[D5 MA - Boardwalk, Beach, and Ferris Wheel (expecting)

[Kakita Haruhi]

And so they made their way to the ferris wheel - the Nakahama Koku.

Haruhi had arranged tickets for the ride, which was a one hour tour including a meal. The interior was luxurious. And the glass was a particular quality that made it easy to look out, but very shaded if anyone tried to look in from the street level. Both the height and the shaded glass increased the privacy.

The line of customers waiting was almost entirely couples.

There were drinks and snacks ready to enjoy, including a starter course of fresh shrimp cocktail.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

The young racer looks around her from time to time, but she's mostly focused on Haruhi. "This is an excellent place. I had only seen it from afar till now. You really spoil me, Haruhi chan." She turns to the woman to her side, her eyes searching hers and grins. "Truth or dare?" She asks.

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi smiled, snugging up against her in the gondola. She occasionally turned her head to take in the majestic views, but was mostly content to have her head tucked against Senshu's shoulder.

"Oh! That sounds fun. I'm game. How do we start? I haven't actually played this game before."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Senshu lays a soft kiss on the top of her head before turning her eyes to the view again. "Well you begin with this exact question. Truth or dare? I asked, you pick one of the two and I give you the challenge. Either a question that must be resoonded honestly or, well," she shrugs, "a dare."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Hmmm...

Dare sounded daring. But truth was intriguing also.

"Truth," she decided. They had plenty of time for both.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Hmmm, let me see," she says playfully. "How about this. Did you think of me since our last date?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

"Of course I did! Often. I was planning this event, and it required thinking about you a lot!" A happy smile. "I tried to remember everything you had said, to plan accordingly."

"I thought about you also while laying in my bed, trying to sleep."

"And you? Truth or dare?"

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"While laying in your bed, huh?" She grins. "I think that I know my next question!"

"Well, it will be dare for me!"

[Kakita Haruhi]

A dare! Oh, but she had to be bold in the asking.

A kiss would be a delight, but ... hmmm ... was it daring enough? It felt like it ought to be bold. Perhaps even a little thrillingly scary for Senshu. But she appeared afraid of nothing.

Hmmm...

"I dare you to tell me every person you are currently dating or flirting with in the hopes of more on this island."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Err..." She seems hesitant. "I cannot name people. You could say that I'm traditional in that. No names in courtly romance."

A pause. "I have gone out with you, of course. The girl I've already told you about. And I have plans for another date with a third girl." She replies honestly. "Do you... mind? Is it uncomfortable for you?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi flushed. "I should not have asked you to name them. I'm sorry."

"I did want a sense of ...how many. How active, I guess. How likely I am to see you with someone else at an event. So I could prepare myself."

Did it bother her? Did it make her uncomfortable?

"I'm not sure what the right word is for how it makes me feel," she answered honestly. "There is no promise of single-minded focus between us. You told me about the one already. I am not the first. What we have cannot last. It cannot put down roots."

"But also I think about you a lot. I am jealous, I think. But you have done nothing wrong. I am just trying to figure it out. I think ... I think one day I will be glad to be married and want fidelity then, though not all offer it."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Senshu has already been holding her close, but her words make her hold her even tighter. She lays another kiss on the top of her head.

"I can promise you that publicly you will never see me behaving in a way that will hurt you." Another squeeze. "And that if I ever were a negotiator in a treaty between our clans, I would be more than happy to casually drop my name next to yours. For roots to have a chance to be put down."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi sighed in bliss at that forehead kiss and even tighter snuggle. Ahhhhhhhh.

"I don't ever want to hurt you or restrict you. You are a racer. Wild. Free."

"But ... I would be glad. If Fortune gave us the chance to put down roots. A lifetime of focus and care. A prayer to leave in Benten-o-kami's hands. Something very beautiful could grow."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Do you really believe that it is possible to marry out of love? Or have love bloom in your marriage at least?" She asks.

[Kakita Haruhi]

She looked up at her, smiling.

"I believe anything is possible to do with skill, if you put all your heart into it, and practice every day. And what is love but an action. A choosing to do. A muscle that builds with daily practice over a lifetime. Nothing will stop me from loving the person I marry. I will choose to love them with all my heart, all my focus, all my attention, all my skill. And why shouldn't I? It will bless both our lives to have that harmony."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

She doesn't seem convinced. "I'm not certain that it is like that. Your heart or theirs could already be given for instance. Or you might be entirely different people. You might even dislike each other." She sighs softly. "I am the last bargaining chip of my family. The youngster of a provincial governor in a quite influential world. My eldest sister is to take up the mantle in the coming years. Either she or my mother will want to make the most out of my wedding. I don't hope for love, but for co existence. Harmonious if possible."

[Kakita Haruhi]

"It would certainly be easier if your partner is kind and attentive. No one can expect to always be together. There is always duty. The duties may not be the same. But ... ah, I do hope for someone like you. For you precisely."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

The Scorpion grins. "You are so sweet, Haruhi chan, that words are not enough. My sweet sweet mochi. If this ever happened, I would keep you in my hands like the most valuable treasure. I would wake you up with kisses every day and have the servants bring you breakfast in bed. I'd prepare one small surprise every day. Poems and flowers hidden for you to find. I would take you out for dinner, each evening and a different place. And at night, I would make you feel so good and wanted that the brightest smile would never leave your face."

[Kakita Haruhi]

Senshu caught a glimpse of what that brightest smile might look like.

Haruhi beamed and hugged her tight.

And then pulled back only to have enough space to take Senshu's right hand, kiss the back of her palm, and place happy little kisses all the way up, at her wrist, all along her arm, her shoulder, her neckline, her jawline, her chin.

A path leading at last to her lips.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Senshuken just stays silent and content to enjiy all the kisses. When Haruhi’s lips reach her own, she places her hand on her cheek and draws her closer for one long and fiery kiss. A different one than those they have shared till now.