Unselfish Wish

Chapter 22- Birthday Date Part Two

“Hello, Hina.” She answered, sounding extremely nervous.

“Are you worried about your mystery date tomorrow?” Hina was not going to ask what was wrong, because the likelihood of Fumi just telling her was slim.

“Yes... Well, no... I mean...” Fumi trailed off, not sure what to say.

“Okay you feel like telling me what’s really going on?” Hina wasn't the type to beat around the bush.

“Um, well, I think I figured something important out.” Hina was silent for a moment, trying to figure out which piece Fumi was talking about.

“Go on.” Was all Hina said.

“So, there aren’t two Kiyos, just one.” Fumi blurted.

“Uh huh, like you know another one or something?”

“No, my Kiyo- Kiyoshi- he's Tsukiyomi.” She finally said in a big rush. There was silence from Hina, confirming that indeed the people she knew were already aware. Probably sworn to silence or decided it was on him to make the big reveal. “You aren’t surprised because you knew, right?”

“Listen, Fumi, I-”

“It’s okay Hina, I’m not upset with you all.” Fumi rushed to reassure her best friend.

“All?” Hina inquired.

“If you knew, our friend group and my family all knew. That’s the only way you’d allow him to stay around me.” Fumi reasoned.

“True.” Hina's shoulders sagged. In a way, they did Fumi a disservice by assuming she was too naive to figure things out. I have to learn not to keep doing that to her, she thought.

“So, help me figure out what I should do, please.” Fumi begged.

“You mean, in regards to the ultimatum?” Hina asked. It seemed pretty straightforward to her. Just admit she figured it out, right?

“Yeah. I mean, I have to tell him I know but a part of me thinks I should make it just a little bit difficult after he hid such a thing from me.” Hina was shocked. She hadn't thought Fumi was capable of even thinking such a thing. A huge grin broke out across her face.

"So, you wanna make him sweat, huh?" She giggled. Oh how the tables have turned, Kiyo-kun. Best watch yourself. She rubbed her hands together. "Hmm, let me think. Well, I'm still not giving away the surprise, you know."

"Of course, of course. I wasn't asking that, I know how much you guys like that." Fumi rushed to reassure Hina. "I am not good at being less than direct, you know this, but I was thinking of making him think I plan to give in to Tsukiyomi's request as like a final send off. Then, at the last moment, tell him I know. What do you think?" She anxiously paced as she spoke, not sure she could actually pull it off.

"I could not have said it better myself, but Fumi, do you think you can do it?" Hina questioned. If her dear friend could pull it off, it would indeed be good payback without really hurting anyone.

"All I can do is try, right?" They both sighed, and said their goodnights.

The following morning, after a lovely birthday breakfast with her parents, Fumiko carefully dressed for her date. She stood staring at her closet for what felt like hours, Every so often she let out a frustrated groan as she waffled between garments. Aiko popped her head in, curious as to what her daughter was being noisy over. Fumiko was not one to express such frustrations. She almost giggled when she saw her daughter flipping through hangers with frustration.

"I take it you have a special date today?" Fumiko jumped at the sound of her nother's voice, before her shoulders slumped.

"Yes, Tsukiyomi is taking me out." She mumbled absentmindedly as she stared at the clothing, as if expecting to receive some sort of divine revelation. Aiko grasped her shoulder gently.

"Did you say... Tsukiyomi?" She was shocked. Fumiko nodded.

"Yeah, but I'm sure you already knew, right Mom? That Kiyoshi is Tsukiyomi. The god of the moon and the night. Didn't you?" Her big blue eyes peered at her mother as she tilted her head. Sometimes Aiko wondered how much she really saw. She suddenly felt that nobody was fooling her, and that it was highly likely she needed none of their protection. She really didn't know what to say. "It's okay Mom, don't worry. Just please help me prepare a pretty outfit, would you?"

No mom that loved her daughter could say no to such a request. Aiko walked into the closet and looked around, tapping her chin. Since it was a surprise, though Tsukiyomi, of course, had advised Aiko and Fumio of the plan, Aiko had to be careful not to make things too obvious. She chose a turquoise, white, and light green plaid summer dress. It was fitted in the bodice, but flared to a full skirt just above her knees in box pleats. It was sleeveless with a scooped neckline. Aiko paired it with white strappy sandals and a dark denim jacket. She helped Fumiko put her hair into a soft side-bun with a white fabric flower clipped next to it. Light makeup and a slight cat's eye liner were the final touches. Aiko clapped her hands.

"You look beautiful, darling." She kissed her cheek. Fumiko was already glowing a bit, and Tsukiyomi was not even present yet. They heard the doorbell and rushed downstairs. Fumiko's checks were flushed in anticipation. There he stood at the front door. He held his hand out to his beautiful bride-to-be, and she took it. "Have fun you two." Aiko called as they went on their way.

Tsukiyomi was so happy to be with her that the ultimatum was at the back of his mind. He didn't forget, per se, but he wasn't trying to remember either. He'd spent hours trying to figure out how he was going to handle the situation. In the end, he had decided to simply try and enjoy his day. He'd worry about it when the evening rolled around. It was a terrible idea, but he really had no solution for his own problem.

They walked around the wooden paths at the park and found a lovely shaded place to have the small picnic that Tsukiyomi had packed. It had their favorite green tea mochi, rolled omelets, onigiri, and a few pieces of vegetable tempura packed in. They talked an laughed like usual, but the ultimatum and the fact that the Kiyo in front of her was not what he presented were never far from Fumiko's mind. She felt a bit sad that Tsukiyomi had thought he could not tell her the truth, and even worse caused her to feel guilty for loving both sides of him.

"Kiyo-kun. I have a problem." She said, deciding it was time to put him on the spot. He paused in his bite of mochi, raising his brows in question. "You see, I have devoted myself to you as your bride to be, but Tsukiyomi has laid claim to my body tonight as proof of my faith. Will you still accept me?" He choked, and she patted his back as he coughed. She almost giggled at his clear distress. Apparently, he'd not thought her bold enough to just say it outright.

"What?" He spluttered.

"He knew I love you both, you see, and said I had to choose. I just can't though. What if he leaves because I don't give him what he wants?" She mourned, really getting into the role as she eyed him carefully from under her lashes. "Please, Kiyo-kun, say you will accept me after I give him what he asks for."

Tsukiyomi was very concerned with this line of conversation. He began to repack the food that was left, saying nothing, his mind spinning. She laid her hand on his arm and blinked up at him.

"Does this mean that you no longer want to marry me if I give my purity to a god? Can you not love me?" For effect, she allowed her eyes to tear up a little, channeling how she'd felt when he'd made the ultimatum. It was so painful.

"I-I-I... I honestly don't know Fumiko. That's a lot to ask of a man, to share his bride with a god, well, anyone. You can't expect me to be happy about it."

"But you still want to marry me either way, right? It's not like Tsukiyomi wants to marry me himself, I mean, gods don't just marry mortals, even if they do have divine origins. It's not like it's a true competition for my hand." Fumiko exclaimed, holding onto Tsukiyomi's arm as she begged. He sighed in frustration, lifting the picnic basket.

"I don't know Fumiko. For me, cheating is cheating, regardless of who or why." He could not understand why he was feeling like this again, when he was both men she wanted. If he could just get the nerve to tell her it would fix everything, but he was not feeling especially brave. She sighed.

"Well, I will try to tell him no, for you, Kiyo, but I just hope there are no repercussions."

They walked back to the house in silence. They had cake with Fumiko's parents, but the mood was off. After Tsukiyomi left, Fumiko smiled a little. Now for the next part of the plan!