Miko's class today focused on pole dancing. Ayaka went through it all, gyrating her hips while suspending her upper body. She couldn't concentrate. Her hands slipped and she landed on her bottom. Yae Miko had been walking around, correcting students. Now, she stopped at Ayaka's pole.
"Ayaka," she said. "See me after class."
"Yes, Dr. Miko."
At 8:30, the class ended. Ayaka waited in her seat while everyone else left. Once they were alone, the shrine maiden approached her.
"So? What's bothering you?"
As usual, Lady Guuji proved herself perceptive. Ayaka sighed.
"Well, I appreciate your instruction in sexual recreation. It's been truly helpful, but I want more. I want to know: How can I be the perfect wife?"
Yae Miko didn't laugh. She didn't even give one of her coy smiles. Her reaction was most unexpected. Her cheeks lit up bright red and her ears flattened.
"Oh… um, I wouldn't know anything about that."
"You don't?"
"Sorry."
Incredible. Lady Guuji was a sexual encyclopedia. There wasn't a single bedroom art beyond her knowledge, no matter how niche. To think, she was stumped by marriage.
"I'm surprised," said Ayaka. "I assumed you had a long list of admirers."
"Admirers? Certainly, they admire my body and power. I suppose Aether's the first to admire me."
Yae Miko gathered up her papers, shuffling them into a stack which she tucked under her armpit. Her eyes lingered on the window. For a moment, Miko seemed truly lonely.
Ayaka never imagined how she must've felt all these centuries. Plenty of people hopped into her bed. But few remained come morning.
"Now, now, don't look so sad," said Miko. "I never wanted to settle down before I met him."
"Still, I am sorry," said Ayaka. "I suppose when it comes to matrimony, we'll both be students learning at the same time."
The Lady Guuji managed a smile.
"Yes," she agreed. "It should certainly prove a novel experience for us both."
"Then we can teach each other," said Ayaka. "Sometimes the best learning comes from doing."
The pair departed.