November 14 2022
The Foreigner from a Distant World
CHAPTER 2
The Playful Shrine Maiden
"I have to say, Hikigaya. I never expected you to be such an important person related to the sinking of that ship. The entire nation, at least on Narukami Island, is in mourning you know? Walking in the city streets feels rather dull given that everyone feels so down." A young woman says off-handedly and gazing out to the window where the calm waters of the sea greet her.
Hachiman hums a reply, his eyes busy reading through the books that she brought him at his request. He is seated at a desk with a half-empty cup of tea that had already gone cold. A silent machine overhead fills the room with light.
"It has been four weeks since we met and you still say that at least twice every day."
"And it has also been four weeks since you locked yourself in this room and pushed your nose on Archons know how many books. I can sometimes hear the guards complain about the absurd number of tomes, scrolls and books that you request."
He puts the book down and closes it after noting the page. "Really now? I feel bad if that's true."
"He took the bait. So easy." The Kitsune forces herself not to grin.
"Yes, and I say that you should come with me to the city. Your company would make it less boring." She says and turns to him. "I am sure the Commissioner appreciates you as a temporary aide and will not hold it against you."
Hachiman thinks for a moment and holds his hands up in surrender. "Fine."
Together, they go out of his study to the living room and then to the large open hallway outside. He greets soldiers, servants and his fellow workers when they walk past them who visibly straighten up when they see the young woman that he is accompanying. The courtyard and training area is filled with recruits being assigned to their units.
"What news of the front?" He stops some soldiers helping their comrades in stretchers and crutches and parts of their bodies covered in bandages. They shake their heads with grim faces.
"Not good. Riftwolves ambush us when darkness falls in the Byakko Plains and make it difficult to establish supply lines. Not to mention the mutated Hilichurls…"
Hachiman frowns and puts a hand under his chin. "Reconaissance must be getting lax. Heads will roll when the Commissioner finds out about this… Anything else?"
"Corrupted sea beasts have been sighted in the west and east and our Youkai allies are infighting." They add and bow to Hachiman's companion.
"No offence, Lady Yae."
She shakes her head and waves her hand dismissively. "None taken."
"I'll tell the Commissioner about it. You guys should rest up, you earned it." After saluting, the soldiers excuse themselves and go on their way.
"Damnit. Corrupted sea beasts now of all times? I used to, but now I don't envy the Admiral at all. His plate is already full and now he has this to worry about." Hachiman says out loud and sighs.
Miko touches his arm to get his attention. "You handled that very well. You have an obvious talent for this."
"Thank you. The Commissioner and a few officials said so as well but it's nicer to hear it coming from you. "
They stop and the Kitsune rolls her eyes when he borrows an umbrella from the office and unfurls it over their heads. "You already got even paler since not coming out of your room for nearly a month. A little sunlight isn't going to kill you."
Hachiman shrugs, "Not my fault that I have sensitive skin."
She takes his arm and the two start walking out of the Tenryou Commission grounds. She notices him gazing up at the great Tenshukaku Castle with its high walls and imposing image. Somewhere deep inside, her dearest friend and Master endlessly brood in a deep state of meditation.
"It's still not completed you know. Construction is temporarily halted because of a lack of building materials. It might look nice on the outside but there's still work to be done inside and in the rear sections."
"Is that so? Never would have guessed from the looks of it…" The pair pause over the bridge and Hachiman feels queasy just by looking at the sharp rocks and waves far below. His heart nearly jumps from his chest when the Kitsune places her slender hands over his shoulders and gives him a slight push. She giggles when he flashes her an annoyed look with a deep frown.
"Are you trying to kill me and mask it as some kind of freak accident, Lady Yae? "
She smirks and moves along with his arm in tow and enters the city streets. "Oh please, if I wanted to kill you I would prefer something less conspicuous. Drugging your food until you fall asleep and never wake up, perhaps?"
"And what offence, pray tell, have I done to you to deserve such an early visit to my grave?" Hachiman asks unfazed by the nature of their conversation which some people of sound mind will find as unsettling and disturbing.
"For starters; I specifically asked you to drop the 'Lady' and show a little appreciation since you turned me into your book fetcher. Have you forgotten who you're talking to?"
Hachiman turns to the side to hide his face in shame. "Okay, I'm sorry…"
After being awarded by the Tri-Commission and the relatives of the deceased, Hachiman had three realistic and logical options for his new life as a citizen of Inazuma. He could ask to work under the Tri-commission since he has already proven his intellectual worth; He can use the newly acquired money to buy properties and establish an enterprise of his choice; Or choose a middle ground between the two.
He took the money with him and stored everything else in the Kanjou Commission warehouse in Tenryou. The non-mora things he was given ranged from antiques, paintings and furniture to ceremonial weapons and armour. He was even given a plot of land in Hanamizuka. Now, he works as an aid to the Tenryou Commissioner and lives within the estate. In his free time, he reads as much as he can about this world and has already learned much.
But it is not enough, still not nearly enough.
All in all, Hachiman was given all the things necessary to start a new life in Teyvat. And his first friend is the young woman walking with him who has been instrumental in helping him adjust and make sense of his surroundings. She would skip her shrine maiden duties during the day and visit him in his private quarters. At first, Hachiman thought of her as nothing but a spy to keep an eye on him. But in time, he grew to trust her and deemed her worthy of his friendship. So too did Yae Miko, who enjoyed asking questions and discussing a variety of topics with the boy. She merely saw him for her amusement, but the Kitsune gradually came to genuinely enjoy their time together.
Yae Miko grimaces when she sees her words backfire and an expression of hurt appear on his face.
"Hey, I was just joking…I didn't mean anything that I said." She pokes his arm and her voice becomes softer but purses her lips when he says nothing. The pair stop under the shade of a Sakura tree with the scent and sounds from the nearby establishments in the air.
"I'm sorry I should not have said that."
Hachiman shakes his head. "It's fine don't worry about it. My mind wandered on its own."
Despite being in Teyvat for more a month, sometimes memories and thoughts from his previous life occupy his thoughts and pull him into a deep trance-like state. Yae Miko has noticed this several times but does not mention it in their everyday conversations. He reassures and convinces her that he is fine and they move on from their spot.
The two have lunch in a restaurant among the common folk who recognize them. They tried making conversation but the place was too noisy and less private than they would like. Not to mention that there were unnecessary listeners nearby. Yae Miko pays for the food and leads him to another part of the city overlooking the sea - an expensive private tea house where they can talk and enjoy each other's company in peace. They get an entire room to themselves where they sit on the floor at its centre.
She studies him gracefully lifting the cup to his lips lightly blowing on it before putting it back on the table. He does this several times to cool it down.
Hachiman notices her gaze. "I have a cat's tongue."
"Pf-! I'm sorry, you have a what now?" The young woman across him stifles a laugh at his reply. He blows one last time at the cup before finally pressing it to his lips and sipping the tea in small amounts.
"It means that I can't stand hot stuff. Temperature, not flavour."
"Hehehehe, that sounds so silly." Hachiman finds the sounds of her giggles pleasant and does nothing to stop it. Yae Miko never laughs like this in public - she may be very young in Kitsune years but she still has her pride as a member and descendant of the Hakushin clan.
So showing this side of her to him that a scant few people have the privilege of seeing shows just how much she values him as a friend.
"Heh, I guess it does."
The two exit the tea house a few hours after dusk and see that the streets have thinned out. Some shops are closing with a significant portion that has already closed for the night. A full moon is overhead and illuminates the land of eternity with its gentle light. Hachiman turns to his friend, offering to walk her home for the night.
She is touched by his gesture and smiles. "I appreciate the offer, but no thank you."
"I insist. I feel improper in sending a young lady like yourself by her lonesome."
Yae Miko could feel a strong conviction evident in his voice. The way that he looked at her is truly concerned for her safety and well-being. Against such things, she feels flustered as a rare blush crept up her beautiful face. She takes a step back and covers her mouth should he see it. Yae Miko would rather be sealed inside a statue for the next hundred years rather than have him see her in such an embarassing state.
"Hikigaya, you misunderstand. I have shrine maiden duties to attend." She replies with a white lie and explains herself. Hachiman nods, seemingly convinced and she releases a sigh of relief from her tense chest.
"I see. Don't let me keep you then. Will I see you tomorrow? I'm free at lunch."
This time, Yae Miko smiles cheekily true to her mischievous and cunning nature.
"Already missing me~? Do you want me to tuck you to bed and sing a lullaby while I'm at it~?" She jokes with a sing-a-song tone and giggles.
Hachiman chuckles and shakes his head. "Very funny."
"Don't worry, I'll drop by. Even I have to pull my weight in the shrine or else I'll get in trouble." She straightens up and gives a bow which he returns in kind. "I had fun today. Thank you for indulging my request. Good night, Hikigaya."
The pink-haired Kitsune shrine maiden winks and turns around. Hachiman watches her retreating figure bask in the moonlight until she disappears from view.
"That girl is such a handful."
Hachiman turns around and starts his long walk in the streets of Tenryou that leads back to Tenshukaku. This morning he went from it with Yae Miko and now he must inevitably return.
This time, however, no young lady was holding onto his arm.
And Hachiman admits to himself with a heavy heart that he feels lonely.