I couldn't help but notice there wasn't a single Ichika fic in the entire Black Clover fandom. Absolutely blasphemous.
So I figured: Fine I'll do it myself.
I know this isn't going to get any views. Literally no one cares about this ship except for me. Lmao.
So as the sole Asta x Ichika fan I decided to honor them with this gift.
The sun smiled happily down upon the people of the land of the sun. Filling up their once cloudy skies with its luminous blaze. Igniting an ocean of sunshine in the sky that spilled over the land in waves. Flooding Ichika's room with the radiance of the morning.
The center of the room is where she sat. With her hands together as if in prayer. Upon the very same pillow she slept on the night before. Upright and eyes closed. Mind a serene empty canvas as she continued to meditate. To wash away her blood-soaked dreams. As per her morning routine.
It had been quite a few months since Asta had come to the land of the sun. Lucius had long since conquered the Clover Kingdom. The world around them was rapidly falling to its knees and Asta was tense every day as a result. Soon they would need a plan to confront Lucius.
She couldn't help but be worried about his mental state. He must be worried about his friends. His loved ones. His...girlfriend? She didn't know if he had one but the very thought of it filled her with unease for some reason. What the hell was wrong with her? It was bad enough just to deal with her nightmares but now she couldn't get this idiot out of her head.
The princess of darkness slapped her red cheeks in a poor attempt to snap herself out of her thoughts. She'd ruined her meditation yet again. This was becoming a common occurrence every morning. Asta would frequently invade her thoughts, utterly destroying her focus. Leaving her red-faced and frustrated afterwards.
The reality was, she knew exactly why she was feeling this way. She wasn't stupid. Ichika was a seasoned warrior and though she may still be a fair maiden when it came to matters of the heart, she still very clearly understood her own desires. Even though she could not pinpoint when exactly she started feeling this way, she knew what she wanted. She just didn't know why. Or how to stop it. And stop it she must. Because thoughts like these were dangerous. He was a foreigner. He was only here for training in the first place.
I mean sure, they may have had their back, and forth which led to her learning to respect him and his capabilities. And sure, maybe he was the Hero of legend meant to restore the sky of the land of the sun. And sure, ever since then they spent many days together either training or talking and discovered they had many things in common. And maybe she was extremely agitated when he chatted with some of the beautiful women in the country but... What the hell was she getting at again?
She let out a frustrated growl and got up from the pillow she had been sitting on and decided it was time to go see her idiot again.
There was a special place that she and Asta would meet in the morning. Either for training or just to talk. It was the waterfall where they initially fought when they had that disagreement about her brother. It was also in this place that she'd ended up venting to him completely about her feelings regarding her brother. About how he seemingly abandoned her and left her on her own for years. Which was the reason she'd hated him so much initially. She remembered still with much embarrassment about how much she cried in front of him, never having let those emotions out before. She completely broke down and lost all face in front of a boy. It was beyond pathetic. At least until she remembered how warm it was when he embraced her. How much it made her happy when he reassured her that her brother never stopped caring about her even if he never brought her up. Reminding her that her brother was the kind of person to keep all his problems to himself. They were the same in that way.
'Captain Yami was a man who cared for each and every one of them. So there was no way he would forget about his sister!'
She remembered crying even harder at that. The relief combined with the absolute catharsis of letting out all her anger and pent-up frustration about her brother caused her damn to break. She ended up crying for an hour on his shoulder and falling asleep in his arms. As if it couldn't get any more embarrassing, he actually had to carry her back to her room. She suddenly felt the desire to palm her face when the waterfall came into the clearing.
"Hey Ichika!" he said, having sensed her coming.
She quickly cleared her thoughts and ignored the warmth in chest. Putting on a neutral smile for him.
"Good morning Asta."
He didn't say anything and merely grinned.
She pouted at this.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. I'm just getting caught up in your warmth is all."
That one definitely took the wind out of her sails.
"W-w-w-what? t-the heck are you saying?"
"I'm just saying you're feeling all warm and fuzzy right now. Dunno why but I'm glad you're feeling good. When we first met you were so angry. Nowadays it kinda feels like you're floating. Like your heart is happy. Mostly."
To say her heart was happy was an understatement. It had skipped and done several backflips in the span of a few seconds.
Did he really need to be so in tune with what she was feeling? If he was gonna keep saying stuff like that she was going to have a heart attack. And what did he mean by "mostly"?
"A-anyways, never mind that." she said, desperate to change the subject. "Would you like to train again, Asta?"
He nodded with excitement.
"Of course!"
Hours later, Ichika found herself on the ground. Lying on her back staring at the sky. She was out of breath.
"You wanna go again Ichika?"
This brat...
He had beaten her. Again. There was no use of Devil Union, or Dark Magic here. It was simply a sword duel. Both of them had come to realize that they each had a real love for sword fighting. Thus they simply loved crossing blades with each other. It was their pastime. She loved Asta's foreign swordplay and how he could switch styles depending on the blade he was using. Even incorporating some of it into her fighting style. Just as she taught him some of the steps and techniques of the Yami Clan. Unlike their first few encounters there was no animosity between them. It was the two of them simply sharing something they loved doing together. Like giving a piece of yourself to someone else. In addition to another big difference.
In the short time he's been here, Asta had completely surpassed her. He didn't even have the decency to look tired. The punk.
I...*pant* t-think...*pant*...lets t-tak-..."
She struggled to get her words out but it was unnecessary.
"Ok."
He said catching her meaning instantly.
He reached his hand out for her to grab but when he did he not only took her hand but the other slid around her waist and hefted her up. Shifting to position his arm under her knees carrying her bridal style.
She almost broke out into an embarrassing fit of sputtering and sounding like some ridiculous schoolgirl, but she kept her jaw tight. Terrified of how she might sound but the embarrassed blush on her face remained as he sat her down. He rested her back against a large boulder as he sat down next to her. So close, their thighs were touching.
"I've gotten better huh?"
Ichika was still catching her breath from the sparring session. Too busy huffing and puffing to respond right away. She couldn't help but notice he was indeed sweating now that she got a better look at him. She could see the sheen of his neck muscles leading all the way down to-
"Ichika?"
"W-what!?"
"I was asking you if I'd improved."
"O-Oh..."
She hated the way her voice wavered. She always made sure to sound strong and commanding yet lately she was beginning to sound like a little girl. It was all Asta's fault!
"Are you ok? you've been kinda distracted today."
"I'm fine."
Just then, a question popped into her head. One that maybe she shouldn't ask. She had abstained from asking about it, maybe because she felt it was none of her business...but that was before she had gotten to know Asta so much. Now she wanted to know more.
"Months ago...the woman you saved...Miss Lily...who was she to you?"
Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of Asta's shocked expression, though when he turned, she could tell from his ki that he had grown solemn. Maybe this was a bad idea...
"Sister is a nun who worked at the orphanage that I grew up in."
Her head spun towards him in surprise. She turned her body towards him, giving him her full attention as he spoke.
"Not only that but she raised me."
He smiled as he recalled the memory.
"I would always ask her to marry me."
Ichika's eyes widened momentarily but quickly narrowed as she understood the gravity of the situation.
"For years I asked her to marry me but she always turned me down. Before...before Lucius...I asked her to marry me one last time. She turned me down again before she got...you know."
Ichika's jaw clenched tight. Mentally cursing herself. She'd forced him to reveal a sensitive memory and relive the memory of his defeat. She had to press on though. Couldn't let him dwell in those feelings. Not when a more interesting question found her tongue.
"Why did you want her to marry you Asta?"
She stared at him with the utmost seriousness.
He merely gaped at her as if the thought had never occurred to him before.
"I...I don't know."
Apparently, he hadn't.
Ichika could not suppress her sudden burst of anger.
"You don't know!? Marriage isn't something you take lightly Asta! It's very important! especially to women!"
He seemed taken aback. He looked down towards the ground as he ran his hands through his hair.
"Yeah. You're right. I wasn't taking it lightly though. I think...I think I thought she was the only woman who would accept me. She was the only woman who was ever kind to me growing up. I guess I got it somewhere in my head that if someone would marry me, she's the only one who would."
Ichika was silent at this. Seemingly observing him intensely.
Asta grew up poor but also had no magic. He wasn't likely to be treated kindly in any society with either of those traits. The first motherly figure who openly accepted him. It makes sense why he'd latch on to such a connection.
"So, you don't get along with any other girls in your Kingdom?" she suddenly asked.
Asta raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Hm? Oh, sure I do. Let's see there's Noelle, Mimosa, Rebecca, Vanessa, Charmy, Secre..."
Asta had gone in depth describing his friendly relationship with a dozen different women, their good points and how well they got along etc. Ichika, however, had stopped listening about 30 minutes into his rambling. Her eye began to twitch as she attempted to restrain her anger.
'What the hell? Wasn't that too many girls!? And what's with those descriptions? Quite a few of them sound like they're in love with him! Does this idiot not notice?!'
She resisted the urge to palm her face. No, of course this fool wouldn't notice...but still, did that not mean these girls had not made their feelings known? What the heck were they waiting on? Were they all just cowards or something? How long were they going to drag their feet and beat around the bush? She simply could not understand why they would sit around twiddling their thumbs for what seemed like years. Did they think he would just be available forever? Asta was strong, kind, had great values, ambition and convictions. Not to mention loyal. At some point, some girl who could see his value would snatch him up while they continued to dance around their feelings.
It couldn't just be any girl though. She couldn't just be someone strong. Or kind. Or share his ideals. She needed to be all of that but also...someone who could inspire him as well. Someone who could help him change for the better. Someone like-
Just then the images from her nightmare surfaced. And Ichika froze.
"Ichika?"
"Yes!" She was once again knocked out of her thoughts for what felt like the 10th time today. She immediately composed herself. "What is it?"
"Why did you want to know about sister Lily?"
"I...I..."
She trailed off. Her tongue fumbled to catch words as they tumbled from her lips. She was not usually so tongue tied and Asta's growing confusion was only making the situation more awkward. Luckily, her savior appeared. Right on time as if sensing her distress, Lord Ryuya called out to them from across the clearing.
"Hey, Asta! Ichika! You got a minute? I could really use your help today!"
Ichika could not be more relieved and got up and immediately ran to where her benefactor was without answering Asta's question. Leaving the young devil boy scratching his head in utter bewilderment as he got up to follow behind her.
Lord Ryu had come to collect them to handle various jobs and missions throughout the day. It lasted a lot longer than expected. Lucius' plan was still in motion, and he's already made significant progress taking over the other Kingdoms. So as the shogun of Hino Country, Ryu couldn't afford to be idle. He needed to make sure his people survived the coming apocalypse. So, their job was to help maintain peace and order while Ryu figured out his plan. So far, they'd stopped several fights, muggings, riots etc. All of it usually over supplies. Which they helped transfer to less fortunate districts. As well as guiding civilians to new locations and shelters where they would be safer.
By the time night had begun to fall it felt like her & Asta had been all over the country. Her feet hurt. She stank of sweat and her body felt grimy.
Which is why she was relieved to finally be able to relax in the dining hall with everyone else.
Currently she was seated next to Asta having dinner with the other members of the Ryuzen Seven. She would occasionally steal glances at Asta as he ate and got drunk with the others. Their previous conversation constantly played in her mind. It hadn't left her thoughts all day even as they completed their jobs. If duty wasn't enough to force the conversation out of her mind she sought to do so with food. So, she continued to shovel food into her face in the vain hope that if she forced down enough rice, shrimp, and fish, the thoughts would go with it.
Sadly, it was not meant to be. While she tried to eat, she couldn't help but picture what it would be like to be sitting around a table eating dinner with her own family. Of a husband and children. Her husband, loud and boisterous, would go on about the importance of working out and "never giving up". Her children, the five of them, would laugh at their father's antics while they bickered amongst themselves. She would reprimand them, reminding them to eat their food... right before another image appeared. In an instant, the once idyllic imagery was splashed with scarlet. Painting their dinner table a deep red and utterly ruining their meal. The children, her precious young ones, bleeding from horrendous gashes & cuts. With terrified tears staining their faces. Her loving husband, in a pool of his own blood. Blade through his chest. A look of betrayal on his face as the life drained from his eyes. She looked down at her hands soaked in the blood of her kin. Her own reflection in the blood-stained blade.
It caused Ichika's heart to lurch in her chest as she dropped the fish she was reaching for. Chopsticks grabbing nothing but air as ice cold terror ran through her veins.
"You alright Ichika?"
The Shogun himself had paused in his own meal to observe Ichika.
She righted herself immediately. Despite her heart still pounding in her ears.
"Y-yes my lord. Just tired from all the work today."
Asta also tried to ask what was wrong, but he was too drunk to form a coherent sentence. So she waved it off and gave him some of her nomonatoes instead to ease his concerns. Before long he was laughing again, too drunk to remember what had just happened and decided to go hit the hot springs with Daizaemon and Jozou.
A couple hours passed, and soon the other members filed out of the room. Thanking Ryuya for the meal and returning to their own rooms after having had their fill.
Lord Ryuya, however, had watched her closely. Particularly her interactions with Asta. While Ichika wasn't looking, he gestured to the maid and let her know to leave the room. When the door slid shut, he'd decided that being direct was the best option.
"So, when are you gonna take the next step with Asta?"
Ichika dropped the bowl she was holding, and it bounced against the tatami. She spun around to look at her benefactor. Shock and embarrassment plain on her face. In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to make excuses. To deny it. To ask what he meant. But those words died on her tongue. The look on his face said that they both knew exactly what he was talking about, and she would get nowhere trying to play stupid with him. So, she turned from him to look at the floor instead and clean up her mess. Face still red from having been called out by Ryuya of all people.
"I... I can't do that."
Ryuya set his drink down and smiled.
"And why is that?"
She paused in the middle of wiping the floor.
"We...we just can't my lord."
"Ichika..."
"I am a member of the Ryuzen Seven." she reaffirmed. "My place is here." She'd finished cleaning up the food and properly put away the remains for the maid to clean up. "Asta...Asta is a foreigner. He has his own Kingdom." Ryuya said nothing and allowed her to continue. "He has people he cares about. People he's known longer than me."
'People he cares about more...'
It was silent for a moment. The bustling sounds of the Goshu district could be heard from beyond the walls of the palace. As a heavy atmosphere took hold of the room. One that was quickly dispersed by Ryuya.
"You could just leave."
Ichika spun around to look at him once more. Her jaw practically on the floor as she stared at him in disbelief.
He simply smiled.
"What? Did you think I wouldn't allow you to leave?"
"B-but what about the Ryuzen Seven?"
"They'll survive. We'd miss you of course, but if you want to go off and be with the guy you like we're not going to stop you. I wouldn't prevent you from doing something you really want to do. If you want to go with Asta, you could just stay with him. Plus, it's where Sukehiro lives. It's not like you have no connections there either."
Ichika closed her mouth. She felt her eyes water, but she pushed it down. The thought of seeing her brother again was really tempting. She had so many things to say, to ask, and shout at him.
But then the vision from earlier floated back to the surface of her mind. Causing a chill to run up her spine.
"Ichika what's really going on? You're not usually this...uncertain. Is there something else?"
Ichika let out a haggard sigh. She could be upfront with Lord Ryuya. He would not laugh at her concerns. Ryuya was wise and knew many things even from the time he was young. He may even have the answers she seeks.
"Do you really think...someone like me can ask for a family?"
For the first time Ryuya seemed taken aback. Genuinely shocked, and almost hurt that she would ask such a question. His demeanor quickly relaxed as his expression grew solemn.
"Ah. I see...So this is about what happened back then."
Ichika struggled to find her words and chose to keep her eyes to the floor.
"I know it's irrational, but when I close my eyes...in my nightmares...it's all I see. Me bringing down the blade upon my own clan. My own family. Is that what a wife does? Is that what a mother does? How can I claim to become either of those things? How can someone who slayed their own family claim to want one of their own? Would that not be the biggest insult to those that died?"
There was a long silence before anyone said anything. All Ichika could hear was her own breath. She was exhausted emotionally and physically. Wanting nothing more than to curl up into a ball and let darkness swallow her.
"Ichika...you have to know none of that was your fault."
She did. It did not change how she felt. And she promptly told him so.
The Shogun of Hino sighed and looked towards his empty bowl in an attempt to collect his thoughts. As if his answers would be on the tiny few remaining specs of rice littered about his utensils.
"I don't think a single one of them would blame you for what happened. Your old man was always the crazy one. If anything, I think if they had survived, they'd probably kick his ass for doing that to his own daughter."
That made her smile.
"You say that you having a family would insult them but would it really? That's not the only way to look at it. You could see it as an opportunity to restore the Yami Clan. Ichika, I think you have the opportunity to re-define your clan's legacy. Your father wanted to turn your clan into the killers of old...but maybe you could be the start of something new."
Her eyes grew wide as she pondered this. She hadn't considered it that way. As her mind whirled with the implications, Ryuya continued.
"What you choose to be and how you choose to define yourself now are up to you. You could either see yourself as the daughter that murdered her entire clan...or you can be the mother who gave rise to a new Yami Clan. It's up to you...but in my view you shouldn't let that man's actions define you. Murdering the Yami Clan is his crime. Not yours. I'm sure Asta feels the same."
For a moment, the image of Asta standing over her to protect her from her father, just as her brother did flashed in her mind.
Despite herself she felt her face heat up at the memory. Maybe she should tell Asta about this as well. She got choked up listening to Lord Ryuya reassure her in this manner. He was someone she greatly respected. Though she did not view him romantically he was someone she saw as her extended family. He was a better father to her than her birth father ever was. And for that she would always be grateful. She supposed it was fitting to have him essentially be the one to "give her away" like this. He was right though. She couldn't keep blaming herself for something that she couldn't control back then. It has to stop. Now was the time to start creating the future, not living in a past that she could not change. Nightmares or not she would move forward with Asta.
"It seems you agree." Ryuya said carefully, reading her expression. "Nothing wrong with taking that next step this early in your life. Neither of you are getting any younger. Not to mention the world might not be here very long. Grab what little happiness you can and not let go."
She sat there for a moment and contemplated the words of her benefactor. In their culture it was strange not to be married at this age. Not that she ever cared about what her culture thought about how she lived. But it did mean there was nothing wrong in pursuing it. Asta was already a demon. So having him marry into a clan that was once known as demon people wouldn't at all be strange. Their union only felt right the more she thought about it. Despite his short time here she had already felt like she had known him for years. Their bond was made even stronger through their shared connection to her brother. Asta had adopted a lot of his mannerisms without knowing it. They were a lot alike. Not to mention he was someone her brother had already approved of. Having Asta marry into the Yami Clan essentially meant he'd become Sukehiro's brother-in-law. She didn't think Sukehiro would have an issue with that. The problem was with Asta himself. It was possible that he didn't feel the same but whether that was true or not she would tell him how she felt regardless of the outcome. If the fact that she loved him made him uncomfortable then he would just have to put up with it.
Ichika suddenly stood up. New resolve flowed through her as she turned to her lifelong benefactor and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Lord Ryuya. For everything."
Ryuya's smile broke out into a huge grin as Ichika walked towards the exit.
"Oh. Looks like you know what you wanna do now. I hope it goes well for you, Ichika. I mean that."
She knew he did. He was always helping her. In fact, you could even say that if it wasn't for him she wouldn't have fallen in love with Asta...and the thought made Ichika pause. Causing her eyes to slowly widen. Was it not Lord Ryu that made her train Asta? On its own that might not have seemed strange but then he made her watch over him. Why? Surely by then he would have noticed she didn't like him at all at that time. She'd been outright hostile towards him. Why make them work together? He could have chosen any of the Ryuzen to do so...
She stopped in front of the door.
"Lord Ryuya."
"Hm? Something wrong?" He was curious as to why she was stopping now.
"Did you...did you know that things would end up this way? between me and Asta?"
Ryuya's calm demeanor didn't change. Nor did he hesitate to answer.
"The future is unpredictable, Ichika. I might be able to see many things, but even I can't tell how things are going to turn out."
That answer seemed to satisfy her as Ichika nodded one last time and excused herself. While Ichika typically took what Ryuya said to heart but as she walked towards the hot springs, she felt as though her Lord was still hiding something. Maybe she was better off not knowing. Not like it mattered anyway. It didn't change how she felt. Right now, she had bigger things to worry about.
Having just got out of the hot bath Ichika slid into her night robes and headed down the hall to Asta's room. With renewed confidence she stood in front of his door. Making sure to look both ways before lightly tapping at it. She felt like a naughty child doing something she wasn't supposed to. Normally she wouldn't do this at night but all their duties and responsibilities during the day might ruin her chances to say something. The entire country, let alone the other Ryuzen members would have a field day if they knew she was coming to a boy's room in the middle of the night, but she pushed the thought aside as she heard Asta's voice from the other side. Quickly followed by footsteps.
The door slid open, and he was immediately taken aback. Whether he bothered to sense her ki or not she wasn't sure. Or maybe he had, and he just couldn't believe it.
"Huh!? I-I-Ichk-"
She quickly clamped a hand over his mouth before he could finish. Didn't want him shouting her name to the heavens in the middle of the night. Before a naughtier part of her mind could chime in and take that thought in the wrong direction she spoke up.
"Can I come in?" she whispered. Silently hoping the blanket of night was enough to mask the color of her cheeks.
Asta, with eyes still comically wide, slowly nodded and allowed her inside.
His room was surprisingly neat considering what she knew about him. She initially got the impression that he'd be the sloppy type, but it seems she was still learning many new things about Asta. She wanted to know more, she realized. Possibly keep learning forever.
They sat down across from one another at the foot of his futon. Sitting in the seiza position. Glancing around the room it appeared as though the little devil wasn't around. Probably resting within Asta's Grimoire. Good. That means he wouldn't disturb them.
Ichika didn't waste any time in telling him about her nightmares. It made for a decent excuse anyway. Suddenly appearing in his room at night because her nightmares were keeping her awake and wanting to talk to someone to get it off her chest just sounded natural. The perfect guise for her real intentions. It wasn't entirely a distraction either. She had genuinely wanted to talk with him about this for a while now. She began her confession with what really happened on the day that her brother had left and how those memories had been haunting her dreams ever since they were uncovered. Needless to say, Asta was shocked. She'd told him before of how she felt when her brother left but she had never explained why he left. Until now anyways.
"I agree with Ryuya. It's all that man's fault. Ichika committed no crimes!" he practically shouted.
She chided him to keep his voice down but was still smiling regardless. It felt as though a large weight was removed from her chest. Now her heart fluttered about in her rib-cage like a restless bird.
"But wow, so that's why he left? Captain Yami is amazing..."
She agreed. It seemed his respect for her brother had gone even higher after hearing that. She was the same after coming to terms with what happened.
But now it was time for the big one.
"Asta." she started. Grabbing his attention. "Do you remember the conversation we had this morning?" He looked perplexed but nodded slowly. No doubt wondering why she suddenly wanted to talk about that now of all times. "Why did you want to get married Asta?" She could see his mouth open slightly. As if he were at a loss for words. When he finally found the words, he'd been looking for he looked to the ground slightly but then suddenly his eyes stared into hers with a fierce intensity. "Because I wanted a family." Her breath caught in her throat. She could feel a lump forming but she pushed it down and nodded for him to continue. "I always felt alone. Like there was no one like me. I used to look at all the kids surrounded by siblings and parents and get real jealous. Sure, I had the orphanage, but it wasn't quite the same." He rubbed his hands through his hair and a sad smile graced his face. "I always felt...different. The "other" y'know? So, it was always a dream of mine to have a really big family..." he trailed off. "Was?" she asked. "As in, 'not anymore?' " He nodded. I guess I kinda gave up on it after sister turned me down. I mean if the only woman to love me isn't willing to, then who would?" He didn't sound depressed or resigned. He spoke nonchalantly as if it were simply a fact. Ichika could only grip the leg of her robe and resist the urge to punch something. "Besides I already have a family in the Black Bulls! So, it's fine if I never have a wife. It's hard enough just being me and being partnered with a devil. I wouldn't want to subject some innocent girl to all of that."
Ichika took a moment to process what she just heard. With her jaw tense, she stared right into his eyes without looking away. Choosing her words carefully.
"Would you still get married if you could? Like...if you met a girl who wanted to marry you?"
Asta shrugged dismissively. "Well yeah, it'd be nice and all but where am I going to find someone like that?" He laughed like the notion was genuinely silly to him. As if they were talking about some abstract nonsense like having tea with a Unicorn. Like the prospect of him finding a partner and starting a family was some far away childish fantasy that ought to be put to rest. That stops tonight.
Ichika was done thinking that she didn't deserve a family. Done blaming her brother and herself for past mistakes. Done believing she couldn't be a mother because of what she did. Done letting Asta think he wasn't worth being loved. Most importantly, she was done pretending she wasn't in love with Asta. She would not let an entire year go by while saying nothing to the man she loved. Those other girls wasted all that time despite being so close to him and never managed to say anything. This was their own fault. She would not be like them. She would not dawdle. They could continue twiddling their thumbs for all she cared. She would take what was hers.
She was suddenly incredibly aware of their close proximity and the sound of her heart pounding in her chest.
"Ichika? Are you ok? You feel... different..."
So he was sensing her ki now was he? Seems like he still doesn't understand what this feeling is. Looks like she would have to show him.
"It seems I have to be direct. Otherwise, you'll never get it."
Asta looked at her with utter confusion. Ichika merely continued to stare at him as she undid her braid. Letting her pitch-black locks fall over her shoulders. She stood up and stepped over to him. Planting each foot on either side of his knees. She knelt down, reaching out to cup his face with her palm. Her other hand running through his hair. Beautiful black locks cascaded over his face like a curtain of darkness. Asta remained frozen in place. Sheer bewilderment kept him rooted to his seat. She eyed his lips as she licked her own before descending upon him. Claiming his mouth as her own.
She didn't know how long the kiss lasted. Time seemed irrelevant to her. All she knew was that her heart was beating like she had just run a marathon when it was over. She pulled back. Her face flushed with heat as she stared down at him. She felt hot and wanted to feel more of him.
Asta's mouth merely hung open. A single string of saliva connecting their lips. His eyes as wide as saucers as he stared up at Ichika. He tried to speak.
"I...Ich-"
She wouldn't let him finish. She descended upon him again. Claiming his lips once more. This time, the shock had worn off, and instinct took over. Asta was now kissing her back in full. His hands traveled up her thighs. Rolling over her perfect hips, to rest at her waist. Causing her to unconsciously grind into him as she sat in his lap. Their kissing intensified. Tongues now battling for dominance like two warriors crossing blades on battlefield.
Asta's hands ran over her back pulling her in, then traveled south once more to grip her rear. Eliciting a moan from both of them as they ground into each other once more.
Asta was drowning in Ichika. Her touch, her taste, her scent all overwhelmed him. Yet he couldn't get enough. He moved his hands from her rear to her thighs. Giving them a light squeeze that made her moan into their kiss. As if sensing what he was about to do she snaked her arm around his neck, locking it in place he picked her up and carried her over to his bed.
As their session continued, darkness began to roll off of Ichika in waves. Shadowy murk spilled forth, creeping over the floor and up the walls until it consumed both. Flooding the room in a sea of darkness. They were floating. They weren't even touching the bed anymore. They floated in a sea of pitch black nothing. A place that seemingly had no gravity. Where all Asta could feel was Ichika and where all Ichika could feel was Asta.
Their tempo increased. Then their positions flipped. Somehow Ichika was on top once more. She made sure to run her hands over his muscles. Freely exploring his sculpted figure that she always admired during their training. Leaving marks all over his neck. To make sure that when he went back to his homeland those other girls would know she'd been here. That he belonged to her.
The dark waves began to splash and crash in the room itself. The darkness danced as if in celebration of their union. The devil claimed by the princess of darkness.
Minutes went by and they floated back down onto the futon as they came down from their high. Asta on his back staring up at her as they finally pulled apart. Each gasping for breath as their breathing finally slowed to a light panting.
The darkness began to recede out of the room. Returning to Ichika. Much like a bathtub being drained.
Asta stared up at her. Utterly enamored by her slightly disheveled appearance. The sound of her breath, the sheen of her sweat, and the beautiful blush that graced her cheeks. She practically glowed even in the darkness. He stared into her lust filled eyes as she gazed back longingly into his.
He didn't know what to say. It turns out he didn't have to. It was her who spoke first.
"Do you get it now?" Somehow, she managed to sound as though she wasn't out of breath. An incredible feat for sure.
Asta could only nod. Too shocked to say anything else. He was ignorant but he would have to lack a brain entirely to not understand her feelings after what they just did. He was still struggling to process it all but the reality before him was explicitly clear. Ichika was in love with him.
"Good." She took some time to breathe before continuing. Likely to contemplate her next choice of words. She reached for his hands, placing them on either side of him and laced her fingers with his.
"If you understand then...after you defeat Lucius...will you marry me Asta?"
As if his mind hadn't received enough surprises. That one nearly made his brain shut down on the spot. First, she makes out with him and now she asks him to marry her? He'd never in his wildest dreams imagined that anyone would ever ask him that. Let alone Ichika of all people. The reason behind all of their previous conversations today suddenly clicked but it took all Asta's willpower to not lose consciousness from sheer shock.
He'd been through a lot with Ichika in the time he's spent in Hino. They'd formed a strange connection unlike any he'd previously had before. He no longer had any romantic feelings toward sister Lily. Nor any other girl from his Kingdom. And after tonight? Knowing what he did now? There was no other answer for him. If he could make it work with any girl, it would definitely be Ichika.
"Yeah." He watched her eyes widen as she gripped his hands even tighter.
"Let's get married Ichika." As the words left his mouth, he could see the tears well up in her eyes. She must've been worried about his answer. Ichika gave an exhausted laugh of relief causing her tears to finally drop and drizzle onto him.
"I want..."
Suddenly she collapsed on top of him. Probably from exhaustion. Or maybe relief. Or elation. He couldn't tell which.
"a lot of children." she finished. It came out as a whisper, but Asta still heard her loud and clear. He didn't have a problem with that, but when he tried to ask her how many he didn't get a response. All he heard was breathing.
She was fast asleep.
Her fingers were still laced with his as she lay her head on his chest.
Unbelievable. He took her hands, with their fingers still entwined and wrapped them around her waist as she slept.
All Asta could do was lie back and try to wrap his mind around what the hell just happened. Then a new problem appeared at the forefront of his mind…
'How am I going to explain this to Captain Yami?'
Liebe emerged from Asta's Grimoire with a great yawn and long stretch. Eager to start the day.
He'd retired early yesterday due to all the drinking they were doing. Even devils could get a little drunk it seemed. But now he was ready for a hard day of traini-
His thoughts were cut short as he looked over at Asta's bed. His brother was sleeping as slovenly as usual…but he wasn't the only one in the bed.
Ichika, the girl who was more like a demon than any human he'd ever met, was laid out on top of Asta. Sleeping snugly against his chest. Face flushed and drooling slightly. Looking deliriously happy as she muttered bizarre nonsense like 'children finish your food' and 'Asta don't let the kids play with weapons'.
Liebe struggled to comprehend what he was looking at and could only stare open mouthed at them as Asta's snores filled the room.
'What the hell happened while I was asleep!?'