AN / Aiming for and just in time for Ayaka's Rerun Banner~

After another day of milk deliveries in Inazuma City, the Yashiro Commission had finished their deliveries to everyone in the city. Despite the big splash that Ayaka and Aether had caused on the first day, the second day was a more lax affair, with them mostly visiting and seeing the older populations of the city and those who missed them on the first day. Once that was done, the trio took a well-deserved break at the Teahouse, where Ayaka explained the next part of the Decree and her plans.

"Alright, now that deliveries in Inazuma City are done, we can move on to phases 2 and 3. Phase 2 involves us making deliveries to the Grand Narukami Shrine and Phase 3 is to Konda Village. Per the Shogun's orders, we can leave the rest of the deliveries to other members of my staff and the rest of the Commission. They will handle and fill in the gaps that we miss."

"Oh! Does that mean you're gonna make Paimon lug a full jug of milk all the way up to the Grand Narukami Shrine? That's wayy too much work for Paimon!"

Aether and Ayaka let out a light laugh at Paimon's comment. Even by herself, Paimon could barely even lift a full large jug of Dango Milk.

"That won't be necessary. Arrangements have already been made for most of the Dango Milk to be stockpiled at the Kamisato Estate. I've also already arranged to have the milk arrive beforehand at the Shrine, so all we have to do is go there and hand it out."

Nodding, Aether took a sip of his tea before commenting. "Hmm, Impressive Ayaka. You really had this all planned out!" "Ohh, it was nothing, it's a part of my job after all" Ayaka replied with a light blush on her face. "In any case, we should head out soon. We only have so much time before the milk spoils, and I don't want my staff's work to go to waste."

Walking past the Grand Sakura Tree that marked the end of Inazuma City, the trio found themselves walking among calm foxes as they made their way through Byakko Plain. Along the way, they were stopped occasionally, once by a group of fishermen and another time by a group of kids who wanted to play with them.

Ayaka, finding herself unable to say no to the kid's pleading faces (Along with Aether's too) ended up being involved in a quick game of tag. It wasn't long till the sound of laughter filled the air of the usually quiet field. The laughter also attracted a certain pyro spark, that being Yoimiya, who was just passing by on her way back to Inazuma City. Explaining their situation, Yoimiya happily agreed to take the kids off their hands while they continued on their journey to the Estate and the Grand Narukami Shrine.

As they said their goodbyes to the children, Aether and Paimon had walked ahead before being stopped by one of the kids who didn't want them to go. Ayaka, not wanting to be left behind, began to walk to catch up to them before being stopped by someone grabbing her hand. Turning around, she saw that Yoimiya had grabbed her.

"Hey! How are things going between you two? Any progress yet?"

"Umm, between who exactly?"

"You and Aether, silly! I know you like him, it's pretty obvious."

At Yoimiya's teasing, Ayaka found herself embarrassed. Over the years, she had become a master at these sorts of social games. No matter what, at the end of the day, she'd have to always step in at some point, and gracefully end all sorts of dealings and social events. Dealing with criticism and playing mind games with Inazuma's Elite was nothing new to her. However, her current personal situation was something new and completely foreign to her, just like Aether himself when he first arrived in Inazuma.

Hesitant to say anything, she eventually relented as Yoimiya was one of the few people she could openly talk to about this. They were relatively close, and she had vented to her in the past. And by the sounds of it, Yoimiya seemed to have picked up that something was happening between the two of them. "I suppose so. I mean, we have been having a great time over the last little while, I really don't want this to end. Just like with you, I find that I can let my guard down around him and just be myself without qualms. Everything about him is just so….." Ayaka trailed off as she turned back to look at Aether and Paimon. The duo was still talking to the kid, going along with his antics that the stick he was holding was a sword of great power.

"Ayaka, you know that he means a lot to you, and I'm willing to bet decent gunpowder on the fact that the same is for him. There is clearly a spark between the two of you, ready to light a firework if you get what I'm saying."

Ayaka continued to look at Aether as she digested Yoimiya's words. Ayaka agreed with her assessment, however, there were still many things from making it a reality.

"...The Traveler desires a lot more than just finding those missing to him. He also desires something else. And I think you desire that same thing as well."

"...His story will end when he manages to complete his first desire…."

"Hey, Ayaka! Let's move!"

Shaken from her thinking, Ayaka looked up to see that Aether was calling out to her. She looked around to see that Yoimiya had left her and had now managed to distract all of the kids with a set of her red fire sprinklers. Quickly recovering, she quickly ran and caught up with Aether and Paimon.

"Come on, let's get moving before Yoimiya sets off those fireworks. Paimon doesn't want to get caught flying through those again!"

With some final waves and goodbyes to the children, the trio began to walk on. Ayaka looked over her shoulder to see that Yoimiya had indeed set up some fireworks for the children. Noticing her, Yoimiya simply gave Ayaka a knowing wink. Blushing, Ayaka quickly turned around before the first of the fireworks began to go off. While the current social situation she found herself in was completely new to her, she knew for a fact that she had to make it work. After all, it wasn't like her to say no to a new game.

A few steps into their walk away from the launching fireworks, Paimon suddenly interrupted "You know, from here, Paimon thinks that this would make a great photo! Aether come on, get your Kamera out! Paimon will take a photo of the two of you!"

Not waiting for Aether to reply, Paimon quickly flew over Aether's shoulder and began going through his adventurer's pack. Despite the loud protests from him, Paimon managed to get the Kamera out and flew in front of the two of them, motioning for the two of them to pose for a picture.

"Ohh, are you sure about this? I know the Kamera is still quite rare, there is no need to be wasting ink in a picture of the two of us….." Ayaka was suddenly interrupted by Aether pulling her close and placing his arm around her waist.

"Oh, it's fine. Plus, I don't think we have a photo of the two of us yet, right?" Aether looked at Ayaka with a small smile on his face. Despite his protest moments ago, he seemed quite willing to take a photo with her. Giving in, and also slightly embarrassed, Ayaka nodded and turned to face the camera.

Click

The fireworks did indeed make for a pretty backdrop for the two of them.

As the trio walked along the shores of the beach, Ayaka couldn't help but feel giddy inside. Inside her small purse that she had brought with her was now a photo of the two of them together.

And Aether has a copy as well.

After Paimon had taken their picture, Ayaka noticed and asked why the Kamera had made a funny noise and produced a puff of black smoke when it had taken the picture. Aether explained that he had gotten a new experimental Kamera from the Adventurer's Guild, which was capable of producing copies of the same picture. Something about being able to save them to a memory of some sort? Whatever the case, Ayaka was now more than happy as the picture of the two of them had turned out wonderfully.

The two of us in frame, with the fireworks going off in the background. Plus Aether holding me around my waist. If another annoying guy ever asks to be my suitor again, I'll just show them this photo. Ohh I should also probably frame it with my-

"-Well, it's just because Paimon thought it looked like a nice photo opportunity, and Paimon was right! There's no other reason!"

Ayaka, now listening in to the conversation happening next to her, realized that Aether was questioning Paimon about why she had suddenly wanted to take a picture of the two of them. Aether didn't sound mad, in fact, he had a smile on his face and sounded quite happy with the whole ordeal. But just like Ayaka, he was still slightly suspicious of Paimon's motivations.

"No no! Paimon has no other reason! It wasn't like Yoimiya told Paimon to do it or anything! Promise!"

So Yoimiya told her to do it after all…perhaps I need to have another word with her again…

….But perhaps this is what this sort of social game entails? ...Am I being actively courted by Aether?

That thought put Ayaka into a deep blush.

At the same time, Aether let out a sigh and eye-roll, as if already expecting that answer from his floating friend. Smiling to himself, he looked over at Ayaka who was walking next to him. "Well, in any case, it is a really nice photo. I'll be sure to frame it in my Teapot." Ayaka responded with the first thought that came to her mind.

"And I shall do the same."