Archive of Our Own

It’s a lovely autumn day, the breeze barely creeping in the room from the ajar window. Yet, the lukewarm weather is not enough to bring Susato’s spirits down. Today’s the Zuiki Matsuri Festival, and she cannot be more excited to show Gina-san around the event and educate the lively woman about her culture. Gina-san had asked so long ago, and now she has the perfect opportunity to keep her promise.

Perhaps hand-in-hand, just the two of them together…

Susato is adorned in a kimono she rarely wears. The orange and gold kimono would be appropriate for the celebration and though it may not be her favourite, it will have to do. She would have worn her usual garments, since they are lovely and Gina-san would recognize it immediately.

Alas, they are still dripping from the clothesline after having been washed yesterday.

At least her outfit is somewhat cooperative, because her hair is not agreeing with her today. As she attempts to weave the clip again, her hair falls down to her shoulders. She groans, shaking her head.

Why is it being so bothersome?

The door slides open. Turning around to respond to the noise, she sees a familiar face. Kazuma-sama pokes his head in with a small smile. He’s in his red hakama, his hair still disheveled as if he just got out of bed. His eyes are heavy, dark shadows under his eyelids as he stifles a small yawn. He must have not slept again…

Ever since he’s come back to Japan, he’s been focusing on getting his head straightened instead of powering through his grief. Most days, he’s fine and is able to work around the house and offer to help at the consultancy, but there are some days he’ll be locked in his room, wanting to be left alone.

Her father says it’s normal. For now, they just need to give him a bit of space to process everything he’s been through. He’ll urge Kazuma-sama to try harder when he’s not over-exerting himself just to function with daily tasks.

Well, maybe he won’t need the coaxing, actually. He tends to still overcompensate, even when he’s exhausted.

She knows how badly Kazuma-sama did not want to admit defeat when her father confronted him about his mental state. It had almost taken a month to finally break his shell. Even if it did take everyone's combined efforts to slowly chip away his guard…

With that being said, since he’s arrived home, he seems to be doing better. It’s been small steps, but he is making progress. At least he’s smiling regularly again. When they were there, they were lucky if he had made eye contact with them at all.

She tries to be as supportive as possible, but she can’t help but wonder when her father will go a bit easier on her to recover from everything that happened to her in England too. She could use some time to sort out of how she’s processed everything. Her resentment, the betrayal…

Of course, she would never ask. Her father already does so much for her, and to even entertain the notion would be inappropriate. At least, she can work and get herself out of bed. She can keep herself together for now. She just hopes she doesn’t crash one day like Kazuma-sama had.

“Hello.” Susato greets with a small smile, then turns to focus on her appearance again. Kazuma-sama and her are still somewhat tense, but she doesn’t need to start anything. She can act cordially. Even if he’s apologised, she’s not fully forgiven him and she would rather keep their conversations short and precise.

Besides, she has to present herself in a decent manner tonight and with everything going wrong, it’s going to take all day at this rate. After all, it may be the only night to tell Gina-san how she’s been feeling before Gina-san goes back to England…

“Good afternoon, getting ready for your date? After all, you promised Gina-san you had all of Tokyo to show her.” Kazuma-sama greets, stepping in as he closes the screen behind him. He lights the incense stick, setting it above on a dresser. A floral aroma starts to linger in the room as he sits down next to her.

Oh, he must have thought the smile was an invitation to walk in…

Well, there are worse things that could have happened. He doesn’t seem to be in a bad mood, and he’s being friendly enough. She decides to let him stay as he tilts his head in confusion.

“What is it?” Susato raises an eyebrow.

“You didn’t answer my question. Do I need to repeat myself?”

Oh. Perhaps she ought to stop being passive aggressive…he’s not doing anything wrong since he’s come in here.

She takes a deep breath, “I am very sorry. I am just very focused. As for the event tonight…I don’t think it’s a date. Gina-san and I aren’t really anything official.”

“I see. I didn’t mean to assume.” Kazuma-sama smiles gently as he sits a bit closer. “Gina-san has been very excited about tonight to the point where I mistook your outing as a date.”

“Oh, no.” Susato brushes his statement off, not wanting to show any disappointment in her voice about the circumstances about tonight. “We are just friends.”

Unfortunately.

Susato frowns, as she has to gently remind herself this really isn’t a date, even if she is yearning for it to be. Dressing up as if she were going to be wed tonight, she tries to keep her disappointment repressed deep in her.

He offers a small smile, standing up for a second. He must be restless, too. As if they were children again, he gets behind her and starts brushing her hair with the comb from her desk. “I just noticed what was going on. You aren’t pulling up all of your hair tightly enough. You keep missing the section you can’t see. Do you mind?”

“No. It’s been bugging me too.”

Kazuma keeps brushing her hair, focusing on each strand as he starts to adjust it to different hairstyles. He untangles two before saying anything else. “Do you want flowers in your hair? It’ll compliment your outfit. There’s some arusutoromeria outside I can grab. It’s been a while since I’ve done it, but I ought to be able to weave them in your band.”

“Kazuma-sama, there’s no point in plucking the flowers. We are not children.”

“Of course not. Flowers look classy in anyone’s hair, regardless of age. Besides, they’re starting to wilt. It would be a shame if they weren’t at least used while they’re still in decent health.” Kazuma-sama frowns, looking outside at their garden. “Frost was on my window seal this morning, so I bet they’ll be dead in a week anyway.”

“Oh, that is a shame. Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to at least put them to use…”

“Flowers do that, I’m afraid. They don’t last the winter.” Kazuma-sama grabs a comb, rearranging her hair to a new style. Most of her hair is wrapped up in a tight bun, but it has a decent flair to it. “Honestly, I don’t know what I’m doing now. What do you think?”

“It is appropriate for the event. Thank you.” Susato glances down at her attire. Maybe she should change into something familiar. “Do…you think I look alright?”

“You look elegant, but you’re overthinking it.” Kazuma-sama sits up. “Though, I’m convinced the flowers will really bring it together. Let me grab a few and see if that’ll help with your hair. I’ll be right back.”

When he walks out of the room, Susato inspects her new hair style, and with a frown, she shakes her head. She doesn’t like how heavy it is on her scalp. Barely tugging it to loosen it, the bun falls apart as her hair passes her shoulders. She groans again, her face falling into a deeper, disappointed pout. There’s no point in fighting with the hair anymore.

Deciding to change her focus, she decides to try out that make-up palette she got in Britain. Grabbing the dark red stain with a paintbrush, she places it on her lips. The waxy texture isn’t great, but it really adds colour to her face that she desperately needs. The red stained lips really bring out her otherwise rather bland eyes.

The door opens again as Kazuma-sama steps back in. He shakes his head, looking at her hair again with a frown, “Oh, dammit. I didn’t realize it would fall apart that easily. Here, let’s try your usual…”

“I think that would be best.”

Kazuma-sama’s hands get to work, moving the back of her hair around to her familiar style. As he uses the pins to twist her hair around, he carefully inserts the lilies in the back of her hair. One of the lilies falls to the ground. He picks it up, sighing when he realizes the stem snapped. “This is going to take a minute. You don’t mind, do you?”

“I have all the time in the world. I am supposed to be meeting Gina-san at around six.”

“Oh, that’s quite a bit of time. Someone’s nervous, aren’t they?” Kazuma-sama teases as he tries to weave another flower in.

“No! I’m just trying to look my best.”

Kazuma-sama raises an eyebrow, stopping his weaving and patiently waiting for a response.

Susato exhales with a tinge of pink on her face. “...Very nervous.”

“That’s what I thought. She’ll probably admire you like you’re a masterpiece.” Kazuma-sama continues his work, “She was still staring at you, even when Sholmes-san got that tea all over you. Between you and me, Judicial Assistant Mikotoba, I think she might be into women.”

He chuckles at his own pip as Susato rolls her eyes. Everyone already knows Gina-san is attracted to women, since she never has attempted to hide any part of herself, which is something Susato has always admired.

He means it in good faith, of course. She sighs, “Kazuma-sama, are you serious?”

“Of course I am. She’s been pretty eagerly pursuing you for a while.” Kazuma-sama shrugs, getting the second lily woven right at the base of her bun. “Okay, there we go. How does it look? I was thinking of three blooms on the base of the twist.”

“You are very intent on this.”

“You know me,” Kazuma-sama reaches out for another flower, weaving it in. “I want you to look nice for your outing, and there’s no shame to that, is there?”

“I suppose not.”

“Good. Hmm, that should be enough. Any objections?”

There are three blooms woven in her hair. Not enough to look childish, but enough to accent the kimono and her hairstyle. Once again, he’s pulled off making her beautiful. He’s always been really helpful with making sure her appearances were appropriate for giant festivities. She used to look forward to these moments when she was a child. It is one of her most cherished memories to this day.

“No. None at all. Thank you. So, why did you come here first? Didn’t you have to speak with Father today?”

“I kept hearing you sigh and wanted to check in on you. Besides, I wasn’t in any rush. That got postponed. He is out with Iris and Sholmes-san doing…uhm, I guess touring.” Kazuma has a puzzled look on his face. “I know they’re leaving really soon and Iris had a lot she wanted to explore.”

“Well, wouldn’t you want to be there?”

“And spend time with Lord van Zieks willingly?” He scoffs, followed by a gentle smile. “No, I jest. I had a lot to do today. Ryunosuke gave me a bunch of paperwork to sort out, and I couldn’t make it in time. You both are really behind.”

“Yes, I am sorry. I tried to catch up before the festival, but I will work extra hard tomorrow to make up for it.” Susato nods. They’ve been bombarded with cases, and it’s been a while since she’s had the time for a day off. “I am afraid it is only me and him right now. We are trying our best.”

“Don’t apologise, I’m just stating facts. He really ought to hire another assistant. If he can’t find one, I’ll do it. Verdict’s still out if I can actually practise law, but consultancy isn’t off the table, no matter what the outcome is. I ought to get used to it, anyway. From what I’m hearing so far, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely I’ll be reinstated.”

“Well, I hate to say this, but I must agree. Father and I discussed it and had the same concerns. Uhm, please do not tell Father I told you. He wanted to break the news to you lightly when he was positive of the outcome.” Susato admits, looking away.

“It’s fine.” Kazuma-sama nods with a gentle smile on his face, “I appreciate the heads up. I’ll pretend I don’t know.”

“I must ask, though. Is it truly what you wanted, though? Since you admitted to us you truly had no desire to be a defence attorney, was that true about all the aspects of law?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Well, we got time. I have been curious for a while.”

“I see. Hmm, well, I’m trying to figure out how to explain it.” Kazuma taps his chin, humming for a minute before continuing, “I don’t hate the profession, despite everything. It was just something I had to do, and I grew to appreciate it. Though I wasn’t lying that day when I accepted the study tour. I really did want to be a prosecutor, or at least see if it was a good fit. After I lost everything, I realized…”

“What?” Susato tilts her head in curiosity.

“Oh, be careful. Those flowers can still fall out.” Kazuma-sama leans in, adjusting her hair. He tightens her clip. “They’re just woven in, after all.”

“I will, my apologies.”

“Don’t apologise. It’s just a caution.”

“Anyway, what were you saying?”

“Oh, yeah. Where was I?”

“You were talking about your identity.”

“Right. It just crashed on me. I realized I wasn’t my own person or had my own identity anymore. Redeeming my father’s name and legacy consumed me. Though, at the end of the day…” Kazuma-sama sighs, biting his lip. He must be hesitating to say what truly needs to be said.

“What is it?” Susato tilts her head again, this time keeping in mind the flowers could still fall out.

“I just wanted him back. I don’t regret finding out the truth, and I’m glad you both helped me with it, but I really hurt everyone trying to chase an ideal, not a reality. Besides making up for my actions, I needed to find out who I really was, because if you two were confused about who I really am, I’m far more perplexed than you. It was something I wanted to find before coming back here.”

“Well, what would that have done?”

“I guess…I’m trying to remind myself that pursuing my past wrecked my future. I needed to change. Once I figured that out, I could show that I truly meant my apologies and am trying to actually be better than I once was.”

Kazuma-sama usually doesn’t open up like this, but seeing his exhausted eyes glance down, welting in tears, her heart breaks for him. She tries to keep a composed face of her own. He has never cried in front of her. Wiping the tears from his eyes with his sleeve, he continues fixing up her hair.

“I couldn’t even do that properly. I really tried to improve, but I guess when it all came out, whatever coping mechanisms I had just shattered. I came to terms with everything that was to happen. Of course…”

“Of course?”

“I knew that this was the likely outcome when I accepted the exchange program. Really, it’s the consequences of my actions catching up to me, and though it could have been a lot worse, it doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.” Kazuma-sama admits, moving his hand from Susato’s hair, biting his lip. “As I mentioned, I’m pretty sure being a lawyer is more or less out of the question. Before you ask, I wasn’t a great prosecutor either. It was more or less a waste of my time.”

“I see. Well, perhaps I can coax Father to use his connections to help get your license back, after all-”

“Absolutely not. I may not be thrilled about the situation, but I’m not going to contribute to the problem by using connections to be the exception. I’ve already exploited that enough to get into this mess. Maybe if your father wants a lawyer in the family so badly, he should start pushing you into it.”

“Oh, no,” Susato laughs, trying to dismiss his suggestion. She recalls the first time she posed as a lawyer. The doubt, fear, and nervousness that crept in her veins as she had to defend her best friend. The triumphancy and relief that crashed through her body when she won. Even if she knows she is more than capable, she’s not sure if she can handle those highs and lows on a regular basis. “I am just better at the paperwork and the judicial side of things.”

“That’s not what your father said when he told me about your court case.”

“Yes. I am aware. He was really proud of me.” Susato frowns as she looks over at him sitting next to her again. He raises a hand on her shoulder with a smile, urging her to continue. She sighs, holding her hands. “I cannot do it. Not like this.”

She knows she’s more than capable to do it…she’s just not sure if she wants to spend the rest of her life as Ryutaro. If she were to practise, she would want to be herself, through and through. Not Ryutaro Naruhodo.

Susato Mikotoba, Defence Attorney at Law.

Actually, that doesn’t have a bad ring to it. It’s truly a shame her gender is what is blocking that from becoming a reality. She can’t even step into a courtroom.

Maybe Kazuma-sama and she are in the same boat, doing what they know they are capable of, but barely missing their potential due to setbacks. Hers is about social expectations, and his is more because of his trauma and mental health, but there’s so many similarities. They really ought to talk more…

“I bet that would be uncomfortable. I don’t think I could impersonate as someone else for the rest of my life.” Kazuma-sama shakes his head. “It’s stupid. Women should be able to practise law. There’s no reason why you couldn’t study with me.”

“I-”

“I won’t hear any objections. It’s ridiculous, and you know it.” Kazuma-sama shakes his head. “You’re the most capable person that I know, and yet, you can’t even step in a courtroom without some old traditionalist throwing a hissy fit. It’s really a shame. You really would be great at it.”

“Thank you. I hope that maybe one day that they will lift those conditions. Perhaps…maybe I can when that happens.” Susato admits. “Maybe not law, but I’d like to explore other occupations.”

“Maybe you should be the student in England right now. You know, they have more opportunities for women there. I’m sure Sholmes-san wouldn’t mind helping you out either.”

“Oh…!” Susato smiles, this time, it’s not forced like when she walked in the room. “No, not yet. Naruhodo-san still needs my help. No offence, but even if you joined us full-time, we’re still terribly behind.”

“Susato-san.”

“What?”

“What do you want to do?”

Nothing ever gets past Kazuma-sama. She may as well be truthful. With a sigh, she admits what’s been lingering on her mind. “I am truly happy with where I’m at now. Though, I cannot deny it. it has crossed my mind a lot more recently where I envision myself in the future. I think I would like to go back to Britain. To be honest, I doubt Father would be against it, but the government would be a hassle to deal with.”

“Oh, yes, they don’t like it when you try to outsmart them. If I could, I would stuff you in a suitcase and go back. Though…”

“It is okay. There is no point in lingering on what we cannot change. Though, it is truly a shame that the study tour did not work out for you. Do you think you will miss England? Enough to go back, at least?”

“Like you do? I can’t say I will. I’ll miss the people I met. Definitely not the country.” Kazuma-sama pauses, “Looking back on it, I guess it wasn’t so bad.”

“Well, considering you were going through a mental breakdown bad enough to where Father had to retrieve you, I think I have to disagree. It must have been miserable.”

“You got me there.” Kazuma-sama chuckles, shaking his head. “No, it wasn’t really anything anyone did. Even Lord van Zieks wasn’t terrible. Your father just provided something I needed desperately and I needed to go home to take advantage of it. I am going to miss the Sholmes family, though. They really kept my head above water when I’m positive that if I was in the wrong environment, things would have gone a lot worse.”

“You know, they are your family too.”

Kazuma-sama freezes as if Susato had kicked a kitten on purpose. His face falls as he flinches, his eyes watering before his eyes wander to glance outside. His eyes are glossy, and the guilt on his face is apparent.

Her smile falls immediately. “Kazuma-sama? Did I say something unjust?”

“No.” Kazuma-sama sighs, shaking his head. “It’s confusing to explain, but I don’t view it that way. I know it’s awful, but when it comes to family, I just envision my father still. I’m working on it, but I’d rather it not be forced on me.”

“I…okay.” Susato doesn’t get it, but when she glances at Kazuma-sama, it’s clear he feels awful about the way he sees the situation as he trembles in place.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I shouldn’t have unloaded on you like that.”

“It is quite alright. I…think I understand you better now. It has been really insightful.” Susato smiles again. “I just hope I did not make things worse.”

“No, not at all. Ryunosuke already got most of this out of my system, so it’s nothing new. I’m just worried it’s a lot on you. I know it probably doesn’t amount to much, but you can vent to me too.”

“I usually just keep to myself, but I may take you up on that some day.” Perhaps she will later. She decides to change the subject before this whole situation goes south. “Uhm, I got your letter, by the way. I was going to mention that after my outing.”

“The one I sent ages ago?” Kazuma-sama straightens himself out. “Really? I thought that it was lost at sea.”

“I did also. I got it last week. It was in pretty bad shape. I think it went all over the world. I never thought I’d see it after what we discussed in London. I read it yesterday. Every word was so genuine and truthful. Thank you for being transparent.”

Kazuma-sama frowns, “I don’t really recall what I wrote, actually. My mind was so jumbled…if I said anything unjust, I am so sorry.”

“Do not worry about it. It was a nice letter.” Susato fibs just a bit as she glances away.

Recalling that letter is painful. Although it was nice, it was more of a cry for help. It was written with a broken heart, a desperate attempt at contact that he thought he didn’t deserve. It spilled out all the love he had for her, making sure what was important to him was that she was safe and doing well. It wasn’t in any way to guilt her about her decision to come home or try to force forgiveness, but just to make sure she was aware he has been trying to make up for all the pain he caused.

Oh, if it hadn’t been lost at sea…maybe they would have noticed something was wrong a lot sooner. Either way, her big brother is home now, combing her hair as if she was a small child, helping her get ready for a festival.

Even if she still has lingering anger…maybe if he doesn’t quite view her as a sibling, she does view him as such. Also, he’s definitely open to the idea in the future. With everything in mind, it dawns on her. She has forgiven him, and without a doubt, he’s truly trying his best. It’s just going to take time.

“Look in the mirror.” He smiles as she adjusts her outfit. The kimono is perfect with the arusutoromeria in her hair. He was right, it looks wonderful. He crosses his arms. “I will personally reprimand Gina-san if she’s not stunned when she sees you.”

“Kazuma-sama…”

“I really got to get better at jokes, don’t I?” Kazuma-sama frowns. “Even if I was completely serious. Come on, let’s get you going. It’s almost six.”

Oh, had they spent that long just talking and getting ready? Susato stands up, readjusting the kimono as he takes out the incense, letting it set on the windowsill to cool off. She opens the door, the two close together as they go downstairs, a quiet conversation between the two about the mundane bothers of life.

Something she can get used to.

***

The sun is starting to set over the mountain range, and Kazuma and Susato-san watch the leaves fall on top of the flowing river, creeping down to the pond. Leaning over the railing, the two just observe the beautiful, vibrant fall colours in silence, not uttering a word. He knows why.

The way he had been so blunt with her about their relationship…

He must have messed up again.

He’ll have to talk to Mikotoba-sensei on how to make it up to her, because there’s no way she would be able to find any comfort in his confession. It had spilled out before he could stop it, and he knew his words stung when her eyes watered. Even if he doesn’t quite view her as a sibling, he does certainly care about her. It’s just so cumbersome to put into words, and he should have not said anything until he figured out how to phrase it correctly.

He can at least apologise now. Before he’s able to say anything, Susato-san leans down, watching the swans swimming away from the bridge with a smile on her face. “The leaves are finally falling from the trees, aren’t they?”

“They are,” Kazuma nods, realizing she wants to change the subject. “If I recall, they’ve been falling since last week, according to Ryu-”

“‘Ello!”

The two turn their heads to see a familiar face with a giant, beaming smile on her face. Though it’s one that’s normally in Britain instead of Japan, she’s here as a tourist, but she looks appropriately dressed. She’s in a spring green kimono adorned with white and gold petals. Her blonde hair is down, falling past her shoulders. Gina-san looks wonderful. Her dog follows behind her, wagging his tail in excitement. His head perks up when he sees Kazuma, rushing over to him and barking, asking for cuddles.

Kazuma leans down, immediately obliging with a soft smile, scratching his tiny ears. He laughs as the dog licks his face. That little mutt has always been an affectionate little pooch, and Kazuma’s always happy to see him. It’s a shame the dog has such a short attention span, because it’s not long before he attempts to jump out of Kazuma’s arms, responding to Gina-san’s high-pitched whistle. He lets the dog go back to his partner as he straightens his own clothes out.

He turns to the very nervous young woman, who won’t stop gawking at Gina-san and her lovely appearance. Gina-san must have also spent a lot of time getting ready. Not a date, huh…

Kazuma leans down, patting Susato-san’s back. “There she is. You got this.”

She takes a deep breath, nods with a confident smile, and walks over to her date. If it weren’t anyone else observing her, she would still present herself as calm and composed. Though, Kazuma knows her well. She’s sweating, her lips trembling as she shakes in place. Is it due to the cool breeze from the autumn weather, or is she completely enamored by the woman across the bridge from her?

Knowing her, it’s definitely the latter.

“Gina-san,” Susato-san bows with a gentle smile. “You look quite lovely tonight.”

“Oh! Sooze, is that you? I just recognized Zuzu.” Gina blinks, her mouth barely agape. She smiles when she meets her eyes. “I like the look. How’re ya so stunnin’ in everythin’ ya put on? ‘Specially those flowers. Thought they’d be goners by now.”

Gina-san’s quite smooth with her words, even with her cockney accent. She places her head behind her hair as Susato-san giggles a bit, covering her face to try to attempt to hide her blush. Oh, these two are going to take forever before confessing their feelings.

“Oh, thank you. Kazuma-sama helped put the flowers in my hair.” Susato-san’s smile graces her lips as her eyes light up at the compliment. “They’re called arusutoromeria.”

“Oh, ‘re they?” Gina looks at them, “They common ‘round ‘ere?”

Susato-san shakes her head. “Yes, though we may not see any in the wild. Unfortunately, they are at the end of their lifespan. My father just grows them each year and Kazuma-sama had found some outside to put in my hair. They were my mother’s favourite, according to him. Well, shall we get going? The festival is about to start.”

“Yeah! Ya gotta sha me everythin’!”

“I will,” Susato-san smiles as she offers her hand for Gina-san to grab. “I promise you that. Come, there is a lot to do, but doing all the activities on an empty stomach would be miserable. Considering what the omikoshi are adorned with…”

Oh, Susato-san, even if her delivery is a bit nervous, she’s doing great. Gina-san’s face beams as she clasps Susato-san’s free hand, leading her to the pathway down the lively city. Kazuma just waves at the duo, watching them run into the street festivals, as if they were eager adolescents that were given a surplus of funds.

“Boo.”

That voice…the one that sounds like home.

Kazuma turns around to see Ryunosuke, who’s in a celebratory hakama of his own. It’s blue with a nice solid red wrap. He’s in the middle of biting down on a dango. He gulps his food, then immediately wraps his arms around Kazuma’s shoulder.

“Hello. You look so handsome tonight.” Kazuma hums, wrapping his own arms tight around Ryunosuke’s waist. “I guess you came for the festival?”

“Of course. We missed you and Susato-san during our city tour today. Iris was devastated. We thought you weren’t coming to the festival today. The others went ahead when I noticed you and Susato-san on the bridge.”

“Actually, I was helping Susato-san get ready. She was really nervous for her first date and I decided to go out to see her off. I wasn’t really intending on staying but I’ll make sure to apologise to Iris.”

“Oh, actually, that’s funny. So was Gina-san.” Ryunosuke chuckles. “She kept stumbling over her words, and spent hours talking in the mirror on what to say. With Lord van Zieks’ instruction, of course.”

“That’s interesting to think about.”

Kazuma reaches out to the dango and takes a quick bite. This isn’t the first time they’ve shared food, so Ryunosuke isn’t surprised when he snags it. This one is really tender and bursting with sakura flavour. He must have already visited the stalls, because this is fresh. Of course he has. In his defence, the aroma of the festival food is almost too hard to resist.

“It was more amusing to see. Nothing could stop him, not even Sholmes-san. Lord van Zieks was incredibly harsh on her, making sure her repetitive movements and slang was to a minimum. ‘A true lady does not act like that, Miss Lestrade, and Miss Susato is a true lady. Please be respectful to her.’”

Kazuma snorts, then bursts into laughter. His tone was almost exactly like his superior, but that’s not what he’s amused by.

Ryunosuke raises an eyebrow, “What is it?”

“She already was using her cockney accent the moment she saw Susato-san.”

“Well, don’t let that get back to Lord van Zieks, then. She spent so long making sure everything was perfect for tonight, and he insisted the accent had to go.” Ryunosuke smiles. “I’m glad that ended up not backfiring. Well, do you want to enjoy the festival ourselves? I think this is the first time I’ve seen you at one since you got home.”

Kazuma looks over at the beautiful festival, observing it from a distance. He’s not sure if he should go, but when Ryunosuke offers his hand, there’s a gentle smile on his face. “We’ll leave it ends up being too much, okay?”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Kazuma grips Ryunosuke’s hand, letting his partner lead down to the vendors, ignoring the chilly air around them. Focusing on the bright lights and the glow of the lively festival just down the road, the music grows louder, reminding him of a better time, back when he was a child.

This was one of his favourite festivals. The aroma, the food, the general vibes to celebrate the small successes of life always brings up his spirits a little bit. The omikoshi are adorned in last year’s beautiful, bountiful harvest stacked up high. The aroma he smelled earlier is starting to get to him, making his stomach rumble. Regardless of chewing some of his partner’s dango, he still is starving, and it would be a shame to pass up festival food. Kazuma glances over at a soba stall, trying to be subtle.

“Are you hungry, Partner?” Ryunosuke asks, grabbing his arm.

“I haven’t eaten all day. Well, besides your dango.”

“Really?” Ryunosuke’s face raises as he drags Kazuma over to the stall, immediately ordering something for the both of them. It’s one of his usuals, so he says nothing and steps out of the forming line to wait for their food.

“Oi! Ya followin’ us?!”

“Huh?”

The two turn around to see Gina-san waving. Susato-san nods, acknowledging the duo. They’re sitting down on a bench, very close to each other. They’re sharing a bowl of yakisoba and buns together, looking each other deep in the eyes again. Had they just interrupted something?

“It's a coincidence, I promise!” Ryunosuke laughs. “Well, move over. I don’t feel like sitting next to strangers.”

“A’right,” Gina scoots over as the other two join them. As the music begins to echo through the festival, the omikoshi start strolling down the street, the massive pillars of dried harvest to give gratitude for a bountiful year. There are more grain-based omikoshi this year, the beautiful colours matching the falling leaves.

“Oh, food’s ready. I’ll be right back.” Ryunosuke stands up, grabbing the food as he brings it over to Kazuma. Susato-san eyes one of the buns they ordered.

“What is it? Did you not order them?”

“Nah, they said they’re outta taro. We gotta ‘nother version ‘stead.” Gina-san shrugs. She probably doesn’t even know what taro is. Or what they ended up ordering. She’s not a picky eater, so she probably doesn’t care.

“Well, they were able to make more, then. We have six, so I can spare a couple.” Kazuma slides two in her bowl, not even waiting for her to ask. It wasn’t uncommon when they were children they would share an order of taro buns whenever they went to a festival together. Her eyes light up immediately as she consumes them as quickly as possible, as if they are about to run out of her bowl.

“Aw,” Gina-san pouts, “I wanted ter try wehn.”

“Oh!” Susato-san’s face brightens in embarrassment. “I am so sorry, I just got so excited.”

“Here you are, Gina-san.” Kazuma places another one in Susato-san’s dish as Gina-san takes it and begins to nibble on it with a bit of discontent on her face. She places it back in the bowl, shaking her head.

“Eh, not my thing.” Gina-san shrugs as Susato-san happily takes it and eats it without any hesitation. Kazuma focuses on his own soba, sharing the bowl with Ryunosuke as the parade continues, more beautiful displays to show. Good thing they got food, because those omikoshi are appetizing…

“Thank you, Kazuma-sama.” Susato-san smiles before turning back to the parade, watching the young dancers follow along to start their ceremonial overture.

“You’re welcome.” Kazuma nods, listening to the music and trying to ignore the chatter behind him.

He closes his eyes, and for that short moment, he and Susato-san are two children again, not two adults on an impromptu double date.

A lost child with no family of his own, being followed by a girl who’d been raised with him was now trying to catch up with his footsteps. He’s not ignoring her, but her little legs still can’t keep up with his strides. He stops to wait for her to catch up, taking her hand when she stumbles over to him. She grips onto his hand for dear life when she catches up. As they walk into the festival, she points to a pool of goldfish, asking if he’ll win her one. Of course, he says yes and in one try, they have a goldfish in a bag that only makes it two days before unfortunately succumbing to natural causes.

Nothing really has changed. These two may act like it externally, but they're not quite siblings. Though definitely not strangers, their bond is deeper than any friendship. Once, he had hoped he would start to see Susato-san as a little sister. Yet, as time has passed, their current dynamic has only strengthened, and not changed. Kazuma may never get it, but he does know that they truly care about each other, and once the festival is done, he definitely will apologise for being so straightforward and hurting her feelings.

When he opens his eyes again, Ryunosuke’s snoozing on his shoulder, close to his frame. He must have been exhausted from today’s activities. Kazuma moves the soba bowl, moving his arm around Ryunosuke’s waist. His gaze moves back to Susato-san and Gina-san, who is bombarding her with questions about what’s happening, something she’s happy to answer with a blush brighter than the tomatoes on the omikoshi.

As she continuously moves her head, he stares at the blooms in her hair, making sure they haven’t fallen out. They haven’t, but then something dawns on him. How absolutely ironic. He had just thought the arusutoromeria would look nice with her outfit, but it reminds him of something strange he had found once.

He had been looking into hanakotoba to show Ryunosuke how he felt without using words. He had wanted to make sure Ryunosuke got a lovely assortment of flowers that was subtle and charming, but he remembered this entry because it was so peculiar to him at the time.

The arusutoromeria: when given, it’s to show that there’s such a strong connection that language is limited when trying to explain it.

What did it mean? From what he could tell, it could have expanded to any type of love, had an infinite amount of meanings, and really had made him think. He had wanted to delve deeper, but he was pressed for time when doing his research and he never picked it up after that.

He smiles, now content he knows exactly how to explain Susato-san and his dynamic. It’s not a typical bond, but a wonderful one all the same, and he only hopes Susato-san views it the same way.