Chapter 50
This is the day
Kazuki smoothed out his dark burgundy kimono nervously. The silk sat perfectly upon his shoulders, but his heart refused to settle.
The past weeks had been filled with plot twists, leading to this blissful evening. Convincing Katrine Eriksen to fly out of Japan without her daughter in tow for Christmas had been strangely easy; no one valued work constraints more than the shrewd business woman.
Learning that Shintarō was ditching his fiancée at the last minute, staying in the flat where he’d planned to wine and dine Elyna ranked higher. Kazuki had had to summon his best Qi Gong routine to prevent himself from throttling his flatmate… And selling his secret.
Hence a last-minute scramble to secure a nice hotel room, a luxury he would never have afforded himself. But desperate situations called for desperate measures.
Bah. This is more romantic. Too bad his bank account was screaming bloody murder, and his flat would probably be a mess when Shintarō left on the 27th.
At least, my room is clean.
Kazuki was fiddling with his collar when the bathroom door opened. The sight of Elyna settled all thoughts of foiled plans and unreasonable expenses.
She was clad in pink silk borrowed from Satsuki, the delicate pattern of embroidery catching the warm hotel lighting.
The colour emphasised her golden hair and storm-blue eyes.
Her tresses were pinned in a loose chignon, leaving wavy strands to frame the oval of her face.
Her makeup was subtle and light, but gave her a perfect glow for the festive evening.
The transformation left him stunned; the traditional clothes stirred something strong in his chest. His eyes fell on the obi that hung in her hands, an intricate silver and white brocade that looked almost historical. Elyna’s sheepish smile was his undoing, and he couldn’t help but beam.
The compliment came easy. “You are magnificent.”
Elyna’s cheeks flushed. “I … uh. I can’t manage the obi. Could you...?”
Throat suddenly dry, Kazuki approached slowly. “Of course, I’ll do my best.”
Elyna turned around, revealing the sensual space at her nape. Smooth and delicate, begging to be kissed. Kazuki took a deep breath, eyes roaming around to suppress the urge to devour her; Elyna looked good enough to eat.
His hands itched to unravel layer after layer of silk to taste her skin. Irrelevant. Get a grip! He searched his mind to remember how to make a bow. He hadn’t helped tie a kimono sash since…
No, better not to remember.
“Hold this,” he ordered, positioning the obi around her waist. The gesture felt intimate. He had to wrap her several times, pulling the rigid silk snug against her curves until he was essentially embracing her from behind.
A waft of jasmine made him pause; he couldn’t help but dip his nose to the sacred space of her nape. Elyna gasped, stilling in his arms. His blood blazed, causing a not so innocent coil to tighten in his abdomen. Kazuki stepped back cautiously, mindful not to crush the half-tied bow.
A few minutes later, he contemplated his handiwork with satisfaction. Bending close, he slid the words in her ear. “There. All set, my golden lady.”
Elyna shuddered, then leant back carefully, plastering her side against his chest. The silk of her kimono brushed against his as she turned; only then did she seem to realise that he, too, was dressed to the nines. Her lips parted silently.
“Kazu-san,” she breathed.
Her awed expression caused heat to creep up his neck. Have I gone overboard? “Too much?”
Elyna shook her head, her hand rising to rest upon the burgundy silk at his chest. Her fingers remained there a moment, feeling his heartbeat through the fabric before drifting upwards along the collar line. Her hand stopped an instant on his bare skin, the touch feather-light.
“You look incredible, my Tsuki.”
The nickname bathed him in warmth. Kazuki dipped slowly; Elyna welcomed him, offering her soft lips eagerly. His hand ached to caress the curve of her spine, but the obi prevented it; he cupped her jaw instead, sliding his thumb at the corner of her mouth in a slow stroke.
Elyna whimpered; he pulled away before the fire could consume him. Tonight was a shared celebration, and he intended to romance his lover properly. Elyna went to fetch her bag only to pause when she spotted his feet underneath the kimono.
“Won’t you be cold with those?” Her eyebrows dipped, eyes fixed on the white cotton peeking beneath his hem. “It’s wet outside, and your feet…”
“The tabi socks are lined up, it’s heavy winter gear.”
She bent—as much as the kimono allowed—to examine his feet, ever curious about Japanese ingenuity. It gave Kazuki the opportunity to mull over the silk packet that sat in his sleeve. Now, or later? Would she even understand the loaded statement? Was he moving too fast?
Gathering his courage, he fished the present from his kimono and presented it; hands extended and head bowed. Elyna straightened; this held significance, and his smart woman knew it.
“Is it Christmas already?” she asked, cheeks colouring.
“No.” His voice came out rough, heart hammering. “Your present is at home. But this … well, let’s say it fits the mood.”
Elegant fingers reached for the packet, and he longed to capture them just for a breath, if only to delay the moment. But this very instant was almost sacred to his old-fashioned soul, and he watched Elyna open the silk flap, the rustle of fabric covering her small gasp.
“May I?” she blushed, eyes finding his.
“Of course,” he smoothly responded. “Beauty is meant to adorn beauty after all.”
To his satisfaction, the slight redness of her cheeks turned into a crimson tide as she fished out the delicate kanzashi from its sheath.
Her sharp intake of breath told him that, despite his best efforts to downplay the significance of the gift, Elyna knew.
In old times, to offer a hairpin was to ask for courtship.
Marriage, even, in certain circumstances.
She observed the tiny cherry blossoms with awe, all polished silver and nacre.
“I know the sakura are out of seasons, but they remind me of the first time you walked into my class.”
Elyna ducked her head, thoroughly overwhelmed as her finger caressed the pearl neatly nestled at the base of the hairpin, a reminder that she was his sea fairy. When, eventually, she lifted her star-struck gaze to him; in those beloved pools danced a little mist.
“Thank you, my Tsuki! It is so gorgeous.”
His chest almost ached with tenderness as the promise settled between them without another word. “May I?”
Elyna presented her hairdo so he could slide the kanzashi in her golden tresses. Then he took a moment to admire his companion for the night.
The ancient symbol sat sideways in her bright mane, chains jingling when Elyna lifted her head. Heart swelling, he couldn’t help but be reminded of Rapunzel. Though instead of him reaching out for her tower, she had travelled across the world to find him. “Beautiful,” he breathed.
Elyna’s smile dazzled him silly.