Ritsuka groaned as he woke up with a raging headache, not helped by the bright sunlight pouring in from the window next to his bedroll. It hurt to think and trying to recall what happened only made it worse. All that came to his head was a slip and rough tumble; he was also aware of the bandage wrapped around his head.
"Ah, you. You're finally awake." He heard someone's voice from his side. Ritsuka turned to see Thoma cooking with a firepit in the centre of the room. "That was quite a fall you took from what Guuji Yae said, Kaedehara. Does it still hurt anywhere?"
"Yes…" muttered Ritsuka loud enough for him to hear. "What happened?"
Thoma sighed as he relayed what he was told the previous night, "Sayu told me you fell off one of the roofs up at the shrine. It's not my place to question the Guuji's decision but cleaning a stain in the middle of the night? That's asking for trouble…"
'Oh, right…' Yesterday's events were becoming clearer— waking up in Kazuha's body (again), running across Narukami Island to deliver a letter at the Kamisato Estate, and then delivering another letter at the mountain's peak. Now that his migraine was slowly disappearing, the realisation that he was still in Kazuha's body was setting in. Previously, their bodyswap only lasted a day but it's evident this will be different. "Am I back at the estate?" Thoma's presence and explanation implied someone brought him back down from the Grand Narukami Shrine.
His speculation was quickly confirmed with a nod from Thoma. The retainer had also finished cooking and was bringing Ritsuka a bowl of soup. "Sayu carried you down on her back with Guuji Yae last night. You should thank her when you get the chance… Sayu, I mean."
Ritsuka kept that in mind as he thanked Thoma for the breakfast, which was his special recipe of Miso soup. It's been a while since he last had a normal Japanese meal, Ritsuka thought. "Oh, and Lord Kamisato and Guuji Yae would like to speak to you once you can get to your feet. He's in his office and… do announce your arrival before entering," Thoma advised while avoiding eye contact. "It's still early in the morning but better not risk seeing something you'll regret."
'Sounds like personal experience speaking.' Ritsuka gave the retainer a look of pity. "I understand. I'll see them as soon as I can."
Thoma told him the directions to the office from this room before soon leaving to fulfil his other duties around the estate. After finishing his soup, Ritsuka got up (and nearly fell over) and followed Thoma's directions to Kamisato Ayato's office. Standing before the sliding door, Ritsuka loudly cleared his throat before knocking on the black wooden frame and putting on his best professional tone. "Lord Kamisato? You called for me?"
After a moment, he heard the head of the Kamisato family's voice. "Come in, Kaedehara."
The body-swapped young man mentally prepared himself just in case before sliding open the door. Fortunately for his eyes, there was nothing strange going on; the two were just going over some documents at the desk from what Ritsuka could see. "Take a seat, Kaedehara. There are some matters we need to discuss."
'…Is my cover blown?' Ritsuka hoped that wasn't the case as he somewhat feared what was in store but he wouldn't be surprised if it was true. Either he was acting too out of character the previous night or Sayu reported what Ritsuka revealed. He did his best to hide any nervousness as he sat down on the cushion again and waited for one of them to start talking.
Soon enough, Yae spoke up. "How is your head feeling, Kaedehara?" She had a smile but Ritsuka could see past it. Maybe there is some real worry beneath it but it was most likely her just trying to soften him up
"I'm doing fine. It doesn't hurt as much anymore." Thoma's cooking somehow patched him up well.
"In that case, we may move on to business," Kamisato hummed and stared right into Ritsuka's eyes. The staredown made the latter silently gulp. After several seconds, the Commissioner finished, "We have another task for you."
'That's it!?' Well… being everyone's errand boy is better than the alternative. "I see, what is it?" Ritsuka was up to the task if it was another simple delivery mission. Hopefully, it was to Inazuma City; he was curious how the city looked and the Raiden Shogun seemed interes—
"Head to Watatsumi Island and negotiate the release of some prisoners with the Divine Priestess of the Sangonomiya Shrine."
"…Can you repeat that?" Ritsuka was completely caught off guard by the massive escalation from being a courier to a diplomatic envoy.
"The Watatsumi Army has captured a couple of the Shuumatsuban doing… reconnaissance work on the island. As you've been an ally of the Divine Priestess, we're hoping you'll be able to negotiate for their safe return," Kamisato reasoned.
Yae pressed with a grin, "You are close to Lady Sangonomiya, aren't you? I'm sure you can work your charm on her. The lives of the Shuumatsuban members are in your hands."
"I've already sent a letter to Ritou requesting a boat to take you to Watatsumi. We're counting on you, Kaedehara."
'…I hate this place…' Ritsuka groaned in his head. He didn't think Kazuha would have that sort of connection to anyone since he lives on a boat, much less to a "Divine Priestess" of all people. Then again, Ritsuka knew little of Kazuha's past; he really shouldn't presume anything about him. "I understand, Lord Kamisato. I'll do my best," he accepted the mission with a resolute nod.
After the debriefing, Ritsuka prepared himself for the trek back to Ritou. As he was about to leave, he bumped into someone in the halls. Judging from her appearance— with her ornate clothes as well as hair colour matching the Commissioner's —it was easy for Ritsuka to guess it was the famed Lady Ayaka.
"Kaedehara, it's been some time, hasn't it?" She greeted him with a pretty and friendly smile."How have you been? I heard you had an accident at the shrine."
"It could be better. As is, I'm doing fine. What about you?" Ritsuka tried to make some small talk.
At his question, she perked up and quickly answered with a yes. "I've received a letter from the Traveller recently." From the stars in her eyes and the joyful but wistful smile she had, Ritsuka could easily guess Ayaka's feelings towards the Traveller. "Have you ever been to Fontaine, Kaedehara? I wonder what it's like there." She asked with curiosity in her voice.
"No, I can't say I have. I would like to go though." Fontaine was French for fountain, wasn't it? He was sure he heard one of the French Servants saying it once when they visited a city in a Singularity.
Ritsuka's answer made her mood falter ever so slightly. Guess she was really interested in Fontaine? "I see… uh, but if you ever do visit Fontaine, will you check up on Aether for me? He mentioned running into trouble there but will be staying for a while. From what I understand in his letter, Aether's earned the attention of the Hydro Archon."
"Umm… good attention or bad attention?"
"Hard to say…" answered Ayaka under her breath… before a dead look appeared in her eyes as she muttered, "But if she does make any move towards him…"
Ritsuka would recognise those types of eyes anywhere and felt sorry for Aether and whoever this Hydro Archon was. It doesn't sound like it'll end well for anyone if anything happens. 'Okay then… both siblings are crazy. Good to know.' "So… your brother asked me to run an errand for him and I better go do that now. See ya!" Ritsuka nervously laughed as he slowly backed away. However, Ayaka didn't seem to realise he was still there as she continued to mutter things under her breath.
As soon as he left and disappeared around a corner… "Really, brother…?" She quietly sighed, finding this whole playing around with "Fujimaru Ritsuka" as he was apparently called absurd. Her brother and that fox were having too much fun with what Sayu told them, going so far as to send him on a fake mission to Watatsumi Island. Did she believe such a bodyswap out of a light novel to actually happen? She had her doubts and Kazuha was acting very odd but unless there's true definitive proof, she'll continue as she was.
Anyway, better return to her room and plot out her schemes on the names Ayato gave her. They may be in Liyue but better to be safe than sorry. Now just for the names from Mondstat and Sumeru…
"YOU DID WHAT?!" The angry shout filled the command room, originating from the pint-sized renaissance man (well, girl). "So Kaedehara's been in the holding cell all night?!" Da Vinci screamed at the three Servants kneeling in apology in front of her. "Mash, can you go—"
"On it." Mash was already on her way out of the room to go help Kaedehara, leaving the Stalker Trio to their scolding. She quickly made her way towards the seldom-used part of Chaldea. They never really had a use for the holding cells so no one had any reason to go by. "Kaedehara?" She knocked on the steel door before saying she was going to come in.
However, when the door opened, Mash was surprised to see Kazuha peacefully meditating by the back wall, underneath the small bar windows leading out where the sounds of the waves from the docks could be heard. "Kaedehara?"
"Hmm? Oh, Miss Kyrielight, I assume it's time for breakfast now?" Kaedehara gave her a calm smile. It seemed he was fine with being thrown in here for the night. "Is it fine if you can bring me something so I can stay in here? This cell is just to my liking. And… don't tell anyone where I am."
"Uh… sure…"
"Thank you."
A/N: And next chapter done. While Ritsuka is sent on a wild goose chase by Ayato and Yae, Kazuha finally gets a moment to himself. How long would that last? Who knows… Anyway, finally done with most of the content in 4.1; 100% both new regions and the quest with Caterpillar and the girl is mostly complete, I just need to talk to him in that one place. Also got super unlucky while trying to get Homa. Getting R2 Skyward Harp and Neuvillette's book broke me… At least I got Homa for Hu Tao in the end.
Now to wait for 4.2 and go broke for C0R1 Furina. My wallet already hates me anyway.
Also, yeah, going with Male Traveller so no MC shipping unfortunately... unless...