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A breeze drifted from above, carrying snowflakes as soft as the touch of dandelions from spring. Beneath their feet the winter packed the snow into a snug layer on the street, with more gathering on the nooks and roofings of stalls that lined the market.
The air danced with the scent of treats and comfort foods alike, coaxing a smile from Yae.
“To think that you were so reluctant to join me, and now you’re stuffing your face with dango.” She sighed at Ei, shaking her head. “Though I suppose that is the nice thing about you. No matter how many years it's been, your sweet tooth never changes.”
Her partner almost pouted in reply, a serving of said dessert hovering before her mouth. “ You were the one that bought me all this.”
Yae smirked, swiping the dango for herself with a deft motion. Ei let out a sound of protest but was unable to retaliate, her hands being occupied with other sweets. The thief winked cursively as she finished the last bite and looped her arm delicately with the wronged maiden’s, sharing a little laugh. “That was nice, but don’t forget we’re still meeting Makoto and the others for lunch.”
“It’s nabe , we’ll feel too sleepy by then for it to really feel like lunch.”
“Speak for yourself! I plan to enjoy it to its fullest, just as one does when the drinks are free-flowing.”
It really did feel like the holidays now. Ei’s lips quirked into a smile; “Don’t overdo it.”
Yae replied with a dismissive ‘I never do’ , knowing full-well what Ei meant. When the shrine maiden got into the mood, she would step out of the frames of her painted composure and become the life of the party itself - not without a few consequences for some unfortunate victims, of course. Yae was nothing if not suave in action and tone, being sure to uncover a story or two by the end of the evening.
The afternoon sky was washed in a gentle blue as vendors and performers alike gathered in the city’s most fashionable marketplace. It transformed into a scene dusted with white and delicate lanterns that hung like stars, tentatively glowing whilst passersby strolled along.
Snowfall visited their country during winters, but was thankfully light enough for people to continue with their busy lifestyles and travel home for the holidays. Ei stood as one of the former - who, without Yae’s intervention, may have very well spent most of the season working and training.
While it was true that her friend was passionate about kendo, Yae hoped for Ei to venture out of her quarters more often and see what the city had to offer.
(A part of Yae also just wanted to meet her girl more, but the person in question doesn’t have to know that.)
“How will we deal with those?” Yae smiled, gesturing to the snacks. “You don’t really plan on finishing them now, do you?”
“...Well,” Ei polished off her taiyaki, the sweetness of the red bean lingering on her tongue. She finally tied up the bag that held her other treats, the plastic crinkling with her moves. “It’s just that street foods are best eaten while fresh, are they not?”
“How could I deny that after you ate those stale ones back then?” Yae chuckled at the look on her friend’s face. “I still can’t believe you tried it - it was at least a month old!”
“It was in the refrigerator the entire time.” She pinched her nose-bridge, eliciting another giggle. “And I was sixteen, alright? We all do ridiculous things when we’re young.”
“Spoken like a true senior citizen,” she said as she led them towards a stall selling trinkets. She weaved through the crowd with her hand tugging on Ei’s. “Has work been hard on you?”
“Not particularly.” Ei’s attention was drawn to the omamori on display. She picked up a pair that read ‘happiness’ , a fond look softening her features as she made to pay for them. She lifts the pair to her eye-level, letting out a satisfied hum.
Yae raised her eyebrows at the choice. She would’ve expected Ei to pick something like ‘success’ . “Are we having a change of heart this year?”
“What? Nonsense-” She offered them to Yae. “Pick the one you want. A little boost to happiness isn’t a bad thing, is it?”
They were decorated with modern patterns compared to traditional ones found at temples; one of gentle lilac petals and another blooming with sakura. The blessings were displayed proudly in their centers in elegant dark font, reminding Yae of memories surrounding messy calligraphy, stifled laughter and shuffles of paper as they practiced their craft, again and again. Those were days when they were in high school together, spending time in the literature clubroom where no one else was around to disturb them.
“I’ll take this one, then.” Yae picked, earning a look of intrigue.
“Isn’t pink your preferred color?” Ei enquired, though she made to hang the pink omamori onto her bag regardless, accepting the fact. They matched; it made them feel like they were kids again, with foxes and banter tumbling in their day-dreams.
“I can’t have you be the only one surprising me,” Yae winked, but then slowed to a more sentimental tone. “And I suppose this would remind me of you when I see it.”
As if the memory of today wouldn’t be enough for that, her thoughts sardonically said. Yet when she met Ei’s gaze, the girl only nodded.
“I understand what you mean.”
Yae could remember when similar words left her mouth. She drew the topic to a close before her mind could wander more on it, having spotted their restaurant of interest. “We’re here! Let’s go in - my nose is about to freeze.”
She doesn’t miss the way Ei laughed, cheeks having gained a blush from the cold. As much as Yae disliked the ties her to her work and adult responsibilities, she felt like she wouldn’t mind if this domestic lifestyle continued for a longer time.
“Hey, Yae… Aren’t you afraid that one day, we’ll stop seeing each other at all? You, me, Makoto - all of us. Time is short, and we can’t be lax in chasing our ambitions, but even so…”
“...You’d like it to last a little while longer?”
“...”
“My dear Ei… Have you not seen how we all shine when we’re together? You aren’t the only person that values that.”
“Of course I’m not.”
“...All I’m saying is that I know what you mean. And I trust that we’re all going to take our time in this world - we’re only high-school graduates, after all. You don’t need to sound so solemn.”
“What- It’s not funny!”
“Oh, but your ears are red! How could I not love our sweet, adorable Ei?”
A gasp escaped Chiyo as the door to their private room slid open, revealing the last member of their party. From beside the girl, Makoto quietly smiled as she started to prepare the hotpot ingredients, glancing over at Sasayuri as he walked to the last vacant seat. The sound of the pot heating up bubbled and hissed in the background, spreading a warm aroma into the air that felt contagiously like home.
“So…” Makoto nodded with faux-casualness. “I see you’ve come with a ring on your hand.”
That was more than enough for Chiyo to slam her hands on the table, albeit controlled so as to not spill the broth. Sasayuri reflexively reached towards the pot to steady it, then stilled his hand before retracting it, bracing:
“When did this happen?” The brunette demanded. “Did you never plan to tell us?!”
“Perhaps he was biding his time to surprise us.” Saiguu placed the tea back to the side, having poured them all a glass. It’s fortunate that the neighboring patrons were equally lively with chatter.
“...Or he was just going to never spill.” Chiyo narrowed her eyes. “Don’t think you’re off the hook, Mister!”
Ei finally spoke, resting her chin in the palm of her hand. “And here I thought Chiyo was feeling mellow today.”
“You had us worried for a second,” Yae followed up, a glint of mischief entering her purple gaze. She turned it toward their first unannounced target of the day; Sasayuri. “But I must admit, you have me very curious about the story behind that ring.”
“Still a gossip, Yae?”
“If the bill fits."
People change, as it is in our natures to do - but just as the seasons return with a new gift to bear, so shall we wait with patience for our loved ones too.