im so sorry for taking so long to update guys, ahhh. forgive me n enjoy !
THIRTY-TWO – Easy To See
17 Days Until The Wedding
Shirayuki could tell her forwardness made Obi very happy.
Unlike Zen, Obi needed firm and clear words to define the two of them. Not that he required an official label, but he needed confirmative words to ensure he wasn't misguided. He didn't want to get any sort of wrong idea and also wanted to be sure that the two wanted this. It would seem silly or adorable, if one saw it in a condescending perspective. But Shirayuki found this to be incredibly sweet and heartwarming.
It was obvious Obi had more than respect for his Mistress. He'd never do anything to bring harm to her, or hurt her in any way verbally. Hence why he was so elated when she made it clear what was it between them. But it was to an extent where he appeared almost fearful to touch her in a lover's way. And that made her wonder about the boy.
As she was worried about him, Obi was too busy feeling an influx of elation and adoration spark throughout his body. Watching her work, he couldn't help but just feel so lucky. How did someone like him get the honor to love and be loved by a beauty like her? Obi was always going to feel completely insecure for being able to call Shirayuki his lover. He knew that she was too good for him when she first met the girl. How bold she was, how relentless she was, the way perseverance manifested her being.
Of all his years working in such a crude line of work, Obi has never felt so intimidated before. Especially by a woman who was nothing but a Godsend. She was scary, Obi deemed it, but she hadn't been scary by her strength. She was scary from how golden her heart was. It made him question how this girl could be so sweet to him after he had almost, almost ended her life. Moreover, she held feelings for this man, the same man hired to get rid of her existence. Real feelings.
I'm such a monster.
But he has completely changed since then, and all Obi plans to do is bring himself up better and prove to not only her, but to himself that he could love her properly. He was going to give her all of him, whether she wants it or not. He was going to get stronger to ensure her safety without any percentage of doubt that could roam in his heart. He was going to love her like no one else is going to—not even his own Master. Because Obi knows as fact that Shirayuki only deserved love and everything else that came with it.
"Shirayuki, Ryu, we're taking a day off!" Garak announced at the very brink of Shirayuki and Obi entering the office. The 3 pairs of eyes studied the chief as she smiled eagerly at them with a cup of Roka tea. "C'mon, we have food and everything."
"Mm," Shirayuki hummed, holding the large pouch that contained Raji's gift. She looked down at it wistfully, smiling curly before nodding. "We'll be right out. Wait for us over at the picnic area, yes?"
"As long as you don't get lost," Garak joked, nudging Obi's shoulder jokingly to conjure a smile from him. "Yatsufusa and Higata are joining us, if you don't mind."
"Of course not," Shirayuki exclaimed as she walked over to her desk and placed the gift safely down on it. She then glanced back, watching Obi enter as Garak remained at the doorway. "I'll be bringing Obi with me, if that's okay."
"Of course it is!" Garak announced as she looked over at Obi with a smile. "He is your personal knight after all, isn't he?"
"Mm," Shirayuki hummed contently, grazing her fingers upon the leather-covered items with a curt smile. "Ryu, you can go with Miss Garak now. I'll finish that up for you." Ryu had been tampering with a bit of liquid mixtures, testing catalysts to find a remedy for itchy skin that goes to the extent of bleeding. It would not cure it, but it'll stop it for a long while until one gets proper attention.
"Thank you, Shirayuki," the boy muttered, placing the vials back down on their rack to snag a book from his bed. He then began walking out of the office, the large book already open with his aqua orbs glued upon it. Obi snickered at the boy, immensely amused by his adoration for his study. Even Shirayuki found herself entertained.
"I'll be seeing you two then," Garak hummed, chugging the drink down as she trailed after the young prodigy. Once the two were alone, Obi watched as Shirayuki slowly left her desk to tamper with Ryu's. There was a very wide smile playing at her lips, but she has yet to emit any words to elaborate on it. Not like Obi really needed an explanation as long as his Mistress was happy. But it did tap at the man's curiosity.
"D'you wonder what kind of food they've prepared for the picnic, Obi?" Shirayuki began conversation, having Obi saunter over to her with a light shrug. He resided his amber eyes on her petite hands and the way they mixed substances so kindly, so slowly.
"Not sure, Miss," Obi responded frankly, his eyes wandering around the desk to see other tools sprawled on it. Pens and small pieces of parchment with notes and scribbles of sorts. For a prodigy, Ryu sure wasn't too organized. Or maybe his mess was solely comprehensible to him. "But I hope Miss Garak will provide her delicious alcohol."
"You're going to get addicted, you know," Shirayuki hummed gleefully, having Obi chuckle as he studied the way her hands were moving.
"Like I'm not already," Obi replied, the two sharing a warm laugh as Shirayuki continued to tamper with the vials. Obi watched attentively, seeing how skilled she was in her practice and line of work. He was especially impressed with how easily she could pick up where Ryu left off without asking him anything about it. Shirayuki truly was impressive without even trying and that just fluttered Obi's heart further. Damn, he loved her way more than the amount that's considered healthy.
"I'm almost done, okay?" Shirayuki updated, turning her head to give him a reassuring smile.
"No worries, Miss," Obi quickly dismissed her reassurance. "Take all the time you need." Shirayuki smiled at how patient Obi was and quickened her pace. Not just to go to the picnic quickly, but she also wanted to spend time with him for a moment. So, a few mixtures later, Shirayuki put all the vials down and plopped corks over them to keep their properties.
"There we go—all done!" Shirayuki exclaimed happily, dusting her fingers off to organize the rest of Ryu's desk just a bit. She yearned to teach Ryu how to keep his desk more clean and organized, but what could she do? This was how Ryu does his practice and she could only do so much as to fix up a few papers and nothing more.
"Nice work, Miss," Obi gushed warmly, having Shirayuki turn to see his honey dews just as warm as his words. She smiled softly, seeing how Obi's face glowed with every stare he allowed her to see. The kind smile, the beautiful fall eyes. All of a sudden, most of the times she's happy is when seeing Obi's smiling face.
"Hey, c'mere," Shirayuki began warmly, offering both of her petite hands as Obi nervously approached her. He brought his large, rough hands to her, somewhat regretting that they had been gloved. Her small hands quickly took his long fingers, feeling the mountains of callouses dance between them. She looked down and rubbed them, having Obi instantly feel self-conscious. "Do these bother you?"
"Not really," Obi said with a mere shrug as he felt her soothing fingers rub along his. He got flustered from her mere touch, and this was just a habit every time she did. He's adapted to it, but he still can't help but flush and feel so nice inside. "They make it easier to climb trees and fences."
"Mm," Shirayuki hummed in this fact, facing his hands up to see them clearly. Her thumbs grazed upon just the reachable parts of his palms as the rest of her hands resided below his. "You know, in Tanbarun, the youngsters like to read each other's hands to determine their future."
"Really?" Obi asked quietly, seeing the red hair dance as she nodded. "Were they any accurate?"
"Not really," Shirayuki replied awkwardly, having the two share a quick laugh after from her response. "I mean, at least not in comparison to the 'official' palm readers around there. Or, in my eyes, people who blab anything to make their pockets heavier."
"I believe that," Obi agreed, having Shirayuki crinkle her nose adorably in amusement. It made Obi's heart jump. He studied the way she looked at his hands, how her emerald eyes endearing and welcoming they were. It was as though she was entranced by his hands, and for that, he wondered just a bit. "Miss?" He began, anticipating her next move calmly.
"Come closer," Shirayuki asked, tilting her head up to meet eyes with the amber ones. Obi stared at her wistfully, wondering what exactly her intentions were. But without hesitance, Obi took a step closer, having their toes meet as he kept his eyes on hers. "Closer."
Obi obliged, putting one foot next her to her right foot so he could get just a bit closer. Her chest was inches from his, knowing as fact that if she dared requested him to come closer, they'd be in contact. Because of the intense closeness now, Obi moved their hands from between them so they were now next to them. They extended their arms for this, as Shirayuki shifted her hands so that they were clapped together, palms touching. His fingers bent a little against hers, feeling them both produce force against them to do so. That was, until Shirayuki shifted her fingers to one side and began weaving them between his. She gave them a soft squeeze, looking up at Obi happily as he flushed.
"Closer," Shirayuki whispered, her button nose coming close as she got on her toes. Obi gulped nervous before tilting his head down. He took a step closer, only to suddenly find her lips against his. His breath hitched, heart skipping several, careless beats as her tender lips pressed against his. She loved his lips, chapped yet warm and welcoming. She could feel his stiff state gradually calm as he melted upon her lips. And damn, did she love that.
"Mm… Miss," Obi hummed on her lips, having her detach slightly. He felt her lips brush upon his, her breath heavy and quick as the two regained themselves. He didn't want to open his eyes, but Shirayuki's was slightly open and looking at him. She saw his eyelids somewhat twitch from staying closed, his cheeks tinting a cute rouge as he breathed somewhat heavily. "You're… real good at that."
"Good at what?" Shirayuki hummed, teasing the boy as crinkles formed at the end of his eyes. He was embarrassed, and Shirayuki wanted nothing more than to get drunk from these moments. She loved seeing Obi in a state he has yet adapted to. She knew it was fact that no one has ever caught him off guard like this, and she now owns the title as first to do so.
"You know what I'm talking about, Miss," Obi replied quietly, opening his eyes to reveal those beautiful, dewy canaries with the black poppy orbs worth of pupils. They were so narrow, so kind. So very unlike Obi to seem less threatening. Shirayuki smirked at his words, attempting his signature smirk as she gave him a quick, puckered kiss.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Shirayuki began playfully, having Obi roll his eyes from her silly behavior. She gave his hands a squeeze, her emerald eyes very much locked with his own honey ones. "How about you show me?"
Obi mentally growled at this, somewhat unamused by Shirayuki's form of entertainment. He loved her very much—so much to give up his own life. But when she's like this, adorable and impossible, he didn't know how he felt. She teased him, but not in a deeply intimate way. She still remained so sweet and kind, too cute to really get mad at. Her request though made him feel somewhat tested and reluctant to express her ask. So he gave her hands a squeeze, a tight one at that, before tilting his head a bit to press his lips upon hers. He felt her smile upon his lips briefly before he pulled away, pressing his forehead upon hers.
"Want to go to the picnic now?" Shirayuki whispered, having Obi look into her eyes, still in the moment. He breathed on her lips and vice versa, feeling goosebumps tickle at his arms as he squeezed her hands lovingly. What a puzzling girl. He merely nodded.
"Want me to carry you on my shoulders again?" Obi offered, having Shirayuki nod excitedly as Obi let her hands go, turned around, and bent down for his lady to mount him. She giggled the entire time getting on him and Obi cherished every single sound.
"Took you two long enough, eh?" Garak called as Obi walked over to the picnic sight slowly with Shirayuki on his shoulders. A baby blue quilt was set on the ground, at the best spot to see the lovely city that was Clarines. A tree sat nearby, perfecting the scene with its kind shade as Higata and Yatsufusa sat by it. Ryu and Garak sat across from them, soaking in the sun as Ryu's head was tilted down to his ancient novel. Obi chuckled at this, lowering himself in between the two pairs to be able to face the town as well as the sun when it starts to set in a while.
"I wanted to make sure I made no mistake in Ryu's work," Shirayuki somewhat lied, having Obi raise his brows, impressed by her smooth lie. She carefully relieved herself of Obi's shoulders, having him listen as her boots crunched upon the green grass. "Sorry that we took long anyways, though."
"Oi Obi, how do you do that?" Higata began, the brunette's cheeks tinting pink as Garak gave Shirayuki an understanding nod. Shirayuki found herself sitting on the quilt with her legs propped to a side and slightly bent to stretch them a little. She was sat like a perfect maiden. Obi folded his legs in a pretzel but leaned back to be kept up by his elbows, seeing as they were practically on a hill. Obi looked over at the apprentice, blinking at him in confusion.
"Do what?" Obi began, confused from his question. "Carry Mistress like that?" Higata nodded. "It doesn't really take much. Just strength and stamina really." Obi scanned the quilt to see bowls of foot propped around. Breads and several dry meats, alongside berries and fruits of sorts from places Obi has never heard of. But then he saw several bottles of the Roka alcohol and quickly smirked. "Are you planning to carry someone anytime soon, Mister Higata?"
"K-kind of…" Higata sputtered, a little surprised at Obi's respectfulness as he began smearing a bit of warm butter upon his slice of carbohydrates. Obi sat up and reached for the Roka, having Garak snicker as Obi also grabbed a glass and poured him a round. "There's this girl in the town, and she's been rather nice with me…"
"D'you fancy her, Higata?" Garak teased, having Higata blush some more as Obi sipped his round. He didn't notice, but Shirayuki was staring at him with a wide smile, immensely content to see him interact more warmly with other people that weren't the usual group. She could see that he was opening up a little more, and that made her happy.
"I-I-I wouldn't say fancy per say," Higata began quietly, taking a bite of his bread as he chewed thoughtfully. Crumbs fell out of his mouth and became ornate at the curves of his lips, but nobody said a peep. "But I am really fond of her, and I want to make her happy."
"So you think carrying her around like that would make her happy?" Obi finished, having Higata gulp down his chewed piece. He snagged a cup and the pitcher of cold water before pouring him a round of it. He gulped a bit of it, wiping his mouth on his sleeve before nodding.
"She's always going on about flying like a bird and seeing things in a perspective she's never seen before," Higata began, his tone becoming wistful as Obi's face became stern. He wanted to take him seriously, to hear the way this boy conveys his feelings. He wanted to note it down, to understand how he takes his approach on feelings. "She imagines seeing things at a higher viewpoint would renew her sight of the country she loves so much. And I want to be the one to do that for her."
"That's real cute, Higata," Garak hummed, taking a sip of the strong poison as she kept her eyes glued on the young apprentice. "Obi says to have the strength and stamina for it, so you just have to work on that."
"But muscles and stamina aren't too important," Obi said with a shrug. "Just have the balance and make sure she trusts you. So long as you have that girls' trust, you'll be able to do just about anything she asks."
"Isn't that a bit too exaggerated?" Higata began nervously, overthinking the extent that Obi might be referring to. Obi shrugged, a soft smirk playing at his lips.
"I wonder," Obi spewed wistfully as he took another sip of his poison. Shirayuki watched the way his Adam's Apple bobbed when downing the drink with ease. She wondered how his liver was so easy to take such a strong substance. But then again, knowing Obi, he's probably drank liquid fire and still found it outstanding.
"Yatsufusa, I think now that we're out here, we can talk to Shirayuki about our plans for her practice," Garak began, having Shirayuki tilt her head up in curiosity. Plans for my practice? "Considering we have Ryu's settled."
"Oh!" Shirayuki looked attentive at the two as she took a handful of grapes. Obi watched as she slowly pressed one of the grapes against her slightly parted lips before pushing it in kindly. Even when eating, Shirayuki could not stop being incredibly cute and heartwarming. Obi then distracted himself with Ryu, seeing as everyone spoke to Shirayuki on her plans and Higata was attentively listening in as well.
"C'mon, half pint," Obi beckoned, having Ryu close his book and tilt his head up to divert his aqua eyes to the amber ones. "Let's climb a tree!"
"But why?" Ryu asked quietly while still reluctantly rising from his seat of the quilt. Obi walked over to the tree Higata and Yatsufusa had been under for shade, having them become aware but ignore them. Shirayuki diverted her eyes over briefly to watch the boy swiftly climb the tree in two hand grabs. Note that he only used one hand with the other still holding his alcoholic drink. Everyone turned to hear it as he sat himself on a branch comfortably.
"For fun?" Obi spewed his reason, having him snicker as everyone shook their heads at him. All except for Higata, of course.
"Obi, how do you do that?" Higata asked in awe, leaving his seat to go under the branch beside Ryu. The two looked up, wondering how much monkey was truly inside of Obi's genes. Obi laughed at this before taking a swig of his glass.
"It's a developed habit of mine," Obi replied cheekily, sending a wink over to Shirayuki as she giggled. Although everyone didn't make much of this, Garak raised an eyebrow at this. She became curious about the two. She knew that Obi was her knight and he'd be by her side almost 24/7, but there was something different between the two. And it didn't seem as much professional as before. Oh, how Garak wondered.
"You have to show me that, too!" Higata pleaded as Ryu began scaling the body of the tree. Obi encouraged him, as Higata also watched and cheered the young prodigy. Yatsufusa, Garak, and Shirayuki smiled at this, seeing how kindly Obi had been to the other younger workers of the Court Pharmacy. But they then turned back to discuss business.
"So Shirayuki," Garak began, grabbing the bottle of Roka for another round. "We were thinking about also placing you in Wilant to study medicine with Ryu. I hope that sounds okay with you?"
"More than okay!" Shirayuki replied eagerly, her emerald eyes lighting up at the idea. She would love to continue her practice somewhere else, furthermore with her brilliant young friend of hers. It would give her the opportunity to further her knowledge as well as ensure Ryu's safety and health. "Is there a selected date already?"
"Not exactly, but it should be after the wedding as every one of Clarines should attend," Yatsufusa informed, having Shirayuki slightly flinch before nodding. She didn't understand why she still faltered at the sound of the wedding, and that bothered her greatly. It wasn't like her feelings for the Prince were at its peak anymore. It probably just bothered her the way plans change so quickly, feelings change even faster, and somehow the girl had still been on her feet.
"Understood," Shirayuki replied calmly, taking in their words as she reached over to grab herself an apple. She munched happily as her superiors explained how the Wilant Court Pharmacy worked, the herbs they study, and what their aims are currently until further notice. She enjoyed listening to this and found herself even more excited to learn more of the books Prince Raji had gifted to her. Her mind was more that eager to consume information and become a better version of herself as a Court Pharmacist and Herbalist. The flow had remained quite nice until two aides strolled their way over.
"Mister Mitsuhide, Miss Kiki!" Obi cheered, moving his legs back and forth as Ryu and Higata sat beside him. He jumped down the branch with ease, seeing as the branch was much lower than his usual preference. The knight walked over, skipping Mitsuhide to get on one knee in front of Kiki. He took her hand and planted an air kiss on it before looking up at the woman with a toothy grin. "How're you today, Miss Kiki?"
"Sick now," Kiki humored, her face stern as she swatted Obi's hold away. Obi snickered at this and got back on his feet. He playfully fist pumped Mitsuhide's shoulder, almost condescendingly, as Obi smirked.
"That's how it's done," Obi joked, having Mitsuhide glare at him as he held onto the grip of his sword. Obi heard the metal clash around the sheath and backed up, with his hands up in the air. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding!"
"I'm sure," Mitsuhide growled, having Shirayuki giggle to grab the two aides' attention. The turquoise-haired boy smiled down at her, feeling a little overwhelmed having not seen the girl in so long. "Shirayuki! How're you?"
"I'm well, thank you!" Shirayuki gushed, her smile wide as she met eyes with both Mitsuhide and Kiki. "How're you, Mitsuhide, Kiki?"
"We're well," Kiki replied for the two, smiling warmly at the herbalist as she looked over at the picnic sight. "Do you mind if we lounge with you guys? We've been walking about with no real destination."
"Please," Garak welcomed them, pointing over at the free side of the square as the two aides took their seats at the rest of the space the quilt had. "What's with you two idling around?"
"Yeah, shouldn't you be guarding the Prince?" Shirayuki hummed curiously, having Mitsuhide slightly leer at Shirayuki for addressing Zen as such. She has changed her tendencies completely over the Prince, seeing as she doesn't call him Zen anymore. Her eyes also go dull when mentioning him, Mitsuhide notices. It made him feel uncomfortable, finding it completely out of the ordinary.
"He's still very deep in the intruder case," Kiki informed, having Shirayuki's heart stop as Obi sat beside her with pure interest. She has told Obi the entirety of the truth, but she knew Obi wanted to hurt this man for doing everything he did to her. And it frightened her, as she doesn't want Obi to go to an extent he thinks he doesn't want anyone to see. "The plan is to keep him jailed for the rest of his years until his death."
"Extreme," Yatsufusa breathed, a little shocked to hear Zen being pretty cold to a convict. Although he has done very wrong in harming one of his staff, Zen would usually only give a few years or at least a penalty of hard work for however long he demands. But an eternity in prison didn't sound like him.
"Makes sense though," Garak began as she drank down her round. "He tried harming important staff. He doesn't deserve any sort of sympathy." Obi mentally agreed with her while Shirayuki looked down, a little distraught. She isn't too happy with that intruder attempting to harm her, but she felt a little bad for being the cause of his extreme sentence. She knew as fact that Zen would never do this if it was anyone else but her.
"But yes, that's what's going on in his office, so we're not allowed in," Mitsuhide began with a yawn. He reached over to grab for a peach, but Kiki quickly swatted his hand. "Kiki!" Kiki glared at the man but Garak chuckled.
"He can have some, it's alright," Garak consented, having Mitsuhide smile widely at the pharmacist before grabbing the pastel fruit and taking a bite of the juicy entity. Everyone saw him enjoy it and laugh, having Obi chuckle the most.
"Obi," Ryu hummed, having Obi glance over to see the two pharmacist still on the tree. "Mind helping us down?"
"You guys can't jump it?" Obi began, rising from the ground to go over to them. They both shook their head, fear evident in their eyes as Obi chuckled. "Alright, c'mon." Offering his arms, Obi first caught Ryu and put him down before catching Higata and putting him down as well. He watched as Ryu plopped himself back at his seat between Mitsuhide and Garak while Higata was below the tree between Yatsufusa and Kiki. Shirayuki watched Obi begin to take his seat until he noticed Shirayuki beginning to put her hair up.
"Shoot…" Shirayuki muttered to herself as everyone drowned themselves in conversation. Garak was speaking with Yatsufusa, Mitsuhide, and Kiki about the fine food to be brought to Clarines for the wedding while Higata, as usual, only listened. Ryu was in the middle of it all but too focused on his book to be asked with the conversation. SO there left Obi, looking down at Shirayuki struggling to put her short hair in her typical little pony tail.
"You need help, Miss?" Obi hummed, bending down to look at Shirayuki.
"It's not help really," Shirayuki groaned as she held her hair up. "I think I've left my hair ribbon at the office, so I have nothing to keep my hair up."
"D'you want me to go fetch it for you, Miss?" Obi suggested, having Shirayuki shake her head as she dropped her hands in defeat.
"It's alright, Obi," Shirayuki stated, feeling defeated as her red hair once more reined her shoulders. "I'm just a little hot now." Obi looked down at her, a little saddened that she was uncomfortable. He wanted his Mistress to be comfortable and happy, no matter what big or small thing bothered her. Obi studied her, trapped in thought before he quickly felt an idea sprout. He looked around and found flowers ornate all over the patch of grass around them, having him pick several of them before returning to the girl.
"I can help you out, if you'd like, Miss," Obi hummed.
"I said you don't have to go to the—." Shirayuki began, but Obi was quick to cut her off.
"I learned how to braid hair years ago when I met the daughter of another old colleague," Obi stated as he sat down behind his lover. Back in a pretzel, he dropped the flowers in the small hole created by the folding of his legs. "If it's alright with you, I can put your hair together so you won't be so hot?"
"I trust you, go head," Shirayuki gave him consent warmly, tilting her head a little down as Obi hesitantly, but surely, grabbed all of her hair. He found it hard to hold them all and do his plans with his gloves on, so he let them go and peeled them off, offering it over to Shirayuki.
"Mind holding these for me, Miss?" Obi asked kindly.
"I don't mind at all," Shirayuki replied sweetly, taking the leather entities as Obi could take her hair up with ease again.
Shirayuki didn't want to admit it, but she felt a rush in Obi touching her hair with his bare hands. It seemed nonsense, but it showed how comfortable he was without the gloves and willing to hand it over to the girl for holding. He wanted to help her, and was more than happy to take off two small shields of his to do so. It felt warm and sweet for Obi to do this thing for her, especially seeing how many unexpected qualities Obi owned. Who would have thought this man knew how to braid?
As Obi tampered with the girls hair, Mitsuhide and Kiki took notice immediately. They watched as Shirayuki spoke to Obi behind her, having him look over her shoulder to respond with his eyes still kept on her hair. Mitsuhide was in shock that Shirayuki was allowing Obi to touch her hair while Kiki was slightly in disbelief that Obi even knew how to braid hair. Those two changed so much right under their noses that it was hard to take in those two.
Had Zen's relationship with Shirayuki interrupted the beautiful bloom of connection that this girl shared with Obi?
Now, with Zen getting betrothed to a real Princess, Shirayuki and Obi can take a path of their own and see where it goes. Kiki was right all along: there was something with the way Obi looked at her and treated her that couldn't be taken lightly. And somehow, somehow, Obi had managed to spread that new light on Shirayuki, who had been smiling much wider smiles with Obi around and being so kind with her. A sweet, patient, protective love. A love that had no complications or need for separation.
The blonde found it so hard to comprehend, but understood completely. Obi has always had these feelings for her, it seems, but he didn't dare use her heartbreak as an advantage. He didn't use her broken state to make her fall for him, Kiki could tell. Obi was not that kind of man. He stole that girl's heart fair and square, even if the two were to deny it if confronted. Shirayuki's eyes were bright and creamy and glowing. There were no traces of sadness or pain—it was all just happiness and a certain glow Kiki has seen before. The glow she has when she was with Zen.
Obi and Shirayuki were on the same level the entire time after all. People would imagine the two together as it deemed appropriate. But even if the assumptions lined up with their newfound feelings, those two owned something true and real. With Obi defending the maiden completely and Shirayuki wanting nothing more than to be around him—it was genuinely like fate.
Red is the color of fate after all, Kiki thought as her azure eyes leveled with Garak's. Although this was the unexpected outcome for the owner of the color, it seems to be flowing pretty fine.
"All done!" Obi announced happily, adjusting the last flower in her hair as Shirayuki turned around and carefully tapped the braid with her hand. She quickly took out her two piece mirror and handed one to Obi to hold at a specific angle. As she brought her piece to see the braid, she couldn't help but drop her jaw a bit.
"How… how?" Shirayuki breathed her eyes wide from the amount of skill that Obi owned. He did her a French braid, seemingly lose but was fairly firm and would keep for a long while. With her short hair, it didn't go passed her shoulders, but it looked lovely against her scalp. The flowers ornate around the braid beautifully, the white petals complimenting the crimson color fantastically. She took the two mirrors back while dropping her hands to the ground, delightfully shocked with her lover before her.
"I picked up a lot of things, Miss," Obi began, his hands in the air as he gave her a curt smile. Shirayuki's lips formed into a smile as she felt the hairs around her forehead to try and weave a few baby hairs back in. As she did, she couldn't help but keep her stare at Obi, who stared back and kept this warm connection between the two.
"Thank you so much, Obi," Shirayuki cooed, smiling widely at him, immensely tempted to give him a hug. Obi noticed this and gave her a small smile, knowing that if they displayed any more affection, they'll be found out. But this already clicked with Garak, and immediately with Kiki.
Mitsuhide was still left wondering in his mind.