[ Upon hearing his comment on her choice of clothing, she takes a step back slightly as she begins fidgeting with the hem of her dress in a sudden spur of self-consciousness. Cheeks slightly illuminated, she peeks at the other from under her bangs with a look as if to ask if he really thought that. Once she regains some sort of control over her composure, she reverts back to her somewhat haughty nature as she huffs indignantly once more as she whips her head to the side, face still somewhat flustered. ]

Ikebe-san made it for me a few months back, free of price. Hmph. I suppose she has good taste in colour coordination, I’ll grant her that. However, I feel it could be improved in other areas but this design will do, especially since she put forth so much effort and time to make it.

I-Is that so? [ Once more, she begins fidgeting with the dress while remaining planted on the same spot, her body moving from side to side as if to see what it looked like from every angle. After all, being the perfectionist she was, Ririchiyo had to make sure it looked perfect from every angle. ] I suppose I have no choice but to trust your opinion on the clothing. Hmph! However, don't get me wrong for it's not as though I was self-conscious to begin with. On the contrary, I just wanted another person's opinion and you just happened to be the only person present that I could ask.

[ As if to empathise her point, she sticks her nose up before beginning to make her way inside the quaint bakery only to stop mid-way as she feels the brush over lips over her skin. Blushing ever so slightly, she quickly takes her hand back out of force of habit only to feel guilty shortly thereafter - after all, this was meant to be a date. While the other was distracted, she outstretches her tiny hand, pauses, and then takes hold of Miketsukami’s bigger one. In response to his question, she nods her head once as her grip on his hand becomes the tiniest bit tighter. ]

[ Being a truly shy person, the comment the baker had made about her appearance was enough to make her hide behind Miketsukami somewhat as she tried to keep her sharp tongue under control. After all, she didn’t quite fancy the idea of badmouthing the baker who seemed overly fond of Miketsukami’s presence in the bakery. Did he come here often? That question popped up in her mind as she glanced up at the taller figure of her Secret Service agent with a curious facial expression, almost enough to make her seem childlike.

At his orders, she raises her one eyebrow questioningly as if to ask what brought on his sudden burst of appetite. Was it possible he was just as nervous as she was, and ordering this much food made him more at ease with the situation? Without realising it, the image of Roromiya popped up in her mind at such a thought considering she was the glutton, yet it seemed Miketsukami had some gluttony in him as well. Leaning in slightly, she tilts her head childishly at the SS. ]

You seem to have quite the appetite today. I thought eating in public places felt embarrassing? [ “Unless...” ] Have you been tricking me into believing that’s really what you think? How very like you. [ Then, realising he was actually asking her what she wanted, she huffs indignantly toward the baker as she recites her orders, almost as though she’d been rehearsing a play of some kind. Or maybe a shopping list. ]

Coffee, with one Éclair, one Financier, one Macaron, two Petit fours, one Tuile, and one fruit granola and don’t take too long. The two of us are quite busy today, so you would benefit from putting some rollerblades on those shoes of yours. [ A pause. ] Thank you.

[ Somehow, hearing this piece of information from Miketsukami’s lips, she wasn’t the least bit surprised at how he tried to bribe the security guards just so he could take a few pictures of her at the time. ‘How very like him’ is what she ends up thinking to herself as she stares at his sparkling form with a deadpan expression of her own. When was there never a time he wanted to capture her ‘beauty’, as he would put it? With an exasperated sigh, she turns her attention to the view outside the window and the many natives walking back and forth - it did seem as though more colour had been restored to the city since her arrival back in February and as happy as the thought was, it also had an undertone of sadness as well. After all, once colour was fully restored, did that mean everyone’s presence here was no longer needed?

Realising her negative thoughts, she mentally kicks herself as she starts figeting around as though she had something to hide, head shaking back and forth stiffly. Right now, she was on a date with Miketsukami so making the atmsosphere tense or uncomfortable was strictly prohibited - today, to the best of her abilities, she wanted to create more happy memories with the person she loved more than anyone else in the world. Once her coffee arrived, she placed her one hand over the cup while her fingers hooked onto the handle as she raised it to her lips. Once she took one sip, she lets out a content sigh before speaking. ]

It does look quite beautiful from this view. [ She couldn’t help but agree with what he said as she gazed at the area of Gefion Park. ] The weather is always just right when Fall comes around. It’s still hard to tell what date it would be back home, but I would believe it would be some time early in October. [ A pause as she tries to think. ] Come to think of it, it’s almost Watanuki-kun’s birthday. [ ‘And yours’ is what she added mentally. ]

[ It was near impossible to not notice Miketsukami’s sudden mood change when she brought about the topic of Watanuki’s birthday coming up soon and after a while she remembered on why that was - Miketsukami didn’t understand what it meant to celebrate ones birth and that still saddened her, more than he could ever know. She wasn’t sure if their situations were similar or drastically different when it came to their upbringing for most Atavists were not treated as human beings as such, but more like lucky charms of their respected families. As such, they knew not of anything but loneliness due to lack of sincere affection. Was it possible that Miketsukami was like her, or was he different?

... Of course, Ayame had saved her from his ‘house arrest’. Of course he didn’t have a similar upbringing to her for she was still allowed outside but she wasn’t kept under lock and key. Just thinking about such a thought made her feel beyond upset, and more than anything she wanted to assure Miketsukami that she would never let that happened to him in any lifetime ever again. She didn’t know the full story, but she could imagine. Staring at her reflection in her coffee, she wraps herself up in her own thoughts for a while without realising it until she heard him speak once more and judging by the implied question in his answer, he wasn’t overly confident in it. ]

... What’s with the uncertainty? [ Naturally, the only way she could break the strange mood was by being, well, Ririchiyo. ] I thought he was one of your childhood friends? Hmph, to be unable to remember something like that with confidence... are you certain you’re friends?

[ The silence was unsettling, to say the least. It was obvious that her way of speaking had hurt him and as much as he thought he was doing a good job at concealing that fact, she knew the truth and she knew fully that her way of phrasing her earlier question was out of line and patronizing in context. But how was she meant to go around apologising to the other? After all, apologising wasn’t her strongest forte and as much training flags Miketsukami gave her in that area it just didn’t change the fact that she was terrible at it. Nevertheless, she felt inclined to express her regrets on speaking to him harshly which is why she grips onto his sleeve as she halted in her walking.

Ah, where did she even start? It was difficult, coming up with the right words to say to express her apologises. As much as she wished she could, she knew that saying “many apologises” to something like this was still considered rude - or, at least, to a person who wasn’t Miketsukami it was. Fully aware of his tunnel vision of, well, her, she knew that he would insist that he did not need an apology from her but the truth of the matter was that he did. For her rude behaviour, she had to apologise for ruining the mood he had running. Tightening her grip on his sleeve, she keeps her gaze downcast as she puts her uttermost effort into apologising for her earlier mistake. ]

I— I spoke harshly to you earlier when I shouldn’t of for it’s a subject that you aren’t entirely comfortable with. F-For making you feel uncomfortable during such a time as this... I-I’m sorry.

[ Just seeing the spot was almost enough to knock the breath out of her with how beautiful everything looked. Had Miketsukami really set this all up, just for the two of them? It was strange, to say the least, the feelings she found herself experiencing in this moment of time. He really had put forth so much effort in making this as perfect as he could for her, and that was touching and made her chest swell up with many emotions that were just about ready to burst. However, it seemed that her harsh way of speaking wanted to make itself known as she huffs and turns away, yet feeling bashful. ]

I’ll praise you for the amount of effort you put forth in preparing all of this in such short timing considering that you possess such a tight work schedule. [ A pause. ] I wouldn’t be against saying that I’m quite impressed by your hard work. So? What is next on today’s agenda?

[ It wasn’t too surprising that her harsh way of speaking had gone over his head and she was finding that if such a habit didn’t bother him, why fret too much over it? After all, it wasn’t every day that people found her language adorable, strange as that was. Clearing her throat, she follows Miketsukami’s guidance toward the blanket before sitting herself down in a comfortable position, albeit slightly awkward-looking as she begins to fidget and play with the hem of her dress with glowing cheeks of pink.

“Finally I’m alone with Miketsukami-kun. H-How nerve-wrecking though, I can barely keep myself seated in a firm position which makes me look weird. Yes, I definitely look weird right now. Wh-Why can’t I stay still? At this rate, he’ll think that something is bothering me. E-E-Even so, it’s not as though that isn’t true but, but... I haven’t really been alone with Miketsukami-kun since that night we became even closer than usual...” Nervous, she glances up at Miketsukami from the corner of her eye as he talked. Since then, since that night... it was even more difficult to act normal around him than it usually was. No, it was a lot harder. ]

Is that so...? I-It’s not as though they’re anything special to me... [ Not completely true for she had a deep love for everything and anything of french origin. ] But if you want to take a taste out of something, by all means, feel free to. [ And yet, why did she get the feeling he wanted her to feed him? ] You’re an adult, so you needn’t wait for my permission to have a sweet.

[ Even if she was only sitting with him like this, she couldn’t control her rapid heartbeat as she stares down at her covered legs. To think that since that night, she had been feeling odd whenever she was alone with Miketsukami - part of her knew it was only natural since the last memory of being alone with him was when they were extremely intimate in more ways than one. Since then, she had been wondering on how she was supposed to act around him for she didn’t want to offend him by pretending that it never happened, but at the same time she didn’t want him to think she was, well, nervous. Being as excessive of a lover as he was, she couldn’t tell if or when he would pounce on her which actually bugged her somewhat. For someone of Miketsukami’s nature, it wasn’t exactly uncommon for him to take her by surprise.

Shifting her gaze every now and again in a suspicious manner, she tries to see if she could find any of his tell tale signs in case he was planning on doing something perverse while they were alone and, not only that, but where there wasn’t anyone else for miles. Weren’t this enough of a sign that he was planning on doing something improper? How frustrating it was, not knowing what he was thinking. Why did he have such a good innocent face? So annoying! He was far from innocent and yet... and yet...! ]

Hu-Huh? [ Forcably dragged out of her thoughts, she blinks up at Miketsukami as he spoke. Sit comfortably... there? Slowly her gaze follows his hand as he begins to adjust his position slightly as he made room for her to sit between his legs. D-Did she really look that obvious? Of course she did for anything she tried to hide always ended up showing itself. With the guidence of his hand, she follows his lead as she takes a seat between his legs. ] Well then, excuse me.

[ Just as soon as she was seated, she stares out at the view before them. It really was beautiful... Seeing such a scene made her remember the many letters she shared with Miketsukami in the past and that alone was a peaceful thought for her. A fond memory, even. ] The trees always look beautiful this time of year... Even if by Winter the leaves will decay and fall from the branches, I still find the beauty in a naked branch. Do you want to know why? [ Not waiting for an answer, she allows for a small smile to surface on her lips. ] Because when Summer comes around again, the leaves will return in all their glory.

[ He really was innocent. To speak in such a way, he really was a child deep down who knew nothing of the world and was still coming to grasps on learning the ropes of life - no doubt, this was what being under house arrest did to a person as it stunted their social growth. Just from his words alone, she could tell that his horizons weren’t very broad during his younger years and even now, to a degree. To not be able to appreciate the little things in life, that was something even she couldn’t understand was possible for she always loved to take note of every little thing. The smell of lavender plants, the magnolia flowers that surrounded her garden, the crisp and cold smell that followed shortly after Autumn arrived, even the touch of cold that touched her fingertips when she went outside during the month of October... it was all precious to her. Even time, to her, was something dear to her. Even as days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months, her time with Miketsukami alone was very precious to someone as sentimental as herself.

But it wasn’t only time with him she viewed as precious, but time with other people for their would come a time when all things living would come to an end. Some would call it the apocalypse, others oblivion but fact still remained that their would come a time when the human population would cease to exist and everything - everything - would be forgotten, whether it be something memorable you did or just your very own existence. More than anything, Ririchiyo was aware of that and as much as it scared her, she didn’t want to waste time worrying over such a thing for it was inevitable as time waited for no man - or woman - and because of that, time was brutal. Live while you can, waste not a single day, appreciate the small things life has to offer. With those thoughts in mind, she plucks a piece of grass from the ground as bits of frost clung to it and, without a pause, she places it in Miketsukami’s hand gently. ]

Regardless if my condition weakens my body during the winter months, it doesn’t prevent me from appreciating the beauty. However, I do find it upsetting that I have to stare at the scenery through glass windows for it doesn’t hold the same effect as experiencing the weather and feeling the cold wind brush against my face. [ A delicate pause. ] As for summer... it is disheartening to know that my body disagrees with it so, but at least I can walk outdoors. But, Miketsukami-kun, don’t you see - everything in this world has a purpose and nothing is impure or tainted, and nothing has a worthless existence. I love this world, even despite the many hardships it enjoys throwing at me. For you see, as long as I overcome the difficult times, good times will soon follow as a reward for my perseverance.

[ Content, she leans herself back slightly so that her back was pressed up against Miketsukami’s chest. Even as he explained to her not understanding her reason for loving the world as much as she did, she listened carefully while still in a peaceful sort of bliss. The answer came to her naturally, once again no pause being needed. ]

Wallflower. [ ... ] I notice things and take them in that not everyone sees. I see even the smallest of things and see their worth despite others not thinking twice about them. Have you ever seen a Erysimum genera? They’re small, annual, short-lived perennial herbs or sub-shrubs that reach only ten or a hundred and thirty cent-meters. People rarely notice them as they don’t stand out much compared to other plants. What I mean to say is, I prefer to observe others as opposed to experiencing it. Or, at least, that’s what I used to think. But now... now I would like to experience everything.