Aether and Paimon looked on at the main entranceway as Ayaka bid farewell to all of the staff members at the Estate. After a bit more downtime and watching Ayaka go about her work, the trio decided to begin the final leg of their trip to the Shrine. The gray clouds that loomed overhead signaled that a rain storm was coming, and they collectively decided to try and make it to the Shrine before it began to rain. From the observations of the Storm Watcher at the Estate, they had about the rest of the day before it was to begin raining hard.

"Hopefully Her Excellency means well for your trip."

Deciding not to place their bets on the Shogun's overall mood for the day, the trio set off along the path. As they made their way past the assorted wildlife, they talked about whatever came to mind first. Paimon managed to start a somewhat in-depth discussion on how the Dango Milk they were delivering would taste better with some Mondstadt Cookies, which Aether assured Ayaka he would make for her to try when they got some free time.

The debate over Cookies being dipped in milk managed to get them far enough till they arrived at the damaged footbridge, which spanned a small ravine that dried up long ago. The center section of the bridge had been gone for who knows how long.

"You know, I offered to repair this bridge way back when I first arrived here. I believe Yae Miko said that it 'wasn't the Shrine's responsibility' and that I should go ask the relevant commission." Looking at Aether as he recalled his conversation with Yae, Paimon commented. "Ohh you're right! You did offer to do that. We were hoping to get on her good side, and since we had experience repairing the wooden staircase Wangshu Inn back in Liyue, this would have been a piece of cake for you!"

"...Wait a minute, Ayaka! This type of stuff falls under your commission right? Oh, we can just ask you for permission! Paimon can ensure that Aether will do his best! And Paimon will too!"

Chuckling a bit at Paimon's comment, Ayaka struck a thinking pose before responding. "Hmm, that does sound like something we would have to approve, though I should check with my staff before I make a final call. Sorry. Oh, but there's no need to rush as….."

"Oh that's okay, we can do this all later! After all, we should get to the Shrine first and finish with the Dango Milk deliveries before we do anything else." Paimon spun around and looked at the gap across the ravine they still needed to cross. "Paimon wonders how do normal Inazumans get to the Shrine? This bridge has been broken for so long…."

"Like this"

At that moment, a sudden gust of wind flew by Paimon and Ayaka as Aether ran and gave a running jump. As he leaped into the air, he pulled the cord by his shoulder and released his glider, giving him just enough flight to cross the ravine and land on the other side. As he quickly put away his glider, he spun around to face Paimon and Ayaka, still on the other side, and gave a small bow.

"...9 out of 10 points. Paimon thinks your landing could have been slightly better!" Paimon turned to Ayaka. "Okay, your turn Ayaka! When you're ready!"

I'm supposed to do what now….?

A look of surprise was the only thing that could describe the look on Ayaka's face. She hadn't expected Aether to cross the ravine in such a manner, and she was definitely not gonna do the same. Embarrassed, she looked at both Paimon and Aether.

"Ummm, you guys do know there is another path to get to the Shrine right. The paths split here and you don't have to cross this ravine…"

At Ayaka's comment, Paimon and Aether looked at each other from across the ravine both with confused looks on their faces.

"...There's another path to get to the Shrine? I've always gone this way across the ravine….."

"...Well, Paimon always wondered how the people of Inazuman got to the Shrine. Now we know."

"….. But I will admit, the path over this ravine is faster, but along with this ravine, there is a lot of rockwork and uneven stairs to climb. That's why most people who are headed to the Shrine take the other path…." Ayaka trailed off as she pointed towards the other path, which was partly hidden by some trees and bushes.

"I see, well this is the way Paimon and Aether have always gone, so let's do what works. Go Ayaka! You can do it! Jump!" Paimon gave Ayaka a playful push from behind, but Ayaka didn't budge.

"...I'm sorry you two, and I hate to disappoint, but I'm not going over this ravine…"

"What! Why not? Do you not have your glider?"

"Oh, I do. It's just that….." Ayaka debated to herself on how to proceed. An unknown fact to many people was that she was quite rusty with a glider. Yes, she had her gliding license, but she didn't do enough gliding to have confidence in her skills. Usually, her training time was put into her swordwork and other items. Plus, with a running start and jump needed for this specific situation, there was no room for error as she needed just enough speed to make the full jump with her glider. For someone like Aether, something like this was a part of his everyday routine.

For her, things were much harder. To put it frankly, Ayaka wasn't sure if she could make the jump.

Seeing the nervousness on her face, Aether broke Ayaka from her silence, yelling across to her from the other side. "...You're gonna want to go about 4 full strides forwards, and then have your rear foot start the jump once you're on the edge. Once you're in the air, trust your instincts and release your glider. Then you will be over here with me! Follow my steps and you'll be fine!"

Looking up at Aether, he had a newfound smile on his face as he explained the process to Ayaka. Trusting in his words and finding herself smiling at them, Ayaka suddenly had a surge of courage come to her. She took a few steps back to give her enough room for the jump.

"Go Ayaka go!"

Nodding at Paimon's words of encouragement, she put herself into the start of her running stance, as if she was about to participate in a foot race. Looking across to the other side, she could see that Aether was giving her his full support, waving and giving her a thumbs up and warm smile. At the sight of his smile, she began her sprint towards the edge.

…I'm doing something incredibly stupid and impulsive right now, aren't I?

Doing what she was told, Ayaka jumped into the air on her rear foot as she arrived on the edge. Hair and skirt now blowing in the breeze, she released her glider on instinct, a bit too late for her own comfort. However, just as she did so she found herself making the glide and jumping over the ravine, right into Aether.

"Ahhh watch out!"

Ayaka closed her eyes as she braced herself for impact. She was pleasantly surprised when instead of hitting Aether head-on, she found herself being embraced by the boy waiting on the other side.

**FOMP**

"Got you."

Not expecting the sudden warmth around her, Ayaka cautiously opened her eyes and found herself face to face with the boy who had just caught her. Holding her gently in his arms, Aether simply had a concerned look on his face while Ayaka slowly began to become red with embarrassment. A few moments of silence passed as both Aether and Ayaka looked into each other's eyes.

His eyes are simply wonderful

After that thought and realizing the situation she was in, she quickly pushed herself out of Aether's arm and spun around in embarrassment.

What just happened? His face was sooo close! And yes! His eyes are simply wonderful indeed.

Realizing that she needed some way to hide her embarrassment, Ayaka crouched down and began to put away her glider, making sure her face was out of view as she worked to collect herself. Unfortunately, she didn't take into account that Paimon had also crossed over the ravine and was now trying to get her attention.

"Ayaka! You did it! That wasn't so bad! Hey, let Paimon and Aether help out with your glider, it's one of those super fancy Inazuma ones right?"

Paimon flew around the crouched-down Ayaka like a busy bee around a flower. It wasn't till Aether approached did Paimon stop what she was doing. Paimon, looking at Aether's face, could tell that this was one of those moments where Paimon should be quiet.

Why did I do that? Why did I trust his words so easily? Look at the awkward mess it's gotten us into.

Crouching down next to her, Aether brought himself closer to Ayaka. Grabbing a part of the glider wing, he began to help Ayaka fold it back together.

"You know, I'm pretty sure you would give the Gliding Champion of Mondstadt a run for her Mora if you had more confidence with your step."

…huh?

Not expecting a comment like that out of the blue to come from Aether, she looked up to her side to see that Aether had indeed crouched down next to her. As she observed Aether, he looked at her with a light smile on his face. Ayaka said the first thing that came to her mind.

"You really think so?"

Aether tilted his head in response. "Of course. Outside of your final step, your glider form with your arms was simply excellent, not to mention your feet and back posture. Outside of your initial run-up and your landing, you would get full marks for form and fit at the Windblume Festival."

"...As in the annual Windblume Festival held in Mondstadt? B-But I'm sure you and the Current Champion would fare much better than I could ever do….." It seemed that Ayaka's curiosity removed the nervousness she was just feeling.

A smile appeared on Aether's face. "Only one way to find out. Come on, I'll tell you about the current Gliding Champion and what she's like as we walk. We still have a Shrine to get to after all."

Not waiting for Ayaka's response, Aether suddenly got up and began walking down the path. Ayaka, looking back down, noticed that they had idly finished folding up her glider. Paimon, noticing what was happening, quickly caught up to Aether and gave a quick wave back to Ayaka for her to follow. Bewildered at what had just happened, she found herself putting her glider away, and running slightly to catch up with Aether.

"...as in a real bunny? That she carries with her when she is gliding? What?"

-{}-

"Also, it might just be Paimon, but Paimon thinks that 'Go Barbara Go' sounds more catchy than 'Go Ayaka Go', don't you think?"

Silence came upon the trio as they began to make their way up the precarious beaten path and stone staircases that lead to the Shrine. Doing as he had said, Aether did indeed tell Ayaka all about Amber, the ever famous Gliding Champion of Mondstadt. While Ayaka had read about the Windblume Festival and Mondstadt itself, it was really interesting to hear what it is like from someone who had been there and taken part in the festivities. Adding to the conversation, she found herself brainstorming with Aether and Paimon on what activities they could bring to Inazuma's numerous festivals.

….Now that I think about it, maybe Aether does know a thing or two about etiquette and social skills than he lets on. Back at the ravine, he did a textbook example of avoiding the main problem and distracted me by mentioning something related…..

That main problem being that he caught me in his arms.

Ayaka grimaced to herself. Once again, Ayaka found herself in unknown social territory. Drinking tea and sparring with your male partner was one thing, but having him catch you in his arms is a completely different story.

…

…..my friend….my male friend…my male partner…..when did he become that in my head?

Ayaka groaned internally.

I have it 'bad' after all, don't I?

As Ayaka thought to herself, Aether and Paimon made small talk as they continued up the stairs towards the Shrine. The higher they got, the more uneven and unkempt they were. But that didn't pose too much of a problem until Aether felt a raindrop land on his shoulder. Looking up to the sky, he could see that the dark clouds had caught up to them as they had begun to make their way up to the shrine.

"We should probably pick up our pace, huh?" Aether said to Ayaka, who was just a few steps behind him. Noticing this, he slowed down and matched her speed. "Hmm, we should be fine. The Storm Watcher back at the Estate said that it shouldn't rain hard till the evening but I suppose you are right, we are almost here after all. Just another set of stairs to go-"

"Ahhhh!"

Busy talking to Aether, Ayaka hadn't noticed that the next step on the stone staircase they were climbing was much higher than the last, causing her to lose her footing and trip on the step. Quickly stretching out her arms and bracing for the fall, her hand was quickly caught by Aether, pulling her out of the fall and into his arms.

Blinking twice in surprise, a moment of awkward silence set in between the two of them, both realizing that Ayaka was now in Aether's arms. Lucky for the two of them, the awkward silence was broken by Paimon first.

"...you okay Ayaka?"

"Yeah…..I'm fine. Uhh, thank you, Aether. Again…."

Aether, realizing what was going on, released Ayaka from his grasp. Taking a step back to make some space between them, Aether smiled awkwardly. "Oh no problem. That's why I'm here, Hehe…"

Another raindrop fell from the sky, this time landing on Ayaka.

"Ahh rain, right we should pick up the pace." Spinning on the spot, she looked down at the step that she had just tripped on. It was definitely higher than she was expecting, no wonder she had tripped on it.

As Ayaka began to move her leg onto the staircase that had tripped her, her right hand was suddenly grasped by Aether again. Looking behind her with a puzzled look on her face, she could see that for whatever reason, Aether's face had now gone red with embarrassment. Probably out of embarrassment of what he had just done.

"...Aether?"

Aether awkwardly ran his free hand through his hair, looking away from Ayaka in embarrassment. "...Those shoes must be quite hard to walk in huh?" Looking down at her feet, Ayaka nodded idly at Aether's comment.

"Ummmmm….. To make sure you don't slip again, doyouwanttoholdhandstherestofthewayup?"

…

...

...

Did he just say what I think he just said?

Ayaka found herself suddenly blushing at Aether's question. While Aether had spoken super quickly, she was pretty confident in what he had said. Surprised at his words, she found the only thing she could do was look at Aether with a smile on her face. Aether meanwhile, was looking at everything but Ayaka.

….Perhaps this type of thing is new to him, just like it is new to me.

Not wanting to make him wait any longer, Ayaka offered a simple one-word answer.

"Sure."

Another View

"So this means that their relationship has evolved, yes? They are now holding hands as they make their way up here to the shrine."

"…Yes but it's not so simple. Their relationship is evolving, yes, but they haven't defined it yet. Both of them are too scared to take the next big step forward, as is tradition in a rom-com."

"Is this how all human relationships go? Huh, and here I was thinking that the writers you hire and the books coming from your publishing house were of pure fluff fiction that would never happen. Also, didn't you say this would be an action-adventure story with rom- "

"Sigh. Ei, you have so much to learn and realize about human relationships. Like I said in the past, most things we publish have a reason for them, and are based on real stories. Like this one we are watching unfold right now….and just so you know, everything is going as I have foreseen…The genre is…..dynamic."

"...Anyway sho! You need to go Ei, they will be here any minute. I'm quite curious to see what other shenanigans I can pull off when they arrive. Also, stop that rain and thunder of yours, it's served its purpose!"

AN /
Double chapters, also updated story's description and fixed Paimon's Paimon pronouns in the previous chapter.

It also appears that Lady Guuji has plans for the next chapter...hmmm