Extra Chapter:

~Under the Sakura filled moonlight, with you~

Friendship level: 10

The pale light casted a serene glow upon them, illuminating their forms with a gentle shine.

Ayaka felt that the mood was just right.

'I wish this would go on forever.'

The eldest daughter of the Kamisato clan thought to her self wistfully, staring at the ethereal full moon above them.

'It's so beautiful...'

Mesmerized was the word that could describe the emotions she was currently feeling, finding that never had she felt such a way for a long time.

And as she watched the Sakura petals rain down, her eyes then landed on the person who was seated beside her.

With his braided blond hair swaying with the cool breeze, the purple glow that signified his electro powers complimented his dark exotic clothing, further accentuating his unique features as the moonlight shined on him, making him stand out.

It was then that the Frostflake Heron found herself entranced once more as she stared at the traveler.

Fortunately, his eyes too were focused on the moon above them for him to take notice of her watchful gaze, as well as his small friend on the other side opposite of them, who was too preoccupied munching on a leftover tricolor dango to even notice as well.

Ayaka on her part felt that she had been too, obsessed with the traveler lately, especially since she hadn't seen him for a while that he occasionally lingered in her thoughts, and to her horror, she couldn't put a stop to it.

Ever since she invited him to gaze at the full moon, every single passionate emotions that had been developing for months now, which she had ensured was locked and frozen within the deepest recesses of her heart, suddenly came gushing out the moment she saw him enter the premises of the komore teahouse earlier.

When he had in hand his freshly made desserts, just for her to celebrate her special day, she nearly swooned.

She knew she was reading into his platonic gesture far too much, but she couldn't help it.

There was something that attracted her to him, and what it was, she didn't know, but for now, she believed that it didn't matter.

All that mattered that he was here, with her, under the moonlight with raining sakura petals.

She would even preferred if he-

"Is something bothering you, Ayaka?"

Snapping out of her reverie, her eyes widened and then made contact with his worried golden ones.

Immediately, her face flushed as she rapidly shook her head.

"I-It's nothing, trav- Aether."

Waving him off, she sent a clumsy reassuring smile at him, hopefully enough to ease his worry.

It seemed to work, as with her admission, the blond then shrugged and resumed staring into night sky once more.

Ayaka internally sighed in relief.

He must've sensed that she was staring again, and she noted to herself to never get carried away.

Better yet, she vowed never to do such a thing ever again, if she could help it that is.

'Something must be terribly wrong with me if I'm showing such consistent unsettling behavior.'

That she would try to adhere to, keyword on try.

Nonetheless, she decided to file those thoughts away for now to enjoy the scenery before her.

A scenery that she will forever cherish, with the traveler beside her.

She felt a warm sensation creep on her face, and she wondered if she was getting sick again.

Smiling sweetly, she then let out a content sigh, before doing something bold once more.

She unconsciously leaned on the blond, who in turn froze.

Realizing her mistake, she was about to separate herself from him, to sputter a string of apologies for her rude action, but to her surprise, before she could do, she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders, effectively keeping her in place.

If she could see her face right now, she was sure it was as red as a tomato.

She tried to see his expression, but found that she couldn't as he looked away from her, his hand covering his mouth.

He didn't seem against it, and if he did, by now he would've done something, in fact, she was confident that he was enjoying it based on how he was making sure that he kept her close to him.

Raising her head slightly whilst still on his shoulder, she could see that his face also turned a healthy shade of crimson, and his eyes were closed, probably out of embarrassment, but for once, she was hopeful.

Hopeful that the feelings that were growing steadily inside her weren't one-sided after all.

'I wish that these feelings will reach you soon.'

To her surprise once more, he steered her out his shoulder, and enveloped her entire frame between his legs and into his chest, hugging her from behind.

And she couldn't find it in herself to even utter a single protest, as she was too overwhelmed with emotion.

"..."

"..."

They didn't say a word after she leaned in and then he practically embracing her afterwards, out of fear of ruining the tender moment, and she was glad that she wasn't the only one who felt that breaking away would be appropriate.

This time, they stared at the relaxing pale light of the moon, and despite the feelings of mutual embarassment, she believed that they much closer than ever.

The shirasagi himegimi and the traveler enjoyed a moment of peace once more in the quaint Narukami Shrine, in the same spot they had shared in all those weeks ago, this time, under the nightsky with a moon at its full peak with raining Sakura petals.

And to the eldest daughter of the Kamisato clan, it was a birthday she will forever cherish and keep dear in her heart.

Meanwhile, numerous fair maidens who were currently plotting their next course of action towards a certain traveler, then felt another chill run up their spine.

A/N: Happy Birthday Ayaka! I hope you enjoyed your alone time with the traveler.