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If there is one thing Yae hated about the Yashiro Commission, it was the current heir.
Kamisato Ayato. No matter how many years have passed since she first laid eyes on that baby in Kamisato Kayo's arms, she still does not get what he is truly trying to accomplish.
He was…..a spirited child in polite terms.
She has caught sight of a handful of Yashiro commission members and even shrine maidens trying to get the boy to behave. Sometimes, she would look up at the sacred sakura to see him there playing with an oni. Other times he's at the training grounds, being a good son.
Usually, Yae would be entertained by such things. It has been a long time since Inazuma had such a chaotic character, much less an heir to one of the biggest commissions in Inazuma.
But something about the boy….annoys her. She can't even believe that she is annoyed. Almost 500 years of existence and she finds herself being annoyed….at a toddler. A child.
The child seemed to have an affinity to mischief too. The kitsune cannot count how many times she has seen the Kamisato head come in with different colored hair and a few un-scrubbed scribbles from his ears. Then the pranks started to escalate.
One day, he even dared to sneak into her private quarters. Looking back, she shouldn't have let her guard down back then but she did. While she was sleeping in her fox form, Ayato found her….and made her...his pet. The Guiiji of the Sacred Sakura….a pet.
He shook her a lot, tried to toss her into the sea and tried to feed her onikabuto. Luckily Kamisato Kayo managed to notice it before Ayato can even put a leash on her.
Let's just say….there was a reason why Kamisato Ayaka, his younger sister is now her favorite.
And today she fully expected him to have a scheme with her involved.
Not that she had any proof. He still smiled the same smile and his eyes sparkled with their usual light as she lectured him on shrine duties.
That frustrates Yae. How can she outwit something she doesn't even know it's going to happen?
Even so, she knew the rascal was planning something. It's just a question of what it is.
Ayato looked up at her in amusement, pausing from his calligraphy strokes. "Why do you look so serious, Aunt Yae?" He asked, his tone polite "Is something the matter?"
Yae smiled "Aww aren't you so adorable being concerned over me~"
"Oh I'm just worrying over your worry marks" he retorted back, that warm grin still plastered on his face. How aggravating… "Mother always said that frowning a lot can cause wrinkles"
"Your concern is noted however you are mistaken. After all, I'm an immortal kitsune and you are a mortal fufufu"
"Oh, so you are old? Huh, never thought you would admit that so easily Aunt Miko!" He giggles "It's really funny!"
"Didn't your mother educate you on not to ask a woman her age?" Yae looked down at him. This boy is asking to be beaten up huh? "I would have thought that an heir like yourself would be more educated on etiquette"
"But aren't you the one teaching me etiquette?" Ayato asked before starting to pack up his things.
"Where are you going, little one? There are still a few minutes until your lessons are over" Yae asked, careful to keep her surprise from her voice. Usually, Ayato would behave enough to last through the lectures about Narukami's cultural festivals (so benevolent of her to even help the Yashiro Commission).
Ayato didn't even betray a single emotion "Oh, I thought I would get a free minute off due to the fact today is a festival. I thought you knew that Aunt Miko"
"Oh I didn't think you needed one due to the fact you are not in the school system" she responded flawlessly "But you still have not answered my question. What's the matter little one, is the truth too embarrassing to say~"
"It's not much Aunt Miko, nothing to be concerned about"
That made Yae even more concerned. What is this boy scheming?
Before they knew it, their lesson time has come to a close.
Ayato beamed at her “See you~” and he sprinted away.
Yae stared at his little form disappearing down the steps of the shrine. That boy is going to be the death of her…
That’s when an idea formed in her mind.
A strange mist started to surround her and where Yae once stood was a little pink fox.
She was going to follow Ayato and find out what he’s up to now, Yae planned as she chased after the heir.
To her expectation, Ayato took a turn from the usual route and glided over the mountain’s chasm. And there on the other side of the mountain was a strange boy with big horns, playing with onikabuto on one of the huge stones.
“Itto” Ayato breathed out as he pushed his gliders away. Yae lands softly behind him before sneaking under a bush nearby.
The oni grinned at him “So what are we gonna do today Aniki? Explosions? Boba?” he gasped “BEETLESSS?????”
Ayato waved him off, laughing “No no, not that. Today is a major festival and our prank should be major as well”
Itto looked at him in confusion and beamed “Oh right today is the Sakura festival! Can we go see the stalls Aniki? Pleaseeeeeeeeeee. It’s more fun with you”
“Of course, Ayaka is still in her etiquette lessons, Thoma is off….wherever he is and I’m free” Ayato linked his arm around Itto’s and then smirked “And also” he bent down to whisper in Itto’s ear. Yae tried to step a bit further to hear what he says but even then, his voice was still quiet.
The oni’s face lit up “Oh gods that’s a good idea! As expected of Aniki!”
“You flatter me too much Itto”
“But it’s funny. I might even do that to that Kujou chicken”
“Kujou chicken pftt-”
“Well, Itto is the number one oni at creating nicknames! Anyway, Aniki let’s go” he pulled Ayato “We have to get there before people start flooding the place!”
Yae sneakily observed the two head into the heart of the city. Even if it was still early in the morning, the city was more than alive.
Sakura petals fell from the air as shops and stalls opened up. People, even those from a lower status came out into the city as they waited for the festival’s opening. It was a miracle that Yae can even keep up with the two without getting lost or being caught.
Eventually, Ayato stops at one stall,...wait ...a lavender melon stall? She stopped in her tracks. what…does he need from that?
“How much for these?” Ayato asked, careful to hide the Kamisato crest on his sleeves.
“30000 mora apiece”
“Huh!? That’s like….that is like trading a premium trading card for a common one! Do you want to fight-” Itto started to crack his fists but Ayato stops him.
“I’m sorry for my friend here” Ayato apologized and Yae almost wanted to roll her eyes. From the way the child tilted his head and to the way he lowered his eyebrows, it was the perfect face of sympathy. “But I am curious. Why is so special about these to earn such a price?”
The salesmen fell for the too obvious bait. “Oh it is because it is premium made, harvested from the island of Yashiori”
“Truly?” Ayato echoed. Yae already knows where the conversation is going to head "Strange...how is that any different from other islands?"
That made the salesman pause. She can almost see the sweat beading on his forehead.
“..It's of premium quality, of course…..after all, the soil in Yashiori island is so good for farming that it’s been fought over by Watatsumi island 1000 years ago.”
“Eh.. I see no difference” he yawns.
“There is!” the vendor panics, gesturing at the lavender melons on the display. “The lavender melons are larger and-”
“Oh, did you say larger?” his face turned smug “If I recall, Yashiori island is tainted with the “curse” of a serpent.” he shrugged “Well from what I remember….those with abnormalities such as an increase in size are banned from the market by law….”
The vendor’s face turned horrified, his hands flying to his loose mouth “Y-you…”
Ayato smiles “Did you seriously think you'll be smart enough to outwit me?” he laughs “Oh you are so naive…and pathetic.”
The Kamisato heir tilted his head and soon, guards emerged from the stall sides and pinned the vendor down.
Ayato smirks “Have a fun trip in jail~” he said before sneaking some lavender melons into his sleeve.
Now Yae was confused. What is this boy doing?
Itto seemed confused too, raising an eyebrow at Ayato as he trailed after him to another child standing by the soldier’s side.
“I got your target Heizou, can I get…those things now?”
The child detective, if Yae knew her sources that is, nods and gives him a bag of…..festival masks.
Okay, now Yae was lost.
The blue-haired child walked around, trading everything he could get his hands on. The masks for Crystal ores, Crystal Ores for Naku weed, Naku weed for red onikabutos.
What….in the world is this child doing?
Ayato finally slows down, bringing out a golden statue of Ei (How did he got that? Yae can’t even recall from the amount the boy rushed back and forth) and placing it in front of the Adventurer Guild’s Katheryn.
“I did it” Ayato pants, tiptoeing just to reach the counter.
Katheryn looks surprised “How did you finish an A+ commission in such a short period-”
“Okay, can we just speed this up real quick?” Itto’s irritated voice echoed.
“Hush Itto, I am trading.”
“Your trading is boring”
“Itto…we literally play trading cards every other Saturday.”
“It’s different from this. I wanna play something else or do our plan already!”
Ayato purses his lips as he pushes and exchanges the statue for mint. “Well then, it’s time for you to play now,” he says, pointing at the kids hanging around a pot over the fire.
Itto's eyes lit up "What do you mean Aniki?"
"Well, see those onikabutos?" He pointed at the little beetles the kids held "Those are the weak ones."
"Really??"
"Yeah, look at that pattern. It's undeveloped and those piercers too are too short. You'll win if you fight those." He tweeted "You should fight with them if you feel this bored with me."
Itto looked at him hesitantly before shaking his head "Then it's time for onikabuto master numero uno Itto to show some noobs some master-things!" He beamed.
Ayato chuckles, patting him on his head "Yes, do it somewhere down the river so the loser gets to wet their socks!"
That seems to energize Itto even more "Wet socks as punishment for the losers? NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. TIME TO WIN."
Itto runs off with the kids excitedly, leaving Ayato alone.
Yae hops behind a log as the blue-haired boy hums, sitting down next to the now unsupervised pot.
"Gullible, adorably gullible" he giggled as he spilled the soup inside it.
He then grabbed everything he collected: lavender melon, masks…a lot more into the pot.
He crushes them together into a strange liquid with the wooden spoon sticking out of the bowl.
His face calm as the spoon slowly melted into the pot. "Perfect~"
That's when Itto suddenly ran towards him, wheezing.
"YOU…YOU TOLD ME THOSE WERE THE BAD ONES! HOW DID I LOSE????' he pouted, dripping wet and his onikabuto noticeably gone.
Ayato looked at him mildly surprised "Oh I was wrong? Terribly sorry…"
"SORRY DOESN'T CUT IT" Itto sulked "That onikabuto was my boyyyy."
"Like the onikabuto you sent to death trying to win with one of those kids from Yashiori Island?"
"I- Aniki don't expose me!"
"Sorry fufufufu~" he chuckled as he ripped a piece of fabric from Itto's long kimono.
Cutting it into pieces, he tossed it into the pot.
"Now our concoction is finished" he smiled at him.
Itto's nose wrinkled "What is this Ayato? It smells so horrible!"
"That's the purpose Itto" he giggles "That's the purpose~"
That's the purpose huh?
Yae rubs her paw against her snout, her ears twitching upwards.
Now she was starting to have an idea….
Ayato takes out a flask from his sleeves (how deep is that sleeve?) And carefully scoops it up.
"Here Itto, be careful to not spill it on yourself" he gave the oni the flask.
"Are we gonna do the prank now?" Itto asked curiously.
Ayato was about to nod when he seemed to see something from a distance.
Adjusting her position a bit, Yae could see a soldier…probably from the Yashiro Commission run towards them.
"Oh no, Am I in trouble?"" Ayato said, his expression turning pale slightly.
The sight almost made Yae snicker.
Itto whistled "Ohh, you're dead aniki."
Ayato glares at him slightly before pushing all their materials at him "I need to go first. Just don't start the prank without me okay?" He called out as he started to jog towards the soldier.
"I won't," Itto promised.
Ayato sends him a nod before running to the soldier's side, who then led him away.
Yae waited for Itto to go and as soon as he did, Yae leapt out of her hiding spot.
Turning back into human form, she stared at the concoction in the pot.
Itto was right. A horrible smell hits her, making her fox ears droop a bit.
Waving away the smell, she flicks her wrist.
Some of the concoction started flying in the air, the smell getting even heavier. Furrowing her brow slightly, she summoned a pair of wooden chopsticks into existence. Now with the three, she gently slid her hand down her arm, making the liquid spill onto the chopsticks.
Ahhhh, Yae now understands.
The chopsticks stuck together and no matter how hard Yae tries to split them apart again, they stayed together.
A sticking potion?
Clever little boy. Yae shook her head in amusement. Too bad she figured it out.
Yae returns back to the shrine and as soon as the moon tores through the sky, she hides behind a hidden wall (Good thing her intuition was right to build that room).
Not to her surprise, little Itto climbed in through an open window, wheezing quietly. He held those products Ayato brought from the festival stalls in his hands.
Yae, as always was correct. They were going to trick her.
She waited for Ayato to slip into the room as well but he did not come. Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes turned into an hour. But he did not show up.
Was this a part of the plan? But from the looks of Itto's impatient and hurt expression, this wasn't a part of the script.
Eventually, she strolled out of her hiding spot and had to kick Itto out.
Maybe Ayato planned to trick both of them? She wouldn't put it past him.
She waited a bit longer for Ayato to pop out somewhere, laughing but he never came.
That was when a messenger came in the next day, looking distraught.
He says an assassin managed to sneak into the Yashiro Commissioner's office during the festivities and slit his throat.
His body was long cold by the time he was found.
Oh….so that was why Ayato did not show up yesterday. Yae found herself speechless.
It got even worse when Yae was preparing to descend from the shrine to send her condolences.
Another messenger, looking even more distraught, burst into her room. Kamisato Kayo fell ill from a suspected poisoning and suddenly she succumbed to her sickness.
Both of the Kamisato heads...are now dead in less than a few hours. All assassinated.
Black greeted Yae when she found herself there in the sorrowful estate, bearing all the relics needed to perform a funeral rite.
Ayaka was a sobbing mess, they could barely even keep her away from her parents' coffins as they were placed into the ground.
Even Thoma, who was just a new retainer, has a few tears to spill….everyone except Ayato.
The boy was still unreadable, much to Yae's annoyance.
His expression was calm as he watched the coffins disappear into the ground. He barely even flinched as Ayaka's deathly grip on his arm spilled blood.
He was like an immovable stone.
And she hates it.
After the funeral, the closest associates of the Kamisato clan walked the two children back to the estate.
Tea was served as the associates comforted Ayaka, talking about old and nice times about the two late-Kamisato heads.
But even so, Yae's eyes were only on Ayato.
Ayato seemed indifferent to all the condolences. In fact he was like an actor in a play, every action well coordinated and carefully thought of.
This boy is really getting on her nerves.
How was he this well put together?
Soon Ayato and Ayaka excused themselves, entering the estate.
That made the officials almost disperse immediately, making Yae sit there alone by the estate steps.
Yae finally exhaled, taking in the whiff of the green tea.
A laugh interrupted her "You haven't left yet Yae-sama?"
Speak of the devil himself.
Ayato looks down at her, the white coat of the Yashiro Commissioner hanging around his shoulder like a makeshift cape.
It makes her wonder how long she was here.
Yae chuckles "Why? Is it wrong to drink green tea in a place like this?"
Ayato sits down next to her, picking up a cup of green tea. "Oh I apologize, I just thought you actually were worried."
"Me?" Yae laughs "Child, I'm a 500 year old fox. I have witnessed more loss than you have so watch your tongue when you claim I'm worried."
Yae sips the tea, waiting for his sharp comment.
Only for silence to meet her.
Confused, she glanced to see Ayato looking down at his lap, his face troubled.
He takes in a sharp breath, his eyes blown wide.
Yae bit her lip "Child, when you are talked to, you respond…"
Silence again.
He was breathing quickly now, each breath a painful gasp. His arms wrapped around himself tightly, his expression horrified.
"...Child?"
Yae places a hand on Ayato's shoulder, making the child jump.
Hydro particles shot up into the air and landed as soon as Ayato caught his breath.
"I-....I apologize…" he swallows, his face too pale to be healthy.
Yae looked away "...be grateful that I am willing to ignore your attempt to hurt me."
But she wasn't ignoring one fact...Ayato's carefully maintained mask...finally cracked.
"Hurt you huh? Ayato asked playfully when his expression dropped. He frowned. "...Say Aunt Yae?" He started, almost shyly. That alarmed the kitsune. Ayato was never shy about anything. "..You…witnessed loss, huh?" Ayato echoed. His grip on the green tea tightened "....so…do you know how…."
Yae looked at him with uncertainty. Ayato was never like this before. "How to…what exactly, child?"
Ayato looks at her with the same warm smile he always wore but something was different now. His eyes glistened and she could see the corners of his lips start to tremble.
“Do you know how to get rid of the pain, Yae-san?”
Yae waited for a clever retort to come from her mouth. A poisonous tease worthy of a fox’s silver tongue. But she cannot find the strength to speak. She found herself….not wanting to speak.
It was as if the death of the two Kamisatos distilled whatever banter…whatever hostility…they had and left them here, vulnerable.
Ayato waited for her response and when she did not, he just sighed. It sounded….so off coming from him. It was a defeated sigh. Not a devastated one, just tired. To her surprise, it took all of Yae’s willpower to not let her face change from its indifferent mask.
"I….see.." he whispered, his voice almost fragile-like. "I….honestly should have expected huh….I guess you finally outwitted me" he said bitterly.
Ayato stood up, placing the now cold cup of tea on the floor.
"Thank you for coming, Yae-sama" he bowed to her slightly. No matter how hard he tried to make his tone sound calm, she could hear the slight shiver in his voice. She could see the way his knuckles go white from his grasp and the way his expression darkened. "But unfortunately, I must cut our time short….I have a meeting about the succession rights tomorrow so I must bid farewell"
Yae made no sound as Ayato walked away, the spot beside her feeling emptier than ever.
She always wanted to be able to read what goes through his mind.
But now that she could….now that he was so open to her….she doesn't know what to think of it.