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The Kamisato siblings were plotting something. This in itself wasn’t anything new; the problem was that it had taken Thoma entirely too long to clue in on this nerve-inducing fact. Thoma prided himself for being observant – it was part of his job as the Kamisato household’s ‘housekeeper’ to be aware of the happenings around him. This was an oversight.
To be fair, he had been extremely busy arranging matters for the upcoming New Year ceremony. The New Year was one of Inazuma’s most important festivals, and as the commission in charge of ceremonies, the Yashiro Commission naturally had a central role. There was plenty to do – fittings for the Kamisato siblings’ elaborate formal robes for the opening address; coordinating with the Narukami Shrine for Yae Guuji’s blessing ceremony; posters to print and distribute; vendors to invite for the fair; decorations for the venue; along with a whole host of odd jobs that pop up daily like flowers in the spring. Thoma normally threw himself into preparations a whole month in advance of the event and this year was no different. It had taken up most of his attention for the past week.
Secondly, whatever the scheme was, the signs were incredibly subtle. It was an extra box delivered together with the decorations, speedily whisked away by a servant before he could inspect the new delivery; the estate’s kitchen staff bent curiously over a recipe sheet that was tucked back into the head chef’s sleeve when Thoma came to review the menu for the banquet; servants slipping out of the estate for errands he knew nothing of; and bizarrely, the family’s private back gardens becoming increasingly waterlogged. The whole thing had Waka’s cunning fingers all over it, and while Thoma was well used by now to Ayato’s plots, he wasn’t used to being the one kept out of the loop.
Thoma levelled his Waka with an unimpressed stare as he held up layer after layer of robes for Ayato to try on, while the servants fussed about making sure all the required accessories were accounted for and in perfect condition. “Just what are you scheming this time?” he finally decided to ask directly.
Ayato gave him a saccharine smile, shaking out his sleeve so that the fabric fell smoothly. “Whatever do you mean, Thoma,” his tone was perfectly guileless, “How could I have time and energy to spare for scheming when I’m busy with all these preparations for the New Year ceremony?”
The bigger question that Thoma didn’t voice, was when did he not have half a mind set aside for scheming? But Ayato had also been fulfilling his duties smoothly and without any more (deliberately whined) complaints than he usually did. Thoma decided let it go for the time being.
He knew from the start, anyway, that he wouldn’t get anything substantial out of the elder Kamisato, not unless the other wanted him to. He felt bad targeting his Ojou for information, but the innocent girl was significantly easier to read than her brother. Unfortunately, Ayato had also more than anticipated this scenario, and Thoma found himself unable to talk properly to Ayaka before the girl (or Thoma himself) was constantly called away for some task or another.
He finally managed to corner her five days later, after he finished up early arranging for high-quality fresh crabs to be delivered on New Years’ Eve. And at a perfect moment too, with the girl peering into one of the mysterious boxes not in his carefully-curated inventory logs.
“Ojou.”
Ayaka let out an honest-to-goodness meep and slammed the lid back over the box, obscuring its contents from his view. They stood at a stand-still for a long moment, panicked blue eyes darting everywhere futilely in search of an escape. The girl finally dared to meet his searching gaze.
“Please don’t ask me about it, Thoma!” she pleaded, casting huge eyes up at him imploringly.
Thoma was well-aware of how weak he was to both Kamisato siblings. That self-knowledge didn’t form any defence against those doe eyes. He ran a hand over his face. “Fine, I won’t pry. I’ll let you two have your fun.”
Ayaka’s responding smile was simultaneously so relieved and bright that Thoma couldn’t help but return it with a soft one of his own. It wasn’t often that the Kamisato siblings were able to indulge in things they wanted to do. Who was Thoma to deny them this little bit of freedom?
(It would still be better for his peace of mind if he knew what they were up to, though.)
As the days ticked closer to the New Year, Thoma also grew busier and put the mystery out of his mind in favour of making sure everything would go perfectly on the important day. As a result, he was taken off guard when the outcome was revealed, exactly one week before the New Year.
Thoma took the steps leading up to the Kamisato estate two at a time, cataloguing what else needed to be done. Most of the orders for necessary items had long been made, and he was just returning from a quick check-in with a few merchants that their fresh ingredients would be delivered right in time for the banquet prep.
As he cleared the last of the steps, he became aware of a light hum of chatter coming from inside the compound. Was there a reception he wasn’t aware of? But no, there shouldn’t be anything today. He definitely wasn’t imagining the poorly-hidden excitement in the guards’ faces as they saluted and greeted him. That left the other possible explanation – whatever the Kamisato duo had been cooking up in the past weeks, it was being unveiled today. He nodded back to the guards and stepped through the gate into the compound.
He froze right on the threshold. Despite all his speculations on the possible outcomes of the Kamisato siblings’ secretive plans, none of his conjectures had prepared him for this.
The entire central square of the Kamisato estate had been converted into a Christmas market. He could see familiar vendors from Amakane Island and Inazuma City and even Ritou, their food carts decked out in tinsel and wreaths. Coloured lights had been strung over the awnings of the surrounding buildings, blinking merrily. There was an actual Christmas tree in the middle of the square, lavishly decorated with sparkling baubles and dancing lights.
Thoma was too busy taking everything in with wide eyes to properly notice that the chatter had quietened as everyone turned to look at him with eager anticipation. As he gaped at the whole scene, a faint chilly breeze lifted the air, and something cold and light drifted against his cheek. It was a familiar sensation but not one that he had encountered for many years now. He lifted his head to look up. Inazuma was an island nation with warm climate that was mild even in mid-winter – snow was a rare occurrence and it was definitely not cold enough this year. Yet a gentle flurry of pale snow floated down from the sky, eliciting excited gasps from the surrounding people. There was only one possibility for this phenomenon. Searching for the source, his gaze honed in unerringly on the pair sitting on the roof.
Ayato and Ayaka both held their favourite paper fans in their hands, Ayato waving his languidly and Ayaka with full-focused concentration as they used the combination of their Visions to create delicate snowflakes. The fine control over their respective elements and the way they fused in this specific way was clearly practiced, and Thoma was finally able to solve the mystery of the soggy gardens. He felt warm fondness settle in his heart.
Sensing his regard, Ayato met Thoma’s eyes over the distance, lips curling into a satisfied smirk. He gently nudged his younger sister to make her aware of Thoma’s gaze on them. Ayaka went pink, smiling shyly at him. Thoma walked towards them, the crowd in the square parting to let him pass.
Ayato snapped his fan close as Thoma neared, sending a last round of water droplets into the air for Ayaka to freeze. The young man leapt nimbly from the roof, geta clunking as he landed on his feet before turning around to catch his sister.
Thoma finally managed to find his voice again as they turned towards him. “Waka, Ojou, what–?”
Ayaka looked over at her brother for confirmation before turning back to Thoma, eyes earnest and bright as she spoke for them. “We wanted to do something special to show our appreciation. You are always working so hard for our sakes. We know you miss Mondstadt sometimes, so we asked Karpillia-san and the others what we could do and they told us all about this celebration. Oh, they also told us what to say in greeting. So, um! Merry Kurisumasu!”
The accented pronunciation only made the whole sentiment even sweeter. Thoma smiled warmly at them, feeling tears prickling his eyes.
“Thank you, Ojou, Waka, everyone,” he looked around at all the people watching them, who had helped make this happen. Beaming smiles were returned from all directions. Thoma knew that he had truly found his home here, with these people who would research a festival they had never experienced just to let him relive a bit of childhood nostalgia.
He let Ayaka pull him towards the foods stalls as the festivities kicked off in earnest, the excited buzz of conversation lifting up again. Kiminami Anna grinned at them as they approached her stall, handing them each a steaming serving of Käsespätzle. “Give me your honest rating, would you? I had to pull some strings to get this recipe.”
Karpillia winked at him, waving him over to give him a cup of mulled dandelion wine and a cup of mulled grape juice for Ayaka. “Can’t say you’re on duty this time, Thoma. Drink up!”
Nearby, the Kamisato’s head chef was manning a stall with sizzling bratwurst, the tantalising aroma drawing a queue.
Even Harrison was there, selling a mixed array of Stollen and Marzipan and Schaumkuss. The colourful sweets display was attracting a lot of attention for curious children and adults alike. “Fresh as can be, by expedited delivery from Mondstadt!” the man boasted. Thoma decided not to think too hard about what not-fully-legal routes this expedited delivery had entailed. He was off duty, like Karpillia had said.
It seemed like the whole Kamisato household, from the head maid to the newest servant, had turned up to mill around the market. There were more of his friends from Ritou too, the people who made up his reliable information network. Local children ran underfoot, adding to the festive cheer. It was beautiful.
Strong arms curled around his waist from behind, a pointy chin dropping to rest against his shoulder. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Waka.” He turned his head to smile warmly at his lover. “Yes, I am. Immensely. Thank you for making this happen.”
Ayato’s eyes sparkled. “Ho~? And what reward can this hardworking one get?”
“How about some Stollen?” he suggested lightly. Thoma knew that the other man would take whatever he really wanted, regardless of what Thoma said.
The Kamisato head pretended to consider it. “Maybe if you feed me.”
Thoma huffed but was already breaking off a small piece of the cake. “Spoiled,” he complained without heat, lifting the bite-sized chunk to the man’s mouth.
“Hmm, sweet,” Ayato licked his lips when he finished the dessert. “But there’s something else I want more.”
When Ayato kissed him, it was sweet like candied fruits and powdered sugar.