Chapter Text
“Take flight!” exclaimed the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan as she launched the Kairagi with her blooming ice, ending the battle. She sheathed her sword and turned to the otherworldly traveller who had been putting her weapons away after taking down a Nobushi mere seconds ago. They both smiled at each other, warm with triumph as they made their way over to the small bit of land between Narakumi island and Amakane island. Paimon appeared as they sat down, bouncing giddily in the air. “This is Paimon’s favourite part of guild work! Eating and basking in treasure!” she exclaimed, looking towards Lumine expectantly, who responded with a nervous chuckle. After a moment of silence, Paimon let out a most dramatic shriek. “Don’t tell Paimon that you forgot the food!” “I didn’t mean to! I just had to empty my pockets for the treasure, and I completely forgot to cook before we left for the Kamisato residence,” Lumine replied, seemingly also disappointed in herself.
Paimon spun in the air with a look of desperation, hands over her stomach. “This is it… Paimon used up all her strength during the battle,” she said, fake sobbing for dramatic effect. “Tell Sarah, Paimon’s sorry she couldn’t make it back for the special,” she whispered as she fell into Lumine’s lap, playing dead. She shrieked again and Lumine suddenly grabbed her sides, slightly shaking her. “Well, if for me to make it to Sara in the first place, I’m gonna have to not starve on this island. Good thing I have my emergency food~,” she teased as Paimon desperately tried to wriggle of the traveller’s hands.
Ayaka giggled at the sight, causing the two to turn their attention towards her. “There’s no need for cannibalism, I just so happen to have brought my own food,” she remarked as she placed down a box wrapped in a white cloth. When she untied the knot, the cloth opened to reveal a sizable bento box, the sight of which revitalized the traveller’s guide who cheered as she reached out for the food. She was stopped by Lumine, who gave her a stern glare. They both turned to the Shirasagi Himegimi and gave thanks for the meal, to which she simply smiled at as she opened the bento to reveal some sakura mochi. The three happily ate away as the sun began to set.
“That was celestial! Thoma sure can cook,” remarked Paimon after Lumine whipped her face clean of the mochi. “Actually… I made these, I call them “Snow on The Hearth", my speciality,” Ayaka said, looking off to the side with slight pride in her eyes. The two travellers suddenly became nervous as they recalled the cryo user’s previous pizza incident. Sensing their disbelief, Ayaka gasped, offended. “That was one time! And I have significantly improved my cooking skills since then.” After a moment of silence, she sighed and added “Thoma helped me prepare them if you’re so worried.” Paimon sighed in relief, which earned her a forehead flick from Lumine, causing her to roll backwards and vanish in her signature style.
Lumine turned to the cryo user with a sheepish smile. “Don’t mind her, she loves talking without thinking. For what it's worth… I love your cooking!” she said with a beam. At that Ayaka opened her fan, hiding her now rose cheeks. “Oh?” she asked, hoping to draw more out of the traveller. “Yeah! If I were to settle down in Inazuma, I’d have to live with you so I can enjoy this cooking for the rest of my life,” Lumine said, genuine joy evident in her tone. The red in the Shirasagi Himegimi’s cheeks deepened as she thought of the implications in the traveller’s words. “T-thank you,” she replied in a whispered tone.
For a moment the two sat in silence, looking up at the night sky as the stars slowly began making themselves known in the absence of the sun. They both wordlessly stood up, packing their things and began making the trip upwards to the city, enjoying the simple sight of Narakumi Island at night. As they passed by the blacksmith, Lumine suddenly became lively as she frantically searched her pockets. After a moment, she became calm, took the hand of the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan into hers and placed a small pouch into her open palm.
Confused, Ayaka opened it as Lumine watched on with a smile. “Oh, these are-” “Handguards!” Lumine exclaimed. “The treasure from that commission we just finished.” At that, Ayaka began shaking her head as she held out to the pouch towards the traveller. “Then I couldn’t possibly take these from you. It was your commission after all.” “Nonsense,” Lumine replied, pushing the pouch towards Ayaka, “you helped out too, consider this your reward for your heroics!” the pouch was pushed back towards Lumine. “I was just performing my duty as your friend! The chance to do so was payment enough.”
The traveller huffed as she took the pouch and then quickly stuffed it into Ayaka’s bag. “I only did this commission so you could get these in the first place. You need them for your ascension, no?” “Well, yes but there are safer ways we could have acquired these!” At that, the outlander simply chuckled. “Safer meant less of a challenge, which in turn means it would’ve been less fun!”
The two locked eyes for a few moments more, until the disbelief in Ayaka’s eyes faded a little, and she instead opened her fan in front of her face as they continued their walk.
“… Thank you Lumine. I appreciate it.” “Of course.”