Today is unusually bright.

I can feel light basking onto my face as my eyes flutter open. Ah, what day it is? What time it is? What... is this warm feeling against me?

I focused my eyes and tried to scan my surrounding. Huh, this doesn't seems like my room, not the one on my flats nor Pompokorin. These aging walls, these tweets of birds and wind rustle, these... scent of someone dear.

As I shifted under the blanket, an arm pulled me into embrace. A face snugs up my chest as the owner grumble, 'more... salmon... please'. His white hair tickled my cheek but it doesn't feels annoying. Instead, it gave me a warm comfort. I feel like I have to wake up but the embrace and that voice lulls me to slumber. Ah, it's the voice that I love, the one who whisper my name under his breathe last night-

Reds creeps up my embarrassed face as the memory resurface. It contrast to his peaceful, pale looks. Yesterday I came back to Momiji Village as I graduated from collage. He was the first person to picked me up on the station. Then we spent our first meeting pleasantly after we had been separated from quite some time, cooking and eating together. When I about to left him, he sulked and asked me to stay with him. And then we-

Ah, geez, this is not the time to think about that! Think... Think about something else-

Oh, that's right. Today is my first day of work as the village officer. Sure I can's snuggle up like this all the time or I'll be late on my first day.

I gently called out to him as I run my finger up his head, "Suoh... Hey, wake up."

Low murmur hums on my bare chest, "Mmmm... Fuuuuu, ahhhh." His hand around me loosen up as he scratch his yes and looks up, his crimson eyes meets my chestnut. "Rin, is it morning already?"

"Mhmm, good morning." I cup his cheeks, "Sorry but is it okay if I go now? I have to visit Pompokorin first before I go to the office."

He pouts in protest as he snugs closer onto me, "Just a little bit more."

"But I-"

My words has been cut as he locked my lips softly with a kiss. When he release it, he smiles, "now it's okay. I already get my morning kiss."

H-how sly of him...

After both of us dressed up, we walk side by side while enjoying the fresh breeze of village early morning. The spring wind feels gentle on my skin, way different with the city's murky and heavy air. In our way, we passed many familiar faces, both human and ayakashis alike. We exchange greetings and occasionally giggled at by them who remarks how lovey-dovey we already are early in the morning. It's a little embarrassing, to be honest. However, it's feels up my chest with so much happiness. This place is so much warm, even with less people around it doesn't feels lonely at all. Ah, how grateful I am to be here again, I wonder how exciting every day life will be. Without noticing it at all, I'. already beaming with smile.

"Looks like you have so much fun, smiling that much in the morning already, " Suou who hold my hand glanced at me for a moment. But as he look the other way, I can see his lips curved a bit, "Not that I dislike it, though."

Really, this dishonest Suou.

"How about Suou?"

"Ah, yeah," he wave at another passerby, an old man from his workplace. "I think it's pretty noisy because you are here, which honestly..."

He release our hand. It was cold for a moment but as soon I felt that, his finger intertwine with mine, "Make it not really a bad morning."

Time flies and without us noticing, Pompokorin's building is already in sight. In front of the store, Gin who is busy preparing for the day welcomed us. As I apologize for not telling him that I was staying at Suou's place for he night, he was quiet for a moment before a cheeky smile spreads on his face.

"Mmmmm, mmmm, I see it now." He nods in amusement with face of a proud father, "Ah, Rin-chan is really an adult now, isn't she?"

"Eh?"

What's with that? D-do I have something in my face? I mean, I haven't been able to wash myself since Suou's home didn't have much water for bathing or showering but I was sure to at least wash myself. When I'm about to ask him what's wrong, Gin only laughed, "Ah, it's nothing, it's nothing you have to worry. Although... Please don't be too hasty, both of you."

He looked pretty serious before he leave us be. What does that mean? We look at each other but Suou only shrugged, he doesn't seem that bothered by Gin's word after all.

Oh, well, I can't be bothered by it now. As soon I enter the shop, I quickly retrieve my blouse and suit from my room and then go to the bathroom. A quick shower is all I need right now.

After a refreshing shower, now all I have to do is doing my hair and make up. Pick up my neatly folded blouse and suit, I approach the sink. There, the mirror is foggy from the hot shower's steam so I decided to wipe it with my hand. In the mirror I can see my damp hair and my skin.

Wait, these thing in my neck-

Ah.

Ahhhhhhhh,

AHHHH, T-THIS IS BAD!

Quickly I touched my flushed neck and nape. There is some red spots in it! I-I forgot he did this a lot last night. What should I do? N-no wonder Gin looked weird this morning, was it because of these?! Ughhhhh, now this is just make it more embarrassing!

Alright, I can't panic now. There's no way I can wear my blouse today as well because it'll show my neck clearly. I must pick up a new clothes right now, something that can cover me up. And it's... ah it's all in my room right now.

There's no other way, I have to go to my room to change. Okay, I'll dress up in my blouse now, quickly goes into my room and change. It'll be easy so let's step out now...

"Yo, Rin, morniiiin,"

... Oh no.

As I just about to make my way up, a sleepy Uta descend and now blocked the only way up. "Oh it's U-uta! Morning."

This is bad, I stutter so much. He stops right in front of me, smirked.

"Didn't see you coming today, last night you aren't here too." He giggled as he amusingly stroke his chin. "Hmmmmm could it beeeee...?"

My face burns out as Uta teased me. Ugh, of course he'll know so there's no need to tease me so much. i was so prepared for another teases but I was instead greeted with Uta's cold and worried face.

"Wait a second," he hurriedly get closer to me. With a serious expression, he stares at me intently before rage seethes on his eyes as his gaze lands on my neck.

"Did he do this to you?" his eyes pierced mine. Uta's arm suddenly secure my upper arm, makes me jolt groggily. I want to answer him but before i can answer, he gripped my arm in mix of fear and anger. "Tell me the truth, did he? Did he hurt you again, Rin?"

That eyes... Ah I get it now. Even after four years, Uta hasn't changed. I think he's still wary of Suou after all these year. It can't be helped after all, he is my guardian. More than that, he is also a family. But I don;t want him to misunderstand it so I try my best to answer it.

While desperately try to hide the red spots with my hand, I smile awkwardly "N-no, Uta, you got it wrong-" I tries to pull myself away from him, "I just get bitten by bugs. Yes, b-bugs!"

He get hold of my wrists, "No, really this looks more like a cat-"

"So noisy..."

Our exchange was cut off by another person. Uta's hold loosen a bit as we both look at the source of that voice. From the third floor, there is Yomi who already sharp dressed with scarf on his hand. With a sigh, he scoffs, "I haven't get out for errands yet and it's already so noisy."

"Here, Yomi, look at Rin!" Uta release me and pulled his twin brother to us, who happen to looks truly as displeased as I am. His face was about to spit something like, 'what did this girl do again, huh?'. He is disinterested, yet hearing Uta's urgent tone on his voice Yomi decide to go along. As Uta point my neck at him...

He was quiet for a moment, but he loudly chocked with a face turns bright red. I know he want to say something but he was too perplexed. It's not only you who feel bad in this situation, Yomi!

Finally able to collect his composure, he ask Uta first, "You, tell me what's wrong. Or at least, what do YOU think is wrong."

"So you know Rin hasn't been home last night, right?" Uta crossed his arm, trying to stay calm even if I can tell he is pissed. "I'm sure she was with Suou last night. And look, she came back with some scars on her neck!"

He clenches his palm and grits his teeth, "It must be Suou doing! He hurt her again!" rolls his sleeves, he walks away while stomping, losing all his chill. "I swear I'm gonna punch him and- GHOOOEEEKKK."

THUD! Yomi's shin powerfully delved into Uta's side. His face is flushed badly from embarrassment. I-I'm embarrassed too, you know!

"Oi, Yomi, what's that for?!"

Yomi frustratingly knead his forehead, "It is because you are utterly stupid."

Uta tries to retort while he hold his stomach, "What?! I'm being serious! I told you he is- OW OW OW."

Seriously frustrated, Yomi desperately tries to shut Uta by giving him yet another shin-to-the-side. It did shut Uta from talking about Suou and instead grunts at Yomi's sudden attack. However, Yomi doesn't seems to mid it much as he lends me the scarf on his hand. He give it while trying to look the other way bashfully. "Use this to cover your neck," his ear looks deep red despite his cool demeanor, "at least this can help you a bit."

"Are you not done yet, Rin?"

In such moment, the person in question enter the Living Room, impatiently calls out to me. As Suou looks at Yomi's hand on top of mine with scarf in between, I can feel he get discouraged by such sight.

"Hey, gloomy dog, what's up with that?"

"Oh this is just-" before Yomi can answer him, Uta already jump out and about to lash out at Suou.

"YOU SHITTY CAT-!"

"Huh?" Suou instantly shield himself in surprise as Uta approach him.

I desperately tug Uta's shirt to make him stop, "Uta, I told you it's not-"

"You did that, right?!" Uta stand between us and pointed at my neck, "You hurt her, didn't you?!"

Suou, as if dawned by realization, has his eyes downcast, "Did... Rin told you thath?" He apologetically approach me, "So when you said it hurts, you really were hurt? I told you right to say it so I wouldn't make you in pain..."

Uta, who shields me won't let him get any closer. Frustratingly, I pounce his back "N-no! That's not the case...! Ah, Utaaaaaa!"

"Next time I will make sure not to overdo it, okay?" he said, but then with a quiet voice Suou murmur under his breathe, "Ah, but your neck is just too tempting to kiss. Geez, but this is for her sake."

"Eh, huh?" Uta blinked, dumbfounded, "A kiss? What the hell do you mean-"

I can't take this anymore.

I bet my face are already charred right now as i tried to cover my neck and embarrassment. It is beyond burned from all this misunderstood. Yomi already has his face completely covered by his hands and scarf, he can't hold himself as well. Suou grow pale, panicked.

And Uta,

Uta was silent for a moment with jaw hanging. Then, as if he finally pieced everything together,

"K-KISS? THAT KIND OF KISS?" he screamed on top of his lungs. He was too perplexed that all he says was some gibberish, "THE HELL IS WRONG WITH BOTH OF YOU!?"

Yomi curses as he was readying another jab into Uta, "That's why I told you, you are truly a braindead."

Uta, now completely red from the realization, runs away to bathroom, says that he need to cool down his head. Ah... this is truly a disaster. I feel like I want to bury myself from all of this commotion.

When everything already calmed down, Yomi excused himself and apologize for Uta's behavior. It can't be helped after all, and I get why would he did that despite how awkward and embarrassing it turned the whole morning.

Left alone only with Suou, we only awkwardly stand in silence. I told him I'm going to change my outfit with something else to cover my neck. He answer by nood in silence. So as my initial plan, I went into my room and change into a turtleneck and suit.

Even when we walk out to each other workplace, the air was still pretty awkward, I want to break it by talking but I can't think of anything, I want to tell him that it was all Uta's misunderstanding, I didn't told Uta that he hurts me. Yet somehow, it's a little hard to convey those. And once again, we walk in silence and only talk once we split up. Ah... I just hope I can clear up all that misunderstanding.

At night, Gin decided to hold a party to celebrate my return and also to congratulate my first job. It was a fun party, I manage to meet all my friends from years ago. Manatsu-san as usually playing with Tsuzuri while told me how's Momiji village while I was gone. Uta and Yomi banters Haginosuke, who just about to claim the position as head priest for Momiji Shrine. Even god was there, sharing sakes with Gin and some other Ayakashis. While me and Suou...

Well, we only sit by each other, still a bit awkward but we melts up a little. We chatted a bit but somehow I can sense that he feels troubled. Is he still minding what happen this morning? Uhh...

Later at that party, I sneaks out with Suou to the porch. The night air is chill and we can hear the party quietly from behind us. We're sitting 5 centimeter apart as we watch the glittery spring sky. We still sit in silence but I know, we have to talk it out.

Yet before I can talk, my right hand was held by his left. Meekly, Suou calls out to me, "Uh, Rin..."

"About this morning, I truly am sorry." he stares at his feet as he said that. "I... just remember one of the old men told me that kind of thing is not something you can tell to people. And- and-"

He stutters, holding my hand firmer, "What Uta said... Did I really hurt you last night?"

I released his grip, which make him a bit self-conscious. Then, I cupped his face with my hand just like this morning, "Hey, Suou,"

"You don't have to worry, okay?"

He was about to protest but I continue, "You know, I was really embarrassed that you said something like that and Uta heard it too."

I pouted at him. When he sees that, he looked like he want to shrink further. So then I smile at him, "But really, it's just Uta being Uta. He can be a bit overprotective, remember? And it makes him jump into conclusion too quick..."

"Well, he is a noisy dog after all?"

I laughed at his remark, "right?"

Even if I laugh, his eyes still dimmed with fear and sadness. "To be honest though, it did hurts a bit, I'm not used to it after all."

"But even so, it doesn't hurt that much when I can wake up beside you in the morning."

"Rin..."

We locked our gaze, his apologetic expression melts away and blooms into a gentle one; one that is full of love and warmth. He touches my hand on his cheek and seeps the warmth of my hand.

"So please don't worry about it, ok?" I caress his cheek, I don't like it when he is worried, it pains me. But even so, I can feel his overflowing love and cares from him with such act. "And I... also love that this morning, Suou become the first person I tell 'good morning' to. "

"I love it as well," he touched my cheek in return and softly bumped our forehead, "it makes me want you to always be the first person I see in the morning. To be the one I can say 'good night' to and 'good morning' to every single day."

"Mm," I nooded, "I want you to be the one as well."

"Rin,"

Our lips meet briefly, left us with a tender feelings.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Suou."

We held each other that night under the star as we share another kiss.