The small bud of Ayano's love eventually blossomed into an intricate flower. Budo was patient and, despite his strength in martial arts, gentle. He loved Ayano unconditionally, without demanding love back. And slowly, Ayano changed.

After university, Ayano became a surgeon, working with blood and gore. Her previous wisdom of murder made her skilled with the preciseness of knives, and she soon became the Chief Surgeon.

Budo Masuta, with his zealous passion for martial arts, opened a centre dedicated to the preservation of the ancient Japanese technique of fighting. It became a huge success.

Eventually, they eloped at the ripe of Spring, when the cherry blossoms were in bloom and soon fluttering around the newlyweds.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Honey."

Ayano giggled softly as her husband whipped around from the training set, his
shocked face betraying bits of his concentration, his arms that had defaulted himself at a 'defense' position.

"Yan." He breathed and wiped his brow. "Can you stop creeping up on me like that?"

She rolled her eyes, smiling. "I have something to say."

"Well?" Budo leaned against the thick pillar of wood and pulled her close in a hug. "What's that?"

Pushing herself away, Ayano spoke. "I resigned from my position today." She watched unblinkingly as his eyes widened.

"What? But Yan, you loved your job, you—"

She chuckled as she watched him ramble in confusion.

"—why, Yan?" He crossed his brows in concern.

She stared in his ashen grey eyes, and allowed the tiniest trace of a smile to play on her lips.

"I'm pregnant."

His face lit with joy. "Really, Yan? I'm a father?"

She nodded, giggling, as he squashed her in a sweaty hug.

"Oh, Yan, I'm so glad! Can I teach it martial arts?"

She swatted at him. "You Martial Arts nerd."

Skilfully yet gently, he pinned her arms behind her back. "Who's a Martial Arts nerd?" he growled.

"No one!" she wailed.

He let her go and stroked her cheek. "Wrong. Our child will be a Martial Arts nerd."

"As you like it."