She did her best to carry as much as she could, pushing aside the nagging guilt she felt for not allowing one of the boys to accompany Abuchi instead.
She had wanted time alone with him. It was selfish, she knew, but there it is what it is. She wouldn't have done it differently if given another chance.
Abuchi, however, didn't say a word of complaint. He carried his share of the load, most of the load, without hesitation, moving with purpose.
As they walked back to the group, Karen occasionally turned around, glancing to make sure Abuchi was still with her. She didn't want to get lost in the crowd. It was considerate of him to keep pace, ensuring she didn't wander off.
Her heart fluttered slightly every time she caught sight of him checking on her. He was thoughtful, careful... so much more than she had initially realized.
With each passing moment, her affection for him deepened. She found herself falling for him even more than she already had.
