The expression on Sora's face was one unlike any Id seen before. And that wasn't a good thingー it was a face that looked torn. It hurt my chest to see it. Regardless, I had to go through with this. If getting married was the only way to protect myself and everyone else, then that's what I was going to do.
Haruka looked just as shocked and horrified as Sora did. "A-Ayano?? You were listening? Please, you can'tー"

"If that's the only way to protect me and everyone else," I interrupted. "Then I'll do it."

I was dead serious. If my powers were sealed, Sora wouldn't have to protect me anymore. I couldn't let him put himself in danger any longer... Thinking about what had been done to him before made my chest ache.
It would break my heart to lose him like that...
I had to do this.
Sora stood from where he sat in the rocking chair and looked at me seriously. "Ayano, go back to sleep."

"No! I'm part of this."

"Obviously, you're too exhausted to think clearly, come on."

I felt almost enraged as Sora tried to force me from the room, urging me out the doorway.
"Sora, let go!" I snapped, trying to fight against him. "I can do this!"
Growling, I tore from his grip and stood tall to look at him, facing him with as stubborn a resolve as I could manage. "What are you so afraid of?!"
He didn't answer, but the way he was looking at me made my heart ache. He was really torn up about this... Why?
My thoughts were whirling as Sora reached out to cup my cheeks. "You're still so young... You have your whole life ahead of you..."
Sora...?
Haruka stood.
"I don't understand... Sora, you're a youkai, aren't you? And you like Ayano... Why don't you both just get married?"
My face flushed involuntarily. Married to Sora...? I admit I was thinking it in the back of my mind, but hearing it out loud like that...
The fact that Sora was so stiff at her suggestion made me worry.
Was there something else I didn't know?
When I looked to him for an answer, he wouldn't meet my gaze.
"... You don't get it."
My body felt stiff as I tried not to let the sharpness of his tone get to me.
"... Get... What?"
He finally turned to look at me, and the dullness in his eyes and harshness of his tone made my blood run cold.
"Ayano. I'm 421 years old."
I tried to swallow. I had no idea...
"And you aren't even old enough to vote. Youkai are immortal, and that means that I won't die. But you..."
My heart quivered at the look in his face, though I only managed to catch a glimpse before he turned away.
"... You will."
He stared at the ground as I struggled to process what he was saying.
"... I just want you to live a long and happy life, with someone who can grow old with you..."
My heart felt like it would shatter.
I was so torn by those words...
Part of me was twisting at how sweet it was that he wanted that for me...
The other half was screaming that Sora was hurting and it was because of me. Not only that, but there wasn't anything I could do about it. What could I say to that? What could I do to assure him?
"...Sora..."
I tried to keep myself from crying as I reached out to him with a quivering hand and gripped onto his shirt sleeve.
".... But what if that isn't what I want?"
I raised my head to look at him directly as he faced me questioningly.
My voice was soft as I eyed him, pleading with my gaze that he would understand.
"... I just... I want to be with you. No matter how old I am or how old I get."
I paused, my face feeling warm.
"... I love you."
Sora's expression softened and my body relaxed. He understood... My words had reached him...
Of course, I hardly had time to enjoy our tender moment as the sound of someone blowing their nose cut through the atmosphere. Sora and I both turned to look and spotted my over-dramatically sobbing friend, snorting into a tissue.
"It's so beautiful...!"
Haruka blew her nose again and looked at us.
"You beautiful children.... Your love is strong...!"
She looked straight at Sora, her expression hardening tenfold.
"I'll let you have my precious bestie on one condition."

"What's that...?"

"I get to be the maid of honor."