A "police blotter" is a record of calls to the police and their outcomes often found in town newspapers as well as schools. My university publishes one each week.

Chapter Seven: Recovery

At 8:30, there was a knock on Kazuya's door, and he happily said to come in, figuring it was Ruka. Kazuya was surprised to see two students from his school, both in uniform, with guest passes. He vaguely recognized them from the school paper's staff photo.

"We heard what happened! We're prepping for next week's 'police blotter' and wanted to get the story. Will you speak with us?" The first student asked enthusiastically while the second one nodded vigorously.

"Uh... sure." There's not much to it really," Kazuya said, as the second student took out his camera, and indicated he wanted to photograph Kazuya.

Kazuya nodded to the student with the camera and Kazuya allowed himself to be photographed while lamenting that he wished he was on his feet. Telling the story while smiling both excitedly and being humble, he relayed events in some broad strokes for a few sentences and in more detail for some portions. At the end he said he was happy because he was leaving the hospital soon. After a few more questions the students left while smiling widely at each other once they cleared the door.

Sumi stood outside the deli when she heard Ruka happily shouting and waving as she came running up. Ruka had told Sumi a little about the foods available at the deli, but had kept the owner and his generosity a secret. Waiting in line inside they joined many people waiting for breakfast. Ruka and Sumi stood in the line unseen until the owner caught a glimpse of them.

"Hey, 'Blueberry,' you brought a friend! Who is this beautiful young lady with hair like fire?" the owner asked while smiling warmly.

Sumi blushed, unable to speak, looked down, but couldn't hide the huge smile she had.

"This is Sumi, a new friend of mine. She and I know each other through Kazuya," Ruka said happily.

"How's he doing?" the owner asked.

Ruka started to say, "He's actually in the hospital. He got himself into trouble—"

The deli owner quickly grabbed one of the other cooks and told him to take over.

Leading the two of them to a table he asked her to tell him what happened with genuine concern. The three sat down and Ruka explained the whole series of events and started to break down crying just a little when Sumi, somewhat anxiously due to seeing her new friend crying, patted her shoulder while assuring her it would all be okay. Ruka felt herself calming down and smiled back at her. The owner reacted and expressed his condolences before saying he was sure he'd be okay and not to worry. He went on to say he personally knew the hospital's burn ward was the best in the area, and, of course, Ruka asked how he knew that.

Taking a deep breath, the owner said, "Many years ago, when I first started working in a deli in Tokyo, I was young and naive and not just thinking about working in my first real position. I worked as a line cook in a large kitchen with others and it had a lot of space. I saved and saved and became friends with the former owner here while I worked for him. I bought it from him when he retired, but I didn't know what to expect working in a smaller kitchen under the heavy stress of being alone, having a ton of people eager for breakfast, and the immense heat of the large grill could do to you. They say, 'If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen' and I came to realize that phrase is not just a metaphor for stress in life. Most expressions actually mean something and aren't just a platitude of words, but come from an actual set of experiences."

"Okay, so what does it mean?" Ruka asked inquisitively.

"Well, early on, the heat in the kitchen was so great that it overwhelmed me. I fainted and landed on my own grill! I was burned in several places. I was very lucky that my first employee heard me over the noise of the morning and helped get me to the hospital. Anyway, you can see I have no visible scars, but the memory remains. Is he going to be in the hospital much longer?" The owner asked.

"He should be released tomorrow morning. I'm going there to meet him. He's set to be discharged at nine," Ruka said while smiling.

"My name is Yuuto. What's your name? " The deli owner asked.

"Yuuto, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ruka, and do you have any breakfast recommendations for my friend here? She brought me some mini blueberry muffins yesterday from the hospital vending machine outside the waiting room. She and I met only yesterday, but she was sweet enough to just bring me some to comfort me while I was waiting for news on Kazuya, "Ruka said while looking at Sumi.

Sumi, as you could imagine, blushed as red as the sun as it set. Both ordered light dishes and Ruka asked for two pink lemonades. Sumi smiled again as Yuuto left.

While they waited Ruka invited Sumi to an upcoming outing with a friend of hers and Kazuya at the aquarium the first weekend Kazuya felt up to it. Sumi smiled, thanking her for the invite, and asked her about her plans for the rest of the day.

Yuuto returned smiling, bringing their meal on a tray, and beaming said, "Two pink lemonades, an omelet, and a vegetable pancake. I have something for Miss Sumi. A "cinnamon bun", it is a type of pastry. I think it's perfect to go with your hair color. May I call you 'Cinnamon'?"

Sumi turned deep red, and while unable to speak, nodded happily finding the name cute. Sumi took a small bite from the glazed cinnamon bun the size of a small muffin, smiled ear to ear, and thanked him. Ruka saw that Yuuto had added a small blueberry muffin to the tray too. After finishing their meal and paying Ruka found that Yuuto didn't charge her for either pastry. Leaving together with a bow and smile they said they'd be back with Kazuya next time.

"I'd like to personally thank you for showing up again yesterday," Ruka said, and with some awkwardness, opened her arms. Sumi, a little unexpectedly, opened her arms to hug Ruka without giving it a second thought and thanked her again for breakfast along with the invite to an outing.

On Monday evening everyone gathered inside Kazuya's apartment. Once everyone was settled, had eaten their Twinkies, and drank their milk Ruka gave her presentation. Everyone was intrigued, encouraged, saddened, and happy in the end to hear their shaggy friend gave her any relief. The girls said they'd visit a shrine with her anytime Kazuya was giving her cause for anger, noting they know what it means to be angry with a guy. The guys countered by saying anytime Kazuya was making her sad or isolated, they'd all go out and get some drinks and have a good time at a local tavern to make her forget about his being a jerk... should the occasion arise. Ruka smiled and thanked everyone, noting recent events have reminded her there are good people and she's happy to now be all the more close to his circle of friends. For morale support, Ruka had Sumi sit next to her for the duration of the presentation on one side and Kuri on the other.

The following morning Kazuya's friends, Sumi, and Mizuhara waited outside the main entrance at Ayuko General. A few minutes past 09:00 Ruka came out pushing Kazuya in a wheelchair, the traditional way to leave a hospital, with a smile on her face. Kazuya's parents came out smiling and thanked everyone for being there. Grandmother Kinoshita came out and put her hand over her chest at seeing everyone and thanked them all again before looking up and asking an unrecognized man who he was as he walked up to Kazuya.

"This is for our little local hero. Welcome back, Kazuya," Yuuto said as he handed him a paper bag with a hot breakfast from the grille inside.

"Who are you?" Grandmother Kinoshita asked.

"I own the deli down the street. Come over for coffee when you have the time, "Yuuto said before bowing.

As he took the bag, Kazuya said, "T-thank you. I am honored that you'd bring me breakfast, but why? There are surely more deserving."

"He's a good, humble boy, isn't he?" Yuuto said as he gave a small smile and laughed while he introduced himself to Kazuya's family.

Yuuto then told them of the rather unfortunate bond he had with Kazuya, knowing the hospital's burn unit, before bidding them well and running back to his business.

Kazuya's parents inquired about his recovery and Kazuya handed them his hospital-issued recovery bag.

"There are fresh bandages I have to put on every morning, antibiotics, some regular pain killers, and some Aloe Vera along with some other skin moisturizers I need to use before going to bed. They also gave me some muscular rubs. They told me at night to take off the bandages and let the burns air out, "Kazuya said while looking at the ground a little bit worried.

"We should get you home. Come on, Ruka, we'll give you a ride back with Kazuya," Grandmother Kinoshita said.

Once back at his apartment, Kazuya grabbed a bottle of cold water and sat with Ruka on the couch.

"You'll need a nurse for the first few days, won't you? Right? Someone who can make sure you take your medications and attend to your burns, right?" Ruka asked with a little smile.

Kazuya sat a little confused and said, "Uh, I guess. They didn't really tell me that I would."

Ruka smiled as she snuggled up to him on his right side and held him close to her while telling him how grateful she was that he was okay. Kazuya said he owes it all to her. They held one another talking and just feeling all the more at ease. Suddenly Kazuya noticed Ruka was crying just a little, held her closer, and asked what was wrong.

Ruka proceeded to tell him the story from the moment she realized she had no way to contact his family right until she entered his room with Sumi.

"I was about to pass out. I was so close I felt myself fading and my vision was starting to darken. I was cursing my body and its limitations as I was shaking. I felt so sad, angry, and ready to attack Mami. I felt rage and I felt, sadly, my body telling me I wasn't allowed to feel that way. Before Mizuhara arrived, Kuri comforted me holding me in his arms so that I'd not fall to the floor if I passed out. You really do have great friends, Kazuya," Ruka said while drying her tears.

"He is a good guy," Kazuya said as he kissed Ruka's forehead.

Ruka nodded and continued, "It was at the moment I really started to fade that Mizuhara came in, like a SWAT-team member kicking down the door, I felt better immediately. I felt she was there when I needed her the most. It was there, being there at a critical moment, that really helped me. I also wanted to tell you that your little friend Sumi is awfully sweet and charming. She's really quite something."

Kazuya smiled and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, moments after she came up with the little blueberry muffins I felt really calm and centered. I have only felt that kind of feeling with you in that you make my pulse rise and move to a really good level. Mizuhara helped me stave off passing out, and moments before that, both Kobi and Kuri told Mami to shut her mouth. Both were attempting to stop Mami from exacerbating a bad time for me as I was teetering on the edge of both fear and rage. I was starting to feel better, to stabilize...and then Sumi came over offering me the little muffins. She held them out while turning her head away shaking, she later told me she was worried she wasn't welcome. While surely the comfort of getting little blueberry muffins helped, I felt my heartbeat quickly returning to optimal levels. There is something very reassuring and sweet about her. She's a pure soul. My body trusted her right away, it was almost surreal. You referred to her as an 'angel' when you saw her. You said you were being visited by two angels. I find that very fitting for her as she calmed me and made your spirits rise at the same time," Ruka said while smiling.

"She truly is a pure soul. I don't suppose you know any guys 'worthy of her' you could introduce to her?" Kazuya asked while smiling.

"I invited her to come out on a future outing at the aquarium when she's up to it. There is someone I actually want her to meet. I am no matchmaker, but I think Sumi would like him. He's from my support group and is a little bit shy, but very passionate about artwork and painting as a hobby. He's animated in a cute way when he talks about his dog and sometimes he brings him to visit our group making everyone smile. He suffers from PPS too, but he has a variant. Whereas I have to be aware of falling to either end his main concern is going over his limits. He has rarely encountered issues with too low a pulse. He told a story of skiing with his family once in Switzerland and losing his jacket just before hitting a snowbank. Luckily a ski patrol member witnessed the whole thing. Another time he had taken a slightly higher dose of sleeping pills when he mistook them for a lower dosage of melatonin. Anyway...in a similar fashion to us I feel she'd be great with him and make for a great 'healthy couple'," Ruka said while smiling.

Kazuya smiled saying it sounded great.

At sunrise the following Monday morning Ruka came to Kazuya's door, pounding on it excitedly as she shouted, "I have to show you something!" Kazuya heard the eagerness in her voice and went to the door as she excitedly held up a copy of the school newspaper.

"You made it to the front page! Look! Look!" Ruka eagerly shouted.

Looking confused Kazuya took the paper and, to his shock, saw a photo of him in bed at the hospital with the article's headline reading "Humble Hero Heals."

Kazuya walked to the couch, bewildered by the paper, and sat down as Ruka grabbed his arm and took the paper before snuggling up carefully. Ruka looked down at Kazuya's boxer shorts realizing she must have woken him up. She apologized for coming so early.

"No problem. I could make us some tea or coffee," Kazuya said as he started to get up.

"It's okay. I know you're glad to see me judging by your boxers," Ruka said with a devilish grin.

"Oh god!" Kazuya said embarrassingly while shifting his position.

Ruka laughed as she pulled him back and snuggled up again smiling warmly as Kazuya blushed.

She smiled at Kazuya Ruka, as she cleared her throat and read, "Though humble in his words, Kazuya Kinoshita told us how he heroically saved his girlfriend, who was trapped under a motorcycle, after it collided with the lamppost in the middle of the quad on north campus. A member of that 'rat bike' gang attempted a 'hairpin' turn before losing control of his bike and pinning his girlfriend underneath as it slid across the field. The heroic Kazuya saved his girlfriend from getting severely burned under the bike's tailpipes, which had started to fall apart and come close to her legs."

"They told me it was for the 'police blotter.' They never said they were doing an interview. I swear!" Kazuya said, clearly worried.

Ruka smiled and said, "Oh relax! I think it is awesome! Their editor likely told them it was front page news. Anyway, it goes on, uhhhh... where was it? Oh '... In saving his girlfriend, a very lucky young lady, he ended up getting badly burned himself. It appears that his 'burning passion' for her resulted in him getting badly burned in the process'... da ta da ta... 'but what was truly amazing was how he managed to lift the motorcycle off, allowing his lucky lady to escape. He showed off his "super strength," but was also honorably humble, saying he was just doing what anyone would do if faced with the situation. When asked if he would do it again knowing that it landed him in the hospital he said, 'Without a doubt.' Isn't he the best? If you see our school's "humble hero", make sure to give him props, get a selfie, or give him a hug... just make sure to not hug too tightly and watch out for his arm.' Here's the whole article, read the rest later."

Kazuya smiled and shook his head saying, "They are giving me too much credit. I am sure anyone else would have done-"

Ruka kissed him on his mouth tenderly and released saying, "You are humble. It is charming, it is sweet, and I am quite thankful. I also find it quite alluring. Confidence is attractive, heroics are inspiring, and your humble self is alluring. I am lucky enough to be with you. You're luckier than me to be with me, but I am very thankful to be with you."

Kazuya blushed and said,"Thank you. I am lucky to be with you. I'd never have had a chance to be 'a hero' if you weren't the first. They should write an article about you. You saved me without a second thought. You put yourself in a lot of danger. I should call the paper and have them do a story on you! After all..."

Ruka stopped him by putting her fingers on his lips and said, "That's very kind to say, and thank you, but pushing someone out of the way is one thing, but you did something far greater and had an actual sacrifice too. Without me, it could have been you pinned under there, and we don't know what would have happened. After all I don't know if I could have lifted the bike even with that rat helping me. "

While looking at her confidently and with sincerity Kazuya said he was sure she'd have saved him too. After stretching a little, he said he was due for a follow-up at the hospital later in the day and Ruka jumped in saying she'd join him.

Later in the day the doctors were pleased that his burns were showing a good rate of recovery and told him to keep up his regimen. In the evening, Kazuya received a text requesting he join her and her parents at Dr. Humana's office on Tuesday morning. Kazuya readily agreed, and on Tuesday morning, they sat in his office learning about a study to find a new treatment for those with Parabolic Pulse Syndrome.

"It's really quite something and, although simple in design, has amazing possibilities. Initial testing in computer simulations showed promise, and following that, it was tested on living tissue with very positive results. The testing continued with animals, noting cardiac response, and the next phase is human clinical trials. The devices are very safe and show great potential. This is the unit we'd be testing with Ruka's consent," Dr. Humana said as he handed Ruka a metallic device about the size of two arcade tokens stacked on top of each other.

"What exactly does it do? What is this little 'brass barrel' over here and the smaller 'brass barrel' over there?" Ruka asked.

"This device is being called a 'pulse-range extender' or 'PRE.' The PRE is composed of two main portions and a small computer for switching functions. The first "barrel" is a small battery. Electrical energy is stored there to provide your heart's power should you be fading. It will allow you to have a working pulse at an extended range, meaning you won't pass out. You'd have to really, and I mean really, have to have a lower pulse before you'd pass out, like most people would if in intense cold weather conditions. The other barrel is a capacitor to hold any excess power beyond the battery's storage capacity for normal function. The excess electrical energy is stored in a magnetic field, so in a raging or highly excited moment of bodily stress, the pulse-range at that end is also extended. Now you're not going to be 'Super Ruka' or invincible, as if too much power is generated, beyond the capacitor's ability, you will have a heart attack. It'd be a pretty heavy smack, but you'd be at the level of most anyone. The only difference is that since your capacitor's storage would be exceeded, it would be quite sudden, like letting the air out of a balloon fast. You'd be okay, but boy would it 'sting.' However, R & D is ongoing and it will be improved further down the line for sure," Dr. Humana explained.

Ruka and her parents inquired as to what happened when excess power was no longer being fed into the capacitor and Dr. Humana explained how a group of resistors could distribute energy evenly and slowly once she calmed from a state of extreme activity. Ruka's mind wondered, and suddenly she held Kazuya's hand, trembling with some excitement. Kazuya softly squeezed her hand as he held hers back realizing there was now a greater potential to "get closer" as a couple.

"How would the study be conducted?" Mr. Sarashina asked.

"Ruka would come in for simple heart surgery and, after being put under, a surgeon would attach it to her heart and it would trigger the moment her heart beats against it. A small computer will monitor and record her cardiac activities. At the end of the study, she'd return for a small procedure to remove it and have her results analyzed. During the study, she'd record activities and medical results. There would be minimal stitching and it would heal fast. During the study, a bandage would be secured over it. They are simple and safe procedures, "Dr. Humana said reassuringly, with a nod.

Ruka smiled widely at the idea of greater control over her body.

I don't know. Heart surgery at her age? It sounds so serious," Mrs. Sarashina said with concern.

"Mom! Please! I have suffered all my life. I can't play intense video games, go on roller coasters, or do other fun things. I always have to monitor myself and worry about being too low and living on a knife's edge at times. I want to be able to experience more of life, and if going on the table for surgery is the only way, I want to do it. I'll be 18 soon. Please! I can volunteer myself right Dr. Humana?!" Ruka asked excitedly and with concern of her parents fighting her.

Dr. Humana nodded and assured her she could before saying, "Ruka, I have known you most of your life and while you're quickly becoming an adult, your family is quite important as they should know and understand what you'd be undertaking."

Ruka nodded, and her family agreed to allow her to partake in paid the study. Ruka cheered, hugged both of her parents hard, and as they were standing up to leave, Dr. Humana said he needed to speak with Ruka and Kazuya privately. Ruka's parents left while shooting each other a smile. A moment later Dr. Humana picked up the phone and called an extension, said he was ready, and a moment later a nurse arrived who told Ruka to follow her.

Dr. Humana motioned for Kazuya to sit and smiled at him.

"Ruka thinks quite highly of you, and I'm glad you're with her, as I know you're a good man. You remember what I told you regarding 'getting close' to Ruka when we first met? "asked Dr. Humana.

"Yes, you told me to call you immediately after calling an ambulance if she ever convulsed and turned blue," Kazuya said looking at him with respect and a little fear, much like meeting your girlfriend's father for the first time.

Dr. Humana smiled and said, "Good. It seems conditions have changed as things are progressing. I need to ask you privately, as you're now 'part' of the study: Have you 'been intimate' with Ruka?"

Kazuya blushed and looked at the floor, shaking his head, unable to make eye contact while smiling at the thought of closer relations. Dr. Humana said not to be embarrassed and he was rather glad saying he seemed all the more honorable for not having relations at this point.

"She really makes me feel special and I love being with her, but we're not at that level yet. I do know she has interests at a high level. However, she has calmed a lot. I don't know whether that's too good a thing," Kazuya said, almost laughing, feeling a little better.

"I have known Ruka most of her life and I bet, when she first met you, she was borderline ravenous to be 'close to you.' You can be honest with me as you have full privacy. She was always eager to get her pulse up as a child, and when she reached a "certain age," I am sure she shifted her focus on guys. Don't worry, she never told me that, but virtually every young lady I see with PPS has the same behavior at that age. All the boys do it too, but then again, we guys always do it, don't we Kazuya?" Dr. Humana said with a disarming smile.

"Yeah, I guess we do," Kazuya said, as he was once too embarrassed to look the doctor in the eye while smiling ear to ear.

"Look up at me, Kazuya. Relax. However, this is important: should you get intimate, the reflex most of us have, like virtually any excitable physical action such as going on a roller coaster for the first time, is to do things fast and with great intensity. I remember as a kid, soon after my first normal roller coaster, I wanted to go on more and more intense ones. It is great fun. It's the same thing with go-karts, skiing, and other activities. It can be great. Ruka, as you know, is a special case. She's going to be given a great chance to enjoy all kinds of activities at a level she's never had in the past. I need you to be extra vigilant about activity both inside and outside any amusement park you visit. Are we clear, Kazuya? Remember to start with slower 'roller coasters' before you move to more intense ones. Are we clear?" Dr. Humana looked at him, slowly turning his head.

Kazuya nodded with that kind of nod you give a teacher who gave you a warning. Dr. Humana smiled and took him back to the lobby, saying Ruka would join him soon.

Following the nurse into an examination room, Ruka sat on the bed while the nurse shut the door with a smile.

Ruka asked with trepidation why she needed to speak with her privately.

The nurse smiled and said to relax as she took her pulse.

Taking her hand off Ruka's wrist, the nurse looked up and said, "It's nice to meet you, Ruka. I'm Yamada and I've been asked to talk to all the young ladies taking part in this study. Trust me, I know what it is like at your age. Twelve years ago I was right where you are now and I bet you have hormones raging like a wildfire. That's why they wanted me to talk to you. My drive got my poor boyfriend's leg sprained when a malfunctioning bed in a room in the "hotel district" spun him off. While an accident to be sure, it was my wild drive which got him injured. Anyway, Dr. Humana just gave your boyfriend the same talk, a little "man to man" talk, but it is more fun for us. Just remember to stay in control should you...when you…'get closer.' Remember to stay in control... in more than one way."

Nurse Yamada looked at Ruka square in the eye and gave her an impish smile.

Ruka, for all her hormones and desires, was mortified. Nurse Yamada laughed, said to relax, and said there was more to tell.

"Your boyfriend likely has a strong drive, but I bet he's like a pussycat and treats you like a lady; otherwise you'd not likely be with him. I should tell you I read the school paper. He is a hero, but you are one too. I'd be in love with him too. However, remember that behind that pussycat of a guy is a lion. I know you're a panther too, all girls are at your age, whether or not they admit it. Just make sure you keep both 'beasts' under control, and if you feel things are progressing too fast, please slow down. In the highly unlikely case that he presses you, do what I did the last time I thought my boyfriend's desires were out of line: chop him once on the forehead hard. Oh, one last thing... you should know what I did to my boyfriend when he was in the hospital, "Nurse Yamada said with a wink."

"What? What did you do?" Ruka asked with a smile.

Motioning her closer to whisper something, Ruka's listened intently and her eyes flew open as she gasped. Looking both ways Yamada stuffed a small box into Ruka's backpack and winked at her saying not to open it until she was alone.

Yamada took Ruka's pulse again and smiled telling her she was free to experiment now and when the procedure is completed at a higher level.

In the evening, Ruka joined Kazuya and gave him a firm and nice massage on his shoulders with muscle ointment. The smell cleared both of their noses. At the end of the night, they removed Kazuya's bandages, put on skin moisturizer, and bid each other goodnight. The next morning Ruka was told the study was to begin on September 1st and surgery was scheduled for the last day of August.

For the rest of August, Kazuya continued his recovery regime for his burns. He spent the month preparing for the next semester, working, and of course with Ruka. They enjoyed movies in dark theaters with the cool AC making it all the more enjoyable, the latest streaming shows, times at each other's homes for dinner, walks at the beach ,and picnics during which Ruka's fed him in more delicate and loving ways than when first dating. On the last Thursday of the month, Ruka's support group was set to meet, and Ruka had Kazuya invite Mizuhara as there was someone who'd be there she'd like her to meet.

At the community center Kazuya sat with Mizuhara and Ruka as the group held their bi-weekly session. Mizuhara came in her college persona with her hair in tight pigtails, a black shirt, and a grey skirt. The meeting began with greetings and welcomes to any newcomers. It was followed by updates on anyone's condition or treatments, progress, and, if needed, any setbacks to which the group was always warmly comforted. When break time came Mizuhara asked who Ruka wanted to introduce. Ruka told her unfortunately that person couldn't make it, but asked her to stay and at the end of the night she could introduce her to a few people there. Mizuhara was a little disappointed, but said she'd be happy to stay.

When the break was over, everyone sat down ready to see the night's humor performance. Mizuhara gawked when she saw a member return wearing a tuxedo, along with a top hat, and a white-framed pair of glasses. Ruka whispered it was the magician, a fan favorite for all the members. The little girls who sat in the front all smiled as he handed a rose to one seated before him, who blushed as red as the rose was handed to her. The entire group watched as he began with some incredible card tricks, a few standard illusions, and then moved to some amazing material that made everyone gasp and laugh. When it was over, he made balloon animals for some children and made a final one out of a very small blue balloon and walked toward Ruka, Kazuya, and Mizuhara while keeping it hidden in his hand.

"Mizuhara, allow me to introduce our long-time member and magician, Kage. The children call him the 'Tuxedo Mask', but he claims it was his own idea to wear the white glasses," Ruka said, smiling.

"Mizuhara. What a pretty name. I have made this just for you. I have a special feeling you'll like it," Kage said as he opened his hand, showing he had made a very small blue butterfly, which he handed to her.

Kage took off his hat and bowed before her, making her blush and quite shocked at having never had that done for her. Some of the mothers smiled and some of the little girls wooed as it happened.

"I adore it... thank you. How did you know I'd like a butterfly?" Mizuhara asked.

"Mizuhara, it is clearly on your mind. I would imagine it has been on your mind all evening long," Kage said while smiling.

Mizuhara asked what he meant, and he moved his hand above her head and said, "It seems at the top of your very thoughts."

Looking at him strangely she asked again what he meant. Smiling at her, he brought his hand towards her, and handed her the butterfly accessory from her hair clip. While surely a standard slide of hand illusion, the joy of illusion was alive and well inside her as both an actor, and herself. Mizuhara laughed and laughed and took it back, putting it in her hair.

Ruka looked at Kazuya with a smile, saying the two of them would go outside and wait for their Uber to arrive. Several minutes later, Mizuhara joined them on the sidewalk, giving the same goofy smile she had on after her friends caught her looking at Ruka clinging onto Kazuya, asking about plans for Christmas with a possible boy. She looked like a little girl, and Ruka knew just by looking at her that she and Kage had clearly exchanged information, and that he had likely asked her out the moment they were outside. As the Uber headed out, Ruka pulled out her phone and sent a quick text message to Kage: "Told you she was pretty."

Once back at Kazuya's apartment, Mizuhara gave Ruka a hug, thanking her for the invite to the group's meeting. Before saying goodnight to the two of them, Mizuhara gave a second hug to Kazuya, saying she was happy his healing was progressing, and that she loved the story about him in the school paper.

Once inside Kazuya's apartment, Ruka led Kazuya to his bedroom door. Looking at her with innocent eyes, he asked if she was tired and wanted to lie down for a few minutes, and he'd make some black tea or coffee to wake her up. Ruka smiled softly and said she wasn't tired. Kazuya asked what was going on.

Holding both of Kazuya's hands, Ruka looked into his eyes softly and said, "I'm ready."

Kazuya asked if she was sure, and she nodded with both a joyful and a confident smile. Kazuya held her in his arms, kissed her, and followed her into his bedroom and shut the door.