"You already saw me shirtless," Natsumi pointed out, trailing behind him; she could at least keep her voice steady, so long as he couldn't see her blushing. "And you passed out. I'm not sure a reward would be such a good idea."

Asuma caught his breath on a painful laugh; his step hitched, and his hand pressed harder to his side. Natsumi reached out anxiously, but he shook his head and kept going. "Repeated exposure," he panted, "can only help. Maybe I'll get used to your blinding magnificence, O Goddess."

Natsumi's own laugh surprised her. She hefted her awkward armful a little higher and lengthened her stride to catch up again. "All the same, I'm not sure it'd be worth it. But--" She hesitated, biting the inside of her lip, and then said quickly, "You got better when I--when I kissed you. So if--when--we make it to the monastery..."