“I don’t want you risking yourself for me,” he continued, his voice unhurried. “Not anymore.” “I’m not risking myself for you,” Mariko retorted. “I’m here for me. Because I still have things I wish to accomplish with my life.” She refocused her attention on the misshapen mass. Slowly began chiseling away twisted fragments of wax, using a lacquered chopstick she’d pilfered from her evening meal. “It turns out my wishes have something to do with you.” OkamiSweet MomentMarikoSmoke In The Sun Book:Smoke in the Sun Source: Smoke in the Sun
“It appears your betrothed is well on his way to falling hopelessly in love with you. Well done on that account." It took Mariko a breath to see the truth beneath his words. "Are you jealous?" A pause. "Only a fool would not be.” "That's ridiculous. Jealousy is for boorish people. Are you a boor?" "Of course I am. And of course I would be jealous. That steaming heap of refuse doesn't have to sleep in a barred cell. He can gaze at the moonlight whenever he wishes,” he muttered. "It's a shame the moon has eyes for another.” LoveOkamiMariko Book:Smoke in the Sun Source: Smoke in the Sun