Second round of updates! Hope you enjoy!


Chapter 45 (Kumiko)

Jinta and Ururu were sipping at bowls of soup when I came through the Senkaimon. I sent the Hell Butterfly back through the Dongai, watching its little wings flutter down into the dark tunnel.

I turned back to the children as the doors shut and the gateway vanished. They were staring. I could only gather it was because I wasn't dressed in uniform. I wore nothing elaborate or fancy—just a pair of jeans and a flannel. Kisuke had said to dress comfortably, so I assumed that meant sneakers and beanies. It was wintertime in the World of the Living, so I had made sure to wear both, along with a coat.

"Your old man here?" I jerked my head at the shop. Jinta shrugged while Ururu nodded. "Thanks, kid."

Tessai was inside by the counter. He smiled and engulfed me in a massive hug, "Miss Kumiko! It's lovely seeing you again so soon!"

"Thanks Tessai," My voice was muffled as he buried my face into his armpit. I patted his arm and mumbled, "You can let me go."

Kisuke chuckled as his associate placed me on the ground. He had surprised me by dressing in jeans and a black hoodie. A beanie covered his scruffy hair, and he looked like he belonged in a skatepark or the beach.

"You ready?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

He nodded at Tessai, "We'll be off. Make sure the brats are in bed by eleven."

"What about the fireworks?"

Kisuke shrugged, "Then as soon possible. They have school tomorrow."

Tessai wiggled his fingers, "Have fun, you two!"

"You too, dear," Kisuke and I both muttered sarcastically. He smirked when I narrowed my eyes at him.

We walked down the street quietly. I could see the faint lights from the festival in the distance. It washed everything in a warm light, including Kisuke. I stared at him, still unable to believe that he was walking beside me.

"I'm not going to disappear," He murmured and gave a sideways wink, "So you don't have to worry about taking your eyes off me."

"Don't worry—because I don't care," I crossed my arms and smirked, "I was just staring 'cause you look real fine tonight."

"Oh?" His chuckle tickled the length of my spine, "You do too. You're not cold, are you?"

I shook my head, "Nah. This isn't too bad."

Even so, I hooked my arms through Kisuke's. He smiled down at me and I returned it. By the time we reached the festival, I was feeling anything but cold. My inside were warm and fluttery.

I searched the expanse of the event. There was a wishing tree and the traditional shrines and places to pay respect to the special occasion. I also spotted that further down was a variety of different stands. Food. Games. I spotted a Ferris wheel in the distance and smirked.

"I bet I could beat your sorry ass in every single one of these games," I dared him to match the bite in my grin. He looked down at me in amusement and I chuckled, "C'mon, Kisuke. Too scared of your wife beating you."

"Kumiko, you should know that I know how all these games work," He arched an eyebrow at me.

"You should know that I don't let a little disadvantage like that discourage me," I hummed, "Let's go!"

He didn't let me go very far. He caught my hands and pulled me into his chest. I smiled as his lips pressed against mine. Warm and soft, just like this love between us was. My competitive nature was brushed aside briefly, and I sunk into him. I savored his hands braced against my shoulders, and the way his lips curved up too.

"Okay," His voice was deep and good-natured as he led me off, "Let's go."


As I should have predicted, Kisuke beat me. Only by one game though. I had won the rest of them, except for the darn goldfish game.

Kisuke was still wiping tears from his eyes after laughing so hard. I nearly murdered the little fish he had won but realized that I shouldn't if I didn't want to make a scene.

"How's Shizuko doing?" Kisuke asked as I stomped us over to one of the food stands.

I glanced over the options, "She's doing much better. There were a couple mishaps in the beginning when she initially went back to work. But Byakuya has been doing a good job at keeping her at pace."

Kisuke and I shared a knowing smirk, "Ah, I see. How gallant of him."

I laughed, "I know. Those two are as dumb as doorknobs."

"They'll figure it out eventually," He wrapped his arm around me as we moved up the line, "We all do."

Once we got our food, I chose a spot by the fountains to eat. Kisuke was already tucking into the taco he had ordered. I chewed thoughtfully on my own food. The Ferris wheel's lights were still on, and I watched it turn slowly.

"We should go on that," I murmured as I took another bite. Kisuke turned his gaze to the wheel and winked at me. "Don't give me that look. I honestly want to go on—I've only been on one once before. And back then they weren't quite as safe."

He nodded solemnly, "Gotcha, Kumi-kun. I promise to keep it PG when we reach the top."

I burst out laughing and threw my serviette at him, "Keep it out of the gutter, old man!"

In the Ferris wheel, we shared the compartment with two young couples. They kept to themselves, already invading each other's personal space. I scowled at them but soon realized I was being a grouch.

Kisuke must have already come to the same conclusion, but he only mused over me. I rolled my eyes and he chuckled again. I loved that sound.

Deciding to take a page out of these young humans' handbook, I leant against Kisuke and tightened my hold on his hand. He bent his head down and rested his forehead against mine. We both shut our eyes and basked in our combined company.

"I love you," I breathed. Words only meant for him to hear. His nose brushed past mine and I smiled. And just because I could say to him again, I did. "I love you."

"Again," His fingers outline my face, my cheekbones, my jawline. Those grey eyes were so full of love and adoration. And they were only directed at me.

"I love you," I wrapped my arms around his neck. He pulled me into his lap, and we remained like this for the rest of the ride. While the teenagers lusted over one another, this eternal love of ours only grew. I buried my face into the crook of his neck, and he held me just as close. Just as tight.

The ride came to a halt and we all climbed off. Kisuke dragged me off to grab some hot chocolate. And as we sipped it on our way back to his shop, I finally believed that this dream had become a reality.

I was at home again.