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Whatever happened in that meeting, it must have really upset Kamisato Ayato.
As if it wasn’t obvious enough from the way he slammed the doors of the estate shut, so loud that even Ayaka who was at the end of the corridor jumped in surprise. Nor was the way he stomped into his room, completely ignoring the blond retainer.
Thoma looks into his office, his face concerned.
“Waka, are you okay?” Thoma asked gently, approaching the man who was writing furiously on a piece of paper.
Ayato looks at him wearily, his hand going over the title of ‘assassination slip’ on the edge of the sheet. “I’m fine, thank you” his voice was calm but Thoma knows Ayato more than he would like to admit.
He could hear the slight grouch in his voice and see the way his eyes steeled.
“Waka, are you sure? You don’t look-”
“I’m fine Thoma!” he cuts off. "Just go away!"
"W-waka..."
Then he frowned “..s-sorry for yelling at you…”
“It’s fine waka…but are you sure you’re okay? You rarely yell like that…”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m…just tired.” he waves him off.
"But-"
“Please Thoma...now go…. I have work to do.”
Thoma wanted to protest but the slight desperateness in his eyes made Thoma stop. He relents.
Ayaka was outside when he stepped out, peering into the slight crack in the door worriedly.
“Is onii-sama okay?” she asked quietly, careful to not attract the man inside.
“I wish I could answer that Ojou but Waka won’t tell me…”
Ayaka sighed, running her fingers up her hair “I guess I should not be this surprised. Ayato was like this too as a child..”
Thoma looked at Ayaka in surprise. “He was like that?. From the time I first arrived, he is still the elegant figure he is” he then looked away sheepishly “Yeah….mischievous but elegant all the same.”
At that, Ayaka giggled “You should have seen him back when he was….7 perhaps? He would get huffy on all small matters and would not go out of his room until he got his way”
The retainer looked at him incredulously. "That…sounds so strange…but I can already see him do that."
Ayaka shakes her head, her face a little sad. "He did grow out of it after the training father gave…..but before that mother would always be the one to cheer him up."
An idea formed in his head. "How does she do that?"
"Why the sudden interest Thoma?"
“Maybe…we can recreate it?” Thoma pitched to her.
The Shiragashi Himegimi frowned “No, that cannot be…”
“Huh why?”
“Well…mother would cook this kind of soup for him.” Ayaka explained “We…do not know the name and after scavenging through her notes when she….passed; there was absolutely no note about the recipe.”
“Absolutely?”
“Absolutely” she sighed “A pity too. That was a delicious soup…”
“Then what does it taste like..or what ingredients she placed?”
“From what I remember, it was sweet and a bit savory….the ingredients are…sakura petals….potatoes….meat…milk and” a look of surprise was on her face “I…don’t remember the last ingredient.”
Thoma frowns at that “Well this makes my job harder..”
“I’m really sorry Thoma but that is all I could remember…”
“It’s fine” Thoma waved off “I’ll just figure it out from there.”
“You still want to do it?”
“Of course.” he smiles “I’m not leaving our waka to wallow up in his room all day~”
Ayaka giggles “Well good luck with that, Thoma. I look forward to your success”
“Thank you ojou-san….but first of all…where can I start looking-”
Thoma was led to a closet of the Late Lady of the House's things.
From the scrambled notes, he could gather, Ayaka was right. The full recipe wasn't there.
But it was mentioned many times in Kamisato Kayo’s notes.
Ranging from Ayato and Ayaka’s childhood (adorable), to their little tantrums (even more adorable) and how they like their soups (now the descriptions are too adorable for Thoma).
But there weren’t any mentions on how to cook it or what the last ingredient Ayaka was looking for was.
Maybe he should ask Ayato. He might know something, Thoma thought as he stared at the office door. That’s when he heard the sound of porcelain crashing and loud huffing and a bit of swearing… .okay maybe not…
…He should get the materials and then work his way up to the taste instead.
Deciding that, Thoma heads for the city.
"Hello Thoma" Aoi, the owner of the general goods shop, greeted as he approached.
"Hey Aoi, I was wondering if you have some of these?" He presents the list of ingredients Ayaka mentioned.
Aoi looked surprised. "Sakura…milk…potatoes…and meat?" She looked at him confusedly, "What exactly are you cooking?"
“Well, I actually-”
“Oh, are you cooking Kamisato Kayo’s special dish?”
“Huh!? Yae-sama!?’ Thoma jumps as he sees the pink-haired kitsune look at him amusedly “Why do you always appear- When did you-”
“I was always here Thoma~ Why so flustered, little one? Is the little Camellia flower giving you a hard time?”
Thoma blushed "I-I…h-how did you-"
"Little retainer, I watched the two Kamisato siblings grow from children." She chuckled, her eyes glinting under the sunlight. “How are you surprised?”
“Oh-”
As Thoma stared down his slippers in embarrassment, the shrine maiden peered into the list held by the awe-stricken Aoi.
“Hmm, it really seems you are cooking the late Kayo’s dish…but why is there a missing ingredient?” she asked, looking mildly puzzled.
“You know how to cook it?” Thoma looked at her in surprise.
“Of course, I was there when it was first created and passed down to little Kayo’s family. Honestly, you should be more surprised at how she did not pass the knowledge down to her children.”
“So can you teach me?”
“Now now, tell me why I should drop out of my schedule to help that rascal?” Yae tilted her head, a hand going to her mouth “After all, I am a busy shrine maiden. I have rituals and exorcisms to do.”
“But-”
“Oh would you look at the time, it seems I have to go back to an exorcism-”
“I’ll give you a portion of the soup!”
“Just that?” she yawned “How dull…”
“...and I’ll…..uh….give you…my information services?”
“Oh truly?” that piqued her interest. “Okay, let’s do it then.”
“R-really?”
“Of course~” she said, “I am the ever-gracious Guuiji of the Narukami Shrine.”
“I…thank you Lady Yae” Thoma bowed. He’s a little surprised that Yae was being cooperative…usually when she was, she had a scheme... “Then what is the last ingredient?” he asked, turning back to Aoi.
Yae waved him off “No, it cannot be found here.”
“Huh?”
That’s when a strange smile reached her face “Follow me.”
Grabbing the paper bag of ingredients, Thoma runs after the kitsune, trying not to trip and drop his supplies.
The shrine maiden leads him to the chasm of the shrine, looking down at the strange cavernous hole there.
Thoma looked at her in slight confusion "Huh? What are we doing here?"
"Inside there, there is a Naku weed plant." Yae pointed at the hole "Go fetch it."
"Wait a minute, there was Naku weed in the shop…"
"This is different, silly." Yae chuckled "Those Naku weeds are rid of electro energy by the time they hit shelves. No, we need the ones still rich in elemental energy."
Thoma looked at her skeptically "…Not that I mean to be rude Lady Miko….but isn't Naku Weed poisonous?"
"It is to non-element wielders" she crossed her arms "Honestly why are you asking me so many questions? Do you doubt me this much?"
Thoma stands up straighter "What? No! I-I trust you."
Yae Miko's face brightened. "Good" she takes the bag and pushes him down the hole "Good luck little one, meet me back at the Shrine."
Thoma staggers back into balance as he watches Yae leave.
Maybe she was not as cooperative as he thought she was….
Thoma snaps. There was no time, he needed to cheer up his waka today!
Peering down into the hole…it…was deep.
Almost too deep.
But as Yae said, Thoma could make out the distinct figures of purple plants. Naku weed.
Swallowing, he took a step back and started to run into the hole.
He jumped inside it and summoned his polearm. Using it as a landing device and as a shield, he lands safely on the ground, barely a scratch.
After dusting himself off, he gathered as much Naku weed as he could.
With enough now settled in his pocket, he looked up at the tendrils of roots of the Sacred Sakura.
Now that he thought about it….wait…how was he going to go out.
Oh archons, how was he going to get out of this cavern?
He stared at the roots, maybe he could climb them?
But it was too tall and if he fell off, he was as good as dead.
As he looked around, he saw thunder sakura.
Maybe that could help him?
Touching the sakura, an electrogranum appeared next to him.
A floating thing appeared in the air, an electric line linking him to it.
Is this a Thunder Sphere?
He jumped, the thunder sphere taking him upwards.
He jumps again and again, almost reaching the top when the line suddenly connects to another thunder sphere at the bottom.
'Swoosh'
Thoma looked down in surprise to see him back on the ground again.
'What the-'
Thoma tries again only to end up back on the ground.
Now, something is really wrong….
It felt as though something was pulling him downwards as if it didn't want him to leave.
Thoma grunts, trying again.
It still did not let him leave.
Giving up, Thoma climbs up the tree roots instead.
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"My my, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," Yae said, as she wrapped a bandage over Thoma's bruised arm.
Thoma blushed, ducking his head down.
It was rather adorable to Yae if not for the fact it may very well destroy the test she wanted…
Yae smiled, rubbing her fingers down his muscular arms
She could feel his muscles tense under her gentle touch, making Yae frown.
Tch, to think she almost thought……after the cavern…
"Now Thoma" she ducked down, facing the blond man. She batted her long eyelashes as she smiled at him "Do give me the Naku weed please"
The man flushed further (now she thinks the ritual is never going to…) as he gave the Naku weed almost shyly.
Yae turned, her ears twitching as she summoned a stove into existence.
As she used the electro energy to light up the fire, she could feel Thoma's gaze pour at her.
Grrr, she is not going to be happy with this….
"Hey…you said electro is critical to the soup…" his voice snapped her out of her thoughts, the tone of it sounding almost like a whine.
"It is, but I never said the soup in general," she said as she poured the now electro-deprived Naku weed onto the soup. "Now, can you steer this for me while I cut the potatoes?"
Thoma stands up, taking the spoon from her grasp and stirring it.
An earthy aroma filled the air, the scent almost intoxicating.
Yae adds the newly cut potatoes into the pot, looking at Thoma mischievously "Oh do indulge me, Thoma, why are you cooking this for the little Camellia flower?"
Thoma jumps, nearly pushing over the hot pot. "I-I…wanted him to feel better…."
"Oh truly?" Yae said. Now time to add the bait. "Why so adamant about it? From the looks of it, it seems more trouble than…well…anything."
The sentence seemed to surprise Thoma "I never really thought about that…."
The answer disappoints Yae. Is this boy really planning to destroy her exorcism….
"But I don't mind." He suddenly said, making Yae look at him in shock. "As long as he's happy and well, I don't mind how much I have to work hard for it."
There was a strange look on his face, a look of fondness and softness…wrapped in endearment….it almost reminded her of a certain electro goddess.
Yae added the sakura petals into the pot "You are a loyal one aren't you?" She leaned into him closer.
There was one more answer she needed.
"So tell me little retainer….do you love the little Camellia flower?"
Thoma stared at him, his face now completely red "What!? No! I mean I do! b-but" he stuttered, his hands running through his long blond hair "I-I'm not allowed to- I mean I-"
Yae bursts out giggling, hugging her stomach as she lets out a loud laugh.
Thoma flushed even more "N-not that I-I mean to be-be rude but why are you asking me this?" He asked, avoiding her stare "W-why do you sound like you are testing me?"
Yae almost laughed at that again.
To think he almost figured it out.
But of course, the secret of her controlling the Thunder Spheres and all of this for an exorcism will be taken to the grave. If she ever goes to the grave, that is.
Yae just hums back, packing up the soup into a bowl and sealing it tight. "Now give this to the little Camellia," she said before turning to walk towards the Sacred Sakura "Tell him he owes me one for this."
She hears Thoma yelp at that and him scrambling out of the Shrine excitedly. Like a little puppy.
Of course, he didn’t stay enough to hear Yae snicker.
Nor was he there long enough to see her turn to the Sacred Sakura with a smile on her face.
He didn't hear her say “Relax now Kayo-san, your son is in good hands.”
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Thoma rushes towards the office door and knocks again.
An irritated voice came from the room. "Go away…I'm working…"
"I'm going in, waka. I'm not talking no for an answer."
"I said- …T-thoma?"
Before another protest could be uttered, Thoma burst in, holding the soup in his hands.
"Good afternoon waka." Thoma smiled at the tired-looking man.
Ayato groans, his head falling down into his arms.
Thoma frowns at that.
Usually, Ayato wasn't too tired to forget etiquette. Something really bad must have happened.
He placed the bowl at the edge of the table and approached his lord.
"Can you raise your head a bit waka?"
Ayato grumbles but complies, sitting up straight.
Gently, Thoma pulls away the documents under him and places them neatly to the side.
He then grabbed the bowl of soup and placed it before the young lord.
"Now eat."
Ayato frowns "I'm not hungry Thoma. I need to-"
"Waka, Ayaka told me you did not eat lunch today and I refuse to carry you back to your room if you collapse from hunger like back then." He gives him a spoon. "Now eat."
Ayato's nose wrinkles but he begrudgingly opens the soup bowl.
His eyes go wide "Wait…this is-"
He brings down the spoon and blows the steam off.
He then took a bite.
Thoma waited for his hum of approval or maybe…if he's allowed to be a bit daring…a gasp.
But instead, a tear flowed down Ayato's cheek.
And then he began sobbing.
Thoma panics "Oh gods waka- I'm so sorry-" he tries to grab the bowl "I'm sorry for offending you- I can take this away if you want-"
To his surprise, Ayato pushed him away and started to shove spoonfuls of the soup into his trembling mouth, each swallow accompanied by a sniffle.
Thoma stared at his lord. This was the first time he ever saw his lord like this. Well, that wasn't true….the last time he saw him sob like this was during his parents' funeral…
Ayato finished the soup, wiping away his tears with a handkerchief. "S-sorry for the scene...but where did you get this soup recipe, Thoma?" His voice sounded fragile, like a snowflake in the midst of the sun. As if one gust of wind can push him away.
"I asked Yae and Ayaka for the recipe," Thoma said sheepishly.
Ayato looked down at the empty bowl, a smile of nostalgia on his face "This was mother's soup...I thought I would never taste this again…"
"Well, I can make more for you and Ayaka...if you want to of course..."
Ayato looked at him, his eyes glistening with unshed tears "Really? But from what mother said...the recipe is difficult..."
Thoma smiles, grabbing Ayato's pale hand. "Well I did pledge to serve you and make you happy" he kissed it. "So even if it means going down to various shops looking for Naku weed, I would do so."
Ayato looks at him, heat filling his cheeks.
He then leaned forward and kissed Thoma, his lips soft against the blond's.
"...Thank you…Thoma." He whispered his Camellia-like scent flooding Thoma's senses.
Thoma only smiled back "Anything for you….Ayato…"