Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

After returning to their shrine from their wedding trip.

“Phew…What a day,” Subaru slouched down with a sigh before looking up again. “I’m not used to this sort of thing. I’m completely wiped out.”

“It all feels like a blur..,” Kaguya raised her hands. “Maybe because I was nervous the whole time.”

Then she smiled with a blush.

“Well, it was a once-in-a-lifetime, so I don’t blame you,” Subaru said.

“Yes, I’ll never forget this day,” Kaguya nodded. “I’ll cherish the memory of us uniting as one forever.”

She held her chest.

“And we’ll be together just as long,” Subaru blushed. “Joined at the hip like old times.”

“I’d say our relationship has changed quite a bit since then,” Kaguya shyly smiled. 

“On that note, we should celebrate!” Subaru suggested which made his newly wedded wife’s eyes raise. “Why don’t we choose new nicknames to make the occasion?”

“Oh..,” Kaguya paused before giggling. Part of her felt a sense of relief from her nervousness about entering their new life together, and another.., she knew it is not uncommon for newly wedded couples to consummate their marriages the same night. From her still foggy childhood memories since they were arranged to marry, she remembered their parents, and as well other people in their old village will be expecting them to eventually have their own children. To continue their bloodline, and especially hers from her late mother who was their village’s priestess.

In some ways, she felt dreadfully regretful for not feeling completely ready, and hoped that her newly wedded husband would feel the same.., or perhaps understand. She also cannot doubt that her husband is also nervous, and perhaps also not ready like her. “That sounds like a strange way to celebrate, but color me intrigued.”

She smiled. “You first, then. What would you like me to call you?”

“You want me to choose first?” Subaru smiled back. “Hmm, I wonder what suits me best..?”

He mused for a few moments. “Honestly.., I can’t really pick, but I often hear ‘dear,’ or ‘darling’ from couples in our villages…”

He chuckled nervously. “How about you call me ‘dear,’ then? If you prefer ‘darling,’ then that’s perfectly fine, too.”

And Kaguya giggled. “Then I’ll call you ‘darling.’ It seems to be the one you’re familiar with.”

“Okay,” Subaru chuckled again with a blush. “Now it’s your turn. What do you want me to call you?”

“...No need to ask. I trust your judgement,” Kaguya held her chin.

“Aww, you’re no fun,” Subaru lightly slouched with a smirk which made his wife almost gasp.

“I-I’m truly sorry..,” Kaguya embarrassingly held her chin. “I just…don’t really know what makes a good nickname.”

“I’m only kidding,” Subaru grinned. “Don’t sweat it. I’m sure I can come up with something great. Why don’t I call you…”

He paused for a few seconds. “Darling.”

In turn, Kaguya paused for a few seconds before giggling. “That’s perfectly fine for me.”

“It’s another nickname we’re both familiar with, so I figured we should stick with them,” Subaru grinned before seeing his wife close her eyes. “Uh, darling. Is something wrong?”

“Not at all, dear,” Kaguya smiled at hearing him call her a nickname for the first time, and now in return, intentionally showing him that she enjoyed it the same. “My heart never felt so full. I’m just glad I married you.”

“Me, too,” Subaru stepped forward, and wrapped her in his arms, his first hug since their wedding. “And I promise I’m never letting you go again.”

Moved by her husband’s words with the realization that she will never be alone again, Kaguya embraced him back for the first time after their wedding, and buried her face in his chest, trying to hide her tears that might be welling out of her eyes. “...A-as much as I appreciate the sentiment, I would like to at least bathe by myself.”

“I-I was just joking..,” Subaru stuttered from her unexpected reply. “C’mon don’t ruin the moment.”

Then Kaguya giggled before lifting her head, and facing him. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”

Subaru lightly chuckled before leaning his head with hers, trading smiles with each other. “You’re becoming a little more cheeky yourself…”

“Is that bad..?” Kaguya grinned.

“Absolutely not at all,” Subaru slowly shook his head. “I love it. I’ve been watching you smile more since I confessed to you, and we started dating. Your smile always makes me happy.”

And Kaguya giggled again before leaning back on his chest. “I still can’t believe we actually got married…I’ve been trying so hard to process this.”

“We’ll get used to it in a few days,” Subaru stroked her silky silver hair. “It will become normal before we know it.”

“Mhm,” Kaguya nodded on his chest.

“It’s..getting late,” Subaru dejectedly murmured while resting his hand behind his wife’s head. “As much as I want to stay longer like this..we have to finish our first day together.”

“Me, too,” Kaguya murmured back. “But we have a lot of days together ahead of us, right?”

“Mm,” Subaru nodded before his wife shifted herself up again to face him. “Take a bath, first. I’ll wait.”

“It’s a good thing I brought my nightgown here the night before,” Kaguya smiled.

“And we’ll bring the rest of your things here tomorrow,” Subaru confidently smiled.

“But…don’t you have duties?” Kaguya blinked her eyes. “It’s not much to bring over, anyway. I hardly have any possessions.”

“Don’t worry, darling,” Subaru shook his head. “Our four villages know we wedded today, and I’m sure they’ll give us a break. They probably won’t expect me to work tomorrow, either. I can definitely start out late. Plus…I won’t let my wife do it all alone. I got you.”

Then Kaguya smiled again. “Thank you..dear.”

“I’ll always have your back, darling,” Subaru blushed while stroking her bangs. “Ever since we’re kids. Ever since we’re together again.”

“Mm,” Kaguya nodded with a smile.

“So..please take a bath, or we’ll be here until morning,” Subaru curved his lips.

Then Kaguya giggled. “Yes.”

“I had everything ready for you in our bathroom,” Subaru murmured. “So, you shouldn’t have any trouble.”

“Thanks,” Kaguya smiled before they broke away, and she began gathering her white towel, and nightgown. They smiled at each other again as Subaru sat on one of the four empty seats of their iori table, and Kaguya entered their bathroom. 

Only a few seconds later, Kaguya suddenly paused. ‘Subaru..always bathed here until now…’

She began blushing before shaking herself off such thoughts, and pushed on to undress herself, removing her branch hairpin that her husband gave her during their youth before placing it on a storage platform, and then removing the parts of her clothing before walking toward their furoba. She also noticed an ofuro nearby, much to her surprise, and curiously examined it. The tub was large enough for only two people, which made her blush, but it is also clean and still moist which shows its occasional use. This made her smile lightly knowing that he has means to relieve himself after every work day ever since he settled here at some point, and that he definitely also takes care of it.

As she decided to move on, and sat on their ofuro-isu wooden seat, her years of hunting, and honed sharp senses picked up a faint scent of him which spurred something inside her chest. Something she never felt whenever she picked up his scent each time they embraced each other like earlier, and then huddled her legs together, and covered her chest, blushing again. Then another realization overtook her, wondering if he already had plans to ‘initiate’ after they both finished their baths, and lay on the same futon on their first night together. Not that she will refuse if he does as she knew with absolution that he is the only man she will fully give herself to, but she just could not make herself feel ready…yet.

Kaguya quickly shut her eyes, and yelped while clasping her face that quickly burned hot..for the possibility of such an event to happen with not only her childhood friend to lover, but now her husband in this same night. She had to prepare for the ‘worst,’ and move on to avoid keeping him waiting. However, she opened her eyes between her fingers as another dread hit her, one that began haunting her before they began dating, and yet disappeared once her husband confessed and they started dating together. She never thought it would come back again.

Slowly, she stared down at her chest between her fingers, a pair that she gravely believed does not match to Clarice, and especially Ulalaka, whom she once viewed as her competitors for her husband’s love, who also closely knew him during her time apart from him with Nubatama. She tried all her best to look good for him by better taking care of herself with more meticulous cleaning, keeping her hair perfectly groomed, and using the best perfumes she could find, but these, she could not find any way to improve on. She always knew Subaru as a genuine, and reasonable man, and being married to him now should not make her worry about it further, but to also think otherwise might be too conceited of her. 

And the worst part.., what if she is wrong..?

Kaguya shut her eyes tight before pushing on again by grabbing a wooden bucket yuoke that was already prepared by him full of water, and doused herself. Part of her felt guilty for such negativity since this day was supposed to be the most special event of their whole lives, and she only wanted to fill it with blissful memories. She grabbed a set of nuka-bukuro, a rice bran used for body washing, and a set of pouches that was also prepared by him, and made sure she thoroughly cleans herself before their ‘first night’ together…as a possibility.

After several minutes, Subaru was resting his head on his palm, fighting against sleep on their table until he quickly sat up after he heard their bathroom door slide open by his wife in her white nightgown.

“Mm,” Subaru smiled.

“I took long, did I?” Kaguya murmured. “I’m sorry, if I did...”

“Not at all,” Subaru shook his head. “I didn’t feel like you did.”

Kaguya however, was not entirely convinced. She caught a glimpse of him dosing off on his table as soon as she slid their door open, and he must be making a small white lie for her sake. It is just the way he is…

“You look really gorgeous,” Subaru began grinning, which made her blush.

“Oh um, thank you,” Kaguya awkwardly smiled. “But..it’s just a nightgown.”

“Yeah, but this is the first time I’ve seen you in it,” Subaru grinned. “You definitely look pretty like the moon princess.., especially with your hair matching it…”

“Oh, please. Don’t make me feel embarrassed,” Kaguya pouted which made her husband laugh, but also part of her thinks that he might be trying to get her into the ‘mood.’

“Guess I’m up for a bath now,” Subaru stood up with his white nightgown, and towel in hand.

“Then I’ll wait here,” Kaguya smiled, and sat on the seat opposite of him towards the wall. Subaru smiled back as he walked towards their bathroom, and as soon as he slid the door behind him, she placed her closed hands on her chest.

Inside, Subaru began untying a piece of armor on his left shoulder, and as soon as that was done, he began undressing himself. Catching a sight of his.., or more like ‘their’ ofuro-isu after he finished undressing, Subaru caught a realization that for the first time, someone else took a bath, and sat on that same wooden chair: the childhood love of his life, and now wife. He blushed at the thought of this, and suddenly clasped his face in both hands, cursing himself, and shutting his eyes.

‘Snap out of it!’ He tried his best to cast away such immoral thoughts, and began walking towards the chair. He sat down, and unknowingly like his wife earlier, his sharp senses honed by his years of hunting caught a scent in his nose. A familiar natural scent of hers mixed with the fragrance of the rice bran he bought.

‘Kaguya..?’ Subaru blushed again before clasping his face with both hands again. ‘Again…snap out of it!’

He caught a glance of their yuoke in front of him, and was surprised that his wife also left it full of water just as he prepared for her before. He smiled at this, picked it up, and doused himself.

Several minutes later, Kaguya was still on their table, musing, until she heard their bathroom door open.

She smiled. “Did you enjoy your bath..?”

And she suddenly paused before her face felt hot again. Her husband, without his ponytail, and all his hair down for the first time… ‘He’s so…’

“Uh, darling..?” Subaru curved his lips, feeling his face start burning. “Is something..?”

Then Kaguya almost gasped, and shook her head before clearing her throat. “It’s nothing..! Did you enjoy your bath..?”

“Definitely,” Subaru nodded with a smile. “I felt so refreshed again, but at the same..still feeling pretty sleepy.”

Then the couple chuckled together.

“Then let’s..go to sleep,” Kaguya closed her eyes before leading him towards their futons. 

That dread began attacking her again, their futons..this is it, but she nevertheless pushed on, and led him there. They sat on their respective futons, and began removing their hair ornaments. Subaru finished first, and then quietly watched his wife finish hers before she began laying inside her futon, and then he followed suit. They laid facing each other.

“Good night, darling..,” Subaru began drifting to sleep.

“Good night, dear,” Kaguya smiled back, but after she decided to watch her husband fall asleep before her, an unexpected sense of longing began overtaking her. The same she felt when she was journeying alone without him…

She felt her chest beginning to ache. It is just as much as when she was alone gazing at the stars every night whenever she longed for that journey to end, and to see him again before returning home together. Then emptiness also began overtaking her.

“Subaru..,” Kaguya thoughtlessly muttered before raising her eyes, regretting this instantly, and more so when she heard her husband groan.

“Darling..?” Subaru slowly opened his eyes, and then he almost snapped up from his futon. “What’s wrong..?”

Now seeing him worried, Kaguya felt a great sense of shame. “I..I’m sorry to have woken you…I know you’re tired.”

“Don’t worry about that, but how about you?” Subaru shook his head. “You need something..? Please tell me.”

“I..,” Kaguya squeezed the cotton linen below her before braving herself to reply. “Can I…sleep closer to you?”

“Ah..,” Subaru blinked his eyes. “Of course! Come on in.”

Then he smiled, and seeing this as an encouragement, Kaguya smiled back before crawling forward, and laying beside him. Subaru laid back down with her, and lifted their blanket back up, making sure they were both covered. Kaguya shyly wrapped her arms around him, and buried herself in him.

“I’m sorry about this..,” Kaguya murmured. “It’s just that, I know I’m not alone again, but somehow…I’m still reminded of the times I journeyed alone. How I slept alone for so many nights..!”

Then Subaru closed his eyes. “I’m sorry…”

He hugged her closer to him, and began stroking her hair to comfort her. “I’m sorry for not thinking about you enough…even when I knew you went through so much before we met again…”

Then he felt his wife’s arms tighten around him. “If you want, we can sleep like this every night from now on, OK?”

He continued stroking her hair.

“Mm,” Kaguya nodded in his chest.

“Alright. Good night, darling,” Subaru kissed her forehead.

And then Kaguya slowly looked up at him with a smile. “Goodnight, dear.”

She unexpectedly leaned towards him for a kiss, and surprised by this, Subaru also closed his eyes and returned it to her.

Then they eventually broke away.

“Sweet dreams..,” Subaru began drifting to sleep again, but not without first making sure he was protectively embracing her.

“Sweet dreams, dear,” Kaguya finally closed her eyes with a smile, and drifted off to sleep, feeling a great sense of comfort in her beloved’s arms.

“Mm,” Kaguya slowly opened her eyes, and now found herself laying  on top of her husband’s chest. She noticed that their sleeping position slightly changed, but Subaru somehow managed to make sure his arms remained possessively around her. She could not help but blush for this before smiling, and then caught a glance at the openings of their shrine with bright sunlight entering their room, and birds already chirping loudly outside. She suddenly gasped, and began tugging her husband awake who was still sound asleep. “Dear..?”

She tugged him again. “Dear, please wake up..! It’s late.”

Then Subaru groaned before laying still again with his arms still around her. 

“Dear, please..!” Kaguya resisted to pout, and then suddenly remembered during their childhood that Subaru has been very often a late waker. A sleepyhead who occasionally attended their morning training sessions late, and then being punished for it. For the first time, she has to think of a way to force him awake, and she just had the perfect idea for it… “I’m sorry…”

She slowly lifted her hand, and began pinching his nose with a grin. Subaru began wincing before instinctively trying to turn away from his wife, but Kaguya made sure not to lose her grip. He finally gasped before shaking his head awake, and Kaguya finally released him. She also could not help but giggle about how cute he was, watching him wake up like a child. ‘A child..?’

“Whoa..!” Subaru jerked himself awake, and glanced at her in shock.

“Good morning, dear..,” Kaguya finally let herself laugh.

“Good morning, darling,” Subaru smiled awkwardly back to her. “But jeez..! Were you pinching my nose..?”

“...Mhm?” Kaguya nodded on his chest. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help it. I’ve been trying to wake you up.”

“Oh.., sorry I had to make you do that,” Subaru sighed.

“I’ve still known you for being such a sleepyhead who used to show up late in morning training a lot when we’re still kids,” Kaguya made a short laugh. “I can’t believe that hasn’t changed. Who has been making sure you wake up early enough to do your chief duties every morning?”

“Woolby..,” Subaru muttered.

“Woolby..?” Kaguya blinked her eyes while still smiling. “Alright..from now on, it will be me.”

“I’ll gladly take it, darling. Besides the obvious, you’re already better at it,” Subaru laughed.

“Oh?” Kaguya began grinning.

“I’d take it over him sitting on my face, and slapping me every morning,” Subaru grinned back.

“Okay…From now on, I’ll try waking you up the normal way, and pinch your nose if you don’t,” Kaguya smirked.

“And I won’t complain,” Subaru held his wife’s chin. “As long as it’s done by my childhood love…”

Then he leaned towards her for a good morning kiss, and Kaguya gladly returned it.

“So.., you know we woke up late, right..?” Kaguya said after breaking off.

“Yeah?” Subaru plainly replied.

“Then should we be in a hurry, and dress ourselves..?” Kaguya raised her eyes.

“Should be fine. Remember what I said last night?” Subaru smiled. “Their chief just married, so they won’t be expecting much of me anytime today, and we still have to settle in together, plus it’s Friday.”

“Right..,” Kaguya murmured.

“But let’s go. To catch up with time, we eat breakfast at Iroha’s, and then we’ll start picking up the rest of your things from your old house,” Subaru suggested before Kaguya lifted herself to allow him to sit up. The couple stretched their arms closely together with another yawn before Subaru turned around, and grabbed his red thread. Following him, Kaguya crawled back to her futon, grabbed her branch hair decor, and then began pinning it on her hair. The two smiled at each other while pinning their special gifts on themselves.

“Get changed, first while I straighten up our futon,” Subaru began his work.

“Alright,” Kaguya grabbed a new set of her outfit before heading for the bathroom.

While Subaru was still closely straightening them, he caught a whiff of a fragrant scent. ‘This..also smells like her now..? It’s really good..!’

He suddenly shook his head. ‘Dammit, again..?! Snap out of this..! This is not what I married her for..!’

And he continued working until he was finished, and grabbed himself his own new outfit set. In only a few seconds, Kaguya slid their bathroom door open, and walked outside, who was still combing her hair. 

“Finished,” Kaguya combed her hair a few more times before catching him blankly staring at her. “Um.., something the matter?”

“Oh.., nothing,” Subaru twitched. “It’s just kinda cute seeing you groom yourself.

Then Kaguya blushed. “Goodness.., sweet talking me already?”

“Is that bad for a husband to do..?” Subaru decided to tease her to deviate.

“Just please…not too much, okay?” Kaguya curved her lips. “By the way..have you been grooming your hair from time to time, too?”

“I try,” Subaru closed his eyes. “It’s not easy doing it alone. I can’t see everything I’m doing.”

“I understand, then tonight, I’ll start grooming your hair, too,” Kaguya smiled.

“H-huh? Darling, I..,” Subaru shyly scratched his head.

“I insisst,” Kaguya grinned. “We can’t let your hair eventually become matty if it’s not taken care of often enough.”

“Alright, you win,” Subaru curved his lips before his wife victoriously giggled. “After our bath tonight.”

“Absolutely,” Kaguya flexed her arm with a grin.

“Alright, my turn to get dressed now,” Subaru stood up while holding his clothes.

“I’ll wait here until you’re ready,” Kaguya began hanging her nightgown straight in one of their hangers.

“Sounds good. Hang on a bit,” Subaru hurriedly walked into their bathroom, and slid the door closed.

After sitting down for a few seconds, Kaguya glanced at their futon. She crawled forward, and slowly laid there with her cheek on his pillow, enjoying his scent as she would hate to admit. She was still cherishing the first night they slept closely together, and it felt so blissful. She could not remember what she dreamed of, and perhaps there was none, only a peaceful sleep in his arms. 

Kaguya smiled at this before closing her eyes, looking forward to another night like it, but also questioned herself if it would be selfish of her to ask him again. It somewhat felt childish of her, being too clingy or dependent on him. Will he expect her to sleep in her own futon alone tonight? No, she just remembered that he himself offered her to sleep with him for the rest of their days together instead of being in separate futons.

Without realizing that she has been falling into a light sleep, she suddenly heard their bathroom door begin sliding open, and quickly snapped away and straightened herself. In spite of being quick enough to sit back in position before her husband had his eyes on her again, she found that he was strangely smiling. Not the same general smile, but rather..something else quite uncannily suspicious about it.

“Ready?” Subaru kept his smile. 

“After you hang your nightgown,” Kaguya closed her eyes.

“Of course,” Subaru proceeded to the same place Kaguya hung hers. “Off to Iroha’s.”

“Yes,” Kaguya smiled before waiting for him by their sliding entrance door, and opened the door together. As soon as they began walking outside, she possessively grabbed his arm a step before they walked down the short stairs, and halfway towards the tall tori gate, Woolby poofed in front of them.

“Goood morning, newly weds!” Woolby excitedly raised his paws.

“Good morning.” The couple greeted him back.

“Wow, you two are up pretty late,” Woolby began smirking. “So.., did you finally..?”

“Uh, w-we still have to settle in, you know?” Subaru cut him off, but being tight on his left arm, Kaguya felt him tense before glancing up at him, and she can see that he was clearly turning red, making it clear that their ‘first moment’ has been also in his mind. She then realized that she forgot about her wedding night anxiety last night as soon as her husband offered her in his arms, and now wondered why he did not initiate at all. He absolutely had a good chance there. 

Woolby laughed. “I was just playing with you. I honestly want to play with your kids someday. So, what are you two planning?”

“About to eat together at Iroha’s, and then help my darling pack the rest of her things to our shrine,” Subaru smiled at his wife. “Then we’ll fly around for the four villages.”

“Whoa, and you’re gonna leave your wifey here?!” Woolby froze. “You two just got married! Don’t you get it?!”

“It’s OK. I’ll get to work with the ema plaques, and then go hunting towards the end of the day for our dinner,” Kaguya smiled. “It will be like usual.”

“Sheesh, don’t you two ever think about even going for a honeymoon?” Woolby rested his paws on his waist. “Give yourselves a break, will ya? Your jobs can wait even for the next few days. People will get you..!”

“It’s OK. We’re happy enough to be officially together,” Kaguya grinned with her husband. “But thanks for looking after us.”

“Oh, you workaholics..,” Woolby groaned, which made the couple chuckle together. “You’re really two peas in a pod, you know that? Suit yourselves, then. Just don’t regret it.”

“We’re fine,” Subaru closed his eyes.

“Alright, I’ve been starving, waiting almost forever for you to come out, anyway,” Woolby grimaced. “I already started thinking about waking you up myself, but then…”

“Sorry,” Subaru closed his eyes again before they began walking on again, and descending the long stair down.

“I’ll wake him up from now on, Woolby,” Kaguya leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Oh, seriously?” Woolby paused. “Oh, thank the gods, but wait. Was he a pain to you?”

“Not at all,” Kaguya grabbed her husband’s arm tighter. “I actually had fun..!”

Then Subaru groaned.

“Hah, serves you right, sleepyhead,” Woolby scoffed. “I’ve been tired of slapping your face one-two until you even just opened your eyes.”

“OK, OK, enough,” Subaru murmured. “You won’t have to do it again, so please…”

Then they finally arrived at Iroha’s tea house.

“Oh, if they aren’t our newlyweds,” Iroha grinned. “Good moorningg, so what can I order for you today?”

“Just a tea, and dango for three of us,” Subaru, and his wife sat on a bench together. 

“Cominggg right up,” Iroha cheerfully acknowledged before peeking towards the house’s entrance. “Ulaaaa, we have three orders from the chief. Tea, and dango.”

“Right away,” Ulalaka replied from inside.

“So, what are you two up to today?” Iroha smiled.

“We’ll pack the rest of my wife’s things to our shrine, and then Woolby and I will leave for work,” Subaru replied.

Then Iroha paused. “And your wife..?”

“I’ll work on ema plaques like usual,” Kaguya answered.

Iroha suddenly gasped. “Are you two sure about this..?” 

Then Woolby snorted. 

“You two just wedded so at least call it a day off after you finally moved to the shrine,” Iroha finished.

“Uh, I think we’re rather more comfortable going back to usual,” Subaru smiled. “We’re just happy enough to have finally wedded.”

“Okayyy..,” Iroha slowly nodded. “Just remember..no one should be expecting you to work today, chief. Everyone will understand that.”

“Thanks, I’ll also only do as much as needed,” Subaru murmured. “So I can be back well before the sun goes down. How’s that?”

“Sounds a lot better for a safe way to do it, and also please don’t leave your wife alone too long,” Iroha replied. “Kaguya, please be careful out there, OK?”

“I will, and..,” Kaguya curved her lips. “I promise I won’t get lost again. My husband taught me some key landscapes in our field to remember when coming back.”

“Glad to hear,” Iroha sighed. “I was starting to worry for a moment…”

“Here’s your order,” Ulalaka suddenly paused at the sight of the newly wedded couple. “Oh, my. Good morning, our blessed newlyweds.”

“Good morning, Your Elegance,” Kaguya greeted for her husband with a bow.

“It’s nice to see you,” Ulalaka finally gave their order to her.

“Same,” Subaru smiled.

“If you’ll excuse me. Things are busy right now,” Ulalaka bowed.

“We understand. Please do what you need to do,” Subaru nodded.

“Thank you,” Ulalaka returned inside the teahouse.

“Let’s chow,” Subaru smiled at the two, and they began eating and drinking tea for a few minutes, and after they finished. “Iroha, here. Thanks.”

He gave a small bag to her as payment.

“Thanks, chief,” Iroha grinned. “And good luck for the rest of the day. Please be careful.”

“We will,” Subaru, and his wife stood up. “We’ll be back.”

Then they began heading further south towards the houses where Murasame and Kaguya used to live as neighbors. On the way there, however, they encountered the swordsman in blue, and white near the ema plaques with a large bag held over his shoulder.

“Murasame..?” Subaru suddenly paused. “Oh yeah…you told us you’re heading back to the capital after our wedding.”

“Yes, and it’s time for me to mend the last parts of restoring my family’s reputation by finally taking the mantle as the new head of the Munen Muso dojo,” Murasame nodded. “I’m still glad to have stayed here just long enough to wish you two well, and once again, thank you, chief.”

He placed his bag down, and bowed. “Without your guidance, I would not have made it this far. I still couldn’t imagine what would have happened to me had I allowed myself to be fully consumed by Sunny. I am truly grateful.”

“It’s no problem,” Subaru shook his head. “We’re friends, and I just wanted to help you as that. Nothing less.”

“I’m forever in your debt,” Murasame stood up again. “But in spite of this, I promise I will visit here from time to time. This wonderful place is still my second home.”

“You’re always welcome back here,” Subaru nodded with a smile.

Thank you..my friend,” Murasame bowed again before turning to his chief’s wife. “And Kaguya, your husband selflessly works very hard for everyone, and he is lucky to have someone like you. Please take care of him.”

“I certainly will,” Kaguya bowed back. “Thanks, Murasame.”

“Until then, please stay safe,” Murasame picked his bag, and began walking past them.

“Be careful,” Subaru murmured.

“I will,” Murasame waved his hand while heading for their village’s exit.

“I’ll miss him,” Subaru murmured again. “But I really did get the feeling he’ll be back, anyway. He has grown so fond of this place, and the first guy who saved me.”

“Really..?” Kaguya murmured.

“I know you first met when we’re about to get Sunny out of him, but we go wayys back,” Subaru smiled. “I’ll tell you the whole story during our dinner tonight.., or rather after. There are some uncomfortable parts.”

“I figured..he was so grateful to you,” Kaguya held her chest.

Then they moved on a few more paces until they finally reached Kaguya’s old house. She walked ahead, and opened it for them. Then they entered.

“Wow, you really kept everything organized,” Subaru smiled.

“Well, like I’ve been saying, I hardly had possessions that I once made Iroha worry about me,” Kaguya shyly held her cheek.

“Yeah..,” Subaru faintly smiled.

“Well, let’s get packing,” Woolby suggested.

“Let’s do this,” Subaru stretched his right arm before they began their work. In only a few minutes, they are now carrying the rest of her belongings out of her house, and before leaving, Kaguya closed the door and made sure it was firmly shut.

“This is it,” Kaguya smiled. “I’ll sorta miss it.”

“Seriously..?” Woolby paused. “It was a bit tight in there, and you’re living in a shrine now in comparison. Much bigger breathing space.”

“Come on, Woolby. I’m not exactly complaining at all,” Kaguya giggled as they began heading back to their shrine. “Now I wonder..who will be the next occupants of those houses?”

“Uh..maybe your kids once they grow up?” Woolby lightly shrugged.

“Mm mm, not gonna happen, and my mind is already made up,” Subaru shook his head with his eyes closed. “They’ll be living, and sleeping with us for a while, and once they become old enough to have their own rooms, I’ll hire Takumi to build them a couple of small houses in our front yard.”

“Wait, won’t it be better and even cheaper if you have him extend the shrine for more rooms for them instead?” Woolby asked. “Like..a renovation job?”

“I’ve thought of the possibility, but I’d rather keep it as it is..at least as close as possible,” Subaru replied. “Also.., I’m kinda surprised you said this. That shrine is sacred, and meant for honoring you.”

“Nah, honestly I don’t care,” Woolby shook his head while shrugging. “Especially if my earth dancer, and his family are living in it.”

Then Kaguya suddenly giggled. “I’m quite amazed you already thought about our children’s future ahead of time.”

“Not really,” Subaru grinned before they began ascending the long stair towards their shrine. “I just decided everything on the go when that topic was brought up.”

“Aww, look at him, earth dancer’s wifey. How sweet of him..?” Woolby hovered behind Kaguya with a smirk. “Your hubby already loves your kids before you bore them. Haha!”

“Can it, Woolby..!” Subaru blushed just as his wife did beside him. “It’s only obvious that parents want only the best for them..!”

“I know. I was just playing with ya,” Woolby cackled. “You two are really fun to tease. First just you, and then I couldn’t believe how much the same your wifey is to you. Now you’re fun to tease together, and then imagine once your kid or two are around…”

“Woolby, one more time..,” Kaguya glared at him. “And don't think about giving any of them a hard time..!”

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop now! Don’t suddenly grab, and shut me up!” Woolby waved his hands. ‘She is scarily vicious when pissed off, sometimes. More than her hubby, and even enough to scare Kai..! I just hope..these two won’t have a girl like her…’ “Now back to the old topic. Kinda have an idea, but don’t you think Murasame is still single?”

“Now you mention it, yeah,” Subaru murmured after finally reaching the top of the stairs. “Maybe if he does get married, and have his own family later on, then both of those houses are theirs whenever they visit. That might be for the best.”

“Yeah, that’s excellent, partner,” Woolby cheerfully raised his paw.

“I would have no reason to disagree,” Kaguya shook her head. “I can’t think of anything else.”

“Then it’s decided,” Subaru closed his eyes. “Just..don’t tell him for now until he does.”

And they finally walked up the stairs towards the entrance of their shrine, and once they entered, they placed Kaguya’s belongings on the floor.

“Hoo, that’s quite a trip,” Subaru closed his eyes. “I’m really glad I helped you. That could have taken you one more trip after this…”

“I really appreciate it, thank you,” Kaguya smiled. “But..I think you should leave the rest to me here.”

“...Are you sure, darling?” Subaru worriedly blinked his eyes. “I mean…”

“You have duties to fulfill for our four villages,” Kaguya smiled. “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself, too.”

“Okay..,” Subaru regrettably closed his eyes. “Until we come back, please be careful, OK?”

“I certainly will,” Kaguya walked towards him, and gave him a hug. “And be careful, too. Before heading back, I’ll fish for fisherman’s rice bowl for our dinner, your favorite.”

“Wah..?” Subaru blinked his eyes in shock. “You still remember..?”

“Of course. We used to enjoy eating them together as kids,” Kaguya giggled. “I still remember your enthusiasm so well.”

“Oh..alright,” Subaru hugged her back with a chuckle before breaking away again.

“Now off you go, chief,” Kaguya caressed her husband’s cheek with a smile. “There might be people who need your help right now. I’ll see you before sunset.”

“I promise I’ll be back, darling,” Subaru embraced her again for a kiss while Woolby quietly turned away.

“Then we’ll have our nice first dinner together,” Subaru smiled after breaking away, and leaning his forehead with hers.

“We already ate dinner together before,” Kaguya smirked.

Then Subaru smirked back out of his wife’s obvious jest. “As husband, and wife.”

And the two chuckled together while leaning their heads on each other.

“Alright, I’m leaving,” Subaru nodded.

“I’ll see you off,” Kaguya nodded back.

Then the three began walking outside.

“Woolby, let's go,” Subaru murmured. “Time to start working for our country.”

“Gotcha,” Woolby began shining into a bright light, and flashed into the white dragon.

“Hop on,” Mokoshiro said.

Then the couple took a last glance at each other before Subaru jumped high to the top of the dragon god’s mane, and he took another glance at his wife below. They waved at each other.

“Kaguya, please be careful,” Mokoshiro murmured.

“I will,” Kaguya nodded before she stopped waving.

“Let us be off,” Mokoshiro turned back.

“Yeah,” Subaru nodded before waving at his wife again as Mokoshiro began moving. They flew around the village before ascending into the skies, and Kaguya watched them before they disappeared into the horizon. 

Moving on, she continued her work as planned by walking back into their shrine, and pulling her belongings out of her bags. It only took less than an hour until she squared everything away, all of her clothes in their new drawer that her husband bought for her prior to their wedding, and her hygiene materials in the rest of them. After she finished, she left the shrine, and walked down towards the plaques, greeting Iroha, Sakaki, Ulalaka, Suzu, and Takumi on the way. Once she arrived at the plaques, and started examining the quests there.

‘Hmm, two monster slayings, and a few more material gathering quests.’

She grabbed the plaques. ‘These should be enough for today. Time to get to work.’

She placed them in her pocket before heading for the village’s exit, also making sure to inform Iroha and Ulalaka that she will be in the field on mission.

A whole day has already passed, and Kaguya finally returned to their village with a bag in her hand mid afternoon. True to her word, she managed to return safely thanks to her husband’s recent navigational guidance, and as much as she may not want to admit it, it also gave her a sense of pride.

“Ohh, Kaguya,” Iroha saw her. “Good to see you back. Please feel free to use one of the benches, if you want a bit of rest, and I know that stairs up can be really tall. I’ll also offer you a cup of tea. It’s in the house.”

“Um, are you sure..?” Kaguya timidly asked.

“I happened to make one extra from people’s orders, and also consider it as my final complimentary for your wedding,” Iroha grinned as she held a cup of tea to her.

“Thank you,” Kaguya hesitantly took the tea, and sat down. “Finished all work today.”

“You're doing great,” Iroha smiled. “And..what is that bag?”

“Fishes,” Kaguya smiled before sipping.

“Oh, is that for dinner?” Iroha giggled.

“Yes, it's for my husband's favorite food,” Kaguya giggled. “Fisherman's rice bowl.”

“Aww, that's so sweet of you,” Iroha clapped her hands together before rubbing her cheek on them. “Think about it..besides dango, he never talked to us about his favorite foods.”

“I’ve known it since we're kids,” Kaguya chuckled reluctantly. “But I see. He's still the type to not talk about what he likes.”

“Yeah, maybe he doesn't want us to do anything for him,” Iroha giggled. 

“It's simply how he is. He can be a bit shy,” Kaguya giggled back. “He also doesn’t want others to burden themselves for him…That also hasn’t changed from what I best remembered about him.”

“True..,” Iroha closed her eyes. “But Kaguya…aren’t you a bit similar?”

“Hm..?” Kaguya blinked her eyes.

“I’m not trying to call on you, but you used to be like that,” Iroha murmured. “You used to avoid talking to us about your problems.”

“Oh..you’re right,” Kaguya sighed.

“But I think that itself is really charming of you,” Iroha giggled before sitting beside her. “Though somehow…I might not be in a position to say, but I really have this feeling this can also be a bad thing. Don’t be too self-sacrificial for each other, OK? Be more honest. I’m also speaking for your hubby, too.”

“Mm,” Kaguya nodded before glancing at the nearly finished yunomi she was holding on her lap. “It’s OK. I think you’re right.”

“Yeah, this kind of thing could pile up into a series of lies. At least that’s what I believe,” Iroha murmured. “I know you’ll always mean well for him, but we also know he’ll get upset if he finds out that people close to him have been shouldering their burdens alone. Just..don’t let this happen to you. I know you’re newly weds, and that you’ve known him since you’re kids, but..still keep a close eye on him, OK? He could be doing the same thing for your sake.”

“Yeah,” Kaguya smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. He is very quick to ask if I have any problems, and helps right away.”

“Mm,” Iroha nodded with a smile. “In the end, I really think you’ll be fine, anyway. Your history with each other is just too strong, and that’s a great power you two had. Honestly, I’m a bit envious…”

Then Kaguya chuckled with a sweatdrop.

“Seriously, you’re really lucky,” Iroha grinned. “I wished I also had a childhood boyfriend, and I have the feeling that Suzu will beat me to it with Kotaro...”

And Kaguya giggled. “I’m sorry…”

“Wait, please don’t apologize. No need,” Iroha laughed. “We all have our own cards to deal with, and as a matter of fact, I feel quite happy for her.”

“You’re a sweet person,” Kaguya smiled. “I think you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one.”

“I won’t worry about that for a while, anyway. Contrary to what I just said, but I’m still young,” Iroha smiled back. “I still want to keep building my business, aaand in fact, besides Ulalaka but I also get some hits from boys. I think a lot of them are starting to know me too much.”

And the two women giggled together.

“I’m sorry I have to leave now,” Kaguya placed the empty yunomi on her side. “I need to start preparing dinner before my husband returns. He also told me he’ll be back earlier than usual.”

Then she stood up, and bowed. “Thank you for the tea.”

“No problem at all,” Iroha slowly shook her head with a light smirk. “But gee. I can’t get over how formally courteous you are, sometimes. You’re almost like Ulalaka. I can understand her, but…”

“Well, I grew up from a long line of priestesses,” Kaguya smiled. “So, I was taught many mannerisms.”

“I see. Now you mention it, you can also dance like your hubby. I forgot,” Iroha laughed. “Silly me, but part of me sometimes thinks you still feel like a stranger here. Please don’t be, if you still feel like that. Everyone already loves you..just like Clarice now after you, even. She also still feels that way, but we’re helping her feel more part of us as a big family.”

“I see. I honestly felt a lot more in common with her. I’ve been talking to her with my husband,” Kaguya murmured. “But now feeling more that I’m not the only one, then I should work on it more. I thought I was completely over it, but I guess it still lingers. I’ll keep at it, I promise.”

She grinned. “Thanks for consoling me. I’ll still do my best for everyone.”

“Yeah,” Iroha grinned back. “Please take care of yourself.”

“You, too,” Kaguya smiled before waving at each other, and headed for the stairs towards their shrine.

As soon as she entered, she quickly began her work by preparing a rice and bowl for steaming, and then pulling her catches out of her bag before she began cutting them. In only a few minutes of cutting them into small strips, she gasped after feeling a wind blow past her, and then a couple of voices were heard from outside.

“That was quite an easy day.”

“I told you a lot of people aren’t expecting you to work today! How did you enjoy being asked about working when you’re supposed to be having a honeymoon with her?”

“It was quite a handful…”

“See?! Awkward, huh?”

“Wait, why are you flying out already? You’re not eating with us?”

“Why the heck would I?! Are you dense?! We just talked about you recently getting married! I should not be third wheeling you at least for a while..! Plus…”

Then Kaguya heard unintelligible whispers outside.

“Woolby!”

“HAHAHAHAHA!! Come on. You know you both need it…”

And Kaguya finally decided to stop her work, and walk outside. “Welcome back.”

“Oh, here’s the wifey now,” Woolby smirked. “Anyway, don’t worry about me starving. I’m not just a monster, but also a dragon god of thousands of years from Mihoshi Habaki! I can easily grab my own grub, or two, plus this village has a lot of fruits, too.”

“But I also don’t mind at all, really,” Kaguya murmured. “Come eat with us.”

“Nope! It’s just not right,” Woolby turned away with his arms crossed. “Now off I go find some grub. Have a nice dinner.”

“Wait, just grab any harvest from the shipping shed to make it easier,” Subaru reached his hand out. “The farmers already know about you, and me, so they shouldn’t complain.”

“Gotcha, thanks,” Woolby turned away again. “Have a nice evening.”

“See you,” Subaru waved with his wife.

“Ready to eat together?” Subaru smiled, and Kaguya could see in his eyes how happy he was to see her again.

Then she frowned. “About that…I’m sorry.”

“Hm?” Subaru paused.

“I originally planned to prepare our dinner before you return, but decided to have a brief rest at Iroha’s after fulfilling all the ema plaque quests, and fishing,” Kaguya murmured. “She also wanted to treat me with tea…”

“Whoa, wait. You don’t have to apologize for that at all,” Subaru waved his hands. “But I’m glad you decided to take a break at Iroha’s after being out there all day when you needed it. I’d personally rather you do that, plus look at how tall the stair is. You also look..a little tired.”

“Oh..,” Kaguya paused before instinctively fixing her hair..in front of him.

Subaru chuckled. “Wait..! It’s OK, seriously. I knew you worked out there so no need to keep brushing yourself up. Also…”

He leaned closer to her with a grin. “I’d rather we always cook together, anyway, so don’t worry about hustling to finish cooking for me before I come back. We’re always in this together.”

And Kaguya blushed. “But.., don't wives always have to cook for their husbands’ meals before arriving home from work..?”

“Right, but I’m a little different,” Subaru gave her a smug smile. “With just you and me? We’ll do things our way.”

“...Okay,” Kaguya curved her lips, shyly staring away from him.

‘Gods..! She’s so cute when she acts like that. I so wanna hug her!’ Subaru blushed in turn. ‘But I also can’t have her acting too much like this, either. At least not make her too uncomfortable…’ “Alright, since you already started, let’s get to it.”

“Yes,” Kaguya nodded with a smile before the couple walked together into their shrine.

Subaru placed his work bag near their futons as Kaguya headed straight into the kitchen, and resumed her work. He washed his hands, and then stood beside her before grabbing his own knife and grabbed another fish to cut.

“Wow, you really caught quite a lot of different kinds,” Subaru smiled while he continued carving. “White fish..tuna.., and you even caught a salmon..?!”

Kaguya giggled. “It was just a lucky catch, I’m sure. Fishing isn’t my thing yet.”

“Same here. I’m still mostly a land hunter even now,” Subaru briefly leaned the side of his head with hers. “And you harvested quite some veggies, too.”

“It took some time to find them,” Kaguya let out a small sigh.

“If you want, feel free to grab some fruits and veggies from the shipping shed near our farm in late afternoons like I told Woolby earlier,” Subaru flipped his fish, and began carving again. “Makes gathering easier.”

“But..isn’t that like..village property?” Kaguya paused.

“Yeah, but I’m also their chief, and you’re their chief’s wife,” Subaru chuckled with a grin. “You might get some eyes doing it at first, but I’m sure they’ll know, and get used to it afterwards. Though.., if someone does give you problems…”

He somewhat turned his eyes darkly at her. “Please let me know.., and I’ll make sure they'll understand next time...”

Then Kaguya raised her eyes. “Wow..I never thought of this, but have you done any disciplinary actions to people here..?”

Subaru sighed before continuing. “I did a few times before you came here..though not in a formal way. Not everybody who comes back here are good guys, and then on the other hand, some of the ones who decided to stay here until the bitter end don’t play well with those who do come back. They think they don't deserve to be here again after being abandoned to fend for themselves, and then seeing them come back once our villages start recovering? Hard to blame them myself, honestly. I even had to stop a couple of fist fights…”

“Oh, my..,” Kaguya frowned before her husband glanced at her.

“It’s alright. Don’t think this is your fault, OK? If anything, the Celestial Collapse is the real one to blame,” Subaru wrapped his arm around her, and rubbed her shoulder to comfort her. “It’s also people who are not properly dealing with these hard times. They’re grown ups, so I expected them to act like it, and if they don’t, then I just do my best to make them.”

He grinned before glancing at his hand. “Oh, gods..! I forgot that I’ve been handling fish! Sorry that I accidentally stained you a bit with it…”

“Oh..,” Kaguya glanced at her left shoulder. “Please don’t mind. We haven’t taken a bath yet, anyway, plus..I myself already need a bath. I smell like sweat…”

“OK..,” Subaru chuckled. “Me too, actually. Anyway, it’s a good thing I don’t deal with this alone.”

He grinned again. “At least here, Takumi and Kihachi help me break those people apart whenever they start throwing punches at each other. The two biggest boys in this village, and you know in some ways as I’m embarrassed to admit, but I think they’re more afraid of those two than their own chief. I kinda envy them a bit, honestly.”

And the couple chuckled together while they continued working.

“But I like the way you are,” Kaguya wrapped her hand around his waist.

“...Thanks, but it’s all good, anyway,” Subaru blushed. “I also don’t want our people to be more afraid of me. Plus.., good thing they haven’t pushed me hard enough yet. I still remembered how our old village taught us to defend ourselves with our hands with judo.”

He snickered. “I also still remember how good you are with it, and the last time you dropped me down on a tatami.”

The couple chuckled together.

“You’re not holding a grudge against me for that, are you?” Kaguya smirked.

“Nah. Thinking back now, I actually enjoyed your takedowns,” Subaru teasingly flashed his eyebrows before snickering. “But seriously, I hope no one here in our villages ever pushes me to that point, or…they might find themselves on the ground before they know it. Then I might have to think about how to punish them..probably make them work longer hours while being watched by their farm supervisors for a start until they learn their lesson.”

“Mm, you have quite an imposing side,” Kaguya commented.

“I have to since becoming their chief. I like to play nice, but I also can’t let them think I’m a pushover,” Subaru sighed before disposing of their fish bones. “Besides those two, I’m also glad others stood for me when one even tries to talk back. I’m surprised about the amount of loyalty I got. “How dare you disrespect our chief?!” what they often said. I was always ready for the worst, but they always saved me from doing it. I was always thankful.”

“That’s because…you’re a good chief, darling,” Kaguya affectionately leaned her head on his shoulder after she finished cutting both her fish and vegetables. “Your strong yet good heart also won theirs.”

“I’ll keep doing my best. Not just for our people, but for you, too,” Subaru leaned back to her after he also finished. “I think these problems will keep going for a while. It’s only been a bit less than a year since I started bringing the villages back up, and people start coming back in droves.”

“Mm,” Kaguya closed her eyes. “And I will do my best to help you.”

“It’s funny how far I’ve come, huh?” Subaru closed his eyes. “I went from being a crybaby to someone who leads a lot of people in four villages...”

“And I’ve been proud of you since we met again,” Kaguya giggled. “I was surprised to learn that you’re the chief after I finally woke up from a coma. Before that, all I wanted after our mission is to see you again, and return to our home with that past behind us. Together hand in hand.”

“Yet, we both ended up getting more than what we bargained for, huh?” Subaru smiled. “Not only we married, but you also got into the chiefdom with me, too. Crazy, huh?”

“And I will never complain. I will enjoy this life with you whatever that may be,” Kaguya smiled back before they heard a cast iron begin rattling behind them. “Oh..the rice is almost ready.”

“Then let’s start prepping,” Subaru smiled. “I’m starting to feel hungry myself.”

“Me too, actually,” Kaguya giggled.

Then the young couple began working in disposing trash, organizing their ingredients in groups, and sat around their iori table across from each other for a few more minutes to make sure their rice was properly steamed.

“I think it’s time,” Kaguya smiled.

“Then let’s chow,” Subaru grabbed his chopsticks, and bowl.

“Thanks for the meal!”

The couple said together before Subaru let his wife grab a spoonful of rice for her bowl, and passed the scoop to him to get his. They began mixing both fish, and vegetables in their bowls, before Kaguya suddenly paused.

“Uh, what’s up?” Subaru already suspected an oncoming tease from his wife based on her expression.

“You actually still eat vegetables,” Kaguya smiled.

“Uhh, yeah. I’m not a kid anymore, you know?” Subaru chuckled while still adding more vegetables to flex on her. “Plus, I ate them when we last ate together at Yachiyo’s. Gotta keep staying healthy.”

He popped a piece of carrot in his mouth out of playful spite. “See? Carrots, too. But I know kids hate them.”

Kaguya suddenly laughed. “I did see you at that time, but just glad I finally got to say it, and I’m really glad you still do! You meat lover…”

She took her first bite with a small avocado.

“Still do even now..,” Subaru flashed his eyebrows after swallowing his bite, and now grabbing his first piece of raw salmon in his bowl. “I just learned to discipline myself.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Kaguya smiled.

“Got a question for you, darling..,” Subaru began smirking after finishing his bite. “I have the feeling that you’ll push our kids to eat veggies…”

Then Kaguya suddenly paused with a blush. “And why won’t I..?”

“I’m just curious,” Subaru smiled.

“Then absolutely. We’ll both want them to eat healthy balanced meals,” Kaguya smiled with confidence.

“I’m totally with you. I would, too,” Subaru chuckled before taking another bite, and swallowing. “They’re gonna have to learn.”

“Glad we’re thinking the same thing,” Kaguya giggled.

Then they continued eating together for the next half-hour, telling each other about their today’s adventures, and at times as often, laughing and joking with each other. Amidst this, however, while Subaru was about to finish his last serving by raising his bowl up in front of his face to scoop the rest of the food into his mouth with his chopsticks, Kaguya caught a glance of an empty seat adjacent to her on her left side. Their table can accommodate up to four people, but right now, it is only him, and her…

“Kaguya..?” Subaru paused shortly after placing his bowl back on their table.

“Oh..!” Kaguya slightly jerked up. “What is it..?”

“I was just checking,” Subaru leaned back on his seat. “But you were spaced out just now.”

“I-it’s nothing,” Kaguya held her chest.

“...Okay,” Subaru glanced at the adjacent seat on his right. “So, yeah. About Murasame…”

He spent almost half an hour telling her about him.

“I fully understand now,” Kaguya held her chin. “So that’s how it led to fighting against that yoma when I was first involved.”

“Yeah, Sunny has to go away,” Subaru murmured. “She’s been slowly killing him, yet ironically at the same time..she was actually quite nice..nice enough to even let him go. In the end, I couldn’t tell if she really cared about him or not.”

“I had no idea so I couldn’t judge. I was just there to help you,” Kaguya replied. “But now I know the whole story, I also couldn’t tell if she truly cared for him or not, either.”

“I guess we’ll never know, but at least it’s finally over and Murasame got things sorted out,” Subaru held the back of his head with both hands, leaning on them as his headrest. “It’s why he left for the capital today..to finish up the rest of it.”

“Still, to go through such an ordeal just because of his older brother,” Kaguya murmured. “It’s not fair at all…”

“I agree,” Subaru closed his eyes with a smile. “But also looking at it, it also made him stronger as he wanted, and every step he did helped him get there, even when some of them were wrong.”

Then Kaguya giggled. “You’re pretty optimistic. I could learn from you…”

“Hm?” Subaru suddenly opened his eyes. “I don’t think you’re pessimistic at all, really.”

“It took me time to blend into our village,” Kaguya murmured. “Before your help, I would never have expected anyone to welcome me, but it’s all thanks for your help, dear.”

“Think about it, you know how I got here..?” Subaru began grinning. “By falling in this very same place from the sky.”

He laughed. “I would have thought everyone in here would think I’d be something else that can’t be anything but just a normal person..! Worse..an amnesiac?”

“What..?” Kaguya froze while her husband laughed again. “H-how did that happen..?!”

‘She doesn’t remember..?! Then that might be for the best,’ Subaru’s smile quickly faded. “I couldn’t remember. I even once forgot that Woolby was my dragon. Must have bashed my head really badly from that fall.”

“I see,” Kaguya murmured. “Could it be..?”

“It’s just the past now. I’m still here, you’re still here, and we’re both happy now,” Subaru grinned despite hating to be possibly quite rude to her. “That's all that matters.”

“I suppose you have a point. Think about only the now, and our future,” Kaguya smiled.

“Mm,” Subaru nodded. “Clarice is still having trouble trying to blend in, and I just talked to her in Winter Village today, actually.”

“You did?” Kaguya blinked her eyes.

“It’s hard for her to let go of her sins, but I think she’ll pull through anyway,” Subaru murmured. “Plus besides Veyron, Fubuki started helping her, too. You’re definitely way ahead of her, so you’re not anything pessimistic for me. Plus.., you smiled more often since you came here.”

He grinned at her. “Remember what we talked about last night?”

“O-of course I do..!” Kaguya crossed her arms with a blush.

“Alright, let’s start cleaning up, and hit the baths,” Subaru sat up. “Plus.., I still remember you want to start fixing my hair.”

“Absolutely,” Kaguya nodded with a smile. “I would not miss that.”

“Couldn’t wait, huh?” Subaru smirked.

“Yes,” Kaguya smirked, which made her husband laugh.

Then they both stood up, and began cleaning their kitchen. After they finished like the night earlier, Kaguya took her bath before him, and once he finished, he sat on the same seat of their table before his wife stood behind him to begin combing his hair.

“Mm, you’re..pretty good at this,” Subaru complimented her without moving too much to disrupt her work. “I could get used to this.”

“Well, I’ve been taking care of my hair all my life so I know the ways,” Kaguya continued combing him. “And you’re not bad at all. Only a few knots near your scalp, but the rest down are smooth.”

“I just kept doing what I can,” Subaru relaxed with a sigh.

“Dear, please don’t fall asleep yet,” Kaguya teased, which made him chuckle.

After half an hour.

“Done,” Kaguya leaned back

“Hoo..! I’m ready to pass out,” Subaru stretched his arms forward with a grunt.

“Me too, it’s quite a day,” Kaguya yawned before her husband stood up.

They closed both the sliding doors of their front and backyard before they headed for their futons. After Subaru placed his red thread on the basket above his pillow, he noticed that something was off: his wife was not near him. He looked up to her direction, and saw Kaguya already laying on her side in her futon, smiling at him.

“Uh, darling..?” Subaru hesitantly asked. “I thought we’re…”

Kaguya pulled a portion of her blanket down, and softly patted the white soft pad in front of her without saying a word as an invitation. Only expressing what is seemingly a suggestive grin.

“Oh..,” Subaru blinked his eyes for a few seconds before making a light chuckle. “That was..a bit unexpected.”

“Come on in,” Kaguya giggled while patting his space again.

Subaru just smiled with his eyes closed, and crawled into his wife’s futon this time, cozily settling close before embracing each other in their arms.

For the following week, their routine remained the same. The couple ate breakfast together either by cooking at home, or eating at Iroha's tea house. Kaguya had occasionally woken her heavy sleeping husband by pinching his nose to prevent him from being late in his chiefly rounds, which often resulted with their amused laughter together. She also discovered that Subaru does not always have to leave Spring Village for his duties much to her convenience. At times, he had to finish administrative paperwork before they stack too much, one of his major tasks is reading many propositions of villagers from all four villages and whether he should approve or reject them, and others, reviewing logistical reports from villagers working under him in leadership positions: foremen in carpentry including Takumi, blacksmith owners like Kihachi, and farm supervisors.

Each time Subaru flies with Woolby to work, Kaguya would either work on homemaking, finish ema plaque quests to help people in need, or a little bit of both, also making sure to never forget to water the red plum tree in their backyard as it is a special tree for the event of his proposal to her. However, one Friday late afternoon, Subaru returned from work, and Kaguya gasped before greeting him a welcome home…

She watched her husband slightly limp after jumping off from Mokoshiro.

“Darling, you look terribly exhausted!” Kaguya worriedly ran to examine him. “And you have a few bruises and cuts..! What happened?!”

“It was a little rough today. Sorry about this,” Woolby murmured after transforming. “A group of those oni thugs attacked Summer Village, and your hubby and Matsuri were the only fighters around so they had to drive them out themselves while keeping the tourists safe. If only Tsubame was also there…”

Then Kaguya winced with regret. ‘If only I was with him..!’  “Understood. No more work for the rest of the night, OK? Not even paperwork.”

“But..,” Subaru wearily glanced at her.

“It’s a holiday tomorrow!” Kaguya protested. “You can put off work until then, and you look like you’re about to faint..! I can start doing some of the paperwork for you, at least!”

Then Subaru blinked his eyes.

“I’ve been watching you,” Kaguya held her chest. “I’m starting to learn how you do things, and I’ve been trying to figure out more ways to be more helpful to you. So please, let me start shouldering some of it, and I’ll start by reading over the stack of propositions where I will either approve or reject them based on our villages’ logistical state reports tomorrow. I’ve been reading them while working in our shrine this past week, and if I’m not sure, then I will discuss it with you. You’ll still have the final say.”

“Ooh, partner. I don’t think you should turn her down,” Woolby furrowed his eyes. “You already got boned a few times before you even met your wifey again..! So..what’s your answer..?”

“Alright..,” Subaru closed his eyes. “I won’t be working anymore tonight, I promise, and tomorrow, I’ll start telling you more how things are. We’ll knock those out together.”

Then Woolby quietly smiled.

“Thank you,” Kaguya sighed. “Let me help you get inside, and I’ll treat your cuts before we make dinner.”

“So..do you need help?” Woolby asked.

“I think we got this. Thanks,” Subaru stood more straight up. “I’m starting to feel a little better, actually.”

And Kaguya furrowed her eyes.

“Heh, alright,” Woolby gave him a teasing look. “Just..don’t be afraid to call me when you need help, OK? I’ll be coming by tomorrow.”

“I understand. Thanks for looking after us,” Kaguya nodded.

Then Woolby flew off, and then Kaguya turned to him.

“Come, I’ll help you,” Kaguya began trying to wrap her arm around his waist.

“Wait, I’m still good. I can still walk,” Subaru murmured.

And Kaguya faced him with a glare. “No..! I will insist on helping you walk inside, do you understand?!”

Then Subaru froze in shock.

“Don't try acting tough around me!” Kaguya continued glaring at him. “I know you've been working hard, darling, but you said we're in this together, remember?”

“...Yeah,” Subaru sighed in shame.

“We are husband, and wife..!” Kaguya continued fiercely glaring at him. “Aren’t we supposed to be for each other?!”

“Yeah,” Subaru closed his eyes. “It's just that..I have to be strong for you, you know..? How could I look at myself as a man, if I can't be like that..? I made up my mind not to be a weak crybaby like I was anymore…”

“And you did!” Kaguya shook her head. “You’ve been way above that now. You told me yourself by being a chief, and that only the present and our future only matters now. Also.., village chiefs normally lead only one village, but you lead four! I already knew you’ll never complain no matter what, but don't you think it's also unfair that you're shouldering them all by yourself?!”

She resisted her tears. “I can’t just watch you taking on all this, you know? This is why I started reading your paperworks…I wanted to start helping you more. I should have known what you're actually going through before we married. I could have acted sooner, and helped you a lot more. Most importantly, I could have helped prevent this from happening to you..!”

Subaru spent a few moments mustering the courage to reply. “Okay.., I’m sorry…”

He hesitantly hugged her with one arm, but Kaguya hugged him back with both arms.

“...I want to start traveling with you again so I can start learning more about your duties to help you,” Kaguya shook her head in his shoulder. “Don’t..take on this all alone again..!”

“Mm,” Subaru dejectedly sighed. “Thanks.”

“Let's go,” Kaguya began smiling again before facing him. “I still need to treat your wounds with herbs, and then have dinner together.”

Subaru allowed his wife to help him to their shrine, and Kaguya had him sit by their table before treating his injuries. She proceeded to cook, and as much as he regrets it, Subaru nevertheless allowed her to do so alone as he was still exhausted and did not want to upset her again.

Their atmosphere lightened as soon as they began eating together. Kaguya began smiling at him again as if nothing happened earlier, but Subaru struggled accepting her gestures, only smiling back, and then once they finished, she had him bathe first so she could prepare their materials to patch him while he washes himself to disinfect his wounds. As soon as Subaru left their bathroom, she bandaged them before proceeding for her bath. 

Then once Kaguya finished, she walked near their futons, and kneeled down, leaving her husband perplexed.

“Dear, please lay down here..,” Kaguya shyly patted her lap.

“Huh..?” Subaru began blushing while still on his dinner seat, expecting a hair grooming from her as part of her routine. “I thought we’re going to…”

“We can do that tomorrow after we finish all the administrative work,” Kaguya gave him a warm smile. “Please…”

She began blushing while patting her lap again. “I know it’s a bit out of nowhere, but…I’ve seen a younger couple in our village do it while they were having a picnic this past week, and I felt envious, so…I want to try it…”

“Ah..,” Subaru closed his eyes. “Alright.”

Already recovered enough from fatigue in today’s work, Subaru nevertheless carefully stood up, and moved towards his wife. Unfamiliar with this kind of activity, he slowly laid his head on her lap, facing straight up at her. “Uh, like this..?”

“Perfect..,” Kaguya almost giggled before she began stroking his head. “You still feel tense…Please relax..I’m not mad at you, anymore…”

“Sorry..I’m just not used to this,” Subaru smiled before closing his eyes to finally start relaxing.

Being told that he was not used to this gesture struck a lightning of guilt in Kaguya’s chest which made her wonder if she was caring for him enough. 

“I’ve been thinking back, but… I think I went a little too hard on you. I’m sorry..,” Kaguya murmured.

“No hard feelings at all..,” Subaru slightly shook his head. “I feel more bad about upsetting you…I also thought back while you were having a bath, and.., I’m a hypocrite. I’ve already told you a few times that we’ll do everything together, and even went as far as telling you we’d rather cook together instead of cooking for me before I come back. I already knew we’ll always have each other’s backs; I knew this since we started taking ema plaques together, and yet..I still avoided depending on you in some ways; I just wanted you to be happier from now on. I always believed you’re a strong person, and then with me confessing to you earlier about how I wanted to be a strong man for you, I realized that my own pride ended up condescending you. That’s…what hurt me the most…I failed you.., and I’m really sorry…”

“No.., we failed each other,” Kaguya shook her head. “I also saw signs that your work can take its toll on you, and yet..I didn’t take it to heart until it was too late. Please forgive me, dear… Earlier.., I thought I should have been there. I could have helped prevent this from happening to you…”

She closed her eyes to fight off tears until she felt his warm hand on her cheek.

“No need to ask.., darling,” Subaru smiled from below her. “We’ll move on, and start working on it together, OK?”

“Absolutely,” Kaguya smiled as she passionately held his hand on her cheek.

“You know this new thing you just tried? I could definitely get used to this now,” Subaru began grinning to cheer her up. “I almost feel like my loving wife is spoiling me, that it feels kinda wrong.”

He laughed which made Kaguya giggle.

“It’s only right that I do,” Kaguya continued stroking his head. “During our first night together, you let me sleep close to you when I..needed you the most.”

“Mm,” Subaru nodded. “Though, I was honestly a bit surprised that you can be clingy.”

“Mmm, are you starting to tease me again?” Kaguya began pouting.

“Not at all,” Subaru shook his head. “It didn’t feel right for me to let you sleep alone in your futon in the first place, anyway. I just couldn’t have the heart to ask…”

“So..even you also do?” Kaguya smirked.

“Ooh, that’s..a nice touché,” Subaru chuckled.

“Too-shay..?” Kaguya slightly tilted her head to the side.

“Mauro told me it’s a word used in the west whenever you get beaten in arguments,” Subaru chuckled again.

“I see,” Kaguya smiled with amusement.

Then Subaru covered his mouth before yawning. “Ohh, I’m starting to drift off…You feel too good doing this.”

“Oh.. I’m glad,” Kaguya giggled. “Should we go to sleep?”

“Yeah, it would be rude, if I fall asleep on you like this,” Subaru began slowly sitting up. “Thanks for this.”

“...In all honesty, I probably would have liked it if you did,” Kaguya shyly held her closed hand on her lips. “You always looked adorable when sleeping…”

And Subaru blushed intensely. “...Okay.”

Seeing her husband becoming speechlessly flustered gave Kaguya a good laugh, and then Subaru followed along from her tease. They moved together towards Kaguya’s futon.

“Mine this time,” Kaguya smirked.

“After you,” Subaru replied before watching his wife remove her hairpin, place it above her pillow, and begin settling inside her blanket. Once she finished, Subaru removed his red thread hairpin before moving towards her, and placed his hairpin with hers before cozying with each other in their arms.

“Darling..?” Subaru tried to fight his sleep to tell his last message of the day to his wife, and hugged her gently tighter. “Thank you…”

“Mm,” Kaguya nodded in his chest. “Goodnight, dear…”

“Goodnight,” Subaru murmured his last words before finally drifting off to sleep.

In the next morning, Kaguya woke up first, but did not wake her husband this time as he needed more rest. She patiently waited until he was awake before dressing, and cooking breakfast together. Then they quickly went straight to work, reading documents, and reports, and true to her word, Kaguya never failed to ask her husband whether a proposition she was unsure of should be approved or rejected. Whichever of Subaru’s decisions, even after putting more thoughts in some, Kaguya never hesitated to either stamp ‘approved’ or ‘rejected’ on propositions before moving on to the next. Woolby also entered as he had said the day earlier, making sure his partner is alright, and then decided to stay with them for the rest of the day, also sharing his advice on Kaguya based on what he already has seen her husband did. As she became more confident in the process, and how he thinks about propositions as a chief, Kaguya eventually suggested inventing a system of brief explanations for rejected propositions as a way for politeness, and by extension, for better professionalism for the villagers, which Subaru wholeheartedly agreed.

She also never hesitated to ask her husband any questions, mainly terminologies pertaining to village work and financing ledgers, and the ratio of numbers, particularly cost-benefit analysis in their farm investments. Lunch time eventually caught up to them before they realized it due to their busy work, sitting together on their floor reading piles of paperwork between their futons, and their kitchen, and then they neatly organized their piles between finished, and unfinished. After they finished lunch and cleaned their kitchen, they quickly dove straight back to work with Subaru first joking how he wished he had a hachimaki to tie around his head as motivation to finish, and Kaguya laughed at this, a sign of her husband’s newfound confidence with her help. The three worked until they finished mid afternoon.

“Hoo! Wow..,” Subaru slammed his back on their floor after glancing at the last paper he worked with his ink brush, and placed it on a pile. “I can’t believe we finished it now. I thought it would take us until night..!”

“Yeah..,” Kaguya nodded with a smile. “I was also not sure if we’ll finish this early.”

“And you learned pretty fast, too,” Subaru murmured. “This..was definitely not possible without you.”

“Heh. Huge difference, huh?” Woolby smugly stared at him. “And your wifey is pretty smart, and probably smarter than you, too! Imagine if this keeps going, and how much easier your job is going to be, stubborn workaholic.”

“She’s coming with us starting tomorrow,” Subaru said. “She’ll be helping us from now on.”

“Ohh!” Woolby paused. “Now that is a nice plot twist!”

Kaguya chuckled. “Yes.”

Subaru quickly sat back up. “With the amount of spare time we have, I’d like to fly over to Yachiyo to treat you two, but…”

He scratched his head. “It’s a holiday. Her izakaya is closed today.”

“But didn’t she say she’s always open just for you on holidays?” Woolby asked.

“True, but everyone needs a break, too,” Subaru replied.

“And compared to how much you do for her, and the rest of them? I don’t think she’ll complain,” Woolby shook his head with his paws up. “Plus she’s the one who offered it, and that’s something she won’t even do for Kai despite being a god.”

He shrugged. “You haven’t even used that chief benefit yet, so go for it. You two deserve it. At least do it once in a while, partner. This is the only day you get to eat without worrying about time to work again, so I’d say knock yourselves out, even just today. Plus, I’m sure Yachiyo will be back to her village by the time we get there. It’s an hour trip, too, so use me for sightseeing together and decompressing while we fly there. You went through a lot just yesterday.”

“Alright,” Subaru stood up with Kaguya following suit and stretching their arms together. “Let’s fly there after we stow these paper stacks.”

“Be waiting for you outside,” Woolby waved before heading for the exit.

“How long has it been since we ate there?” Kaguya murmured.

“I think about a month ago?” Subaru replied before he frowned.

“What is it?” Kaguya blinked her eyes after picking up her stack.

“I just realized how messed up that was..,” Subaru closed his eyes after stowing his stack of papers. “I regularly eat lunch there with Woolby during workdays, and Yachiyo always has nice food, but to think I’ve been eating there without you…”

“Shh,” Kaguya suddenly hugged him after stowing hers. “It’s OK, dear. You were only working at that time, okay?”

“We’ll always eat together, even once you’re..,” Subaru blushed while stroking her hair. “Never mind…I’m just glad Woolby brought this up.”

“Mhm,” Kaguya looked up at him with a smile. “Then shall we?”

“Yeah, thanks for helping me,” Subaru smiled before they walked outside together, and rode with Mokoshiro together to Yachiyo.