Chapter 38
Butterflies
Once separated from the Arataki Gang, Kazuha stealthily headed back to the city, specifically to that street in Hanamizaka where he had met that peddler. He was afraid that the vendor would already have left by then since a few hours had passed since he had seen him, and sunset threatened to begin at any moment. His fear came true when he reached the same part of the street where he remembered seeing him, but he no longer found any trace of the man, his blanket, or his products. Just the empty space in front of a stone wall with some old posters taped.
Kazuha sighed, more resigned than actually disappointed. Perhaps it had been quite naive of him to imagine that everything would happen that way, almost like magic. Finding a gift that reminded him of Ayaka and also getting enough money to buy it. Everything as if it had been fate or part of some little legend; the traveler who went through several voyages to obtain the perfect gift for his beloved... although the battle with a huge and lethal oni and the duel to the death of onikabuto would have to be a bit exaggerated to spice up the story.
Maybe he could compose a haiku using that idea as a base. But in the meantime, all that remained was to withdraw and accept defeat. So he carefully adjusted his scarf and turned on his feet to return to where he had come.
Perhaps all was not lost. With any luck, he might find the vendor again the next day...
"Hey, boy," he suddenly heard a loud voice uttering very close to him.
Kazuha stopped instantly, then slowly turned in its direction. To one side, there was a traveling ramen cart, behind which the cook prepared the dishes, and in front, there were three benches for diners, two occupied at that time. And right on the center bench, he recognized the broad back and long gray hair of the person sitting on it, bent over his plate as he slurped down the noodles with an almost shrill sound. On his back was a dark blue blanket tied around his neck, which evidently kept different items in it.
That man stopped eating for an instant and turned entirely on the bench towards Kazuha. The old man's small eyes looked at him through his bushy beard.
"I had a feeling you'd be back," the old man said, laughing. "But a little more, and you no longer found me."
Kazuha smiled contently. It was the peddler; he was not gone yet. Perhaps fate and magic were still on his side.
"Did you get the money?" asked the old man, a little impatient.
"Yeah, here it is," Kazuha said, approaching him. He took his small bag of coins and quickly took out of it the moras he had taken from the prize of the onikabuto tournament. "One hundred and fifty, correct?"
"We said so," the vendor pointed out, extending a hand toward him. Kazuha placed the coins on his palm. The old man didn't even bother to count them. He only put them without waiting in one pocket, and from the other, he took out a small dark blue rectangular box, and without warning, he threw it towards the swordsman. Kazuha's sharp reflexes allowed him to catch it in the air without the slightest trouble. "The box is a gift," said the old man with a chuckle. "I hope it is the ideal gift for that person."
Kazuha carefully opened the box, looking at its contents: the ring and the two blue butterfly-shaped brooches. His smile widened.
"I think it will be," Kazuha agreed, tucking the box inside his kimono without waiting. "Thank you very much for waiting for me," he finally pronounced, respectfully leaning towards the old man.
"Thanks to you. And luck."
Kazuha started walking again, not towards the city's exit but in the opposite direction.
Arriving at the tea house, Ayaka asked the employees to prepare her private room for her and her guests and prepare a cup of tea for each of them, accompanied by some cupcakes and a couple of other dishes to calm their appetite. To Chisato's happiness, now she could pass beyond the door that Kozue guarded and see inside the building. Although, of course, perhaps she had gotten a bigger idea due to all the secrecy because, at first glance, it seemed like a pretty… ordinary place.
Ayaka led Chisato and Sara to their room on the top floor, escorted by two maids. The three of them sat down at the low table in the center, and it didn't take long for their cups of tea and rolls to be brought to them. The dishes would take a little longer.
"Drink it, Sara; come on," Chisato insisted excitedly. "Isn't it the most delicious tea you've ever tasted?"
General Kujou contemplated her steaming cup reflectively for a few moments and then took a small sip from it.
"Not bad," she replied after a while, putting the cup back on the table.
"Not bad?" Chisato exclaimed in surprise.
"I think I prefer it a little less sweet," Sara pointed out stoically.
"Maybe you exaggerated expectations with your comments, Chisato," Ayaka laughed, amused.
"Well, I do like it," Chisato pointed out with a slight pout.
"No, I don't mean I didn't like it," Sara cleared her throat with concern. "It's fine, seriously."
As if wanting to prove her point, she took her cup and drank from it again. Chisato and Ayaka couldn't help but laugh at her reaction.
They spent the next while chatting briefly, mostly about what they had seen and done that day. Even Sara felt more participative as if the tension that had prevailed during the first part of the afternoon had subsided by now. Chisato also seemed to have relaxed a bit, and whether it was because of the tea or the sugar in the cupcakes, she had even begun to speak more fluently to Sara. In fact, at some point, they even started arguing about the matter of the Yashiori fishermen, of which the young Hiiragi apparently had strong opinions.
"They have stopped all trade to the other islands," Chisato replied, slightly eager. "Do you know how much merchandise we have detained in Ritou and that we simply cannot move?"
"We understand the problem very well," Sara answered seriously. "And my brother Masahito is already there with his men trying to fix it. But we cannot be reckless in our actions. With discontent like this, one misstep and we could do more harm than good."
"Okay," Chisato mumbled, not entirely convinced. "But I hope that doesn't mean we'll have to wait another month before we do anything for real."
"And... have you tried to listen to their complaints yet?" asked Ayaka suddenly, until now keeping a bit apart from that conversation. "To try to reach some kind of agreement? A diplomatic solution would be much better than using military force against innocent citizens."
"I agree with you, Lady Kamisato," Sara pointed out. "My brothers and I expressed the same thing to my father when we discussed this matter the other day. The problem is that their demands are… somewhat disproportionate. They demand that the closing of the borders, and even the Decree of Hunt of Visions, be withdrawn.
"Really? That sounds like a complete Sangonomiya thing," Chisato muttered.
"My father thinks the same, but I'm not entirely sure that's the case."
"Well, I wouldn't rule it out at all. I've heard a lot of rumors about the huge following she's gathering. Convincing a group of people to do something like this wouldn't be that difficult. It may even be the first step to a larger-scale revolt."
"It's not wise to be alarmed to such levels," Ayaka hastened to point out. "Priestess Sangonomiya and her followers have so far been just a group that wishes to express out loud the discontent that we all know reigns among a large part of the population affected by these new decrees. Rather than try to silence them, perhaps we should try to listen to them appropriately."
Those words were just a tiny part of Ayaka's true feelings about this whole matter. But she knew well that the prudent thing to do was to moderate what she said as much as possible, especially in the presence of Kujou Sara, if it was indeed true that the Tenryou Commission was investigating her. Some would think that if that were the case, the smart thing to do would be to keep quiet or even express an opinion in favor of the Tri-Commission's actions. However, that would be more counterproductive, in fact. Her position, somewhat more open to dialogue and to improve the situation of the people, was already well known, so acting differently from it would only arouse more suspicion. But going too far with her words could just as well raise the alarm.
That, of course, made all that a complicated game in which she should not be distracted.
"Well, I'd certainly be the first to be happy about the borders reopening," Chisato confessed. "But the thought terrifies me that this could escalate to something more… serious…"
Sara sat with her back straight and her eyes iron and pronounced with overwhelming solemnity:
"If the Sangonomiya group, or anyone else, try to rise up against the people of Inazuma and the wishes of the Almighty Shogun, the Tenryou Commission will do what they have to do, like the protectors of Inazuma that we have always been."
"Even if that means going to a war... against your own fellow citizens?" Chisato inquired with obvious concern.
"If I'm ordered to do it, then I will," Sara declared without hesitation. "But…" she murmured softer, now lowering her gaze to the cup before her. "I have faith that will not happen. I know that the Shogun's actions and wishes will fully reach her people one day, and they will understand that everything is for the good of Inazuma in the long run."
The room's doors opened at that moment, and two waitresses entered carrying the dishes they had ordered. Inwardly Ayaka sighed in relief. Unknowingly, they had been quite opportune at their entrance to appease the fumes a bit.
Once both girls had left their food on the table and left, Ayaka hastened to turn the conversation around, anticipating that if they continued to talk about the incident in Yashiori or Sangonomiya, things could get tense.
"How did you like this casual outing, General?" she asked with a modest smile, staring at Sara. It is rumored that you rarely take a day off. I hope we have been able to be a pleasant company for you."
"Of course," Sara hastened to reply. "Everything has been exemplary. If I'm honest, it's true that it's not the type of activity I usually do, but it hasn't been unpleasant at all. I really appreciate your invitation."
"I'm glad to hear you say that," Ayaka pronounced, outlining a wide smile. "Especially for Chisato, it was important that you have a good time. In fact, taking advantage of the occasion, she wanted to talk to you about an important matter."
Hearing that, the young woman from the Hiiragi clan raised her face quickly, half a bite still in her mouth of what she had just served on the plate.
"Oh yeah?" Chisato murmured with a hint of nervousness. Although Ayaka was still smiling, the expression in her gaze sternly told her to stop thinking about it. "Alright, Alright..."
"What is it about?" Sara asked curiously.
Chisato finished swallowing and pushed her plate aside. She sighed deeply and then turned fully towards Kujou Sara, trying to face her as she said what she had to say. Her heart pounded anxiously in her chest.
"I... wanted to take the opportunity to talk to you about myself... and Kamaji..." Chisato muttered, making it difficult to maintain her safety as the tengu's intense and penetrating eyes watched her.
"What happened to him?" Sara asked, confused. "Do you have any problem with my brother?"
"No, no," Chisato answered quickly. "Or at least I hope not… The truth is that he and I have… been exchanging correspondence for some time…"
"Correspondence?"
"Correspondence... of a kind... well..." She lowered her pained gaze, her fingers playing nervously with the fabric of her kimono. "Romantic nature, you could say..."
Sara remained silent, watching her with a mixture of confusion and curiosity as if trying to find some hidden message in those words.
"You mean that you and my brother...?" Sara muttered, unable to finish her question simply because she wasn't sure what to ask.
"He and I like each other!" Chisato exclaimed loudly, raising her determined gaze to Sara. She stepped back, somewhat startled by the sudden change in tone. "I've liked him for a long time. I would dare to say that… I love him…" she sighed, placing her hands on her chest. "He is the most handsome and wonderful boy I have ever met. He is intelligent, he is attentive, he is kind, gallant... And when I read each of his letters, I just lose my breath..."
Ayaka cleared her throat a bit, trying to draw Chisato's attention to the fact that she was perhaps getting a little carried away. The young Hiiragi noticed this and tried to regain her composure.
"What I mean is… we're both romantically interested in each other. We're not formally in a relationship right now, but not because we don't want to. And it is my wish for the future that this could change... do you understand me?"
"I think so," Sara murmured in response. She still looked somewhat perplexed but seemed to gradually regain her calm. "Is my father aware of the matter?"
"The commissioner?" Chisato exclaimed. "No, I don't think Kamaji told him anything. On the other hand, I'm sure my father suspects it because of how he behaves when we talk about the marriage subject or when I mention Kamaji to him. I think he doesn't like the idea very much. And well, the biggest problem is that he doesn't like marrying the only daughter of the Hiiragi clan to a man from the Kujou clan. After all, as her sole heir, the man who would be my husband would practically be the head of the Kanjou Commission. If that role was held by a Kujou … I guess he thinks it would put us at a disadvantage."
"It's a complicated situation, certainly," Sara murmured. "The most viable solution would be for my brother to marry into the Hiiragi clan, not the other way around. But I doubt my father would allow it."
"That's why we had to hide it!" Chisato exclaimed, frustrated. "At least until we find a solution that makes everyone happy."
"I understand, but…" Sara whispered a little hesitantly. "I'm afraid I don't think I can be of much help in that regard. I don't think I can influence my father to change his mind, not on a topic like that."
"I know," Chisato sighed. "But I didn't want to tell it to you because of that. Kamaji said to me that he trusts you a lot. And, well, not knowing what will happen in the future, I just wanted to know if things between Kamaji and me evolve... I wouldn't suffer from your rejection or opposition."
Chisato raised her pleading gaze to Sara. Her eyes almost looked like a small puppy begging for food. That made the general a bit uncomfortable, but she didn't allow it to make holes in her response.
"I… I'm not exactly well-versed in this type of subject, as surely both of you could already realize. Even so, what is clear to me is that if being with you is what my brother wants and what makes him happy, of course I would not object. As I said, I don't know how much help I could be, but I assure you that I will never be an obstacle."
Chisato's entire face lit up when she heard Sara say that. For a moment, she was convinced that the general would say something like she wasn't worthy of being with her brother or would in no way support a relationship like that. Like many, Chisato had been carried away by Kujou Sara's hard and stern exterior, but all this afternoon, she had been shown that underneath lay an understanding and kind person. Someone Chisato could undoubtedly come to consider a sister.
"Thank you very much, Sara," Chisato muttered, discreetly running her fingers from the corner of her eyes to wipe away a few traces of tears. "You don't know how important it is for me to hear you say that. I have faith that we will find a solution to everything…"
Ayaka was looking at her with a pleased smile from the other end of the table. From the start, she felt everything would work out, but she was relieved to see she had been right. The current position of Chisato and her crush was complicated… but perhaps not as complicated as Ayaka's if she stopped to think about it for a moment.
"Lady Kamisato, sorry for the intrusion," the voice of one of the waitresses was heard speaking from the other side of the door.
"Come in," Ayaka instructed.
Immediately the young lady opened the door and slipped into the room. She advanced cautiously, her feet barely making any contact with the ground, and approached directly towards her mistress. He knelt beside her, leaned her face towards and whispered something in Ayaka's ear so that only she could hear it.
"Huh?!" Ayaka exclaimed, almost alarmed. "Is he here right now?"
The young woman responded with a simple nod of her head. Ayaka's expression couldn't hide her concern at all.
"Is something wrong?" Chisato asked, confused by her friend's sudden change in mood.
"No, nothing serious," Ayaka hurried to answer, outlining a carefree smile. She was instantly on her feet. "There's just a quick matter I need to attend to."
"If that's the case, perhaps we should go right now," Sara proposed, also standing up. "It's getting late anyway."
"Yeah, it will be better to go to rest…" Chisato seconded, but she wasn't able to get up entirely before Ayaka blurted out:
"No! I mean… don't go yet. I won't be long, seriously..."
Without waiting for any affirmative or negative response from them, Ayaka began to walk towards the door. The young waitress followed a few steps behind her.
"Wait here for a moment, please," Ayaka told her companions before sliding the door shut again, leaving their confused and curious faces on the other side.
Once the door was between her and the other two women, Ayaka hurried up the stairs with brisk steps, as fast as her tight kimono would allow her. The moment she set foot downstairs, however, she paused for a moment and turned to the waitress who was with her.
"How is my hair?" she asked, anguished, running her fingers carefully through her blue hair.
"It looks perfect, my lady. Not a single hair was out of place."
"And my kimono? Is it well settled? No obvious stain? What about my obi? Hasn't it messed up?"
"Everything is fine, my lady. Just as you came out this morning."
"Fine, thanks," she said in a low voice and then began to breathe slowly to try to calm herself.
She didn't understand why she was reacting that way, but her heart had been pounding violently in her chest since the moment the waitress whispered in her ear that that person was looking for her. That first caused her surprise, then concern considering the people she was with at the time (especially Sara). But as she took a breath and resumed her walk towards the front door of the teahouse, she tried to pacify both of them. And when she did, she only had one feeling left reigning: excitement.
Ayaka paused for a second in front of the front door, took a deep breath to clear away any trace of nerves that might have remained, then carefully slid it aside to peer outside. Kozue was standing at her post, keeping watch as always. But beyond her, she looked at the broad back covered in his traveling cloak and his long pale hair held back in a small tail. As soon as he heard the door open, Kazuha turned to it, his crimson eyes fixed on Ayaka, and she felt her heart skip another beat.
Not much time had passed; they had separated just the day before. And yet, it almost felt like another eight years had passed. And again, the happiness and relief of seeing her old friend in front of her became tangible in every part of Ayaka's being, manifesting itself in that broad smile drawn on her lips and in the singular glow that lit up her eyes.
"Kazuha," she murmured slowly, moving closer to him. "Good afternoon…"
"Good afternoon, Ayaka..." The young swordsman answered in a small whisper as he turned entirely to her. A great astonishment suddenly became evident in his gaze that caught the (real) Heron Princess a little off guard.
"Something wrong?" Ayaka asked, a bit nervous.
"No, it's nothing," Kazuha hurried to clarify. "It's just that…" Kazuha's crimson eyes subtly traced the young Kamisato's figure, then drifted to the side. "You look... very pretty," he uttered slowly, instantly flushing Ayaka's cheeks.
"Ah, thank you," Ayaka pronounced, clearly embarrassed. Of course, Kazuha hadn't gotten to see her dressed up like this in the couple of days since their reunion. Her fingers absently ran down the side of her head, searching for any misplaced hair even though she'd been told everything was fine.
"Were you busy?" Kazuha asked. "Did I interrupt something important?"
"No, it's fine," Ayaka replied, stepping closer to him. "It's just that I had to go out this afternoon to accompany two…" She hesitated for a moment before completing her sentence. "Two friends to do some shopping. And right now, we were having some tea."
"I'm sorry," Kazuha apologized. "I can come back another day so as not to bother you."
"You don't bother me at all," Ayaka muttered, laughing a little. "I was only a little surprised when they told me you were looking for me. I thought we wouldn't see each other again until the festival's first day."
"I know that's what we agreed on. I just wanted to come to see you and..."
Before finishing his explanation, Kazuha's gaze flicked over Ayaka's shoulder to Kozue. She was still standing in front of the door and pretended not to pay attention to them, although, in fact, she did occasionally glance sideways in their direction.
Kazuha cleared her throat a bit, then added:
"Do you think we can talk privately for just a moment?"
Ayaka looked over her shoulder at Kozue and understood what Kazuha meant. Unfortunately, with Chisato and Sara inside the teahouse, it wasn't very safe for them to go inside. So she went for the other better option.
"Follow me," she indicated, accompanied by a small gesture of her head that pointed behind the building. She then started walking towards it, and Kazuha followed her in silence.
They both went to one side of the small zen garden built in front, taking care not to step on its sand. They walked outside the building, standing side by side in the small space between the outer terrace and the wooden railing that bounded the Komore lot. Behind them, the high side wall of the establishment sheltered them, and in front, there was only a steep slope thanks to the position of the tea house in the upper part of the city. From there, they also had a lovely view of the horizon, beautifully illuminated thanks to the imminent sunset. That hadn't been part of Ayaka's plans for choosing that site, but it certainly wasn't a detail to be dismissed.
"I think we can talk more calmly here," Ayaka said once they were hidden from Kozue's view and anyone else, looking at Kazuha with a small smile. "What did you want to tell me?"
"Like I said, I don't want to bother you. I just wanted to give you something," the swordsman said, putting his hand inside his kimono. "It's a gift."
"A gift?" Ayaka exclaimed, visibly excited. "For me?"
"It's a small thing," Kazuha clarified, slightly embarrassed. "But as soon as I saw them, I immediately thought of you. I thought you might like them."
Kazuha then took out the small dark blue box and held it to Ayaka. The girl's eyes contemplated that case in amazement and wonder without even having seen its contents yet.
"Did you buy me a present? Really?" Ayaka muttered. Her fingers took the box very gently, almost as if she feared she might break it if she did it too roughly. "You needn't have bothered. I know that in these moments, money does not spare you."
"It didn't cost as much as you think," Kazuha confessed, flashing a sly little smile. "Also… it's long to explain, but let's just say that I was able to get a little extra money. Like I said, it's not a big thing, but I wanted to get it for you. Open it."
Ayaka nodded, and without waiting any further, she opened the small box to finally see its contents. She didn't really care what it was at first; the mere fact that Kazuha had told her that seeing it immediately thought of her made her completely happy. But she was undoubtedly a bit surprised when she saw those two brooches and the ring in the shape of bright blue butterflies. Those small objects, reflecting the dim sunset light on their smooth surface, caused a singular sensation in her chest.
"Butterflies," Ayaka muttered to herself. "They're not Inazuma accessories, right?"
"The vendor said they were from Fontaine," Kazuha pointed out.
"Fontaine," Ayaka repeated slowly. Yes, they certainly look like that. In fact, they almost seemed taken from one of the many images that Ayaka had made in her head when reading one of her novels about noble girls or princesses wearing fair accessories like that.
They were beautiful… In their simplicity, they were such unusual and unique objects to her, like some strange newly discovered treasure.
She wasn't aware of how long she remained silent just watching them, but it was long enough for Kazuha to start thinking that perhaps her astonishment wasn't precisely for something positive.
"I understand if they might not be to your liking," Kazuha pointed out. "They are very simple accessories, especially for someone in your position…"
"Don't say that!" Ayaka exclaimed loudly, sounding almost outraged. She then pulled her hands with the box to the side, pulling it away from Kazuha virtually as if she feared he would try to take it away. "They are beautiful, and I love them! In fact…"
Before Kazuha could say anything to her, Ayaka quickly began to remove the hair clips she was wearing in her locks, leaving them loose. This only lasted a few seconds before she started putting on the new butterfly ornaments. It was difficult to do without a mirror, and they might not look good with her current outfit. Still, she didn't want to wait another second before trying them.
"How do they look?" Ayaka muttered excitedly, moving her head slightly to one side and the other so that Kazuha could better appreciate it.
The swordsman contemplated her for a few moments, almost entranced by her appearance, which, surprisingly, could be even more beautiful than it already was. He smiled slightly, pleased to see that they did indeed look so good on Ayaka and stood out and matched her hair. The only detail was that they were not entirely symmetrical due to the rush and the lack of a mirror.
"Let me..." he said in a low voice and moved a little closer to her, moving his hands towards the ornaments to try to accommodate them. Ayaka tensed a little at the feel of him so close and how his fingers brushed lightly against her cheek as he adjusted the clasps. "It's ready," he indicated once they were seated. "Now it's perfect."
"Not yet..." Ayaka muttered, her face almost entirely red. She then extended the box towards him, still containing the butterfly ring. "Can you help me with the ring?"
"Of course," Kazuha replied without hesitation, instantly taking the ring. He then delicately took her right hand to raise it between them.
Ayaka swallowed, a bit nervous. In the novels she had read, princes would place a ring on their beloved's finger as a sign of their love and commitment to them. She knew that wasn't the case, and most likely Kazuha didn't know about it. Still, it thrilled her to at least imagine it while he carefully slid the ring onto her middle finger.
"It looks lovely," Ayaka exclaimed gleefully, raising her hand in the air to better appreciate the butterfly ring and its sparkle. She then lowered her hand and placed it at the height of her chest, so the ring was visible in front. She also tilted her face to one side so that the pin in her hair would also show off to match the ring. "How do I look?"
"Beautiful," Kazuha replied without hesitating, instantly making Ayaka's cheeks flush even more.
"Thank you for the gifts; I love them," the young Kamisato murmured slowly, moving closer to him, practically cutting the distance that separated them to a few centimeters... or less. Her eyes locked with Kazuha's, and they looked back at her. "I was thinking about you this day, too, you know?" She mentioned with slight nervousness. Her ring-adorned hand instinctively reached up and rested on the swordsman's chest, brushing her fingers lightly against the fabric of his attire. "A lot, actually… In fact, I also want to give you a gift."
"You don't have to," Kazuha told her, and only then did the warm sensation of his breath make Ayaka aware of how close their faces were. On top of that, she felt Kazuha's hand rise to the one she had on him, encircling it gently between her fingers.
"But I'd really like to," Ayaka whispered. "However, I won't have it ready until the festival… So, please, come see me on the first day as we said. Do you promise me?"
"I promise," Kazuha agreed with full conviction. "Not for the gift, but to be able to see you one more time."
"Kazuha..." Ayaka muttered, her voice brimming with excitement and amazement, as she gazed at the nearly perfect face of the boy before her.
She did not hesitate any longer. Her hand came up from Kazuha's chest, sliding to his shoulder, then moving up to rest on his neck. His other hand followed suit, and they both met behind the wanderer's neck, wrapping their arms around it and pulling him just a little closer. She hoped Kazuha would understand what she was trying to say and especially that he wouldn't reject her. And this one, although at first he seemed a bit surprised, that didn't stop him from placing a hand on Ayaka's waist and then subtly sliding it towards her back. Their bodies paid against each other, and their lips did not take long to do the same.
What kiss number was that? The third? Counting the one from when they were kids, maybe it was the fourth. It did not matter; Ayaka felt her heart pounding as hard as if it was the first. With her arms, she pulled Kazuha closer to her as if she was afraid he might try to pull away too soon. She really wanted to feel that kiss for much longer, his hands caressing her back, the heat of his body through his clothes. She loved it all, but as the seconds ticked, it suddenly seemed like it wasn't enough. She wanted to feel it more; she wanted to feel Kazuha more…
And that sudden thought surprised her, and instinctively she opened her eyes and turned her face away from him a little. When Kazuha looked at her again, what he surely saw was a confused expression because he immediately asked:
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, of course," Ayaka answered quickly with a half-smile. "Very okay…"
And it wasn't a lie at all, but it wasn't the whole truth, either. That new heat that bubbled up in her abdomen from having him so close was not only unknown but also difficult to describe. Would he feel the same? She was staring at him, subconsciously wishing that just her gaze could somehow convey that question to him and get an answer. He didn't make it, but Kazuha did say something after a few moments of silence:
"I have to tell you something. I met Lord Kamisato earlier today."
"My brother?" exclaimed Ayaka, almost snapped out of her rapture. "Did he look for you? Did he tell you something? He bothered you?"
"Not exactly," Kazuha replied cautiously. "But I did talk to him a bit about… you… and me."
"About you and me?" Ayaka repeated softly, afraid of what that might mean when it came to her brother.
The sound of the door of the teahouse opening was present at that moment, and instinctively both separated from each other, although they squeezed a little closer in the reduced space that represented their hiding place.
"Ayaka isn't here?" They heard Chisato's voice ask from the entrance.
The question was surely addressed to Kozue, but she took a while to answer, perhaps wondering whether or not she could answer the current location of her mistress.
"He left right now," Kozue's voice said solemnly. "She shouldn't be long in coming back."
"Anyway, we must go," Kujou Sara's iron voice suddenly added.
Kazuha shuddered a bit, and out of instinct, he leaned out of his hiding place to look towards the main entrance. It didn't take long for the tengu general to enter his range of vision, and Kazuha recognized her immediately. Few fugitives from the Vision Hunt Decree would not recognize the most illustrious Vision Hunter.
"She's…" he whispered slowly, but Ayaka quickly placed a finger over his lips to signal him to be quiet. Then she took him by his clothes and pulled him towards her, so they were both hidden again.
"Please tell Lady Kamisato that we appreciate all of her attention," Sara added, leaning her body towards Kozue. "And what do I hope... to be able to see her again soon."
"I will, excellences," Kozue replied with a slight nod.
"And I hope to see her at the festival if she decides to attend," Chisato added enthusiastically. "See you later."
After these little farewells, Sara and Chisato began walking up the street toward Kujou Estate. Ayaka and Kazuha stood perfectly still in their position, waiting even for a while after they both left to make sure they had gone far enough. Only then both breathed normally and came out of hiding.
"Were you with General Kujou?" Kazuha asked curiously.
"Yes, and the other girl was Hiiragi Chisato, Commissioner Kanjou's daughter," Ayaka replied. "That's why I didn't consider it convenient for us to go inside. If one of them saw or recognized you, we might have to answer a few questions. Also, for your vision..."
"I understand," Kazuha hastened to point out. "It's best to stay as far away from any member of the Tenryou Commission as possible right now."
"That would be ideal," agreed Ayaka, already somewhat more relaxed. "What did my brother tell you?"
Before answering, Kazuha turned and glanced up at the sky, looking for the sun's position. It was getting late pretty fast.
"We'd better talk about that later. I still need to look for Tama."
"Tama? The kitten?" Ayaka asked, curious as well as concerned. "What happened to her?"
"It is a long story. I'll tell you later too."
Kazuha jumped at that moment, landing with her feet on the small fence protected from falling down the hill.
"See you later, okay?" Kazuha commented eloquently.
"On the first day of the festival, right?" Ayaka said, recalling their promise from a while ago.
"So it will be," Kazuha agreed, smiling at him. "See you…"
He suddenly fell flat on his back, causing Ayaka to gasp. She hurried to the railing and peered down, only to see the samurai's body drift gently to the ground like a leaf blown by the wind.
Ayaka chuckled a bit and moved away from the fence. With her heart pounding and cheeks still hot, she returned to Komore's gate. She was so distracted that her sandals ended up leaving footprints in the zen garden's sand. And likewise, she didn't realize that Thoma was coming down the street until he spoke to her.
"Lady Ayaka, are you back from your outing now?"
The young Kamisato jumped a bit and turned quickly to him. Thoma was approaching with a relaxed step to meet her.
"Ah, Thoma, good afternoon," Ayaka greeted him, waking up. "Chisato and General Kujou just left."
"I see," Thoma commented, then stared at Ayaka for a moment. "Are those butterfly brooches new?"
"Ah, yeah," Ayaka murmured, instinctively reaching for the right clasp with a hand. "They were a gift."
"Really? So I guess your outing went well, right?"
"Yes, I could say that…"
And in retrospect, everything had actually turned out better than she expected.
They both walked into the teahouse, where Ayaka, already more confident, asked him about the order she had given him.
"How did it go? Were you able to speak with Ms. Naganohara?"
"Yes," said Thoma, an immediate concern in his voice. "The truth is that it worried her a little to know that the Tenryou Commission is already investigating the matter, especially that they already have their eyes on you. She told me she would immediately inform Masakatsu about the situation, suggesting he lay a rather low profile for a while. She mentioned that it is likely that because of this, he could decide to cancel the delivery they would do during the festival."
"Maybe it's for the best," Ayaka pointed out thoughtfully.
He remembered at that moment the theory that she had that Kazuha or his friend Tomo could somehow be involved in that delivery, due to what Kazuha had commented about they had an affair on the first night of the festival, which curiously coincided with the moment agreed with Masakatsu's people. The dots seemed to match, but she still had nothing to confirm it. The most sensible thing to do would be to ask Kazuha directly, but she still wasn't sure if she could risk it that way; not only herself and the others, but Kazuha himself involving him in her affairs, if he really wasn't already.
But if it turned out that they were the buyers, what would Kazuha do if the delivery was canceled? Would he be leaving Inazuma before?
No, he promised me we would see each other that day, and I know he will keep it...
As she thought about that, the fingers of her left hand slowly caressed the butterfly ring on her other hand.
Kazuha had descended from the teahouse to the lower part of town and was now sneaking around Hanamizaka. The street lamps had already been lit, and the people on the street became fewer. His mind and heart were spinning after that fleeting but still intense encounter with Ayaka a few minutes ago. If she had dared to ask him if he had actually felt that same heat tickling his body while they kissed, the answer would be an absolute yes. Of course, he felt it, as did the wish to feel her even more than a hug or a kiss. He had felt it since that night in Ayaka's room, with that second first kiss in front of the window and illuminated by the moonlight.
Yet the mere fact that such a desire crossed his mind was almost sacrilegious. He still felt unworthy of even being so close to Ayaka. And even so, he couldn't contain himself at the moment when she expressed to him with her eyes and her hands the desire to kiss him. He didn't think about it too much then, and he just did it. And he was beginning to realize that he would do anything she asked him to do; anything…
He knew that could be dangerous, but walking away from her now that he had found her was even more painful.
What should he do? What is the correct action?
He tried with all his might to push those thoughts out of his mind because they wouldn't help him at all. What he had to do for now was focus on the search for Tama, and for that, he decided that it was best to start at the beginning of everything. So he set off towards the restaurant where the fight with Itto had been, hoping that maybe Tama could hang around. It was risky, especially if the guards were looking for someone matching his description. Still, he preferred that to face Tomo and tell him…
"Hey, look who we have here," he heard a very familiar voice mutter to the side, making him stop suddenly.
Turning, he managed to see none other than Tomo's own face emerging from the shadows of an alley, a broad, carefree smile on his lips.
"Tomo," Kazuha muttered in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?" the samurai replied suspiciously. "Weren't you going to the camp?"
Tomo looked up in the direction Kazuha was coming from.
"Ah, let me guess, you couldn't resist going to see your princess today after all, right?"
"No," Kazuha replied out of reflex. "Well, actually, I did go to see Ayaka, but…" He trailed off quickly, deciding that it wasn't necessary to give his friend more information than necessary. Instead, there was a more important issue. "Tomo, Tama is…"
Before he could complete his sentence, the white head of the kitten in question peeked out from inside Tomo's suit, sending a measured meow into the air. Kazuha looked at her, stunned.
"Tama is right here," Tomo explained, almost laughing, running a finger over the kitten's head. "She got away from you, didn't she? You must have worried a lot, but the truth is that she does it often. Luckily she always knows how to find me."
"Thank goodness," Kazuha muttered, blinking a few times, not knowing what else to say. At least that problem was solved.
"Come, let's go back to the camp before it gets too late," Tomo said, and without waiting for an answer, he started walking towards the city's exit. Kazuha followed him almost reflexively. "Did you have fun today?" Tomo asked curiously.
"Something like that," Kazuha murmured. "And you?"
"Oh, of course, I do," Tomo snapped jokingly. "Do you want the details?"
The last time Kazuha saw Tomo, he had informed him that he would hang out in the Red Light District… so he wasn't too keen on the idea.
"Better not…"
Both swordsmen walked silently out of the city to reach where they were camping and finally had a well-deserved rest after such a busy day.
Author Notes:
And after 10 Chapters (yes, 10), this day of walking, fighting, and playing ends. And I'll be honest, I had to cut several things I had in mind, so this wouldn't continue to drag on any longer. If I ever do an extended version (which I doubt), I'll add them as extra scenes. But hey, I hope you still had fun and were entertained, despite the lack of KazuYaka moments, except for this last chapter. But even if they weren't together, one could tell they were on each other's minds all day. And, besides, that will be compensated soon, because what follows is the long-awaited festival where many exciting things will happen. Wait for it!