Chapter Text
Mafuyu watched from her private carriage in silence, a look of contemplation on her face. The letter from Shizuku Hinomori had surprised her, though not in a bad way. Seeing the other girl willingly invite her somewhere made her chest annoyingly hot. Roads and trees zoomed by as she rode, the clanking sounds of the horses hooves infront of her, the crinkling of gravel beneath her, it all deeply bothered Mafuyu.
She craved silence, a moment of completely tranquility, where she wasn't the perfect young woman, but safe and cozy in her own body.
A dark room on the very top of her family's castle in the dead of night, she would sit. Cradling a cup of tea, a quilt wrapped around Mafuyu tightly. And maybe, just maybe,
Someone else there.
A beautiful face smiling down at her as she would be huddled in the Princesses lap, comforting her about the endless stream of expectations.
Mafuyu squeezed her white gown tightly, silently praying that these feelings of longing would leave her mind. It was forbidden.
Her father, and definitely not her mother, would never approve of these thoughts?
Did everything Mafuyu think have to be approved of, though? She couldn't imagine picking things for herself. It felt wrong. Mother and father know what's right for me.
The carriage came to a stop, and Mafuyu realized she was now surrounded by homes and buildings instead of the grassy plain connecting her and the Hinomori's castle.
The roads were swarmed with excited faces, holding sticks of food with a wide path cleared out for those who would come through the parade.
She had never been to one of the Hinomori's festivals - but Mafuyu was told it would play out something like this:
Everyone in the town, including tourists from neighboring areas, would huddle up onto the main street of Kamiyama. There are tables set up with dishes for each person, and spots with various toys for children to be entertained before the main event.
Next, everyone would clear out of the street, standing on the sidelines, waiting for the upcoming parade. The King and Queen of Kamiyama would come out first, speaking to the audience, thanking them for arriving, things like that. Shiho Hinomori was scheduled to speak as well, but nobody is really sure if she will comply or not; considering the current situation going on between herself and her parents.
Afterwards, others will come out onto the streets and perform. Bands, Orchestras, dancers, jesters, just about anything you could muster in your head, really.
To the main event, Shizuku Hinomori would come out last, guards playing music behind her, as she dances along the stage, going down the large road. It was a wonder how the Princess managed to dance with her floor constantly moving, as she was on a platform that was held up by one of the Queen's carriages, but she seemed to be perfect like that.
Seemed.
Mafuyu was able to tell, by spending personal time with Shizuku and by the words of Shizuku's own sister, that she wasn't as flawless as she was made out to be. She was clumsy, air-headed, made frequent mistakes-
It made Mafuyu hopeful. That someone else was trapped in the same situation she was, forced to be a fake person for others around you.
The thought of somebody else going through what Mafuyu currently was made her feel even stronger about Shizuku Hinomori.
Mafuyu could almost- almost- identify her feelings this time around.
She was looking forward to the event.
Seeing Shizuku shine on stage, maybe even spending some personal time with Shizuku Hinomori..
She was feeling anticipation.
For the first time in years, Mafuyu could identify her emotions.
Knowing this, she was even more restless about the festival.
Every second felt like hours, the girl tapped her foot impatiently against the wooden floor, waiting for the moment that she would step out of her carriage.
When the violet curtains before Mafuyu were gently opened, the sun flashed at her face, making her squint. Once she recovered, she saw a bundle of people forming up to watch her in admiration.
"It's Mafuyu Asahina..!"
"She's so beautiful..!"
"Does she normally come all the way out here? Is this a blessing?"
Everyone praised her, as usual. The praise didn't change how she felt, and it really messed with Mafuyu. She wished words of encouragement and compliments would affect her, more than anything. Mafuyu's face lit up on command, waving her hand to the people watching her as she walked to the castle with her own parents and the Hinomoris.
"Asahina san! You could make it!" As Mafuyu trotted into the castle, Shizuku ran in her direction, her face beaming. Mafuyu was more than shocked at her excitement, and to make this even more absurd, Shizuku held her hands tightly between her own.
The grip on Mafuyu's hands was almost suffocating, but it felt too pleasurable for her to notice anything else. Mafuyu felt herself having trouble responding, her mind going in every direction and possibly of what could happen at this festival, but before she could say anymore, Shizuku led her to another room, her fluffy dress flowing behind her as she pranced.
"I'm so happy to see you! Come over, let's get a snack before the big event!"
Shizuku let out as she guides Mafuyu through the sea of people, Mafuyu not fully focusing on one thing. A..snack? It took her a second to process it, but once she did, Mafuyu nodded in agreement.
"S-Sure.."
Dammit. She stuttered. How embarrassing.
The faces around them stared in disbelief, seeing Shizuku so cheerful, nothing like the composed exterior she put up. Seeing Mafuyu so flustered, nothing had made her seem that was before. Though neither of them looked uncomfortable.
It seemed they each had a way of bringing out the true sides of each other.
"C'mon Asahina san, this way! The dango the shopkeepers make are the best in the world! You have to try one!"