Chapter Text
“So,” Ayaka began to talk, gently laying her cup of tea on the table. “You were saying you've met someone interesting, nii-san?"
It was morning at Kamisato Estate and the two brothers were having breakfast before leaving for their daily responsibilities. Ayaka and Ayato were talking about non-work-related stuff in a way to enjoy the free time they have together — which was already pretty short because of their duties — and the topic about this special person that Ayato met came to the surface.
“Yes, but it was no big deal." Ayato shrugged, giving a sip on his tea. "She is a commercial representative of Mondstadt and we had the opportunity to talk a bit after the meeting, nothing more.”
“Don’t think you will convince me with just that nii-san.” Ayaka had a mischievous grin on her lips. “You never talk about anything that is not work, it is the first time you tell me that you know someone interesting and you expect me to be happy with just ‘no big deal’?” She spoke with a playfully hurt voice. “Let's go, tell me more about that girl!”
Ayato sighed and rolled his eyes, placing both hands on his lap. He couldn't get angry when his sister's joyful expression was the same as a curious child, which made him smile a little. There were rare occasions that could talk without so many formalities or work involved, so even with the fact that telling the story behind this “interesting person” would make him a bit embarrassed, there was no way he could resist his sister’s puppy eyes.
“All right, all right, since you are so curious.…”
With Inazuma’s opening to the world, there were many things happening, politically speaking. From internal conflict resolution to external ones, where merchants from all continents came to visit the island to get new commercial agreements. While Ayaka was focused on supporting the cultural and social matters, Ayato was responsible for handling trade meetings with other nations to talk about exports and imports to and from Inazuma.
Since there were many other traders from the most diverse regions visiting Shogun Raiden’s nation in search of commercial opportunities, the representatives of the Yashiro Commission decided to schedule meetings for them to present their proposals.
And it was at one of these meetings where Ayato met Emily, a young member of the Knights of Favonius. She was in Mondstadt ‘s commercial relations department and had traveled to Inazuma to negotiate wine export contracts.
Emily had long blond hair, usually tied in a red tiara that contrasted with the clate tones of the threads, and green eyes. At first, the girl seemed to be very serious and focused, firmly negotiating with the others present at the meeting. However, when all the participants decided to go out for lunch together, Ayato had a completely different view of the girl.
The seriousness of the first contact was replaced by a big smile and an easygoing personality. Emily was a cheerful woman, passionate about books and painting. She told them that she was full of curiosity and excitement when discovered that she would be the one going to Inazuma for business.
The two coincidentally met each other on the streets a few more times. And, according to Ayato, they were very similar in worldviews and in likes, which made the conversation flow with harmony, with Emily filling the moments of silence with laughter and good humor.
In the last days of the girl's journey through Inazuma, she asked Ayato to show her some of the city during the night and her companions were repeatedly saying that the young master would have a ‘date’ .
However, Ayato wasn’t sure of how to behave in this kind of event. He hadn’t even considered their encounter a date, hence the reason for his embarrassment.
The Commissioner felt that he had completely ruined the “date”. The conversation with Emily, who once flowed naturally, now seemed just robotic words exchanged for cordiality. Ayato didn't know what to do, what to say, if he should say something different, and the amount of doubts on his head made his mind go blank.
In the end, it was almost an hour full of embarrassment and silence. Ayato had offered to accompany Emily to the hotel she was staying in, but she insisted she could make the way alone.
Ayato sighed, laying his head in his hands as he ended the story of his failed date.
“I talked about this with one of my companions, and he apologized and said that ‘I showed that I was not interested’... But how could I know?!” He discovered his face, giving another frustrated sigh. “And even if I was, which I am now, there is nothing that can be done.”
“Ah, nii-san…” Ayaka said, with a slight tone of pity in his voice.
“I know she will come to Inazuma soon to finalize the trade agreement, so I believe we can talk about it…? She said she would love to see me if it were possible, but after that embarrassment… I don’t know if it should.”
“Of course you should!” Ayaka said, a little louder than her normal voice tone, surprising her brother. “Do you know when she will come?”
“She comes next month, around the Summer festival”
Ayaka’s eyes shone with enthusiasm.
“It's the perfect opportunity! You can take her to the festival! You can watch the fireworks show and it will be so romantic…” she stopped for a moment, as if she were imagining the scene, dreaming awake. “Or, if you want something more intimate, you can take her for a romantic dinner! Just the two of you˜ There are so many possibilities!”
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea,Ayaka. This kind of event is so common.” He said, giving the final sip on his tea. “And besides that, I don’t think she will agree to a second meeting.”
“It's a common event for us because we are always planning festivals, but it's not the same for outsiders! Have more confidence in yourself, nii-san~” she almost sang, giggling a little. “There's no harm in trying.”
Ayato only made a ‘hm’ and silently decided to focus on his food. Ayaka considered that his brother was thinking about what she said and also stopped speaking, finishing her tea with a small smile on her face. It was the first time her brother spoke about someone, and an opportunity like that was unique! She couldn’t wait to talk to Thoma about it all-
Wait there… Ayaka thought, connecting A to B in her head. What if…?
“Waka, you're back!” As Ayaka's thoughts had summoned the man's presence, his joyful voice called, with the sound of hasty steps approaching. “Forgive me for not being present on your arrival, I was solving some issues in the city.” The blond green eyed man approached, reveriting Ayaka and his brother. “Good morning and welcome back, my lord, and hope you’re having a nice day, my lady.”
“Hello, Thoma." Ayato said, with a grin on his face. “Then update me on any news when you’re free, okay?” Thoma promptly agreed. “I will have a meeting with the Tri-Comission leaders in an hour and your company would be pleasant. Would you mind coming with me?”
“Of course!” The blond still had a radiant smile on his face. “I will finish my duties and in half an hour I will be ready to go with you, Waka. Having said that, I will go and return as soon as I-"
“Wait, Thoma!” He was already heading to the corridor, but Ayaka’s voice made him stop. Both the blond and Ayato faced her, curious. “Sorry to interrupt, but can you join us for a moment? I would like to make a request to you.”
“Of course.” He said, sitting at the other end of the table, facing Ayaka and next to Ayato. He was always ready to serve the requests of his masters, but this time Thoma had been taken by surprise. “What can I help you with?”
Ayaka smiled, her gaze going from Ayato to Thoma, and the Commissioner soon understood what would come next.
“Ayaka, no-” he tried to interrupt, but Ayaka was faster:
“Thoma, I think you could help nii-san to be a more romantic person.”
Silence.
Thoma's look went from Ayaka to Ayato, confused about what in Teyvat meant that request.
Ayaka had a part of her face covered with a fan, but her eye smile made visible how much fun she was having with that request. Ayato, on the other hand, had a slight flush in his cheeks and was visibly embarrassed.
“I don’t know if I understood this… Correctly…?” Thoma uncertainty said, scratching his neck, then Ayato began to speak:
“Do not worry about this, Thoma. Ayaka is just overworring.”
“But nii-san!” Ayaka insisted. “Thoma is the perfect person to help you! Do you have an idea of how many women look at him with bright eyes?!” Thoma almost choke with the air of embarrassment. “He is very popular, sure he can give you great tips on how to have a good date with Miss Emily, even more because they both are from Mondstadt!”
“Y-you don't need to put it that way, Miss…” the blond said, feeling awkward, and Ayato looked straight at him for a moment, considering the choice made by her sister.
Even with his modesty to admit that, Thoma was rather a very popular figure among the women of Inazuma. Ayato himself had already received letters addressed to Thoma from his subordinates' daughters, and however he did not make so many public appearances, every time he did there were those who asked about the blonde housekeepers from Mondstadt.
Ayato also didn't think they were wrong though. Thoma's appearance stood out among the crowd, not only for being a foreign with different traits from those who were Inazuman, but also for having a pleasant and charming personality.
The silver-haired man crossed his arms, keeping one of his hands on his chin, without breaking eye contact with Thoma, who gulped dry. Perhaps this is really a good idea.…
“W-Waka…?” Thoma asked, quite scared. The fixed look of his master on him was leaving him somewhat… intimidated.
“Thoma.” He said - finally - and the blond stiffen his posture. “Given your vast experience in courting the ladies of Inazuma and leaving them with ‘shining eyes’ as my sister said…” Thoma opened his mouth to protest, but he even knew how to defend himself. Ayaka kept quiet, hiding her giggles behind the fan. “I would like you to help me with a… personal task.”
The blond-haired man cleaned his throat, trying to recover his composure. Ayato gave him his usual mischievous smile, having fun with the embarrassment of his employee. He is always so easy to tease… the Commissioner thought, smiling even more.
“I think Miss Kamisato overestimates my… Romance abilities .” Thoma did not know if this was the best choice of words, but his confusion only made the Young Master grin even more. “But it will be a pleasure to help, as long as I can be useful.”
And so Ayato briefly explained the full situation and Thoma listened carefully to everything. He talked about Emily (leaving Thoma surprised when he told him that she was also from Mondstadt), about the failed date, about how Ayaka had told him it was a good idea to take her to the festival, but he didn't know for sure whether it was the best option or if the woman would be still interested in going out with him again.…
“And then you arrived.” Ayato concluded. “Said that, nothing better than asking for tips for a master in the romance subject.”
“My lord, please…” He almost pleaded for him to stop, embarrassed. “But I got it now. I think the idea given by Lady Kamisato is great, but I also think that would be important to show her your interest first, Waka. A month is a considerable amount of time, and forgive me if I'm being too direct, but perhaps because of the way your date with this lady ended, she probably doesn’t think you are interested in having that kind of relationship with her, you understand?”
“Hm… makes sense.” Ayato agrees with his head. “What do you think I should do, then?”
Thoma took a few moments to think of an answer and made a “ah!” when had a good idea.
“What about sending her a love letter?!” Thoma said, and the contrast between the expressions of the brothers almost made him laugh. Ayato’s face contorted into a disgusted grimace and Ayaka’s eyes shone with happiness. While Ayaka was romantic by nature, Ayato was the complete opposite. “You don’t have to be too romantic or flourish the letter, just enough to show her that you’re interested and expect her visit.”
“This is a great idea, brother!” Ayaka said, lively, and Ayato looked at her. “Me and Thoma will deliver some official correspondence tomorrow and we can take yours with us. Your letter would also be taken quickly to Mondstadt.”
“Well, I can try…” he said, somewhat uncertain. “But I have no idea how to start something like this.”
“I can help you after the meeting when we have some free time, Waka.” Thoma said, smiling. “Of course, if you really want it. I understand that this kind of thing is personal, but it will be a pleasure to help you.”
“Okay then.” Ayato said. “I’m not used to writing this kind of text, but I’ll trust you two.”
Ayaka excitedly clapped palms, and Thoma also smiled. He would give his best to help Ayato in this task.
Although he felt his heart twinge for knowing that Ayato was interested in someone from the land of poems and freedom and that person wasn’t him.
Thoma shaked his head, trying to send these thoughts away. It was not time to think about his own feelings.
…
The meeting lasted a little longer than planned, but it was also expected. All these diplomatic issues with the rebels and the crises that the Tenryou Commission had been facing were long and tiring subjects to talk about. Even with Kujou Sara’s effort and the other clan leaders working non-stop to “clean up” the dirt that had been covered for years under the mat and make the best decisions on behalf of the greater Shogun, these were delicate matters.
And as complex as these political issues were, for Kamisato Ayato, nothing seemed more complex than to express in words the “art of romanticism” in the paper ahead of him.
He and Thoma had decided to write the letter at the Komore Tea House, so they could dine and have some moments of rest as well before starting it.
The two had already finished eating a few moments ago and also had caught up on the main subjects of the meeting, but even without any work responsibility in his mind, the task of writing romantic words seemed impossible to Ayato.
“I don’t even know how to start.” Ayato confessed, putting the brush back into the ink tank. “This seemed much easier when you were explaining to me.”
“You don’t have to think so much about this, Waka.” Thoma said, giving him a small reassuring smile, and Ayato sighed irritated because how it would be possible for him not to think so much about it since he barely knew how to start.
The blond finished washing the dishes and sat next to Ayato, looking at the paper balls mingled by the table. It was adorable to see how much effort he was putting on it.
"You can start by asking her how she is." Ayato - who had his head layed on one hand - looked at the blonde. "The letter will take a few days to arrive, perhaps you can also ask what she is doing. After that, um..." He paused for a moment to think and his gaze traveled to the window. Seeing that the orangy pink sky already had some small stars emerging. This seemed to give him more ideas. "Ah! Say that you’re looking at the starry sky, and with the summer arrival, even more stars will appear at night. Then, say that we will have the summer festival during her stay in Inazuma, and that you would love to take her to see the stars and the fireworks. What do you think?"
Thoma looked at Ayato again, who took his eyes to the paper, thoughtful.
"You’re really good at these things." The silver-haired guy said, straightening up his posture and picking up the brush again. "I wonder if she’ll accept."
"I hope she does, Young Master." Thoma said, feeling happy for the compliment. "If you also want, you can say that you were not very comfortable the first time you two went out, but you are willing to reward her for it on the next date."
"Right..." Ayato said, staring at the paper for a few more moments before taking the brush out of the inkwell and starting writing the letter.
Thoma stood by his side in silence, gathering the paper balls that were scattered around the table. Ayato was focused on his writing, so he chose to not bother him.
The silver-haired man wrote slowly, and Thoma could not help but notice the elegance he had in doing something as simple as writing a text. Ayato had been rigidly trained by his parents, both in etiquette, martial arts and calligraphy. His position as the clan leader and Commissioner required him to be impeccable in any situation, and such near perfection was shown even in his small actitudes.
Watching Kamisato Ayato was like watching a prince.
"What do you think?" His Young Master said, taking Thoma out of his thoughts. "I don’t think I have to put anything else besides my signature now."
The Commissioner slid the paper on the table towards the housekeeper so he could read the written content.
"I think it looks great, Waka." Thoma gave a small smile, sliding the paper back to his company. "Just sign and put it in an envelope and I'll take it to the post office tomorrow morning."
Ayato also smiled, relieved. "Good."
He signed the letter and left the paper over the table, waiting for the ink to dry completely before folding it to put in the envelope.
"Thank you for your help, Thoma." Ayato said, after a few moments of silence. "In fact, I never thought I would ask for help in something like this."
The blonde couldn’t help but laugh.
"I am always at your service, Young Master. Not that I agree I’m the most experienced in romance matters, as you and Miss Kamisato said earlier today..." The silver-haired boy laughed remembering Thoma’s embarrassed expression over breakfast. "But I’m happy to help in any way I can."
"As much as you say that, I believe you’re just being modest, Thoma." The blond looked confused. "I have come to wonder how none of the girls in the city caught your attention, especially when I’ve been receiving various requests for introducing you to the daughters of Inazuman soldiers."
A slight blush appeared on the blond’s cheeks and he awkwardly smiled.
"I don’t think I have time for a relationship right now, Waka. Actually, it’s not my focus." He scratched the back of his neck, avoiding Ayato’s questioning gaze. "I’m flattered by all the compliments coming from these women, but I don’t think it’s right to assume a commitment that I won’t be able to devote myself entirely to it, you know?"
His eyes met Ayato’s and he smiled.
"I would never forgive myself if my companion felt alone, especially in times as remote as now, that I barely have time to fulfill all the duties of the Yashiro Commission..." Ayato kept silent, and Thoma’s gaze became surprised for a while, as if he had realized something. "N-not that it’s a problem for me to help you and Lady Kamisato, far from it!" He reinforced. "It’s just that relationships take time, care and dedication, and I wouldn’t be able to do that right now."
"You’re a good man, Thoma." Ayato closed the envelope and took a small wax bar and heated it in one of the candles, leaving it dripping under the paper to seal it with the stamp of the Kamisato clan. "And very serious about your ideals as well. I’m sure anyone who is by your side will be very lucky."
The sudden compliment took Thoma by surprise.
"Thank you, Young Master. I can say the same about you."
"I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about romance or relationships myself, to be honest." Ayato carried the stamp to the wax and pressed it there, sealing the letter. "The subject came out a few months ago, when some leaders asked indirectly about ‘how would I continue the lineage of the Kamisato clan’ , if you know what I mean." He removed the stamp and gently blew the wax to dry faster. "It has never crossed my mind, even though I had already received letters with romantic proposals here and there, I had never realized that at some point I would need to marry for the sake of my clan."
Ayato hung his body back and leaned on his hands.
"I don’t like the idea of rushing things or doing them against my will, I don’t even know if Miss Emily is the one I’m going to marry, or if I’m really going to do it..." The Commissioner stopped for a moment, losing the trail of his speech. "Anyways, it’s too early to consider any of the options, but it’s the first time I feel interested in knowing more about someone, so I hope things work out."
Thoma smiled and placed one of his hands on Ayato’s shoulder, squeezing it lightly as an incentive.
"It’s gonna be okay, Waka." There was something comforting in the blonde’s smile that made Ayato smile too, as if all the questions that had been hanging over his mind in the last few hours had disappeared. "And in case Miss Emily isn’t the ideal person, I’m sure you’ll find them at the right moment, if you wish. I’m just a bystander of your responsibilities as a leader, but I’m sure you’ll make the right decision when it comes to it."
"Thanks again, Thoma." Ayato took his own hand against that of the blonde placed on his shoulder, giving it a light pat as a thank you. After this, the silver-haired boy took the letter - now dried and sealed - and handed it to Thoma, who received it with both hands. "I’m counting on you to deliver it tomorrow."
"Leave it to me!" The blonde smiled, getting up from the table. Ayato did the same, and the two walked out of the tea house, saying goodbye to Toaramaru.
The walk home was filled with a lively and comfortable conversation between the two. As surprising as it seemed, although Thoma was a present figure in the young Commissioner’s life, It was difficult for the two of them to friendly talk about issues that were not work-related.
Ayato had realized how Thoma, like Ayaka, was an incorrigible romantic and did not miss the opportunity to tease him a little about it, saying that he would remember to stay away when the blond found a girlfriend, so that he did not die with such high sugar levels. Thoma just laughed and repeated that would make sure to give him some tips on how to sweeten his notions of romance "as bitter as green tea".