“How long did you take to realize you had feelings for him?” Uta’s ex is a lanky woman in a slinky dress, with exotic makeup and more glitter than the sun. Very much Yomo’s opposite.
“Uh…” Yomo mutters. His face turns red.
“Aw, you’re adorable,” she coos. “I’m really not mad, Renji. I’ve got my eye on others, don’t you worry.”
Yomo rolls his eyes. “I am not worried.”
“Then answer the question!”
Yomo yanks his coffee cup to his mouth and chugs. “Shortly after I came to Anteiku.”
She blinks. “That long, huh? Before I was dating Uta.”
“Yup.” He shrugs, as if it were nothing. “I never tried to interfere, I promise.”
“I know you didn’t Renji.” She pokes his nose.”You’re an honorable sort.”
She sighs. “Well, I suppose that’s why you did interfere. In a sense.”
“Huh?”
“I totally knew Uta was into you!” she blurts out. “It was obvious. I felt like I was holding you two back, a distraction so he could avoid his feelings for you.”
She snaps her fingers with a satisfied smirk. “And after all these years, here I am, finally winning our last argument.”
Yomo chuckles, partially with relief, partially with amazement. Uta loved him back then, too? How much time have they wasted by not allowing themselves to live?
Well, they won’t waste anymore.
“I’ll take officiating your vows as proper payment,” she adds, sending a thrill through Renji’s stomach.
Life is good to live.