Chapter Text
In the soft morning light edging around the heavy curtains, the happenings of last night felt distant and blurred. Lumine reached back to locate Ayato then recalled a vague memory of him getting up early, pulling the curtains closed and padding into the bathroom. I must have fallen back to sleep after he left. Flopping onto her back, she recalled her horror at the discovery that some part of her childhood had been a lie. How much of it was? She and Aether were born prematurely on August 8th, 1993, when their parents were working in Dornman Port, in the far north of Mondstadt, where it borders Snezhnaya. The Snezhnayan passports both indicated all this correctly, but the existence of the old document, and the entry stamp within, put the lie to so much family history. Why did we go there then? Why didn’t we get Mondstadt passports? The question that still resonated most loudly, that she didn’t dare voice, but she knew Ayato must have wondered as well. How did Tartaglia get ahold of the old passport? She must have tipped her hand during their conversation, or the Kamisato psychic tendencies kicked in, because he had changed the subject gently with a revelation of his own.
Sitting with one of his arms wrapped tightly around her, she watched as he made droplets of water play across the surface of the pond as he spoke.
“I have been meaning to tell you this since Sunday, but the time never seemed right. I think I understand why you felt dizzy today, or at least I have some evidence to support a theory. The more I use my vision, the more I notice that you glow a faint golden, most of the time. It varies, from bright to less so, but there’s usually a baseline luminance about you. It helped me find you in the crowd in the courthouse.”
“So I am glowing right now?”
“Yes, a bit. Not so much that I could use you as a night lamp or anything, but faintly. But not this afternoon. You looked dull, like a normal person. I think there is a connection to you feeling unwell.”
“AJ… I mean Tartaglia also said I glowed. Why don’t I get to see anyone glow?”
“That sounds like a question for Monsieur Neuvillette.”
“Oh, wait, I did see his Arkhe glow, but it was just from his hands.”
“Sounds like we need to interrogate the Iudex this weekend. I suspect he will come visit.”
On that note, they had retired to bed, with sleep following eventually. Notes of pine and cedar still lingered on the bedclothes; inhaling deeply, Lumine felt her eagerness to get up lessen even further. Reaching for her phone, she noted the time. Ten to ten, still some time before Ayato had to go. Flipping the duvet back, she grabbed the pale purple silk nightdress and matching robe, which had mysteriously appeared with her recent clothes purchases, off the floor and slipped it over her head. The luxurious fabric flowed over her and came to rest in a cool embrace of her skin. New house shoes sat on the floor as well; the novelty of new wardrobe items randomly appearing was not likely to ease soon. Slipping her feet into velvety softness, she then made her way downstairs.
“Good morning, Dr. Viatrix.” Hisashi’s greeting sounded bright and chipper as he leapt up from the dining table and headed towards the kitchen.
“Good morning, Hisashi. I can get my own breakfast, you don’t need to get up!”
“At least let me show you where everything is.” A couple quick moments later, they were both back at the table, Lumine happily eating her cereal and letting her tea cool, while Hisashi finished his toast with butter and jam. Once she noticed Hisashi finishing a piece of his toast, she swallowed and spoke.
“How is Ayato this morning? He slipped out early.”
“He had an early start, catching up with the board at 7, then Madarame at 8. He’s probably just joined his last meeting of the morning.” Lumine’s heart sunk a bit. I should have realized his job can’t wait for him. Hisashi’s quiet chuckle shook her out of her mind. “Dr. Viatrix, he told me to tell you that he called the meetings, and to not worry about him.”
“Am I that transparent?”
“The young master would probably say ‘you wear your heart on your sleeve.’” Taking a deep sip of her tea, Lumine nodded, and then after she had swallowed, she sighed out an agreement. A clinking of silverware in the kitchen alerted them both to a new arrival to breakfast; Ms. Kuki emerged with a hot cup of coffee and a bowl full of yogurt and granola. After greetings were shared, everyone settled back into their breakfast. The dining room occupied the southwest corner of the gatehouse, so the windows faced out into the wood, with all the windows open to let in a cool morning breeze and rambunctious birdsong. It reminds me of the Kamisato Estate in a way, peace enveloped in nature. Eventually, Hisashi stood and collected his dishes.
“I will be taking Ms. Kuki to the airport today, then coming back with Hiratsuka, who will be taking over the housekeeping. Should we pick up anything for you?”
“Hmmm, maybe a nice notebook? I feel like I need to write.”
“Anything edible?”
“Maybe some junk food? Sweets and savories?”
“As you wish.”
“What time should Ayato be done with his meetings?”
“10:30, so very soon. He’s in the study, so the other side of the parlor.”
“Ok, I will check in on him after that.” With that, Hisashi exited into the kitchen; shortly after, Ms. Kuki departed with her dishes and said a quick farewell.”
“I’m only a call or a text away if you ever need anything,” she added.
“Thank you, safe travels.” Then Lumine was alone in the dining room, with five more minutes to spend. I am sure I have some texts I am neglecting. Sure enough, she had fresh real estate listings from Mona, scattered around Sumeru City, with notes following each about pros and cons. Groaning, Lumine started texting a response.
“Ugh, you enjoy this way too much. No chance you want to pick a top 3 to go visit?” The response pinged in much faster than she expected.
“I think we should look at 3 for Ayaka and her hypothetical roomies, and 3 for you and your man. Selfishly, I want you to be in Sumeru City more, if I’m there.”
“What are your shortlisting criteria?”
“For Ayaka, security vs undergraduate experience. For you two, comfort vs luxury 😂”
“Have you even shortlisted any places for yourself?”
“Working on it, have narrowed 53 possibles down to 7, so I should be close. I have all the spreadsheets ready, just let me keep playing this game.”
“What are you avoiding?” After the rapid-fire exchange, Mona’s delay in response was suspicious, but Lumine had noticed the time, so she gathered her dishes, dropped them off in the kitchen and made her way to the closed door of the study. Hearing no conversation within, she knocked lightly.
“Come in.” Faint notes of exasperation clung to the two words. Turning the knob and entering, Lumine peeked around the door and into the room. Ayato sat at a large oak desk facing towards her, with a wall of bookshelves at his back. Jaw resting in his hand, elbow planted on a green stained leather writing pad, he looked disgruntled, wearing the annoyance of too many meetings, too soon in the day. His gaze flicked from the laptop screen to Lumine, and his demeanor shifted. “Apologies, I thought you might still be asleep, and that Hisashi wanted to enter.” Lumine crossed the room, feeling the give of the ornate Sumeru rug under her slippers, then perched gently on the solid desk.
“Hisashi gets to know that you’ve had a shit morning, huh?”
“You would get to know as well, eventually.”
“Eventually?”
“I wasn’t planning on telling you everything before I go off to my day of hard labor. Have to save some conversation for dinner.” He delivered the line like a joke, paired with a wry smile, but his eyes missed the punchline, remaining cool with a touch of melancholy. Closing the lid on the laptop, he leaned back in his chair; the antique spring creaking with the incline change. “I would like to let you rest and relax, and not make all my problems immediately into your problems.” Drifting around the desk, Lumine settled next to him, half-sitting on the cool wood, her thigh grazing against his.
“Your problems are mine, though.”
“Only if I fail to manage them properly.” Leaning forward, Lumine wove her fingers through his and met his gaze directly.
“I get there are some battles only you can fight, but you don’t have to be alone.” He sighed and placed his other hand over hers, the contact gentle and unyielding.
“If I told you all my worries and stressors, you would soon think I was depressed and paranoid. I also spend a lot of time planning for things that never materialize, due to other plans working out. I don’t want to lie to you, but I am not capable of telling you everything.”
“I get it, I’m also a chronic overthinker. I just don’t want you to keep it all in.” Another deep sigh emanated from him; a handful of heartbeats later, he spoke.
“The briefings I received this morning indicate that this house arrest may be the last restful period we will enjoy for the foreseeable future.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t say for certain, but too many coincidences are lining up, and none of them are auspicious.”
“Such as?”
“Strange political fundraising requests to a number of my CEOs that verge on extortion, a sudden rise in xenophobic discourse in Inazuma, and then there’s my mother.”
“What has she done now?”
“She is back in the news for making bad decisions, and this one is particularly worrying.”
“What could she have done this time?”
“It’s more about how the response to her trip here. The opposition in Parliament has stated that they want to investigate her use of government funds, so her party asked her to step down. She has instead called for a confidence vote.”
“Wait so does that mean that she can stay as PM?”
“If she wins the vote, sure, but her party wants her out, so the question is whether they want her out bad enough to vote no confidence and trigger a general election, where they may lose their majority.”
“This sounds bad, but I don’t understand why it is weighing on you?” Nodding, he sighed, then took a deep drink of the tea at his right hand.
“The opposition are not able to form a majority government on their own, but they could form a coalition government with some questionable types, with the right momentum. This kind of situation could be the kindling.”
“What kind of questionable types?”
“Parties which despise the modern Inazuma we currently enjoy. People who want to return to the days of the Shogunate, of the Sakoku decree, a time when Inazumans feared their leaders and were locked away from the world.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Yes, precisely. I feel like the deck is being stacked. We need to use this time wisely, but I can’t do as much as I’d like, and I don’t want you exhausting yourself.”
“What do you want to get done?”
“The board and I have concluded that Sumeru City is the ideal location for an alternate HQ for the Yashiro Group. Therefore, I need to oversee the selection of the location as well as some family affairs. Ayaka’s living situation in Sumeru City is not yet determined, and I would also like to establish a home there.” Lumine couldn’t resist cracking into a smile.
“Well, you’re in luck, because Mona is dying to find us all a place to live in Sumeru City.”
“Doesn’t she have other things to do?”
“She sure does, but she is avoiding something.”
“If I can delegate the home finding to her and you, then that would be a weight off my shoulders…” His voice trailed off inconclusively.
“What are you thinking?”
“I think it is a topic for this evening, since we have covered too many uplifting subjects before lunch.” Checking his phone, he tapped a couple times, then slid it into a trouser pocket. “Hisashi made me lunch before he left for the airport, so I’d better eat before I go.”
“Good plan.”
At five minutes before noon, a staccato double knock sounded on the gatehouse’s front door. Having just arrived downstairs after getting properly dressed, Lumine flung the door open to find the head butler standing patiently, hands clasped.
“Good day. I am Willett, the head butler. I have arrived to escort Master Kamisato to his work duty. We will be departing through the rear foot gate. If Madame Kamisato would like to join, she is welcome to walk with us.” Momentarily frozen by the misidentification, Lumine belatedly greeted him before noticing Ayato appearing beside her.
“Good day, Willett. I am Kamisato Ayato, this is Dr. Lumine Viatrix. We are not yet married, but she should be treated with the utmost respect.”
“Of course, sir.” Turning and resting a hand on Lumine’s shoulder, Ayato questioned her readiness with his eyes. Nodding, she tossed her sandals on the tiles, slipped them onto her feet, and took his hand as they followed the butler out into the tidy wood. Looping around the house, they passed the spot where the sedan would have been parked, next to the towering perimeter wall. Following the drive away from the gatehouse, they diverged, turning right onto a flagstone path as the road turned left. A deftly camouflaged shed stood next to the path; Willett indicated at it with a refined sweep of his hand while continuing to march forward.
“Master Kamisato, Dr Viatrix, if you wish to cycle into the village, there are bicycles here for your use.” Both vocalized thanks for the information as their party reached a prominent opening, which revealed the thickness of the ancient wall. Each side held a wrought iron gate- the one on the inner face of the wall was locked open. Stepping out of the darkness was a familiar face; Clorinde greeted everyone formally, introduced herself as if they were unacquainted then began to detail what was coming next.
“Monsieur Kamisato, you will be working with two shifts of young delinquents to rehabilitate a foot path to a neighboring village. We can be flexible with your work schedule to split your service hours between morning and afternoon.”
“I appreciate that.”
“If you would come with me, the work site is not a far walk.”
Even at the brisk pace that Clorinde set, the walk to the job site was a scenic feast. Flowing sedately now, the river that they had paralleled on their drive in guarded the estate wall, with only a narrow cobblestone road acting as a buffer between the two. After turning right out of the foot gate, they followed this road until they reached a stone bridge, spanning the calm waters in two arches. Leaning against the downstream railing, a bright orange reflective sign warned of the path being closed ahead. Originally designed for livestock-based vehicles, the bridge fit the three walking side by side with not a great deal of excess space. Willett had remained at the estate, so once they had crossed to the other side of the river, the conversational tenor relaxed. The path turned left after the bridge, stayed atop the riverbank until level with the gate in the wall on the opposite shore then veered right into a young deciduous forest; mere steps into the shade, another sign was propped up on the pavement, indicating the path was closed for construction.
“This is where we will part, Dr. Viatrix. I would prefer to maintain as much anonymity for you both as possible.” Turning to look at Ayato, Clorinde spoke again. “What would you like me and the others to call you?”
“Ayato is fine. If they figure it out, so be it.”
“All the youths are called by their given names as well, so that makes things easier.” Wrapping her arms around him, Lumine pecked a quick kiss on Ayato’s lips.
“Hope you have a good day. See you later.” He enveloped her in a swift embrace; she felt him rest his cheek on her crown, her hair fluttering on the breeze of his suppressed sigh.
“Should be fine. Take care of yourself, love you.”
“Love you too.”
Once she returned to the gate in the wall, she was greeted by a young guard, who saluted and let her in. Following the flagstone path, she paused at the bike shed. Looking down at her long jean shorts and her sandals, she pondered her next steps. Why not have a bit of an adventure? She pulled one of the bikes out, gave it a test sit, then walked it out past the guard, turning away from the bridge. Jumping astride her mount, she stood on the higher pedal and reveled in the lurch to speed. The path ahead was empty, so she pedaled at a relaxed tempo and enjoyed the wind mussing her hair.
Following the river, the venerable road eventually left the shadow of the estate’s wall, and visited lush pastures, ripening grain fields and a well-maintained wood before a line of bollards erupted where the past met the modern age; a two-lane vehicle road, with ample sidewalks for bikers and pedestrians, intersected and continued over the river on a very functional but aesthetically uninspiring bridge. Lumine turned right and continued her adventure across the river; the bike path soon drifted apart from the road, with a planted verge providing a respite from occasional vehicle noise. Agricultural land flowed up to a small village, the transition demarcated with an aged wooden sign. “Welcome to Camserney,” it declared, from behind a stand of blooming primroses. Stepping off the bike, Lumine walked it along a narrow street, admiring the ancient dwellings until an exuberantly colored sign caught her eye: “Foot Path Detour” with an arrow pointing the way she had come. Curiosity piqued, she continued, searching for the next sign. Spotting one and enjoying the game, she forged on, fluorescent signs leading her forward. Her sign hunt soon ended when she arrived at the closed foot path, and her suspicions were confirmed. Further along the closed route, she could see a group of workers wielding prybars and pickaxes, breaking up the asphalt.
At this distance, any other person might have been hard to identify, but Ayato’s ice blue hair was even more distinctive in the variegated shadows; she spotted him approaching the jug of water. He looks sunburnt. I wonder if we can get him a hat before tomorrow? Leaning his prybar against the picnic table, he filled and downed his water cup three times. During the third draught, two other workers approached him- one taller and stockier, the other nearly his height; thirst did not seem like their primary motivation. The taller one clapped a hand on Ayato’s shoulder while the shorter stood too close in front of him. Shrugging off the unwelcome contact, Ayato picked up his prybar and turned away. The two drank their water, avoiding any scrutiny, then trotted over to where Ayato was working: the shorter one serving as lookout, while the other shed any friendly pretense and approached boldly. Lumine wrestled with the unease that gripped her, but she had no choice but to watch. After slapping a heavy hand on Ayato’s back, the tall man’s posture was briefly triumphant, until he was suddenly sinking onto his knees, his free arm desperately trying to stop his other from being cranked further in an unnatural direction. Words were exchanged, but Lumine could only guess what was said as she watched the man crumble to the ground once Ayato released him. A sharp flash of blue and gold glinted then vanished while the two interlopers scrambled away with impressive speed. Was that his Arkhe I just saw? Another with distinctive hair, this time a deep purple, Clorinde stepped out of the woods and spoke with Ayato. They must have agreed to let Ayato handle things himself, she thought, he certainly did. Concern replaced with a satisfied pride, she began her return journey.
Cycling back along the river was enjoyable and serene, but also uncomfortably warm. Lumine had considered continuing past the gate, and exploring the village downriver, but once she reached the stone wall, she realized she had pushed past a sensible amount of aerobic activity. Her legs felt heavy and drained of strength; coming to a lurching stop, she floundered off the bike, walked it past the same guard then placed it back in the shed. Hauling herself back to the gatehouse drive, she noted the sedan was still gone, so she made for the back garden, where she hoped there were still lounge chairs to flop into. Through the picket gate nestled under an arbor laden with roses, she scanned and located her goal in the shade of the willow; the springs supporting the cushion gave off a metallic groan as they took up her weight. Maybe my adventure was a bit ambitious after recent events? Her sudden lack of fitness irritated her. She didn’t consider herself super healthy, but she had always felt capable of reasonable activity. Going on a gentle bike ride on a summer day shouldn’t make me feel this shitty. And if I knew why I felt like this, at least I could try and fix it. Of the things that had recently changed in her life, she was pretty sure that being with Ayato wasn’t to blame for her exhaustion. Could this be due to my Arkhe?
In the heat of the afternoon, the birds were less active, leaving only the gentle tittering of sparrows emerging from the wood and the willow next to the pond. The warmth and comfort lulled Lumine into a leisurely nap, which ended when she heard a car idling down the drive to the gatehouse. Is Hisashi back? Not wanting to stir yet, she waited until the vehicle parked and listened for the occupants to make themselves known. Footsteps ground into the aggregate, no obvious talking, but clearly someone making their way into the back garden. When the gate latch was flipped and the gate creaked open, Lumine sat straight up, and saw an unexpected face.
“Monsieur Neuvillette? What are you doing here?”
“I could ask the same of you, Dr. Viatrix. Are you locked out of the house?”
“No, just enjoying a summer day.” The former Iudex raised a hand to shield himself from the intense rays and squinted in her direction. “Would you like to go inside?” Relief washed over his face.
“Gladly.”
Lumine led her surprise guest across the back patio, through the conservatory and into the kitchen, where he quaffed two glasses of tap water. Adjourning into the ground floor sitting room, he shed his overcoat and settled on the couch furthest from window while laying a studious gaze on Lumine, who sat on the other end of the same couch.
“How are you feeling, since your departure from the hospital?” The immediate questioning rankled her, for no logical reason.
“Fine. Went for a bike ride today. Are you here to check on me or Ayato?”
“I am concerned about both of you. Do you feel overly tired?” Struggling to conceal her irritation, she crossed her arms across her chest and leaned back into the cushioned armrest. “Dr Viatrix, I apologize for the intrusive nature of my questions, but if you are feeling tired for no reason, I know why.” Grumbling out a sigh, Lumine relaxed and leaned slightly forward.
“It’s really frustrating not understanding your own body, after thinking you did for your whole adult life. I felt destroyed after a leisurely bike ride and it didn’t make any sense.”
“Give me your hand.” Silver eyes stared softly as a gloved hand reached towards her. Meeting his reach, she watched in awe as a gleaming golden thread linked them. A blooming warmth traveled up her arm and into her chest, then diffusing throughout her whole self. She felt renewed, her fatigue washed away.
“You’ve lived your whole life having your Arkhe as your back-up power supply. Unconsciously, you’ve used it to reinforce your muscles, enhance your endurance and heal yourself. Then you suddenly used a great deal of your reserves, multiple times in a matter of days. It’s no wonder you are feeling sapped.”
“Ayato did say that I glowed less when I was tired. Why can’t I see anyone glowing?”
“This might be easier to explain if I show you.” Pulling his hand back, he placed both his palms on his knees. A pinpoint speck of light appeared on his chest, then expanded over his body, the intensity only increasing until Lumine’s eyes began to water if she looked directly at him. Closing her eyes, she could still see his form, etching her retinas with the extreme luminosity. Just as she was going to cover her eyes, the brilliance shrunk back to a point then blinked out of existence.
“Holy shit.” She murmured as she pried her eyes back open, the afterimage still haunting her.
“That is probably what you usually look like to those with a weak affinity for Arkhe. For Mr. Kamisato, you would appear much dimmer, since his baseline is more substantial. You may have noticed that my Arkhe was condensed into a small point?” She nodded attentively, so he continued. “This allows me to not be noticed by anyone else with an affinity. Your Arkhe is dispersed through your whole self, so highly visible. Also the density of Arkhe in your eyes keeps you from seeing others, unless you are seriously depleted.”
“So wait, I can’t see those who have less Arkhe?”
“Your eyes are constantly flooded with it, so they’re not very sensitive.”
“I did see a golden and blue flash today when I was watching Ayato.”
“You must have been very depleted. I can’t imagine he was doing anything substantial.”
“Tormenting some youths, from the looks of it.” Disapproval tinged Neuvillette’s visage.
“Hmm, how mature of him- I hope he isn’t fitting in too well with the work crew. The blue was the hydro elemental energy, and it should be accompanied by his Arkhe.” The rattling of doors shifting in their frames and mingling voices burbled out from the kitchen. Once the footsteps became closer and clearer, a voice called out.
“Lumine, are you here?”
“Yes! Here with Monsieur Neuvillette.” Pushing open the door from the kitchen, a ruddy faced Ayato entered, followed by Clorinde. Rounding the couch, he paused to greet his love with a kiss to her crown, then stepped to his mentor, to take his hand in a greeting.
“Mr. Kamisato, you look quite rough.”
“Yes, Monsieur, I did not dress properly for the day. I hope Hisashi finds something suitable in his travels today.”
“I could ask Navia if she could pick up something- she is familiar with the finest hatters.” Clorinde added, settling on the opposing couch. Ayato took the spot between Neuvillette and Lumine, but only perched on the edge, as if not planning to stay long. Lumine placed a hand on his thigh; he wove his fingers through hers.
“Do you have to stay locally for the whole four weeks?” Lumine asked Clorinde, enjoying the usually reticent woman’s sudden candor.
“Yes, but my family is from this area, so I can stay for free and save my per diem. Navia reserved a room at the main house for this weekend, so I will enjoy the upgrade with her.” A delicate smile warmed her face as she spoke.
“I have also reserved a room until Sunday evening, so that I can catch up with everyone.”
“I didn’t expect you until the weekend, Monsieur. I suppose this is a perk of being retired?” A buzzing reverberated from Ayato’s tracksuit pants pocket; after fishing the phone out, he spoke again. “Hiratsuka has messaged me that, among other things, they have retrieved a meal from Escoffier which can be reheated tonight and will feed ten. If my math is correct, we could all meet again for dinner in a couple hours? I would really like to freshen up.”
“I would appreciate that- sounds better than what will be served by my aunt.” Clorinde’s agreement was followed by one from Monsieur Neuvillette, so the two departed the gate house, while the other two headed upstairs.
“Did you get anything interesting out of Monsieur Neuvillette before I arrived?” Ayato asked from the walk-in wardrobe, as he stripped out of his t-shirt and khaki slacks. Lumine filled him in on their conversation and gave him confirmation that he had been correct in his suspicions; this fact flashed across his face in a mix of pride and contemplation as he shed his underwear and climbed into the shower. After giving him enough time to wash his hair, Lumine made her confession, from her perch on a dressing stool, next to the vanity.
“I went for a bike ride, and I saw you at the worksite.”
“I know. I saw you.” He delivered these lines flatly then resumed scrubbing himself. Lumine admired the silhouette through the sheer shower curtain and waited until the water shut off. He reached an arm out and grabbed the towel off the rail over the toilet. After toweling off his hair and drying the rest of his body, he tugged the curtain open and emerged, the towel fixed around his waist; lavender eyes intense and fixed on hers. “Of all the mundane things I did today, you managed to see the one thing I wasn’t entirely proud of.”
“They seemed to be looking for trouble.”
“Stereotypical bullies. I interrupted their theatrics earlier in the shift, and they thought they could intimidate me.” Jumping to her feet, she met him in an embrace as he stepped out of the tub.
“They thought wrong,” she whispered as she grazed her fingers along his cheek; the intense sunburnt red of earlier had cooled into a more subtle blush. “You didn’t do any permanent damage, right?”
“Maybe of the emotional kind…I used my vision.”
“I saw that, but I couldn’t figure out exactly what you had done…” A smirk graced his face, and all her suspicions coalesced into a sinister giggle. “Oh, you evil man, you didn’t.”
“I might have.” The blue streak had been very close to the larger youth’s inseam.
“Using your power to embarrass young assholes.” Halfhearted solemnity shoved the smirk aside.
“Monsieur Neuvillette will be very disappointed.”
“Hmm, maybe, but I was pretty proud. You’re not one to be messed with, Kamisato Ayato.” All pretense melted from his face, replaced by an honest smile that warmed his eyes.
“I am just very selective in who I allow to mess with me.” Pulling her towards him, he seized her lips in a kiss that she eagerly reciprocated.
***
Lit only by the glow of her phone screen, Mona sat in the aftermath of a text conversation she thought she’d never have. Seeing that name on an incoming text had animated her from the depths of stress dreams about moving. He was never one for loose threads, never cared about goodbyes. That’s why I never questioned the way he left. Her pulse still racing, she flicked through her phone contacts, attempting to organize her thoughts, and landed on his contact. Before Tuesday, I was sure I had deleted it. Kuni was all it said, the abbreviation of his family name that he had always gone by. Mona never learned his given name; he had bristled visibly when the uninitiated stumble and was constantly growling for them to give up, long before they reached the fifth syllable of Kunikizushi. Anger and resentment had tinged most people’s interactions with him, which had always led them to ask Mona why she wasted her time on him, but it also kept them from asking too many questions when he left suddenly. Only Lumine had given her grace, accepted her feelings, tried to keep the peace, and refrained from trite platitudes about her deserving better when it all ended. But I never told her the truth about that end. I said it was mutual, but it never was. I loved that asshole. He left and I was too ashamed to admit how devastated I was. So, when the first text had come in from him, just after midnight, two days prior, all she could think was why was that previously unrepentant fucker now texting her after four years of radio silence, using gentle words that feel so unlike him?
“Congrats on your professorship. I will try to stay out of your way at the Akademia.” After staring blankly at the text for long enough that she had had to tap the screen multiple times to keep her phone from locking, she began to type.
“The Kuni I knew never avoided conflict or texted unsolicited, so who the fuck is this?” A response never came that night, or the following. Despite all her reasoning begging her not to, she adjusted her do-not-disturb settings so any text from him would buzz at any hour. And so it had, waking her in a wrathful state, ready to rage at whatever bullshit he had the temerity to send.
“A different person with the same face. I don’t go by my birthname anymore, but I am back at the Akademia, so it felt fair to warn you about Sora Kusanali, a new postdoc in biomedical engineering. You can block this number now. I won’t contact you again.” No fire, no fury, not even an expletive, Mona read only a calm apathy in the reply that completely disarmed her. Flinging the phone limply across the room, she flopped back onto the bed, breathing deeply until the bounding in her chest steadied. Eventually soft pinks began to edge the curtains and the dawn chorus became audible through the closed windows. I can’t dump this on Lumine right now; she needs a break and I’m sure I’ll see her next week. Tugging the window covering open, she let in enough light to find her phone and started composing a message, to the other person she thought would understand: Thoma.
“Do you have plans for this weekend? Or today? Or both?” Ugh, feels so pathetic and desperate. After the message was sent, she closed the curtains tightly and curled back up into bed. The subtle vibration of a new message sent her hand flying out to grab the device off the bedside table.
“Whichever works for you. I’ll be down at the B&B this weekend, but we can meet at the observatory sooner.”
“Ok, maybe I need to pick up some data later today.”
“Let me know when you are headed up. Take care.”