The next morning, when Arthur awoke, the aroma of pancakes filled his senses. Yao must already be up and making breakfast.
Yao. When Arthur thought of him as his husband, he felt like hurling. He didn't want to be married. To a man, moreover!
Arthur lay back in bed and closed his eyes. He would make Yao hate him so much that he would stay away from Arthur. And Arthur would be glad not to see him and forget about the marriage.
When Arthur came downstairs for breakfast, Yao had just finished cooking. He was laying a pancake on Arthur's plate. He looked up and greeted Arthur with a wide smile. "Good morning, aru."
Arthur grunted in reply as he adjusted his tie.
"Would you like one more pancake?" Yao asked, unsure of how much Arthur could eat.
Arthur just nodded.
Smiling, Yao laid another pancake on top of the one already on Arthur's plate. "Enjoy your meal!"
Arthur rolled his eyes. How could Yao be so happy at this arrangement?
That afternoon, Yao paid a visit to his home. He was greeted by Kiku and Hong Kong enthusiastically. "Brother!" they shouted as they ran to embrace their oldest brother.
"Hello, you two," Yao laughed at seeing them so eager to greet him. "Are mama and papa home?"
Hong Kong shook his head. "They went to observe the factory – they won't be back till evening," he told Yao.
"Oh, that's okay, aru," Yao shrugged.
"Come in!" Kiku said excitedly. "I was making some chahan – come and taste it!" He quickly made his way into the house.
Yao nodded and allowed Hong Kong to lead him into the house and into the dining hall. As he entered the dining hall, Kiku emerged with a bowl of his chahan. "I wasn't sure how much you wanted…" Kiku began unsurely.
"Oh, that's fine, aru," said Yao as he began to dig into Kiku's dish. "It's really good!" he exclaimed as he munched on the rice.
Hong Kong rolled his eyes. "I keep telling him that, but he always insists it's not good enough."
Kiku stuck his tongue out at Hong Kong.
"So…" Hong Kong turned his attention to Yao. "How was your first night as a married couple?" he wagged his eyebrows suggestively.
Yao swallowed. "It wasn't anything," he replied nonchalantly. "I mean, nothing happened, aru," he quickly added.
"You mean, he didn't make a move on you?" Kiku asked.
"Well," Yao began. "It's only the first night, aru. Besides, he needs time to get used to being married to a man," he said. "Although…"
"What, brother?" Hong Kong asked excitedly.
Yao brushed him off. "Nevermind, it's nothing."
"Come on," whined Kiku, shaking Yao's arm. "Tell us!"
Yao looked at his siblings unsurely. "Well… he was… unusually cold towards me this morning, aru. I can't help but wonder if I've done something wrong."
"Have you?" Kiku shot him a questioning look.
"I don't think so, aru!" Yao replied. "After we got home from the celebration, he carried me into the house and went to bed straightaway."
"He carried you into the house?" exclaimed Kiku. "How romantic!" he swooned as Hong Kong made a puking face.
"He said something about a tradition for the groom to carry the bride, aru," explained Yao, blushing.
"Maybe he had a stomach-ache this morning," Hong Kong shrugged. "I know I get reclusive when I have a stomach-ache."
"Maybe," said Yao.