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Post by Iweko Yoshinobu on Mar 8, 2018 9:32:54 GMT -5
"Yeah, I think I'd like that. I mean, you don't have to feel forced to do so if you don't want!" Yoshinobu replied, forcing an awkward laugh.
"It just made me realize that I miss my sister. Kind of like how you were talking about your brother the other day. She'd always come visit me before school while she was here, and sometimes we'd eat breakfast together like this."
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 8, 2018 9:44:33 GMT -5
"More time with you isn't something I'd ever have to be forced into" she replied, smiling.
"As for your sister...I look forward to her gempukku. I'd like to meet her."
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Post by Iweko Yoshinobu on Mar 8, 2018 11:11:44 GMT -5
"Well, if you insist then. I'd be glad to have you again. Like I said, she was wanting to meet you." Yoshinbobu reflexively looks over to his desk near in the main room, where he kept all of his letters and wrote as well.
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 8, 2018 11:16:06 GMT -5
Hinata followed his gaze to the desk.
"What sorts of things have you told her about me?" she asked, her tone playful.
"Hopefully nothing I can't live up to."
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Post by Iweko Yoshinobu on Mar 8, 2018 11:52:27 GMT -5
"I mentioned you in my letter a few days ago. Then, I told her that you weren't a typical Kuni. She said she was surprised to learn I was finally dating again. The breakup with Airi was... unpleasant to say the least. Kazuko-hime said she didn't want to see me hurt like that again."
He took a bit of his piece of toast, smiling. "In my reply yesterday I told her that I loved you. That you were different than Airi."
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 8, 2018 19:27:55 GMT -5
Hinata smiled.
"Well, I think I can live up to that."
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Post by Iweko Yoshinobu on Mar 8, 2018 20:00:18 GMT -5
"Think? I hope you have more confidence than that!" Yoshinobu jested back, pointing a chopstick at her melodramatically.
"I don't just fall in love with any random girl who says I look nice, or pretends they don't know who I am. Who asks for a picture on the street, or a selfie with me they can post on their social media to just get a bunch of likes or follows or some crap that doesn't even matter."
A pause. "I wouldn't have chosen you if you weren't special. Not if you were like the others. Not if I didn't see what I saw in you when I painted you."
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 8, 2018 20:08:07 GMT -5
Hinata was a bit taken aback by his response.
"I...thank you. ...you're special to me too. I can't put how I feel into a beautiful painting or a poem, but I'm not sure anyone could."
She shook her head slightly.
"No...there's a reason you were my first. I love you. Very much."
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Post by Iweko Yoshinobu on Mar 8, 2018 20:22:02 GMT -5
Damn this pomp and circumstance! Part of him just wanted to choose Hinata now and get this whole farce over with. It felt like a lie, it felt disloyal, it felt duplicitous. It felt like he was leading her on. She deserved better; he deserved better. The words almost came out of his mouth, but he caught himself before he could say them. Yoshinobu had to hold himself to a higher standard. He had to think of the Empire. He had to put Rokugan first.
If all of the samurai of Rokugan served the Empire, then the Emperor served Rokugan. He had to act in its best interest, and sacrifice his own personal honor if need be. His own flights of fancy, and his own desires. He couldn't be selfish like that. His heart churned as he smiled at her.
"I think you've expressed that love well enough. I'm not sure I need a piece of art to know as much, Hinata. Thanks for letting me love you."
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 8, 2018 20:39:44 GMT -5
Hinata was not a mind reader; she could not tell what Yoshinobu was thinking. She did see his hesitation, though. It was subtle; someone less attuned to his emotions would likely not have noticed. However, the conflict was undeniably there. Was he hiding something? That was very unlike him. She had to ask. She leaned forward, her expression one of gentle concern.
"There is no need to thank me, but...is something wrong? You look worried..."
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