"Well, look who recovered from- what was it again? Rabies?" Hiiro teases me as I slide onto a seat at the kitchen table, a bowl and cereal out in front of me.

I hum in response, not really listening. My stomach still feels like it's full of fireworks. Every few minutes I have to fight down the urge to smile.

Hiiro putting a plate down beside me has me look up, my eyes unfocused.

"Hm?"

"Damn, you're totally out of it." He comments with surprise, going so far as to wave a hand in front of my face. "Were you actually sick or something?"

I shovel in a spoon of cereal, Hiiro's phone suddenly ringing out from his back pocket.

He pulls it out with annoyance, but upon reading the caller ID suddenly looks frantic. He darts his eyes to me, staring at him curiously, and then back to the phone.

He answers the phone, darting from the table as he talks in hushed tones to the caller, heading straight into his room.

Albeit a little confused, I pay no heed and finish my breakfast, gathering my things before leaving the flat for school.

Stepping out onto the pavement, I turn and nearly yell, dropping my bag from my shoulder.

Kubinashi raises his hands in alarm, having not expected such a reaction. He's wearing sunglasses and a scarf, my scarf. Wait, that's not important right now. Why is he here?!

"Kubinashi-san?" I whisper-shout, quickly looking around as though we're doing something suspicious. It feels wrong to be with him out in daylight. 

"Katsumi-san, I didn't mean to scare you." He says awkwardly, watching as I pick my bag back up.

"No, I- What are you doing here? I mean, sorry- that sounded rude."

"No, no. It's perfectly alright. I came to escort you- Rikuo-sama's orders."

"Rikuo- ah! The other night. I'm, uh. God this is awkward." I raise a hand to shield my face from him, as if that'll somehow hide my embarrassment. I wasn't expecting to meet Kubinashi so soon! I haven't planned out an explanation for him or anything! Things only went okay with Rikuo because he also had a secret. Plus he's now my boyfriend...

"If it's about the other night, I won't pretend I wasn't surprised."

I look up to Kubinashi, my eyes wide.

"But, if it's any consolation, no one knows. I'm sure you had your reasons for hiding- most yokai do. But rest assured that no other beings beside me and the Young Master currently know."

"Ah," tears well up before I can stop them, gratitude hitting me like a bomb shell. Kubinashi doesn't notice, continuing on to try and explain how he respects me, only to be stopped by me throwing my arms around his torso.

"K-Katsumi-san?"

"Sorry, I mean thank you, I mean-" I pull away, quickly clearing my throat and sucking the tears back in. Control your emotions, Umi! "You're just wonderful, you know that? Thank you for understanding."

I grin up at him, and for a moment he's completely speechless, his shades sat wonkily on his nose.

"You're...welcome. We should- I should get you to the station. Ahem. The Young Master is waiting."

"Right! Thank you!"

At the station I meet up with Rikuo and Tsurara, Kubinashi keeping his distance so as to keep a look out for any threats.

I'm almost knocked over by the small girl as she runs and wraps her arms around me, pouring out her relief that I'm okay, and then scolding me for not keeping in contact.

Rikuo offers me a small smile, which I return. Our cheeks both light up as we're reminded that we're technically in a relationship right now. Yet things feel more awkward than ever.

I scoot in next to the brunette boy on the train, grasping a railing beside his.

"Hi," I say shyly, checking to make sure Tsurara isn't listening.

"Hey."

"So, about last night. I know it was kinda sudden but-" I clear my throat, my cheeks heating up, "I was wondering if you'd told anyone yet?"

He shakes his head, "no, I haven't. Not yet at least. " He pulls at the collar of his school shirt. "I've never really been in- with someone-"

I smile, understanding what he's trying to say, "me neither. You're my first."

"I am?"

He seems surprised by this new information, and my smile grows. "Since we're both new at this, I was sort of hoping if maybe we could keep it quiet for a bit? If you don't mind that is? Give us some time to figure out how this works?"

I feel his fingers slide between mine, the gesture hidden by the crowd of passengers around us. His face is beet red again, his glasses sliding down his nose.

"I was, uh- actually hoping you'd say that. I don't even want to think about how my household would react."

I giggle lightly, "they'd probably throw a three-day party. They love you very much you know?"

"Heh, yeah. It's...kinda scary actually." He looks up and in the direction of Kubinashi, and the other yokai who have been escorting him these last few days. I really should go over and say hi to all of them some time.

"That reminds me, I was wondering if you wanted to come over today? Everyone has been missing you, even if they try and act like they haven't when I'm around. It would be a good chance to tell them that I know, actually. It explains why Natto Kozu-san and Tofu Kozu-san have been practicing shogi a lot recently."

"I'm guessing Kubinashi-san told you about that did he?"

"Oh, yeah. Though to be fair I didn't really give him much of a choice," Rikuo rubs the back of his head awkwardly, "I kind of ordered him to tell me how you knew each other. But to think even Zen-sama had a part in this." Rikuo's brows knit together in annoyance as he shakes a fist. "I'll have to have a word with him too."

I grin, finding Rikuo's frustration cute, that little irk mark on his forehead.

I squeeze his hand tightly in mine, bringing his attention back to me.

"I'd love to come by yours today. I should tell everyone myself about what's been going on. It isn't fair to keep it a secret anymore."

"What secret?"

Me and Rikuo both jump apart as Tsurara squirms her way between us, looking between us with suspicion.

"Oh, uh! Just that Umi-san has secretly been studying for Kiyotsugu-sama's next pop quiz."

Tsurara has an expression of awe, and I mouth to Rikuo "well done", for his quick thinking.

"So you know what Kiyotsugu-san's next quiz is?! Why didn't you tell me!"

"Uhhh," I look to Rikuo, but this time he has no answer.

Oh bother.