Kanna's acceptance: An auntie's blessing

Since the 3 weeks post my reawakening, a few notable events had taken place. Kanna finally accepted me as a full-fledged member of the family. Sakuya got fired from her job as the Spirit Guardian for choosing to date me, an outsider, and faced severe backlash from the elders because of it. I finally mustered up the courage to propose to the girl of my dreams, who said yes, while undergoing rigorous training in Japanese culture and spiritual practices. I wanted to be a husband who understood his wife inside out and could support her at all times. Be it spiritual or physical. And boy oh boy, was it quite a journey. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let's take it one after the other.

***

It was 3 days after Sakuya's fight with the gods. 3 days after she had saved my life. We were locked in our room, alone with each other. Limited clothing, staring into each other's eyes. She was on top of me, mainly just resting her body against mine. Feeling each other's heartbeats. Listening to each other's breathing. Healing.

I occasionally allowed my hand to wander. Rub. Cup. And squeeze.

Meanwhile, she remained smiling the entire time. She was everything to me. Everything I ever wanted, everything I would ever need. And just as our lips drew close to kiss, there was a knock on our bedroom door.

"Sakuya?" suddenly came a voice from the other side. Both of our eyes widened in horror. It was Aunt Kanna.

"Child, can I come in?" the voice of Kanna asked, and I rapidly shook my head at Sakuya in response.

I was a little annoyed. I didn't want us to be disturbed. This was Jumo-Sakuya funtime. Why were we being interrupted now?

Sakuya tried getting off me, but I quickly reached out, grabbed her waist, and kept her back down on me. I rapidly shook my head again in protest. I wanted her to pretend as if we were sleeping or something. But she smiled and planted a small kiss on my lips.

When she drew back, she waited, stared at me, and planted another kiss.

And another one.

And another one.

And then she lingered.

Knock knock knock.

This time she quickly stood up from the bed. I was beyond frustrated.

She wore her robes, then picked up my shirt and tossed it at my face. I hated the world in that moment.

She walked towards the door, then waited for me to finish wearing my clothes before opening it.

As suspected, Kanna was standing in the doorway. But she was also carrying a box in hand. That wasn't expected.

The woman initially looked like she wanted to say something, but quickly averted her eyes while clearing her throat. Apparently, although Sakuya was wearing her robes, she had forgotten to button it up. So the girls were hanging out. In all their plump, jiggly, massive, soft glory.

Sakuya panicked and quickly covered her chest while apologizing.

***

After Sakuya made herself presentable before her auntie, she bowed in greeting and offered another quick apology.

"Morning, Auntie," she said. "And please forgive me for my earlier wardrobe malfunction," she added, her cheeks burning from embarrassment. "I was ill-prepared to receive you in that moment."

Sakuya straightened up after she finished talking.

"No no no, child," Kanna responded, shaking her head and flashing a nervous smile. "You both need your space. I understand that."

Sakuya stared down at the box her late mother's older sister was holding.

"Oh! Yes," Kanna said, still smiling. "This is for him."

She took the box from her auntie, then opened the door wider and stepped aside for the older woman to enter.

"Thank you, child," Kanna said, and Sakuya nodded in acknowledgment as the older woman walked into the room, and she closed the door behind her.

Sakuya also noticed, Jumo was already on his feet waiting. He bowed in greeting the moment he saw Aunt Kanna.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Auntie," Jumo said.

Liar, Sakuya thought, smiling. Just a moment ago you wanted us to pretend as if we were asleep so she'd go away, and we could go back to cuddling.

But as she watched their exchange, Sakuya was happy.

Jumo's Japanese was almost next to perfect, conversational-wise.

Since he arrived in Japan, she had made it a conscious decision to speak as little English to him as possible, so he'd be a master by the time he started school in Tokyo. Shiun was the only one who frequently broke this rule, as whenever her little sister interacted with her boyfriend, she did so with zero Japanese, and a hundred and twenty percent African American slang mixed with internet speech. Which was weird, because Jumo wasn't even African American to begin with.

Still carrying the box, Sakuya walked over to sit beside Jumo on the bed, while her auntie chose to remain standing as she addressed him.

"Child, I understand we didn't start off on the best of foot," Kanna said to Jumo, who was listening attentively.

"Some things were said by me, that weren't directed at hurting you. But it might have come across as so regardless."

Sakuya sat down beside Jumo, then she placed the box down on the mattress so she could open it.

"But child, I want to sincerely apologize for—"

Kanna was suddenly cut off from speaking.

Sakuya was startled.

Jumo instantly shot up to his feet, performed a bow, before lying down flat on the floor. It took Sakuya a second, but she recognized the gesture. It was a symbol of respect in Yoruba culture. A method of greeting, asking for forgiveness, or showing gratitude.

That's why she loved him. Extremely humble, kind, and respectful. In her eyes, he was perfect.

"Please, Auntie ma," Jumo said, while still sprawled on the floor. Sakuya struggled to keep herself contained as she giggled at the sight. "You did nothing wrong," he continued. "You were only trying to do the right thing, Auntie. You were only trying to make the right decision as the elder of the family. Please don't apologize. Please don't apologize to me, ma. Please don't apologize for anything."

Sakuya observed, Kanna had an uncomfortable expression on her face. Her boyfriend was being too nice and apologetic, when the older woman came with the intention of apologizing to him herself. Sakuya focused her attention back on the box as she finally opened it. Inside was something green and... Her eyes suddenly grew wide in astonishment. She couldn't believe it.

She reached into the box and pulled it out for Jumo to see. But her boyfriend was still busy respecting her auntie on the floor.

She kicked him lightly on the foot to get his attention.

"Hey, what is it? I'm kind of busy here," Jumo whispered, still faced down on the ground. Sakuya frowned—he wasn't looking.

"Get up, child," Kanna said in a relaxed tone. She reached down and slowly helped Jumo to his feet. "Thank you for forgiving me," she added. "You are a good young man, and I'm glad you are together with my niece. And speaking of my niece, I think she wants to show you something."

When Jumo finally turned around and saw what Sakuya had been holding up for him to see the whole time, his eyes exploded in pure joy and excitement. It was the green, multicolored hakama she had been planning to buy for him. The one she saw at the shop a few days ago but couldn't afford. Aunt Kanna had gotten it for Jumo herself, with her own money. Sakuya was speechless. So was her boyfriend.

They both turned to stare at Kanna simultaneously.

"Oh, it really wasn't a bother," Aunt Kanna said. "I remember you said you liked that one, and you wanted to buy it for him. So I went back and got it yesterday..."

Sakuya instantly rushed her auntie in a hug, almost knocking the older woman back in the process.

"Ooh..."

"Thank you, Auntie. For doing this. For choosing to support me. For choosing to support my relationship. I'm happy. Thank you."

Kanna hugged her back.

"It's alright, child," the older woman said. "I will always stand by you, and the decisions you make. Even if it means standing up against the elders."

...

Sakuya was waiting outside the bedroom door with Kanna, while Jumo got dressed in his brand-new linen. The anticipation to see what he would look like in traditional Japanese attire was killing her.

"Are you finished yet?!" she asked, unable to wait any longer. Kanna shot her a look that said, Give the man time to wear his clothes.

Finally, after what felt like a small eternity, Jumo opened the door.

"So, what do you think? How do I look?" Jumo asked, and Sakuya suddenly became brain numb.

Spirits above, he was absolutely beautiful. From the way the hakama fit him like a tailor-made glove, to the way his eyes became even more brighter. His curly black hair. His shiny, smooth brown skin. His small pointy nose.

Handsome wouldn't even begin to cut it.