Chapter 28 - Tebasaki

Eira couldn't stop smiling even until she sat inside the private room at her—and Cor's—favorite izakaya. Her face probably would get tired from smiling too much. But she couldn't ask the corners of her lips not to lift up since she was too happy right now.

Cor was sitting in front of her. Just like what he usually did whenever they had dinner together.

It had been two months since the last time they ate together like this. And the last time wasn't a pleasant one.

She didn't even dream that they could really fix their relationship, much better, to start a new relationship like this. She was hopeless, thinking that no way in the Eos that Cor would really accept her to stay by his side as his lover. But then he kissed her today, stating that he loved her.

Oh, this was too good to be a reality. She kept thinking that it was probably a dream. But this was all too real. His kiss, his warmth, everything. All of those were too real.

Eira gazed at Cor who was talking to the waiter and stating his order. She watched him, observing his hair, cheeks, nose, lips, jaw… He was so dashing, so perfect. Ah, she loved him. She loved him so much.

"What about you?" Cor asked, disrupting Eira who was almost lost in though.

She blinked then looked at her menu then talked to the waiter while pointing at the food she wanted.

After confirming their orders, the waiter bowed down and left to prepare their orders.

Still smiling, Eira looked at Cor then asked, "Remember the first time we had dinner together?"

"How could I forget it?" Cor said.

Eira chuckled. "I was so nervous at that time"

"Can't say that I wasn't."

"Really?"

Cor just gave a smile as the answer.

"I never expected that I would have dinner with the marshal of the crownsguard," Eira added.

"Well… He's your boyfriend now."

Burning. Her face was burning right now. She was sure that her face was as red as the beet. She wondered if Cor noticed that she was blushing right now.

"Aherm," she cleared her throat then glanced sideways, too shy to look at her boyfriend. "I'm not sure that he's still a boy."

Cor chuckled. "Because he's an old man?"

Eira grinned, not replying. She wanted to say that even though he's an old man, he's really charming as hell. But she was too shy to say it.

She then suddenly remembered her birthday gift for him. "Ah, right! You don't want to open the gift?"

"Can I?"

"Of course!"

Cor took the paper bag he placed on the empty seat next to him and placed it on the table. He then carefully took out an envelope and a little black box with blue ribbon on it.

Eira was excited to see Cor's reaction to the gift she gave.

Glancing at Eira who was looking at him in anticipation, Cor took the envelope first. He then gently opened it and took a card from it. There was a simple "Happy Birthday, Marshal!" written on it.

Smiling, he then said, teasing her, "Marshal?"

"We weren't on good terms. So, I didn't think that writing your name was polite for it."

He chuckled softly then flipped the card. It was a drawing of sylleblossom. "It's pretty. Thank you. Did you draw it yourself?"

"Yes…" Eira nodded.

"I didn't know you could draw."

"You know I always draw magic circles, right?"

Cor parted his lips in surprise then chuckled, "Yeah. Yeah, you're right."

"Now, the gift." She said, excited.

Cor put the card back to the envelope then placed it on the table. Reaching the gift box, he then slowly opened it. Eira didn't use gift paper for the present and just used a gift box instead. Which made it easy for him to quickly see what she gave him.

There was another smaller box inside. He took it and read the calligraphy written on its cover. Now he could guess what was inside.

Taking the lid off, he saw a pair of blue chopsticks, with beautiful golden ornaments on it's tops.

"Oh… This is pretty." He took one of them then looked closely at the ornament. It was a lion, engraved with gold. He smiled at her, "Lion?"

"Your name." Eira gave a sheepish smile.

"It's so beautiful. Thank you." Cor could feel the warmth on his own cheeks. He must be blushing.

"Do you like it?" she asked.

"I like it to the point I'm not sure if I will use it. It's too beautiful." Cor could see that his words made her blush.

"N-No… Please use it. And look, there's a washable box there. You can bring it anywhere." She pointed to a box next to the chopsticks, with the same color and same golden ornament. "So… you can bring it when you go on your mission… outside the city."

Six, she's so adorable.

"Thank you. I'm just afraid I'm gonna lose it though."

"I believe you won't." Her eyes were sparkling.

It was hard to tell her that he was reluctant to use it. Cor just didn't want to stain it. Perhaps he would bring it with him anywhere, just like a charm. But, to actually use it? No, he didn't want to dirty it. But Eira would be sad if he didn't use it. How complicated.

Someone then knocked the door, snatching both of their attention. The waiter opened the door slowly before getting inside to place their drinks and then left right away.

As usual, Eira ordered oolong tea. And this time Cor also ordered the same beverage as her. No beer today. He already insisted to her that he was going to drive her home.

After taking a sip of her oolong tea, Eira mumbled, "So… umm….."

Cor looked at her and waited for her to continue her words.

"We are… a thing?" she asked, almost whispering.

Cor raised his eyebrows. "A thing?" he chuckled.

"Couple…" Eira's voice almost disappeared. That made her so adorable.

Smiling, he replied, "I guess so."

Eira looked at the waiter who left right after he brought their drinks. They ordered the same beverage—oolong tea. Cor insisted on driving her home, and she indeed wanted him to drive her so that she could spend more time with him. Thus, she didn't force him to drink beer tonight.

They didn't say anything as they took a sip of their own beverage, but then Eira suddenly wanted to confirm her relationship with the marshal. They just kissed today, and Cor said that he loved her. So, they were already a couple, right?

After taking another sip of her oolong tea, she mumbled, "So… umm….."

She almost refrained herself from continuing. But then she decided to ask, with a faint voice, "We are… a thing?"

Oh, she was so embarrassed. Her face was so hot and she didn't even remember if there was a second that her face wasn't hot since the kiss which happened in the citadel infirmary.

"A thing?" he chuckled.

She fiddled her fingers then said, "Couple…" Uhhh, it was so embarrassing. But she wanted to confirm it. She didn't want it if she was the only one who was thinking that they were a couple.

"I guess so," Cor answered.

She got it, the confirmation. Placing both of her hands on her heated cheeks, she grinned then looked at her oolong tea, avoiding Cor's gaze.

Sipping her tea, she then stole glances a few times at her boyfriend. She placed her gaze on his lips which were curving a smile, then she suddenly remembered the kisses those lips gave her.

"Relax. You make me embarrassed," Cor said.

She gasped then smiled. Looking at Cor, her gaze now moving on to his hand that he placed on the table. Slowly, she moved her hand then gently poked the back of his hand.

"Yes?" Cor tilted his head.

"Are you real?" she asked innocently.

Cor then took her hand inside his palm. Gently holding it, he then said, "Should I kiss you one more time?"

Eira was certain that she was going to swoon. She bit her lower lip and hesitantly stole a glance to the man who was still holding her hand. Cor's hand was so big, and warm, and calloused, and she really loved the way it wrapped her small hand firmly, yet gently, like this.

Her heartbeat raised its speed. She then muttered, almost like a whisper, "You… You know… That was my first…"

"I know." Cor responded right away, without hesitation.

And it felt like there was a billowing steam puffed out from Eira's head. She was sure her entire body was red right now, like prawn, crab, apple, tomato—any red things.

"Why are you so adorable?" Cor's voice was so tender. Eira was struggling not to faint right now.

Now that Cor had already become her lover, he really didn't hold back from being gentle toward her. And he was very smooth. Damn, smooth.

Knock, knock!

The door suddenly was knocked again, and both Cor and Eira hastily pulled their hands. Their relationship must remain secret, even though it seemed the staff in this izakaya probably already had different opinions. Well, they often visited this place and sat in a private room, just the two of them, even before they were a couple. It wasn't weird if they thought of them as a couple.

The waiter came in and brought all of their orders before bowing and leaving them again.

As the door closed, both of them gave a relieved sigh. Staring at each other, there was a glimpse of awkwardness between them.

Eira gulped then took her chopsticks. "L-let's eat!"

"Yeah. Let's eat." Cor followed her and took his chopsticks.

Both of them then began eating without talking about anything. Eira was too shy to talk to her new boyfriend. Thus, she just silently ate while sometimes glancing at the charming man on her front.

Finally, after a few minutes of silence, Cor decided to open the conversation, "You know… I'm still feeling guilty for the things I did to you."

Eira quickly gulped then replied, "No. It's just… It was just a normal thing to do, considering the age gap between us... But… But I'm glad that at the end you're being honest…"

"I should've just accepted your confession three months ago. I've hurt you so much."

Eira blushed. She then gave a smile while slightly murmuring in a joking manner, "Take responsibility, then?"

"I will." There was a gravity from his tone as Cor replied to her silly demand.

Eira gasped, widening her eyes as she looked at the man who was looking at her seriously.

She cursed. Oh the Astral, the Six, Gods, and Goddesses.

Cor was so handsome, charming, beautiful, gorgeous, and any other praising adjective. He gave her a tender smile before continuing to eat. Meanwhile, Eira was still charmed by him and not moving at all. That was until Cor noticed that his girlfriend wasn't moving so that he tilted his head and gave a, "Hmm? What's wrong?"

"No, nothing. Ehehe…" she giggled then continued to eat.

She still couldn't believe that the marshal was her lover. That the marshal was her lover. Her lover.

She actually really wanted to yell in excitement and tell this to her friends. What kind of face would Lizette, Stella, and Raine make when they knew about this?

Eira munched her food while her mind still questioning herself if this was all just a dream. Well, if it was a dream, she didn't want to wake up at all.

Cor took his tebasaki then suddenly said, "When I think about it. It's all thanks to this tebasaki, huh?"

Eira smiled then said, "That I was craving it so much and I waited patiently outside the diner, then I met you." She gave a pause before adding, "Well… but actually I already fell for you far before that."

Cor raised his eyebrows. "Really?"

"I was your secret admirer." She smiled and spoke shyly, "Not everyday, but I intentionally go home until night just to see you come out from the training room and walk past the infirmary."

Cor parted his lips, surprised.

"Creepy?" Eira asked.

"No. Not at all." Cor shook his head. "I'm just surprised. And… Happy to know that."

Eira's cheeks warmed.

"Thank you." Cor smiled."... For falling in love with me."

Eira was almost swooning. "Ehehe…"

They continued to eat again. Eira was struggling not to lose her consciousness. Her heart was throbbing so fast, her head was a bit spinning, and her eyes were slightly covered by tears—of happiness, of course.

She then drank her oolong tea, really really hoping that she would calm down. Unfortunately, she couldn't.

"Tebasaki, huh? Should I cook this one day?" Cor murmured.

Blinking, Eira then smiled widely, "Yes, please!"

"So excited, hmm?" Cor chuckled.

"Well… I like your cooking…"

"I like yours too."

Eira blushed then took a bite of her tebasaki.

Two months.

It had been two months since the last time he was sitting like this in front of the woman he loved. Yet, that last dinner was a disaster and she left with tears streaming down to her cheeks.

Since then he had been eating alone, or sometimes with other crownsguard or the glaives—and his captain—who dragged him to join them.

Now that he was able to eat with her again, Cor was very happy. It was indeed the best birthday present he ever had. The marshal was glad that he could no longer hold his own desire to be with her, accepting her confession and letting her stay by his side. And from now on, she could always be in front of him, eating dinner like this.

Cor watched the way Eira ate, how she munched, the way she gulped, okay, that was a bit creepy, but he loved looking at her as she ate. She was so adorable.

He looked at her eyes, the way she secretly took a glance at him. And when their eyes met, she would awkwardly avert her gaze. So adorable.

The marshal then shifted his gaze to her cheeks. They were still red, blushing from just being there with him.

And at last, he looked at her lips. The lips that he just kissed an hour ago in the citadel. The lips that he wanted to kiss once again. Deeply, lustfully, passionately.

Cor gulped then took a sip of his drink, while washing his dirty thoughts away. He then asked her, opening up a new topic so they wouldn't be engulfed in silence—and so that he would stop thinking about something inappropriate—, "So… How've you been doing?"

"Just as usual. Working at the infirmary, then doing my research. Good thing is that it was done last week. It was a hard time for me. My mom wasn't very satisfied with my paper. And I barely managed it." She replied.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I wonder if I took part in your trouble?"

"Ehehe… a little bit…"

"I'm sorry." It disheartened him, knowing the fact that he put her in trouble. Especially her education which was very important to her. Cor knew how strict Elaine was, it must not be easy for Eira.

"Just take me on a date, and I'll forgive you." Eira giggled softly, joking. But Cor almost choked because of her sentence.

Seeing his reaction, Eira added, "I'm kidding. Our relationship is secret anyway."

"Sure. Any place you want to visit?"

"Eh? But…" This time, Eira was the one who was surprised.

"I'll probably need to disguise myself. But, yeah, we can manage it." Cor was serious.

Eira laughed, "Disguise?"

Cor raised his eyebrows. Disguising perhaps was not a good idea then.

After she stopped laughing she then added, while holding her laugh, "Are you going to use black glasses or a wig?"

Cor rubbed his chin, imagining himself in black glasses and a wig. "If that's necessary."

Eira laughed again. Oh, how beautiful she was when she laughed like that. Cor was happy that this time he didn't make her cry and make her laugh instead.

After she managed to stop her laugh, Eira huffed and said, "But well… We're officially a couple now. And I'm worried if someone spots us here or anywhere and spreads rumors about us…"

"So you weren't worried before?" Cor asked.

"We weren't a couple, yet… So if anyone spreads gossip about us, it would be a lie… But now…"

"I see…" Cor nodded. Rubbing his chin again, he then pondered, "Dating place, huh? Now that you mentioned it. I also wasn't concerned about us when we weren't a couple, yet. We were being careless…"

Cor then rubbed his face. "Six… It just makes me want to talk to your parents more. So we don't need to hide our relationship. But…"

"I know… I'm sorry… Uuh… This is hard… I really understand why you rejected me before… But… uh…" Eira fiddled her fingers.

"Hei… hei… It's okay…" seeing her flustered, Cor reached her hand gently. "Let's think about this another day, okay?"

"Sorry… It's because I was… Uu… Asking for a date…"

"No, no. It's okay…" he rubbed the back of her hand gently, comforting her.

She then nodded and gave a tiny smile at him.

"Let's eat again, shall we?" he suggested.

Cor pulled away his hand then reached his chopsticks. Looking at Eira, it hurt him again that even though they were a couple right now, there were hundreds of obstacles that were waiting for them.

And once again in his head, he wished he were younger... or if she were born earlier…