As the sunset over Inazuma and day became night, and the next day rolled over, Ayaka didn't find any time to be alone with Aether. And it wasn't because of a lack of trying. Every time Ayaka thought they were alone, they would immediately get interrupted by Paimon or by someone else at the Teahouse. As the trio ate breakfast side by side at the front counter of the teahouse, Ayaka was getting quite annoyed at the whole ordeal, and she could tell from Aether's face that he was annoyed as well.

Aether! Why are we so unlucky? Uggh! I almost want to order everyone out of the teahouse and force privacy for the two of us.

In fact, Ayaka was very close to doing such a thing. Just as she was standing up to pass on her order, Aether stopped her as she was about to speak. Aether had placed his hand on hers, stopping her in her tracks. Looking back at him, Aether had given her a look of warning and mouthed "No, not now" to her, before quickly responding to a comment that Paimon had just made about the food. Interestingly, he did not remove his hand from hers as Aether went back to talking with Paimon. Sitting back down, Ayaka found herself staring at their connected hands.

Sigh. I suppose ordering everyone out would raise more questions and problems for the two of us. Paimon would be more curious than ever I suppose. But…..How did Aether know I was about to do any of that? Am I that transparent?

Ayaka continued to stare at their connected hands lost in thought, wondering what Aether could possibly want to tell her. It wasn't till a light nudge on her shoulder from a floating Paimon did she snap out of her thinking, looking up to see that Aether was looking at her, blushing ever so slightly.

Glancing back down to their connected hands and realizing what Aether was blushing about, she quickly slid her hand from under his and looked back at Aether, now also sporting a light blush on her face. Out of the two of them, Aether was the first to break the silence. "Umm, sorry about that. Uhh, shall we get going?"

At the sound of Aether's voice, Ayaka quickly collected herself. "Ahh, yes that sounds like a good idea. The first cart of Dango milk should be ready, and I'm sure some staff have already started the deliveries." Ayaka responded.

"In that case, we should get going, after all, we have to 'oversee' the deliveries!"

Hopping off his stool, Aether began to make his way to the door, turning around briefly to give a wave of encouragement to Ayaka and Paimon to follow him. Both nodding to each other, Ayaka and Paimon got up and followed Aether out the front door of the Teahouse.

"Ms. Kamisato, thank you so much. It's always an honor to be in your presence, let alone to receive a gift. But…. umm what is this exactly?" The man looked down at the jug now in his hands.

"Ahh, it's a drink called Dango Milk. By order of the Shogun herself, she wanted the people of Inazuma to expand their comfort zone and try something new. The milk itself is made right here in Inazuma city and can be greatly customized to..…."

"Ahh, so no more. If the Shogun requests it, then I shall partake. Thank you so much Ms. Kamisato, and thank you for all the work you do for Inazuma and for the great Shogun."

-{}-

"Traveler! Is that you? Yay! You're just in time! You can help me! I was just thinking about what my next offering for the shrine should be. I was thinking maybe this time we could go with Honey Sweets? Ohh, who is this with you?"

-{}-

"Ms. Kamisato! And Traveler! It's nice to see you together again! I just recently did up a design based on the feedback and materials you gathered. I have a small fabric sample here and I think it would be perfect for the two of you! Your blond hair contrasting with hers, combined with this design that-Ohh is there a problem?"

It was now halfway through the day and Ayaka found herself tired and exhausted. Along with other members of the Yashiro Commission, she and Aether found themselves meeting and greeting what felt like the entire population of Teyvat. By mid-morning, word had officially spread that the Dango Milk Decree was being enacted by the Yashiro Commission, where all citizens of Inazuma would be gifted a jug of the new, upcoming drink. When word also got out that the famous Traveler and Shirasagi Himegimi were going to be apart and overseeing the deliveries, the number of people offering them gifts in exchange for their deeds was endless.

Despite some protest from Paimon, Ayaka did not allow themselves or anyone of the Yashiro Commission to accept gifts of any sort. After all, they were doing this in the name of the Raiden Shogun herself, and the "Thank yous" and smiles were more than enough for Ayaka and Aether.

Going from one house to the next, Ayaka finally decided to take a quick break, mostly due to the insistence from Aether. Being the most popular and well-known, Aether and Ayaka quickly decided to stick together on their deliveries and went out of their way to personally visit and greet as many people as possible. Both of them understood the effect the two of them had. People and kids of all sizes looked up to them and wanted to simply meet them in person.

Sitting on the small jump seat on top of the carriage, Ayaka looked down at the crowd. Their convoy of carts and carriages of Dango Milk had finally made their way onto the main street of Inazuma city, just in time for the pre-dinner rush. As the main market filled, members of the Commission handed out more milk to the passersby. Many of them, noticing Ayaka sitting on top of the carriage, gave her waves and 'Thank yous', which she did the same in return.

...Huh, doing this really makes me feel like a princess…..and a princess is nothing without a knight in shining armor…..

Looking through the crowd, Ayaka's eyes finally found Aether. He and Paimon were among the convoy staff at the front greeting people and giving out samples of Dango Milk. Having been and now watching Aether for some time, it had become clear to Ayaka that Aether had a way with people. What it was exactly, she was not sure. As she watched him hand an old man a jug of milk, he could see that the man's eyes lit up as Aether spoke to him. In all honesty, it looked like Aether was possibly a better people person than herself.

"...Whatcha thinking about Ayaka?"

"Ahh!"

Jumping in her seat, Ayaka turned to see that beside her was Paimon. When she got there, Ayaka wasn't sure. "Ah, hello Paimon. You scared me a bit. Umm, please don't do that again…" Paimon struck a thinking pose before responding. "Hmmm maybe. Anyway, that's not the point. Paimon wants to know what Ayaka is thinking about. Is it something to do with Aether?"

Ayaka looked at Paimon with wide eyes before quickly recovering. "Ahem, yes I suppose it does. It appears that he has quite a way with people, does he not? Even me watching from here and being with him all day during the house visits, it's clear he is someone with a way with words."

Paimon idly nodded along to Ayaka's comment. "Yep, Paimon agrees. Aether definitely has a way with words. If something is troubling you, Aether will figure it out in no time." Paimon paused for a brief second, thinking to herself before responding. "Paimon thinks it has to do with his eyes. Whenever you talk to him and look at him, there is something that makes you want to open up to him."

"Hmmm is that so?"

Ayaka turned back to look at Aether, who now had a kid on top of his shoulders, giving him a brief piggyback ride. Cheers were coming from the kid and his parents, while a big smile covered Aether's face.

Perhaps Paimon is right. Aether's eyes are simply wonderful to look at. I can definitely see myself getting lost in them.

Blushing slightly at that thought, Paimon spoke again before she could. "Ayaka, about the thing that Aether wants to talk to you about." From her tone, Ayaka could tell that Paimon had put on her serious face.

"Sigh. You know Ayaka, Paimon and Aether have met many nice people on our travels. With that being said, this is the first time that Aether has openly not told Paimon about something. He insisted that he needed to talk to you and Kujo Sara specifically about it."

Ayaka raised an eyebrow at Paimon's comment. She was about to say something before Paimon continued. "Whatever it is, Paimon has a feeling that it's about something that means a lot to Aether. After all, it's the only reason he has been so quiet in the past….Paimon wants to help him, but Paimon has no idea how. He isn't telling me anything!"

Paimon looked like she was about to burst into tears. Not wanting her to do so, Ayaka reassured her that whatever it was, she would help Aether, no matter what. After a while, Paimon had calmed down. After a brief moment of silence between them and realizing her chance, Ayaka decided to be brave and ask a question that had been on her mind for a while.

"Paimon, if I may be so bold, what is Aether's relationship with Kujo Sara?"

"Oh, Kujo Sara? Hmmm, well, Paimon would say that it's a good one. Aether has done a lot of work for the Tenryou Commission. Helping Kujo Sara rebuild it, and all that sort. Why do you ask? Gasp is it because you're jealous?!"

At Paimon's suggestion, Ayaka went red and panicked, waving her arms wildly, denying the idea that Paimon was suggesting. "No no no no, of course not! ….I...Ummm was just curious, that's all, after all, since Aether has already spoken to Kujo Sara, so….."

"Don't worry, Paimon is just teasing. But, you two really make a good pair. Kujo Sara stands no chance!"

Groaning and now fully embarrassed, Ayaka looked away from Paimon and down onto her lap. Bringing her knees up to her face, she hid from Paimon in full embarrassment. Paimon, for her part, began to lightly nudge Ayaka, trying to get her out of her shell and apologizing for her antics at the same time.

It's worth noting that at the front of the convoy, Aether had watched this scene play out, and he too had a blush of embarrassment on his face.