenma pointed to a park bench. “It’s quieter here, so this is a good spot.”
“Inti will listen.” He slid from his perch and bowed. “Teach me, sensei.”
Tenma laughed and took a seat. “Humans have this thing calledpolite distance.”
Inti cheerfully joined him, pressing snug against his side. “Inti is polite.”
“Too close, Inti. Humans aren’t always comfortable with direct contact. What feels most natural to you may be an imposition for them.”
“You do not smell alarmed.”
Tenma smiled. “We’re friends. This lesson is about strangers. Shall I demonstrate?”
In a barefoot crouch on the bench, Inti watched with bright-eyed interest as Tenma backed up a few steps, then approached. “May I sit here?”
“Sit, sit, sit.”
Tenma left plenty of room between them. “Some people will place items beside them as barriers, like a shopping bag or a book. They’re signaling a preference, but even if they don’t, still give them room.”
“Sitting with strangers.” Inti studied the gap between them. “What about friends.”
“That depends on how close you are.”
Inti lifted a finger. “Classmate, but not Tenma or Quen or Isla.”
Tenma stood, once more backing off and coming forward. “Here you are, Inti! May I join you?”
“Sit, sit, sit, friend.” Inti was enjoying himself.
While Tenma still preserved a polite distance, he changed his body language, slouching back and leaning closer until their shoulders bumped. “How’ve you been?”
Inti grinned. “Hungry.”
Lesson over. They were back to the main theme of their evening out. Tenma hadn’t been able to think of a single form of entertainment that might appeal to Inti … except food. So they’d been wandering through Keishi, stopping frequently to sample fast food and street food and the mysterious delights found in vending machines.
Inti leapt to his cozy perch on Tenma’s shoulders. “You still have coins?”
“Plenty.”
“Tenma is rich?”
“Beyond your wildest dreams.”
Poking at Tenma’s cheek, Inti asked, “Is Tenma teasing?”
“Yes, I’m teasing. But I won’t run out of money for a while yet, even at the rate you eat.”
They found a crepe shop, at which point Tenma learned that Inti was violently opposed to eating banana-anything. On principle.
“Defying stereotypes?” Tenma asked.
