Chapter 5 [U]

Spring, 686YE, Southern Vitilus

The warm sea breeze cradled her chestnut locks as she stood by the polished balcony, an arm crossed over her stomach while the other supported her chin. The day was coming to a close, and the golden rays of the sun was close to disappearing from the horizon.

Had she been at home, it was somewhere around the time when she would have just uncurled herself from the comfort of the reading corner, finished up her tea, and sauntered over to where Natsuki's desk. Usually after lunch at the gardens, the inquisitive girl would have spent the next few hours at her desk, either tinkering with trinkets or prodding at a new specimen she'd gathered. These were always - to Shizuru's delight, as she stole a peek every now and then - done with a furrowed brow which made the dark-haired girl look exceptionally captivating.

She would usually pull Natsuki's attention from her world of contraptions and gadgets with a lingering squeeze on her shoulders, a gentle reminder that it was time to take a break. But there was no Natsuki here and how she missed the company of that enigmatic, considerate and beautiful ranger so. Gods, the list of qualities could go on. She expelled an uncharacteristic, exasperated sigh at her tumultuous heart and turned away from the balcony.

"Shizuru-sama," Akane's voice drifted in from the hallway, "Kanzaki-sama is waiting for you in the tea-room."

"Arigato, Akane-chan, let him know I'll be on my way," she replied, grateful for the distraction. Absentmindedly gathering her hair into a bun, she tied it up with a band and straightened the pale green dress she was wearing before heading downstairs. Reito Kanzaki was the next in line as Southern Vitilus governor, it was likely that he had just recently been inaugurated, if her sources were correct. Kanzaki-oji-sama had been hinting to her father about retirement for years and Reito had finally accepted the reins.

"Shizuru-san!" Reito greeted her warmly when she entered the room, standing up with a polite bow. In the fading evening light, the room was softly lit by the warm glow of paper lanterns. The delicate aroma of freshly brewed tea wafted through the air. "Please, take a seat."

She does, bending gracefully on her knees, assuming the traditional pose. He waits patiently for her, before filling small porcelain cup and handing it to her, "I hope this tastes as good as yours, Shizuru-san."

The pair had known each other for years, their friendship forged through countless discussions over their shared interest in tea. She takes a sip from her cup, enjoying the tranquility of the moment and the delicate flavor on her tongue.

"Shizuru-san," he began, setting his cup down gently, "I understand the intent for investing in the dock at Lunensor, but the financial commitment required is quite substantial."

The woman leans back slightly, contemplating her words. "I agree, Reito-kun, and grateful for your caution on overextending our resources." She paused, regarding him for a while. At her behest, Reito Kanzaki had managed to secure a meeting with Lunensor's mayor, the Caradosa coastal city that Shizuru had her eyes on. On her part, Shizuru had also reached out to her childhood friend, Haruka Armitage who was pivotal in getting these plans up and going. "Haruka-san and Yukino-san will be arriving soon, I need a clear estimate of what we, as Vitilus, can commit. Father is looking much toward the South for this endeavor, mostly due to the proximity and the fact that Northern Vitilus will have their funds tied up for the war efforts."

"I understand the Admiral's point," he mused, closing his eyes, "I've went through the books personally, and it is indeed a good venture for the future, both economically and politically. If I were to use Haruka-san's initial estimate, I'd say we can do 20% at best."

"That should be sufficient, Reito-kun," Shizuru smiled, grateful for his pro-activeness. "The dock construction will most likely come under our expertise - would it help if we implemented a phased approach on the critical elements first to get it up and running, in order to manage the upfront costs?"

"Ah, that would most certainly help, Shizuru-san! I apologize, I did not think of that," Reito laughed at his own folly.

"No matter, Reito-kun, afterall, that's what these conversations are for, are they not?"

Reito nodded, his expression pleased, "If we could get at least the basic capabilities up, I will start looking at the revenue-generating opportunities, such as docking fees or leasing sections of the ports to recover the funds for Vitilus coffers."

"Of course, I'll leave you to it," Shizuru smirked behind her teacup.

"Naturally, Shizuru-san, I wouldn't expect it any other way," Reito chuckled, knowing full well his friend's antics, "Now, let's enjoy the tea while we wait for our rambunctious partner."

Friendship with Haruka Armitage

Shizuru had known the boisterous blonde since they were seven or eight, as Haruka's parents usually had meetings with the Admiral on regular basis on governmental construction contracts. It was only in the last few years when her father's company decided to expand into Caradosa that they had to move to support its budding growth, but the two friends had remained in correspondence. Shizuru knew that Haruka had keener interests in armed combat than in her dad's company - she had many a training and sparring session with the chain and mace wielder, it's potency was further exacerbated in those muscular limbs. As with her straightforward and direct fighting style, Haruka's approach to almost any situation life threw at her was similar. She was really quite the opposite of the more meticulous and subtle Shizuru. Where Shizuru preferred to strategize and consider every angle before making a move, Haruka relied mainly on her raw instincts and unwavering morals.

As decided by both Vitilian and Caradosian governments a few years ago, Haruka had been busy constructing shelters for civilians whose towns were likely targets of Arixian attacks. Before they had started work, she had burst into Shizuru's room with scrolls of architectural plans in hand, announcing, "Basic, efficient and sturdy. What say you?"

Shizuru picked up a scroll, looking over the plans and made no comments, except the occasional, "Mhmmm."

Haruka tapped her foot impatiently, crossing her arms and muttered to herself, "Always in her own world, this bubuzuke, complicating things."

Shizuru peered up from her reading and laughed, "I am not, I assure you, Haruka-san. I was merely weighing the long-term maintenance and the civilians well-being against the necessity of speed."

Haruka tilted her head, considering her friend's input, "But we need to get these housing up as fast as possible. We don't have time for frills. We don't know when they'll come."

"How about just the foundational aspects to make sure they can withstand at least a few years? And perhaps one or two community spaces? We still have many pieces to put into place, I expect a war of attrition, and the people's morale is just as important."

Haruka studied her old friend as she made that remark, crimson eyes moving swiftly over the details, probably dissecting something no one could see on the architectural plans. Shizuru was always the one to think three steps ahead, considering possibilities that might never even occur. She, on the other hand, was more straightforward and action-oriented. She wasn't one to spend time thinking of a dozen scenarios that may or may not happen in the future. Over the years, she had decided it was better to leave such matters to Shizuru while she focused on the more immediate tasks at hand. It had become a natural part of their dynamic, an unspoken agreement between them. Shizuru's meticulous planning balanced out her decisive actions. They worked well together, Haruka realized, because they complemented each other perfectly. She would never admit it outright, but knew she could rely on Shizuru's insights and trusted her implicitly. "All right," Haruka relented, crossing her arms. "Let's do it your way with the foundations. But we stick to simple designs for the community spaces."

Shizuru smiled, appreciating Haruka's willingness to find common ground. "Thank you, Haruka. I think this will make a big difference for the families."

"Shizuru!" The door to the tea room shuddered a little from bellow and was soon thrown wide open.

"Yes, Haruka-san, it's been a while," Shizuru chuckled as a friend she hadn't seen in a while popped her head through.

A finger was pointed at her as she strutted in, "What's this I hear about the construction of a dock in south Caradosa?"

"Ara, I see my letter arrived in time, Haruka-san!" Shizuru clapped her hands together, smiling. She peers out the door, expecting the presence of another to arrive shortly after the loud entrance. Her guess was correct, as a slim woman with frameless glasses soon entered. "Yukino-san, arigato for making the trip here, I hope everything back home has been fine?"

The bespectacled woman nods with a smile, "Good evening, Shizuru-san, Reito-kun, is Governor Kanzaki not joining us today?"

Reito chuckled, "Oji-san will be leaving the matters of this to me, it should be one of the key highlights of my early career as South Vitilus governor," a way of announcing his recent inauguration to his friends.

Haruka clapped the man heavily on his back, earning a surprised cough, "Congratulations, chum! Even Yukino who is younger than you was appointed last year!"

The bespectacled woman in question quickly hurried over to her friend with no filter and gave Reito a sheepish bow of apology, "I'm just a deputy to my father, Haruka-chan! Congratulations, Reito-kun, I hope we find more chances to work together in the future!" She turned to Shizuru, who was still seated on the sofa, "And you as well, Shizuru-san. I've read the plans you've drafted, they're all very good. But pray tell, why the sudden interest in the far south?"

Shizuru gestured from her friends to take a seat around the table and as they settled in. She tipped the contents of the glass teapot into three cups, watching them sip on the beverages but her mind had wandered far from the room.

In her initial assessment, the town of Lunensor was rather inaccessible by land due to the deep and treacherous canyons that spanned all the way down from Arixia. These rugged canyons, with their sharp cliffs and unpredictable pathways, had long deterred travelers and traders, effectively isolating the town from neighboring regions. Despite its isolation on land, the town was a natural harbor. It was both wide and deep, making it an ideal docking point for the Vitilian Navy. Sheltered from the harsh sea winds by towering cliffs, the harbor provided a safe haven for ships of all sizes. Its strategic position meant that their Navy could easily launch operations or seek refuge without worrying about treacherous waters. It would serve as a perfect stopover, shortening the time it took for the Vitilian Navy to get to the Arixian Capital by almost half the time. Moreover, Arixia wasn't a naval country at all - they saw no need to grow this, as their only sea-based foe was far across the land and took months to traverse across by sea. In her vision, what she needed the safe harbor for her Navy and the trade hub was her secondary objective.

"Shizuru-san?" Yukino's voice interrupted her train of thought.

"Ara," she recovered quickly from her distraction, deciding on using trade as the main substantiation to convince the room. She decided it was a little too early for the military aspect and the trade hub argument was easy - a proposal to turn a once-overlooked location into a vital hub of strategic importance would sit very well with the Caradosa government. "As you've mentioned, Yukino-san, the far south is quite undeveloped and I see opportunities for trade routes flourishing between Vitilus and Caradosa, without having to fear attacks or raids by Arixian forces."

Reito chimed in, "I've been hearing from Midori that they've been sending small groups of raiders around the North and merchants are scuttled and terrified."

"Indeed, and to sustain the war effort, goods must move and our traders cannot be impeded," Shizuru completed his sentence.

"I see," Yukino nodded, "And the funding for the construction?"

"We've discussed," Shizuru tilted her head at Reito, who gave a short nod of assent, "But as this isn't part of our nation, Vitilus can only provide 20%, plus our expertise at dock construction, of course," she replied simply, laying her terms on the table. "For our efforts, we're looking at 20% for future profits."

Yukino pushed up her glasses, Caradosa was more affected than the war than Vitilus, and they needed the liquidity more than the future profit. She'd have to push for whatever was the best for her nation, "25% of the construction cost, but 30% of future profits."

"I will do 25%," Shizuru countered, earning a look from Reito but quickly reassured him with her next statement, "It will come from my personal coffers, but with it, I'd expect preferential docking rights for Vitilus, commercial or military."

"Done, Shizuru-san, Reito-kun," Yukino smiled - Vitilus was their largest trading partner after all and most naval support came from Vitilus. Caradosa's key goods were still very much land-based, "Caradosa government will fund 50% of the dock construction as part of southern growth and development, but we will still be a little short."

"How about a fundraising campaign? We could get the remaining funds from noble houses and the merchants," Reito suggested as he emptied his cup of tea, knowing share in future profits would incentivize influential merchants and wealthy families. The terms were, however, up to Caradosa. "What will your offer for them be, Chrysant-san?"

Yukino now had a hand to her chin, her brown eyes blinking as she contemplated the figures with that sharp wit, "We can do 1% of profit share for every 5% invested. You can add tax subsidies of up to 10% from the Caradosa government, for the next five years."

"I understand, Chrysant-san," Reito chuckled, he'd gotten enough chips to start making these persuasions. He peered at Shizuru, seeking her confirmation. She gave him a nod and he smiled, "Shizuru-san and I will translate your offer to Vitilian nobles and merchants. I assume you'd be doing the same on your end?"

"Naturally, Reito-kun, we will be looking forward to hear from you," she smiled, patting the hand of the blonde who looked extremely bored from the entire exchange and was busy spinning her empty teacup around, "Haruka-chan, if you could make the trip down to Vitilus and get a better estimate for the constructions?"

"Oh! Of course Yukino-chan!" Haruka exclaims proudly glad to be finally called up to bat. She clenches her fist in the air dramatically, "You can count on me!"

The storm of negotiations complete, now all they had to do, was to get the buy in of Lunensor's mayor. It should be fairly simple, now that they had settled on the distributions. They would head over to Lunensor tomorrow and it was just a matter of formalities, dinner, dances and grandiose speeches.

The evening had been punctuated by good-natured banter and a sense of accomplishment. However, their relaxed mood was interrupted by a low, rumbling growl emanating from under the table, earning amused giggles or grins across the room. Haruka coughed, "If you'll excuse us, Yukino and I will get cleaned up for dinner. BYE!" She didn't wait for a response before hastily dragging Yukino out of the room.

Yukino, half-laughing and half-pulling away from Haruka's firm grip, managed to turn back with a warm smile, "Shizuru-san, please do send my regards to Kruger-san. These glasses are really terrific." She gestured to the elegant spectacles perched on her nose, "Thank you for the thoughtful gift."

As the door closed behind them, Shizuru smiled to herself. It was moments like these—simple, genuine interactions amidst the formality of their duties—that reminded her of the importance of their friendships.

The remaining occupant in the room cleared his throat at the mention of the name, knowing he was bordering on some unfamiliar territory. For someone who was such a visionary, he was rather surprised that Shizuru couldn't see her own burgeoning feelings when it was mysterious, dark and beautiful, standing in front of her face. The pair had known each other for almost three years and even from Southern Vitilus, he could feel the unspoken currents from the stories carried over by the grapevine, "And how fares Kruger-san?"

Shizuru paused, her fingers gently tracing the edge of her teacup as she considered the question. A soft smile played on her lips, her eyes distant, a fond smile gracing her lips at the mention of the one who captures almost all of her attention, "Natsuki is doing well. As adventurous and determined as ever," she replied, a note of admiration evident in her voice. "She's been quite busy with her projects, or with Duran."

Reito nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "I've heard she's been quite the force to be reckoned with. It's good to hear she's thriving. It's been a while since we last crossed paths. Please do give her my regards when you see her."

"I will," Shizuru promised, feeling a warmth spread through her at the thought of her. "She'll be interested to hear from you and life down south."

Reito hummed, hesitating for a moment but ventured a gentle prod. "You know, Shizuru-san, sometimes we're so focused on the bigger picture that we miss what's right in front of us."

Shizuru met his gaze evenly, the hint of a question in her eyes. "What do you mean, Reito-kun?"

He smiled, trying to keep his tone light. "Just that friendships, like everything else, can evolve. And sometimes, they turn into something even more special."

Her cheeks flushed slightly, the implication not lost on her. But she simply nodded, her smile turning introspective. "I suppose you're right. It's always good to be reminded of what truly matters."

Reito watched her thoughtfully for a moment, then continued, "I think Natsuki would appreciate knowing just how much you value her presence, Shizuru. Sometimes, it's the words left unsaid that mean the most."

Shizuru absorbed his words, feeling a gentle nudge in her heart. "Perhaps," she echoed softly, her mind already spinning with the weight of her feelings

With that, the conversation shifted back to the evening's tasks, but the unspoken understanding lingered between them. As they prepared to leave the room for dinner, Shizuru couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for heading home to Vitilus. The prospect of seeing Natsuki again filled her with a mixture of excitement and hope.