The River Kami Asked Before Taking My Hand novel · Chapter 12 of 24
Chapter 12: First Night, Door Closed
Akari's heart was going so hard she could feel it in her teeth.
"What rules?" she said.
"Rules about what comes after kisses." Nagi's voice was low and careful. "Tomoe's books speak of it, a little. I have read them all. I know that people go to a room, and the door closes. I do not know the part in between."
"It's not really a rule thing," Akari said. "It's two people finding out what the other one likes. And you ask. A lot."
"I am good at asking."
"You're the best at it I've ever met."
"Is it what you want?" she said. "Tonight?"
"Nagi, I've wanted to kiss you since you asked if I'd sit down." Akari swallowed. "I'm nervous. I've never done this."
"Nor have I."
"Ever?"
"Nobody asked," Nagi said simply. "And I did not know I could."
They looked at each other in the washed light.
Akari stood up.
She held out her hand.
"Come inside," she said. "My room. I mean, my aunt's room. I mean my room."
"May I come in?" Nagi said, and her mouth trembled with a smile.
"You can always come in."
The tatami room was warm.
The shoji screens were closed against the dusk, and the paper glowed gold.
A small lantern stood on the low table, one of the pair from the festival.
Nagi stopped in the middle of the room.
Her hair fell around her.
She looked suddenly very tall and very uncertain.
"Akari," she said. "What do I do first?"
"You can ask me anything."
"May I touch your face?"
"Yes."
Nagi's hands came up and cupped Akari's cheeks.
She traced her thumbs along the cheekbones, and over the edge of her glasses.
"May I take these off?"
"Yes."
The glasses came away.
The room blurred.
Akari saw only a tall pale shape and two grey eyes, and she found she did not mind at all.
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