Che'nya quietly gazes at you as you both lay on a picnic blanket in a quiet forest not far from NRC.

He smiles, laying belly down, watching as you read and quietly munch on pastries you had made with some of your Heartslabyul classmates. Che'nya knew you both couldn't see each other as often as you'd like, because:

1. you attended different schools.

2. you were human, and he was... well... not.

Che'nya didn't mind that, though. He never minded anything. Even now, instead of being disappointed that you weren't focused on him, he simply enjoyed watching you read. It meant you found comfort in his presence.

Che'nya reached over to a nearby daisy patch and plucked some of the flowers, then reached over and tucked them into your hair.

You glanced up at him, a smile on your lips. Che'nya leaned up and kissed the corner of your lips, then rested his head on your shoulder, peeking at your book. He frowned.

"Aw, there's no pictures. Just words. What's it even about?"

You leaned your cheek against his head, your body propped up by his arms around your waist. You could feel his tail gently bat against your leg.

"It's about two lovers. One is an Emperor of a powerful nation, and the other is an exiled warrior. They can't really be together, but they make the most of what they have. They're soulmates."

Che'nya smiled at your description. He stretched his legs out, closing his eyes as he lazily buried his face into your chest.

he'd hoped you two were soulmates.