And I kept on clapping.
The musicians rose and bowed as well.
Soon, they slipped away with the performers.
And then we were alone.
Kenji turned me in his arms until I faced him.
"Thank you," I whispered. "For sharing that with me. For sharing. . .your childhood and your mother’s tradition."
"Thank you for receiving it. For being here. For giving me your day."
"Ourday," I corrected.
"Our day."
He kissed me.
Slow this time.
Deep.
His mouth moved against mine like we had all the time in the world. Like the war room didn't exist. Like Tokyo wasn't glowing at our feet. Like there was nothing outside this moment except the heat building between us.
When we pulled apart, I was dizzy.
His eyes searched my face. And then his expression shifted and became serious. “Tora. . .”
I smiled. “Yes.”
"We need to have a conversation. A difficult one."
It’s time.
My stomach tightened. "Can't we just. . .pretend everything is fine?"
"No, Tora." His hand found my jaw and cradled it gently. "I won't do that. You're my Tiger. You're my Heart. And you deserve honesty, even when it's hard."
I swallowed.
"This morning, you made a demand of me. Asked for something specific. Power."
"Kenji—"
"I never answered you."
"I know, but—"
"Let me answer now." His thumb stroked my cheek. "I need to give you an answer, Tora. And it's going to be a hard one."
The words landed in my chest like stones.
What is he going to say?
"Okay," I whispered. "I'm listening."
Chapter sixteen
