An African Queen

It was nighttime when everything was finally ready. I was sitting outside the beach house on a log, with Shiun and, aka Shojo, the red-faced demon kid, playing games on my phone. He had finally stopped trying to poison everyone with his flask, which had surprisingly reappeared an hour after I had tossed it into the river. Instead, he was fully occupied playing Subway Divers and Junction Impact on my Samstop. Shiun was just watching him play and patiently waiting for her turn.

It had been almost 30 minutes of waiting, and there was still no sign of Sakuya stepping outside the house. Ayane occasionally popped her head out to tell me they were almost done dressing her up, but that usually happened in 10-minute intervals, and felt like there was no end in sight.

Also, I wasn’t expecting her to wear anything flashy or over the top. It was a small engagement ceremony—just the two of us and the small family that was already present. Personally, I went with the sweet hakama Kanna had gifted to me. I liked how Japanese it made me feel, while also possessing colors from my African roots. And since I was getting engaged to a Japanese girl, it just felt right.

Five minutes later, and I became impatient. I sat up from the log to go check out what was causing the delay. But then the main door flew open, and she stepped out.

Mother of God, mother of beauty. The most incredible-looking woman was not found in a book of world’s rankings. She was right in front of me, and she was Sakuya. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

She was absolutely stunning. As she walked down the steps of the beach house, I perceived time in slow motion and allowed myself to take in every detail of her flawless elegance. Her slim, blood-red dress. The pink bangle beads wrapped around her wrists and ankles. The larger beads-like necklace she wore around her neck, and her earrings. The way her hair was styled. The clear glass beads she wore on her head, which made her resemble absolute West African Igbo royalty.

Holy fucking moly, she was a queen.

I couldn’t move. I was too stunned to do so. I just stood there, like a dumb idiot, waiting as the girl who said yes to marrying me gradually walked across the sand barefoot, until she was standing in front of me.

For a moment, neither of us said anything. We just remained speechless, staring into each other’s eyes. Sakuya saw I really liked the painting Nika Z had made for us, and then had gone out of her way to replicate the same outfit using Japanese alternatives she could find in the nearest supermarket. She had even gone as far as carrying a white feather duster, in place of the Ododo—the white horse tail traditional Igbo women carry to represent status, honor, and wealth during functions and ceremonies.

Which other girl would have pulled off such a stunt, if not Sakuya herself?

The girl was beautiful. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. She was also extremely thoughtful, and hyper-observant. All the reasons, that make up the other reasons, that make up the main reason why I love her. And I should tell her.

***

“Umm,”

Finally, he was talking, Sakuya thought, smiling up at the boy that wanted to marry her. That wanted to spend the rest of his life together with hers, knowing fully well all the dangers, uncertainty, and risks that came from being with someone like her. But even before getting his powers, he had already accepted all of it. He had already accepted the dangers, the risks, the uncertainty. He had already accepted her.

“You look incredible,” Jumo said, instantly turning her heart into mush. “You look stunning, you are beautiful, and I love you.”

Sakuya’s breath suddenly caught in her throat. What did he just say?

“Ahh, could you please repeat that?” Sakuya asked, blushing uncontrollably as her cheeks turned red. “I didn’t quite catch you the first time.”

Jumo smiled, then did exactly as she selfishly requested. He wrapped his arms around her waist, then pulled her closer toward him. The proximity left Sakuya flustered.

“Well, Kuya,” Jumo said. “I speak the truth and nothing but the truth. You are beautiful, you are beautiful, you are beautiful.”

Sakuya began blushing like a crazy person.

“You are thoughtful,” Jumo continued. “You are kind, you are incredibly understanding and welcoming, you are fun.”

Sakuya’s heart melted with every word.

“And I, love, you.”

That was it. The part she desperately wanted to hear.

“Also, you are sexy like hell. Your bo—mm…”

Sakuya quickly shut him up before he had the chance to ruin the moment. It was their longest kiss in public. Her lips pressed against his, his against hers. Warmth. Safety. Peace. Love. All she ever wanted. All she will ever want. Jumo.

When they separated, she spoke.

“I love you too, dummy. And yes.”

“Kimi to kekkon dekitara ureshii. Kokoro kara sou omotteru.”

“I would be so happy to marry you. I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart. I will marry you wherever, and whenever you are ready. so don't you worry.”

This time, Jumo was the one who pulled her in for another kiss.

Deep.

Passionate.

Warm.

Then explosion.

Several.

Sakuya’s eyes shot open.

Fireworks.

No, literal fireworks overhead.

Where did those come from?

They both tore away from the kiss simultaneously to investigate the problem. The culprits were Ayane and the girls who were standing by the riverbank with even more fireworks.

“Sorry, sis!” Ayane shouted. “But look what we found just lying around in Nika’s basement. Firecrackers! Can you believe that?!”

Sakuya didn’t even know how to respond.

“Anyhoo, don’t mind us, and just get back to sucking faces, you two,” her sister said without shame. “Just leave managing the romantic setting to us!” the blonde girl added, flashing a thumbs-up.

Sakuya wanted to scold her sisters. If not for Ayane’s comment, then for playing with fireworks without proper supervision. But Jumo did not give her the chance. He pulled her back into his embrace, then planted another kiss on her lips. And as usual, she fully accepted his touch, and simply melted into his love as the fireworks resumed their colorful explosions into the night.