Chapter Text
After pushing through scattered meals and sleepless nights, you’ve finally made it to Saturday; the first day of the festival. You had managed to stumble into your store that morning with every last-minute order complete. Thankfully, you only had to wait for the owners of said orders to pick up their yukata, and then you were free to lock up early and head back upstairs to your cozy loft. The thought of getting to tumble into your soft bed and sleep through the weekend practically makes your toes curl.
Customers flow in and out of your store throughout the morning, each of them gushing over the beauty in your craftsmanship and the plans they have with their loved ones. Your mood steadily increases with every order that is claimed from the counter, the realization that you should be done before lunch providing a much needed second wind. Before you know it, you’re checking off the last name on your list and seeing the happy couple off with a grin that could rival the brightness of the sun.
It’s time to close up shop!
You check the back door and make sure that it’s locked before heading over to the counter to run through your order list one more time. Every item set to be picked up today has been collected, and luckily your next custom commissions aren’t due for another two weeks. You can finally let yourself relax.
The bell hung on your front door rings as it opens, signaling another presence in your shop.
“I’m sorry, we’re just about to close for the festival,” you sport your best customer service voice from behind the counter. Whoever it is will have to wait until Monday– you need to head upstairs before you resign yourself to taking a nap on the wooden floor beneath you.
“Oh good, I’m glad I caught you before you locked up,” Shinobu steps out from behind the display that blocks your view of the front entrance. You sigh a breath of relief as she approaches you, carrying a wrapped bundle under her arm.
You offer her a tired smile, leaning against the counter and propping your head on your hand. “I thought you were another customer. I think I would’ve cried if someone came in asking for another yukata.”
Her eyes crinkle fondly, letting you know that she’s smiling back at you from beneath her mask. “It’s been a pretty long week for you, hasn’t it? How are you holding up?”
“About as best as I possibly can, given the circumstances.” You wiggle your fingers at her like you had earlier that week, showing off your new bandages. “It’s nice to see a friendly face, though.”
Shinobu nods, resting the bundle on the counter in the middle of you both. “Speaking of friendly faces,” she pushes the package closer to you. “I’m here on official gang business. Orders from the top.”
You raise a brow in confusion, looking between her and the mystery item. “I’m not sure I follow, Shinobu.”
She sighs and tilts her head in consideration, clearly debating how to tell you something you likely don’t want to hear.
“The boys have put something together for you tonight, as a way to help you relax after all your hard work. Boss asked me to give you this,” she taps on the package lightly, “and tell you to meet us in Ritou’s harbor at sunset.”
You push yourself up off of your elbow to stand, shifting your weight nervously. You were fairly certain you had made your intentions for the weekend clear during your last meeting. They know you have no desire to join in their plan to galavant around the festival and flirt with everyone in sight. With the festival centralized in Inazuma City, why are they asking you to go to Ritou? What do they have up their sleeve?
Shinobu seems to sense your unease, resting her hand fully on top of the bundle to regain your attention.
“I know you’re exhausted, and you’re worried they’ll pull you into something you don’t have the energy for… But I really think you should go tonight.” Her eyes bear into yours earnestly, trying to convey that you have nothing to fear. “Go home, take a well-deserved bath and short rest, and then meet us at the docks. I promise it’ll be worth it.”
Chewing your lip, you take a moment to consider her offer. She’s absolutely right– you are exhausted. It’s doubtful that anything the boys have planned could be anything but chaotic, and you’re unsure that you could keep up with their antics in this sleep-deprived state. But Shinobu’s a good friend and would never intentionally lead you astray. If she thinks it’s in your best interest to go tonight, then maybe you should.
You speak again before you can talk yourself out of it.
“Alright, I’ll be there. Now are you going to tell me what’s in this thing or not?” A resigned smile stretches across your lips as you nod to the package in front of you.
She huffs out a laugh and steps back from the counter, giving it a few amused taps before she starts to make her way to the door.
“That’s for you to find out. I’m just the messenger.”
She slips out of your tiny shop with another jingle from your door, leaving you alone with your mystery package. It’s poorly wrapped in what you assume to be newspapers and stray flyers from around the city. The paper’s jagged edges threatening to fall apart if not for the hastily tied strands of twine wrapping around it in odd directions. Clearly Arataki Gang handiwork.
You sigh and pick up the parcel.
Just what are you getting yourself into?
—~~~—
After locking up the shop and heading upstairs to your loft, you had done exactly what Shinobu suggested. You took a long bath, where you let the hot water seep into and soothe your aching limbs. The serenity of the space lulled you into a deep relaxation, and soon you found yourself nodding off against the cool lip of the tub.
You awoke later to the commotion of food stalls being wheeled into place, shouted orders of where decorations should be hung and the ringing of pots and pans drifting on the air. The sun was beginning to hang lower in the sky as the temperature fell to accommodate the evening atmosphere and ocean breeze. It took a moment to shake the sleepiness from your mind as you rose from the now cooled water, huffing indignantly at your pruney fingers and the chilled air.
The package (despite its rough wrappings) turned out to be a beautifully tailored yukata. You recognized the work as one of your competitors, Ogura Mio. The fabric was soft and expertly crafted, the skirt a brilliant deep red spattered with a few falling sakura petal embellishments. The sleeves were far more intricate, striking red, white, and pink flower motifs adorning the length of your arms, set on a background that faded from a soft blue to a warm sunset orange. It was completely breathtaking.
You find yourself pondering how the gang was even able to afford such an extravagant gift as you make your way to the harbor in Ritou. It’s no secret that the gang doesn’t have much to their name, what with their aversion to long-term employment. You’ve seen first hand how often they find themselves pinching mora together just to enjoy a nice meal, and you also know just how high Ogura’s rates tend to run. You just hope they didn’t agree to something impossible in order for you to feel pretty tonight.
And you really do feel pretty. You’ve run yourself so ragged over the last month that you might as well wandered off and joined a tribe of hilichurls. But as you walked through the city, taking in the growing excitement of vendors setting up their stalls and curious couples sneaking early glances at the festivities, you found their spirit infectious. That bath and that nap had done wonders– you felt alive and human for the first time in weeks. Add in the gorgeous yukata, a simple (but elegant) hairstyle, and just the slightest bit of rouge? Well, you could feel yourself glowing.
Speaking of glowing– the sky lights up in a wondrous mixture of pink and orange as the sun rests heavily against the ocean horizon. You find Ritou to be unnaturally quiet, most of its usual bustling activity likely directed towards the festival in the city. However, the stillness does not disturb you. In fact, you’ve rather enjoyed the scenic walk from Inazuma City, finally affording the time to simply take in the slow-paced environment around you.
As you approach the mooring spot you had been instructed to meet at, you catch your first glimpse of your friends huddled near what appears to be a small ship. The entire gang is posted up against a stack of shipping crates, the sounds of their laughter and jovial antics permeating through the air. You suppress a smile at the tune you had grown so accustomed to, noticing as you grow closer that the group is also adorned in their own expertly crafted yukata. Theirs, however, you recognize as garments you had hand-crafted and gifted to them quite some time ago.
As you turn from the main dock and walk along the smaller wooden extension towards the group, you spot the path of tea-light paper lanterns lining the dock’s edge and leading towards the ship behind them. Albeit the paper bags clearly being “recycled” materials (much like your package), the warm flicker of the lights within them causes your heart to swell within your chest. You’re still not entirely sure what they have planned, but they’ve clearly gone through a lot of trouble to set it up.
“What is all of this?” You ask in a mixture of amusement and confusion.
The gang lights up when they register your appearance, Genta and Mamoru going so far as to wolf whistle loudly at ‘how nicely you’ve cleaned up’, prompting an overexaggerated eye roll from you. Akira and Shinobu simply offer kind compliments in regards to the way you’ve styled your hair and how much more relaxed you seem after finishing all your work. The atmosphere between you and your friends is warm and leaves you so giddy that it takes you a moment to see Itto.
Turning your head, you spot Itto hovering near the edge of the group, placing a well-worn woven basket on the crates beside you. He must’ve been on the ship when you approached, because you most certainly would’ve noticed him in his deep purple yukata, adorned with black and bronze embellishments you had so painstakingly sewn into the flowing fabric. He was incredibly handsome like this (not that you didn’t find him incredibly handsome in any outfit he adorned), and you couldn’t help but blush at the thought that he was wearing something you had made him.
The color that spread across your cheeks only deepened when you realized that at some point (while you were busy oogling him) he had turned from the crates, his gaze now locked solely on you. His eyes were soft and his grin stretched from ear to ear as he scanned you over, clearly thrilled by your presence and choice of attire. Had you not known any better, you might’ve thought he was admiring the vibrant colors of the sunset behind you, just as you had on your walk to the harbor. But you do know better; the unexpected attention freezing you in place with your breath caught somewhere in the back of your throat.
Shinobu breaks the silence with a soft “Ahem”, hurtling the two of you back to reality. The tips of your ears go red as you take a step back from him awkwardly while he seems to suddenly remember himself and why you’re all gathered there. He rubs his hands together excitedly before posturing before you, preparing for his grand explanation.
“You actually made it! I knew we could rely on Shinobu to grind you down!” Shinobu clears her throat with a little more gusto, sending Itto a dangerous look.
“Right, right, right. Sorry,” he lowers his voice sheepishly.
“Well anyways, now that you’re here and done workin’ yourself to the bone– get ready to embark on the SS Fanta-sea for the best evening of your life!” Itto stands proudly, chest puffed out and his hands on his hips. Confidence rushes back through him as the other guys point and pose alongside him to add flare to his declaration. “We’ve got drinks, we’ve got grub, we’ve got blankets– we even got sparklers! But Shinobu says I’m only allowed to light one under intense supervision. So y’know, you’ll have to help me there.”
You laugh at his antics and the buzzing excitement that seems to reverberate off of him. How ever did you manage to find friends this goofy? You gaze back at the boat he had emerged from and take note of its humble stature, sensing there was a part of this plan you must be missing. Looking between Itto, the boat, and the other gang members, you can’t hide the confusion that washes over your features.
“That sounds… amazing, honestly, but how are we fitting everyone on that tiny ship?”
The whole group laughs as you continue to stare blankly at them, a little embarrassed that you appear to be left out of whatever obvious venture lies before you.
“We’re not going out there, it’ll just be you and the boss.” Akira smiles, gesturing his thumb in Itto’s direction.
“We’re heading to the festival to see if we can’t snag ourselves a couple of dates!” Genta exclaims excitedly from behind Akira, wrapping his arms around Akira’s shoulders and jostling him playfully in his hold.
“And butter crab,” Mamoru interjects.
Oh. An evening with just Itto.
You feel your face start to heat up again at the thought. It’s not as if you had never hung out with Itto alone before– he often would pop into your store towards the end of the work day to ‘help’ you close up shop. He’d typically perch himself up on your counter while you ran through your checklist, regaling you with anecdotes from his day and really any passing thought that seemed to wander into his mind. When you were finished the two of you liked to walk the city, eventually finding yourself in some restaurant where you could unwind and simply enjoy the evening together. You had always assumed this was just his sneaky way of getting a free meal off of you… but looking around at the tealights, your friends, and the little boat in front of you? Maybe you thought wrong.
The warmth from your face spreads into your chest, a smile tugging at the corner of your lips.
“Alright, we’d better get a move on if we wanna make it out there and back on time! I told the Traveler I’d have their waverider back and in one piece by midnight.”
You nod and bid your goodbyes to everyone as he hops in the small boat, preparing to disembark. The boys give you a combination of the gang handshake and firm pats on the back before racing each other back towards Inazuma City (probably in hopes of finding some singles before they’re all spoken for). Shinobu reaches a hand out to squeeze your forearm, bidding you a silent farewell before she too leaves for her own evening plans.
It’s just you and Itto now.
You walk carefully onto the boat, taking care to duck as you step down under the covered part of the waverider. The first thing that you notice is that it’s surprisingly more spacious than it looks from the outside. In the middle of the room sits a chabudai with two cute plush cushions seated on either side of it. A worn red (almost pink) flag rests on top of it, acting as a make-shift tablecloth. You try to make out the darker toned emblem that used to adorn its center, but countless days spent in the sun have all but faded the design away. The walls are lined with cabinets, likely storing supplies that both the ship and its captain may need in case of an emergency. You take your time glancing at the pictures and letters pinned to them, all well-wishes and fond memories from the numerous companions the Traveler has made on their journey.
Of course, at the front of the ship and furthest from you, Itto stands at the helm examining a handful of maps and nautical charts. The sight is almost comical.
“Have you ever driven one of these things before?” You ask skeptically.
“Nope! But how hard can it be?” He exclaims, shifting some sort of lever and sending you both into motion.
The ship jerks harshly as you push off from the docks, threatening to send you and the basket to the cabin floor. You’re just quick enough to catch yourself on the edge of the small table, huffing out a nervous laugh as the boat begins rocking out to sea.
“I suppose we could always paddle our way back…so long as we don’t sink.”
Itto waves a hand dismissively over his shoulder, steering the ship out of the harbor and out towards open sea.
“Relax! I’ll get us out there safe and sound, don’t you worry. Plus I’m like a really strong swimmer. Haulin’ you back to shore would be easy– I could probably do a few laps around the island with you on my back before I even started to get tired!”
You give him a resigned sigh, taking a seat at the table and letting yourself settle into the cozy space. Once you’re certain the basket is secure enough to be left unattended, you allow your gaze to wander out towards the back of the boat. Itto had left the back sliding door open so you could watch the water as he steered the two of you towards your mystery location.
Golden hour was quickly starting to fade, but the warmth of its light still clung to the reflection of the deep blue waves that lapped against the sides of your tiny ship. It was easy to get lost in their motion, cradling you both in a gentle rocking that could’ve put you asleep had you let it. Instead, you choose to let your mind quiet and enjoy the smell of the salty air and the peaceful atmosphere. The past few weeks had been so chaotic- you simply wanted to melt into this moment and never leave.
Unfortunately, moments are destined to be fleeting, because the boat comes to a stop much too soon for your liking.
“We’re here?” You question, watching as Itto shuffles outside the small cabin to grab the ship’s anchor. He’s able to lift it with little effort, grinning as he tosses it overboard and slowly lowers it into the deep blue water.
“Perfect place to kick back and relax, don’t you think?”
You shift your attention from the hulking oni before you back to the scenery behind him. In the distance you recognize the imposing shape of Tenshukaku against the darkening sky. To your left, Inazuma City glows with the warmth and excitement of the Romance Festival. With the approach of nightfall, the lights from the food and game stalls have started to switch on, illuminating the familiar streets with a snugness you’ve missed these past few weeks.
It’s beautiful.
So you tell him as much.
He glows with a pride that could rival the city behind him, dusting off his hands and rising back to his feet.
“See, I told the boys that this was way better than Amakane Island! You’d think they’d learn to trust the intuition of their fearless leader a bit more…” He shakes his shoulders dismissively before ducking back inside the cabin. With a playful grunt he plops himself down on the cushion opposite of you, the small boat rocking with his heavy movement. You laugh as he claps and rubs his hands together, wiggling his fingers at the woven basket in anticipation of obtaining the objects inside.
“Let’s see this feast you’ve prepared for us then, hm?” You shake your head at him, reaching an arm out to open the basket’s lid. However, one of his hands shoots out to intercept your own, blocking you as if you were playing a game of ‘Keep Away’.
“Nuh uh! You’re supposed to be relaxing! Those little hands of yours are off the clock!” He snickers, pulling the basket into his lap and finally digging into its contents.
You roll your eyes but allow your hands to retreat back into your lap as he sets the table in front of you.
The packaged meal was not a lavish banquet, but instead a modest spread of comfort food. Itto worked diligently to disassemble the containers holding boiled edamame, lopsided onigiri, and a small assortment of mushi-pan. He protests as you take the thermos of tea from the basket and work on pouring out a portion for each of you, a smug smile pulling at the corner of your lips.
Once everything has been set out, the two of you dig in, enjoying the meal Itto and the gang had put together. Everything tastes wonderful despite some of their… inventive appearances, which somehow just fits your friends perfectly. You do, however, make a mental note to thank Mamoru specifically for the mushi-pan– they’re absolutely delightful.
The last sliver of sunlight has long since faded into the night sky and conversation flows easily between the two of you just as it always does. Itto’s especially talkative tonight, filling you in on all of the antics you had missed in the weeks you had locked yourself away. Laughter fills the cozy cabin as he regails you with the tale of how he nearly found himself in jail (again) for tearing down all the ‘useless’ flyers in town.
“Who needs a support group for slime attacks anyways? Those things are practically harmless! Nobody was gonna miss a poster or two.” He leans over the table, resting his head on his hand and mirroring your own position. His free hand waves about dismissively, a playful grin pulling at his lips.
“I think I remember mending a pair of scorched pants last month that might disagree with you.” You chuckle, shaking your head in your hand. “I suppose those posters were the same ones that decorated the docks and concealed my extravagant gift?”
He stutters, caught off guard by your perceptiveness. “I-I, well, I mean– they certainly didn’t need ‘em! Not as much as we did anyway! All the fancy colored paper was bought out by festival vendors so we had to get a little creative…”
It could just be the low lighting, but you swear you could see a dust of pink dance across his features.
“If you ask me, I think the scrape with the Tenryou Commission was worth it. Tonight has been lovely, Itto.”
You watch him soften at your praise, fairly certain that if he had a tail like General Gorou, it would be wagging right now.
For the entire past month you had dreaded this evening. Between the stress of running the shop and dealing with your personal feelings for the oni beside you, there was nothing you had wanted more than to bury deep underground and resurface only after the dust had settled. So it’s more than a little surprising that you’re out here on the water, enjoying the festival from a distance with the person you care for most. A night you thought to be your greatest nightmare is now quickly turning into one of your fondest memories.
Shinobu was right.
“Can I ask you something?” You find yourself blurting out the words before you have time to think them over, a sense of courage building in your chest. Maybe it’s the tranquility of the space you find yourselves in or the fact that you’re miles from shore, you’re not entirely certain. A curious nod from the horned man begs you to continue. “What made you think to do all of… this? The lights, the boat, the yukata… it’s all so incredibly thoughtful. Why go through all of this effort?”
He brings the hand propping up his head back down to the table, playing nervously with his fingers. It’s rare to see him this apprehensive.
“Shinobu… may have helped me understand why you weren’t super stoked about going to the festival tonight. I didn’t want you to spend the weekend at home all by yourself, especially with how hard you’ve been working for the festival. You deserve to enjoy a bit of it, even if it’s from out here.”
You soften at his admission. A festival of any kind is a hard thing for Itto to turn down– and who can really blame him? They’re one of the few nights a year where he gets to wander around the city with other Inazumans who are just as excitable and joyous as he is. Spirits are lighter, food and drinks are tastier, and fun games are found in abundance. Even without much mora to his name, they’re events that are pretty much guaranteed to entertain. Yet here he is, going out of his way to make it special for you from miles away.
“And for what it’s worth- whoever it is that you were hoping would ask you to go with them has to be the biggest idiot in Inazuma. I mean, seriously? They’re not worth a second of your time if they can’t see how lucky they’d be to spend an evening with you. Anyone would be!”
You can feel the heat rush to your cheeks in embarrassment. Of course Shinobu was able to surmise the real reason for your dismay. She’s always been the most perceptive member of your group, often picking up whenever someone in the gang is upset before they even realize it. Honestly, It’s a wonder she never tried to bring this up to you herself.
Unless she had a reason.
You briefly reevaluate your entire relationship with Itto, filtering through behaviors and encounters you had always dismissed as strictly platonic. Your mind replays moments big and small, collecting shreds of evidence that prove he might actually return your feelings before finally considering tonight’s events. Would he really do all of this if there wasn’t something more there…?
Maybe it’s a horrible idea that will completely implode your friendship, but you decide it’s finally time to find out.
Shrugging, you speak with a new playful lilt in your voice.“You know, a lot of people like to call him that. They dismiss him as a fool and a troublemaker, but he’s truly so much more than that.” You remove your head from your hand, letting it rest against the table as you lean into your words carefully. “His friends know just like I do that he’s got the biggest heart of just about anyone on this island. One that constantly leads him towards excitement and adventure.”
Itto’s brow pinches together, frustration seeping into his tone. He gestures his hand up and down at you as if scanning you from head to toe. “Oh yeah? Well, if he’s as great as all that then why hasn’t he seen you?”
You pause, briefly reconsidering the path you’re paving for yourself. You don’t want to stir him up too much; if he really does have feelings for you, it would be counterproductive to give him the impression that you admire someone else. But if you keep pushing in the right direction, you’re certain he’ll clue into who you had been hoping would ask you to the festival.
Itto might be a little slow on the uptake, but he’s a lot smarter than others give him credit for.
You give him a coy smile, deciding to fully commit yourself to the bit until he catches on. “Maybe he’s been distracted? He’s a very busy man after all- it’s not easy being the leader of a highly reputable gang.” You sigh dramatically, “Plus he’s got the best hair in the entire nation, and it takes a lot of time and care to maintain locks that luscious. Not to mention his horns-”
“Horns!?” Itto nearly leaps out of his seat and you have to cover your mouth with your hand to keep yourself from laughing. “He has horns? No way, nuh-uh. This guy’s steppin’ all over my branding! You can run a gang, have amazing hair– but horns? There’s no such thing as three coincidences!” He huffs indignantly, moving his hands up to graze where his horns meet his head. “Ugh, I knew I needed to jazz them up and make them look cooler. You sit around too long and some guy swoops in and tries to steal your look! I’m so gonna have to talk to Mamoru about those fireflies…”
Unable to torment him further, the hand concealing your smile lowers to carefully rest over one of his on the table. You can’t hide the amusement and fondness in your voice when you speak again.
“I happen to like his horns just the way that they are. They fit him perfectly; no fireflies needed.”
He opens his mouth to retort but quickly stops himself, his mind racing behind his eyes. “...Waitaminute…” He stands there, mouth gaping open and closed like a floundering fish, trying to grapple with new concepts that had clearly never occurred to him before. It takes a minute but he finally comes to the correct conclusion, slowly taking his seat back down next you. “Me?!”
Biting your lip, you nod. No going back now.
“You.”
The usually outspoken oni sits frozen in place, staring down at where your two hands meet. You can practically see the gears in his head turning as he tries to process everything you’ve just said (which would normally make you laugh, but is only serving to tighten the nerves tangled in your stomach). The silence persists for just long enough that you move to explain yourself when he suddenly interjects with an outpouring of words.
“I lied to you earlier!” He blurts out.
“What?” You blink back at him incredulously.
He looks up at you with a serious expression, shifting closer so he can rest his free hand over where yours are joined. “When I said that anyone would be lucky to have you. I lied. I didn’t mean anyone… I meant me.”
A flood of relief washes over you and you can’t help the snort that escapes your lips. He stares at you as if you’d sprouted two heads, clearly confused by your reaction, which only serves to trigger a full fit of laughter from you. It seems to be infectious though, Itto’s own exhilarated chuckle joining in with your own. Soon enough you’re both a giggling mess, devolving into an elated delirium brought on by your mutual confession.
As the two of you come down from your high, you can’t help but admire one another.
“How long?”
“Hm?” Your brow furrows slightly, not quite sure what he’s referencing.
He shifts closer to you, knocking his shoulder gently against your own. “Y’know, how long have you been crushin’ on me?”
You snort again, looking down at your joined hands. You allow yourself to idly trace your fingers over the red lines that wrap themselves around his knuckles, considering his question. “I’m honestly not sure. Somewhere between when you and Shinobu brought me that apology basket of lavender melons and the time you helped me break into my own shop?”
His free hand smacks the table joyously, startling you.
“Hah! I win!”
Your gaze snaps back up at him, confusion once again gracing your features. He smirks back down at you, leaning in close on an elbow that’s smugly propped against the table’s edge.
“What do you mean ‘you win’?” You try to ask in a stern tone, but you can hear the mirth seeping into your words.
“I fell for you first! So I win!” He tilts his head to the side, grinning at you from ear to ear. You just shake your head and laugh in disbelief.
“It’s not a competition, you know.” You scold weakly.
“Ohhhhh-kay, I see what this is. You don’t believe me! I totally fell for you first– I fell for you the moment I first laid eyes on you!”
You shake your head at him. “Now I know you have to be using lines from that book. The first time you saw me, your soul just about left your body because you thought my family’s shop was closed,” you giggle as he takes mock offense, “like you had just seen a ghost!”
“A very pretty ghost!” He points out smugly, never one to acquiesce so easily.
You hum back in response, quietly letting him have this one.
Silence fills the small ship cabin again, but this time it isn’t charged or tense with the nerves of an impending confession. It’s comfortable and effortless. Just like your relationship with the oni in front of you has always been. In your teasing and laughter the two of you had nudged impossibly close to one another, flirting with boundaries that were previously tied to being ‘Just Friends’.
He’s only a whisper away from you now, you realize. And he’s looking at you with the same expression he had when he first saw you on the docks earlier this evening.
“Itto?” You breathe softly, heat rising to fill out your face.
“The one and oni,” he smiles, but the familiar phrase is spoken with only a fraction of its usual gusto.
“Can I kiss you?”
The question rolls off your tongue so quickly that it nearly surprises you as much as it does Itto. The blush that covers his features is bright enough to rival your own, and although he sputters a bit, he makes no move to put any distance between the two of you.
“U-uhm yeah– yes. Yes, I would like that.”
With nothing further holding you back, you lean in and press your lips against his.
His response is immediate, reaching up to cradle your jaw in one large hand as he kisses you sweetly in return. He’s especially conscious of his horns, tilting you gently in his hold to prevent them from knocking harshly against your head. The gesture makes your heart swell against your rib cage, and you squeeze his other hand that now rests carefully in your lap.
You find your surroundings slowly fading into obscurity as more of him invades your senses. His lips are soft; something that shouldn’t be so surprising given the intensive care and attention he places in his appearance. His hands are calloused from the years of swinging his claymore around, but incredibly careful with the way he handles you. And he’s warm. Maybe it’s oni blood that courses through his veins, or maybe it’s a testament to how much good is inside him.
Either way, it’s intoxicating. You get the feeling that Itto must return the sentiment as he takes the initiative to deepen the kiss, removing the hand that rests in yours in favor of pulling you closer to him by your waist. You sigh against his lips, allowing him to pull you closer and lean further into his touch- and when you bring both hands up to entangle themselves in the fluffy hair near the base of his neck, he all but melts in your grasp.
Suddenly the energy between the two of you shifts once again and any distance between you is much too far. Your fingers run freely through his hair as his splay out, exploring the expanse of your back. A low rumble tumbles out of Itto’s throat in a moan, sending a wave of goosebumps across your skin. It’s as if you were standing on Tatarasuna Island; static charges surging and erupting around you.
A feeling that almost reminds you of–
Fireworks.
The two of you startle away from each other as a loud crack erupts across the bay, rattling the bones in your chest like a taiko drum. You look out to the water for the source of the interruption and are met with beautiful streaks of gold raining down from above you. More pops quickly follow in its wake, painting vibrant colors against Inazuma’s night sky.
An incredulous laugh bubbles up from your throat as you watch the fireworks from the festival light up around you. You had seen your fair share of Nagonohara spectaculars living in Inazuma, but you had never had a front row seat this perfect. No obstructed views or obnoxious families- just bursts of beautifully curated colors reflected against the dark ocean waves.
You turn to Itto only to find him already gazing down at you, a goofy love-struck expression written all over his face.
“This is why you brought me out here. So I could watch the fireworks.” You hum softly.
“You put so much time and energy into making this festival special for other people— you’re always doin’ stuff like that, by the way— when Shinobu told me you thought you wouldn’t get to enjoy it yourself…” He runs a hand through his (now imperfect) hair, shrugging a shoulder. “…I dunno. I just thought you deserved to have a piece of it, even if it’s from all the way out here.”
It’s honest, and it’s the most beautiful thing you think anyone has ever said to you.
“C’mere, big guy.” You grin, curling a finger under the collar of his yukata and gently tugging him down towards you again. You don’t have to do much more convincing for him to lean back into your embrace, the two of you settling into a languid moment over Inazuma’s calm waters.
The night may not have ended atop a Ferris Wheel or with a prize plushie under arm, but it was far more magical than you could’ve ever predicted. When you had twisted yourself up with stress and doubt, your support system handled you with care and worked hard to bring you back to yourself. This calm and perfect space in time was lovingly crafted by all of your friends; Shinobu, the boys, and of course, Itto.
Itto, who everyone believes to be a lazy freeloader, heard that his friend was upset and pulled every possible string available to make the night special for you. There was no expectation of owed gratitude or favor. He did it because he cared about you. He did it because he saw you. He saw past the shop and its dresses, past the all-nighters and bandaged fingers, and straight into the core of who you are.
It’s exhilarating, you realize, to know someone would want to pour their time and effort into crafting a moment of happiness for you. It may not be dramatic or extravagant, but you don’t need it to be. It’s genuine, and it’s better than any summer romance novel could ever hope to encapsulate.