Later at the mansion…
It was midnight. Kotoha couldn't sleep. Questions were running through her head.
Could they be a couple?
Was it possible?
Is she too young for him?
Is it a crush? An affascination?
Or was it love?
Did he like her the same way she likes him?
Could it work?
Kotoha vented these feeling as she played her flute in the courtyard.
The same questions were racing through Takeru's head as he watched her. Back when he questioned his skills, his abilities. Back when he realized his vassals would sacrifice themselves for him. Back when he worried about living a lie. Back when he thought he was weak. Back when he revealed he wasn't the true lord, Kotoha would be outside in the courtyard, playing her flute. It always calmed him.
Kotoha turned around.
"Tono-sama?"
Takeru sat next to her.
"I never told you how beautiful your flute playing is…"
"Oh, tono-sama… You're too kind…"
"I'm not being too kind. I'm telling you the truth."
"Oh, thank you very much. Would you like me to teach you how to play?"
Maybe this could be the thing I'm good at, Takeru thought.
Kotoha handed Takeru the flute. She pointed which notes for him to play. His playing was not as good as Kotoha's, but at least better than his other attempts at finding a hobby.
"That was great, tono-sama."
"It wasn't."
"Yes it was."
"It wasn't."
"It was great for your first time. I remember I could barely play when neesan taught me."
A pause.
"Am I too young for you, tono-sama?" asked Kotoha.
Takeru remembered the words someone said at the gallery.
"Are we, um, just a lord and his vassal? A brother and sister? Two friends?"
Takeru was surprised at what Kotoha said, and the amount of emotion and conviction. Tears were welling up in her eyes.
Takeru held Kotoha in her arms.
"I shouldn't cry, tono. It's not right."
Takeru looked at Kotoha and didn't see a girl, he saw a young woman. He always saw her that way. So mature, and ready to sacrifice her life for him. But he never wanted her to.
Kotoha saw her Lord, holding her. Someone who she admired, was on the ground next to her. She was making a fool out of herself for him, but he didn't care. She saw a smile. Whenever Takeru smiles, it's like a young woman dropping everything to take on an army of underworld creatures. A rarity. Whenever Kotoha smiles for Takeru, it's like a single bamboo flute song in the middle of the night, a treasure.
Kotoha wanted to ask Takeru—it didn't seem right not to. But he didn't see her as a lord and a vassal.
However, Takeru made the first move. They kissed. In the stillness of the night's breeze. The stars shined brighter. The moon was fuller. The air smelled sweeter.
At least it was that way in their minds.
And in the minds of several others before and after them.