𝐒𝐋𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘: 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝟏

Chapter Five

First Keys: "Thoughts"/"Speech"

Second Keys: "Translation or Translate"/"Author's Note (A/N)"

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(Angela's POV)

(Six months later)

It has been six months since I landed in Feudal Japan and five months since Rioichi and I accepted the bond between us. And, if I say so myself, life could not get any better.

I have been working at Rioichi's Sushi House Shop restaurant and I'm currently his partner in crime. I have never been happier. After getting close to Rioichi for one month. I decided that it was time to tell him everything: who I am, what I have been through, and how I got here. I was so scared that Rioichi would reject me after telling him. I did not think my heart could bear any more heartache. I was a fool to think that Rioichi would turn me away. After I told him, he welcomed me with open arms. I can still remember that day.

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(Still on Angela's POV)

(Flashback to five months ago)

Today I wear my teal green color kimono that Rioichi bought for me is for the day at the Sushi House Shop restaurant.

A/N: This is the picture of Angela's Teal Green Color Kimono with multiple pink sakura flowers on it with a few of pink sakura petals, a light aqua blue color obi and dark teal green obijime (decorative braided cord) I found online. I edited the picture of hands and small part of the neck in Angela's dark brown-furred color. Also I add Angela's tail with dark gray rings on and white tabi (traditional japanese socks) and purplish blue zōri straps on the bottom of the zōri is dark red (traditional japanese sandals) on her feet to look like in this story.

It was another glorious day in the village. And as usual the Sushi House Shop restaurant was full of happy customers. Rioichi taught me how to make sushi and since then I helped with the cooking. I even made a specialty. Apparently my sushi recipe is delicious because customers always order it. When I tried to walk out of the kitchen to take orders from customers, Rioichi surprises me by hooking me around the waist with his cane and pulls me close to him.

"Must you really do that Rioichi-san?" I squealed. Ever since I started getting to know him, Rioichi always does that to me and I can never anticipate.

"It is always enjoyable to see your reaction Angel-chan," he said with a chuckle. After staying with Rioichi for a couple of weeks, he started to call me "Angel". Every time he calls me that, my heart races against my chest.

But my heart was racing for an entirely different reason. We always take an evening off from heists every week and tonight, I intend to tell Rioichi everything. So many questions are running through my head. "What if Rioichi doesn't believe me? Will he accept me after telling him? Will he reject me? I know I won't be able to bear it!"

Rioichi must have seen the worried look on my face because he put his paw on my shoulder and pulled me closer.

"Angel-chan, I sense something is troubling you. What is the matter?" he said with a worried look of his own.

I looked into his soulful, brown eyes and took a deep breath while covering his paw with my own.

"I have something to tell you tonight after we close for the night." I said.

His eyes widened. I promised him that when I was ready, I would tell him everything.

"Angel-chan, are you sure? I do not want you to rush yourself." He said while wrapping his arms around me.

"Rioichi, we have known each other for more than a month. I am ready for you to know everything. I just hope that nothing will change" I said looking down.

Rioichi cupped my chin gently and made look at him. Then he kissed my cheek, causing me to blush.

"I promise Angel-chan. Nothing will change, no matter what you tell me." he said with a gentle smile.

After that, we continued the day. Even with the encouragement, deep down, I was scared. It was closing time and my paws started to get clammy and were shaking.

Rioichi led me to the garden in the backyard full of Sakura trees and we sat next to the pond. He waited calmly and patiently for me to start. After looking at my reflection in the pond, I took a deep breath and began.

"Ok Rioichi-san, remember when I told you that I wasn't from this land?" he nodded.

"Well the truth is that I am not even from this time. I actually came from the future. I am close friends with your descendant. I cannot tell you his name, for it could cause problems. Anyway, I met your descendent when he was regaining possession of the Thievius Raccoonus. After defeating an enemy known as Clockwerk, we stayed friends. Unfortunately, I ended up falling in love with your descendent, but he was in love with another. He was my first soulmate. I went through so much pain watching him chase after the one he loved. I tried to ignore the heartache to a point where it became unbearable. The strange thing is, reading your section of the Thievius Raccoonus gave me the comfort I needed to get through. Before I came to Japan, I was on the brink of death, but something saved me. It allowed me to finally let go of your descendent. After I let go, it felt like the bond I felt with him shifted. It was as if someone took your descendant's place in my heart. I think it was you, Rioichi Cooper. After I moved on, I started to hear your voice and before I landed in Japan, I asked a question. Then I heard you answer and it felt like you were stroking my cheek. Your comfort gave me the strength I needed. Rioichi Cooper, I believe that you are my soulmate. Please do not abandon me. I don't think I can bear it a second time." I finished while wringing my paws until my fur started to turn pale. My eyes began to water after pouring my heart out to the very mahogany raccoon I was in love with.

After a moment of silence, I felt a soft paw covering both of my own and the other lifting my face up.

"Angel-chan, I could not believe that you went through so much pain. I believe every word that you told me. The truth is that I was waiting for my soulmate for a long time. I started to lose hope until shortly before your arrival that I began hearing your voice and feeling that our hearts were calling out to each other. And after meeting you and becoming closer with you, I too believe that you are my soulmate. But I wonder, what made you think that I would abandon you?" He asked me.

"I don't know. I suppose it was because I am always abandoned. My best friend, your descendant has abandoned me more times than I can count. I have fallen in love with you Rioichi Cooper and it scares me. The last time I opened my heart, it nearly killed me until I let you in." Tears began pouring out of my eyes like a fountain and mixed in with my fur. I started to rise to walk away until Rioichi grabbed my paw and stood up with me. I looked at him in shock.

"I would never abandon you Angel-chan. I admit that I am shocked about what you told me, but that does not make me love you any less than I already do. In fact, it makes me love you even more because of the strength you possess." He said as he looked deep in my eyes and did not blink.

I gasped at his words as more tears continued to fall.

"You love me?!" I asked. I had to know if he meant it.

He smiled gently as he pulled me against his body, intertwined his tail with mine, and cupped my cheek with one paw and held my waist with the other.

"Aishiteru (Translate: I love you), Angela Nidaros. I have loved you ever since you walked into my restaurant that first day. I admit that this is a lot to take in, but I am here with you and I am never going to leave you. So after learning everything about you, I must ask you this, 'Angela Nidaros, will you do me the great honor by accepting our bond and become my beloved soulmate.'" He said without blinking and was breathless when he finished.

Without answering him, I threw my arms around his neck and pulled his lips down to mine and kissed him with all I have. Rioichi stood frozen for a second before he responded. He held me flat against him. I felt his tongue swiping across my lips, so I opened my mouth and let him in. His tongue stroked mine and I moaned in his mouth and he in mine as our tongues began a dance as old as time itself. It was a few minutes before we pulled away for breath. We had our foreheads against each other as we stared at each other without saying a word.

"Is that a yes, Angel-chan?" I heard him ask breathlessly.

I opened my eyes and smiled largely at him as I said, "Of course I accept the bond and would love to be your mate."