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The next few weeks passed by like normal. The only difference is the presence of Xue soldiers around Kinsel city. However, since Luyao had known of the problems, he had conjured up an order to increase patrol officers.
They didn't know about the norms in Kinsel. If they ask, just say that the more patrol officers, the easier it is for citizens to ask for help. They can't argue that.
Behind that reason though is a much more personal outtake. A certain man doesn't want a certain girl taken against her will because of the danger around the city.
A man in love would do anything you know.
Of course not everything is perfect. There were bound to be some mistakes that the officers could not withhold in time.
For that, the soldiers would go and report to their general — Cinth — to which he will personally have a meeting with Yanyi. A private one.
Though most of the time, they didn't discuss the "potential threat" that had been reported. It would be stated simply before moving to miscellaneous conversation.
On the other hand, Irene and Kazuto had been working tirelessly with their project. Drafting areas around the premises while the construction workers deal with restoring back the old manor.
Their initial plan is to put the bedroom on the third floor, studies and classroom would be on the second floor and dining hall, activity hall and office would be located on the ground floor.
Most of the rooms are already completed, save the bathroom on the third floor. Which is connected to each bedroom. This is due to the fact that the first and second floor bathroom is yet to be finished.
According to the manager of the construction worker, they would have to deal with fixing the first and second bathroom before they can fix the upper floor one. This is because according to him it is to ensure that there would be no problem in plumbing fixing.
So for the time being, only the first and second floor bathroom can be used. And to give it some more privacy, the second floor bathroom is to be used by females while the first floor is for male.
Temporarily.
"Okay! So all that is left is just to buy the furniture and put in the decorations for the manor." Irene said as she laid out the floor by floor plan of the manor across the giant table.
Kazuto laid out the essential furniture for each room and what could be added next. "We can go out furniture hunting the next few days." He suggested.
Irene — "Sure! Although, if we want to ensure that the children are able to use the manor early, maybe we could aim to get the furniture for the bedrooms first."
Kazuto — "Okay. After that we can focus on the dining room and workers quarters."
Irene — "Oh right. Did you finish filtering through the applicant interviews?"
Kazuto — "Almost. Just need to filter out a couple of dozen more and choose around 5 more among them. Then, we can set a starting schedule for them to start working."
Irene — "Nice!"
Irene smiled brightly before her eyes darted to the floor plan, hands gently gliding to the surface of the paper. "I hope she'll be proud…" She mutters quietly.
Eyes tinted with longing.
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The next day, after Yanyi left for work and the butler from the manor came to take care of Eker — yes they still come since Yanyi is trying to give her father a chance — Irene waited outside of the home gate for Kazuto to come pick her up.
Soon enough, a familiar black car came into view and stopped before Irene's figure. The window on the driver's seat was rolled down before a familiar red hair and baby blue iris greets her.
"Ready to shop?" He asked casually.
"You bet I do!" She moved along to the other side of the car and entered the vehicle. WIth the sound of the engine, they move towards the shopping district.
Due to the busy walkway, they will have to park the car quite far and take a walk over to the shopping district. Though this doesn't necessarily become a problem to both of them. It would be fun window shopping on the way.
Vendors and shops line the side of the streets as many citizens walk along the streets. No vehicle in sight as people filled the entire road.
Irene had never been to Kinsel shopping district and is more than happy to watch all the beautiful items being sold. From clothes to painting to jewelry. Every single item of fashion, design and art are sold here.
In fact, it could even rival the shopping city in Ashrin if she has the chance to judge.
Kazuto trod behind her, watching and observing her every move and expression. He had never really been close to any woman before. He had never experienced the feeling of going out with one on a private cruise.
This is his first time.
A very good first time.
Soon enough they reach the furniture corner and take a look at every single shop. Making sure to note which store has their desired option before going out to look at more items.
Beds, drawers, lockers, dressers. They take a look at every single one of them. Making sure that the dimension is suitable with the age group they wish to have.
It was only after 2 pm did they go back to each store they desired and place down an order for each item needed. They had also spent some time to note the furniture for the dining hall, office, classroom and activity hall.
They won't be placing orders on them yet but would return again to place one. Priority first.
They are currently at their last store before heading back to their car. Kazuto is currently placing orders for mattresses to be brought over to the orphanage by the next two days at most.
Irene is currently not with Kazuto and instead went outside of the store to take a look at the street vendors. Some of it manages to catch her attention.
Eventually Kazuto ended his order and went out to see Irene perching in front of a jewelry vendor. Seeing her being invested in the shopping, Kazuto moves his feet to stand next to her.
"What are you doing?" He asks, eyes skimming through the jewelry before him. Irene is holding onto a couple of jewelry in her hands. Pondering which she is more attracted to.
Irene — "Just buying some gift. Aunt Vaiden's baby shower is near, right?"
Kazuto — "Yeah. It will be a few days after the Amber Avil festival. Why?"
Irene — "Well I knew that she had mentioned how her due date is closer to the Founder's festival month. She mentions that the baby will be delivered in Ashrin to catch the Founder's festival. So I was thinking of getting her a gift of congratulation before her departure."
Kazuto — "Have you got a gift for the baby?"
Irene — "Yup! At the apartment. I just want to find a gift for her. As a token of thanks for taking care of both me and Yanyi while we are here you could say."
She smiles so brightly at Kazuto. Eyes then focus on each item that she had laid down. Kazuto on the other hand is momentarily stunned.
Getting back to reality, his eyes are strayed towards a particularly tiny set of clip on earring. A small green emerald drop situated at the centre of the peacock design earpiece.
Slowly, he brings the pair of small trinkets near his own face before sneaking a glance to the other person beside her. The same color.
While she is looking away from the vendors, Kazuto holds out the earpieces and mouths "pack it please." The vendors understood and packed it nicely before Kazuto quickly paid for the jewelry.
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Their long outing finally comes to an end. Kazuto had, as courtesy — not really is it — sent Irene back to the apartment. Irene had yet to step out and choose to talk with Kazuto inside the car. Discussing her own plan.
"I was thinking, maybe we could include an outing as a group with the children to buy their necessities? I mean we don't know their size so we might as well right?" Kazuto nodded as he listened to her.
"We could do that." He prepares the things in his palm.
"Yeah! Anyway, we can continue this tomorrow. So-!" Before she could move, her eyes came face to face with Kazuto's baby blue ones.
She was a bit stunned and was frozen in place. Not even her eyes are moving away from his inching face.
She was shy.
But not for long.
The face then pulled itself away from Irene and a smile etched his face, his arms leaning against the steering wheel. "I have a feeling emerald matches your eye. And I was right." He said in a bit of a prideful tone.
Irene felt a bit of unfamiliarity with her ears and proceeded to gently touch it. That is when the tip of her fingers was met with what seemed to be a clip on earrings. One with a gem in the middle.
"Yo-You!" She was flustered. But no sentence came out of her lips.
"I will buy it for you. A present you can say. From our… date today." Before he could tease her more, Irene had already opened the car door and walked in the quickest pace she could to the gate.
Kazuto didn't feel bad nor any remorse from it. Instead he felt content. Like something warm is already occupying his lonely life. And he knew where that feeling came from.
He started the engine.
Drove away from the apartment.
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Irene walks into the house as the sun starts to set. She didn't even notice Yanyi who was in the living room reading.
Yanyi did however notice her. And she had also seen that red face of her. There's the perk of being perceptive. You can see the changes of people.
In Irene's case, the earrings on her ears. One that Yanyi knew she didn't originally own and wear before going out today.
"Ouh… I think I have the best thank you gift for Ryuichi's" She mumbles to herself. A playful giggle escapes her lips before eyes stare back into the book that she is currently indulging in.
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-~*~-