Chapter Text
Ayato was not one to mess with the other commissions internal affairs.
Directly, at least.
He would mostly work alone, and only communicate to the other commissions when it was absolutely necessary.
Yet, here he was, walking in the Tenryou Commission base and Kujou clan estate.
Kujou Kamaji greeted him with a fond smile as he stopped Ayato in the training yard.
"Hello! It is good to see you again commissioner, I never got to thank you after the wedding ceremonies"
Ayato smiled back, small, polite, his standard lack of genuine emotion, "As it is for me as well. I do apologize for not being able to stay for the entire festivities. I had some pressing matters."
"I understand. Work never stops when you are clan head, right?" The man sighed but then gestured for Ayato to follow him "Come in, come in, I have some tea prepared that I believe you will enjoy"
Ayato followed him inside, his eyes lingering over the large guards hidden faces.
Kamaji sat on one side of a low profile meeting table on a floor cushion. Ayato sat across from him and watched the Proxy leader pour two cups and slid Ayato his.
Ayato picked it up and carefully sipped the hot blend, noting there was a hint of spice that hit the back of his throat.
"How do you like it? It was from Liyue. With the decree lifted, imports have been mush easier to get" the brown haired man pushed up his glasses as he watched.
Ayato hummed and offered a single nod "it is very pleasant, although, I would recommend steeping the leaves at a lower temperature. In my experience, that can enhance the flavor of such an intricate blend." He put his hands in his lap, his sleeves that were purely meant to be a show of status flowed onto the floor.
"I will tell the housekeeper about that. But, I know you said you're not one for small talk, so I guess we should get right into business " he leaned forward, clasping his hands together and putting them on the table "What brought you to ask me for a meeting?"
Ayato ran his gloves fingers over the cup,"You control the commission's affairs at the moment, correct?"
A nod, "Yes, the routine matters, we are starting to have the Almighty Shogun directly involved herself in more important decisions." He was a bit confused, Ayato knew this, but perhaps he was just asking for confirmation he was still in charge?
Ayato took a long swig, "So, you are in control of the situation in the prisons?" He set the glass down, the glass clink echoing in the large, open room.
Kamaji's face dropped into a small frown, "...yes. I am…" He had been warned of Ayato's tactics before he took over. But he was not probably prepared to actually face it head on.
Ayato hummed, the fake smile returning to his lips, "Splendid. Because I have some changes I would ask you to implement with great haste" he pulled out scroll from his sleeve - only the Shogun knows where it was in there - and held it out.
"I'm confused as to why that's any of your concern" Kamaji grabbed the scroll and opened the canister. His eyes quickly scanned over the list of changes
Improve cell conditions. Properly furnished and cleaned cells are mandatory from now on.
Implement sensitive training of the guards. They lack the tact and professionalism necessary for their position
Kamaji rolled his eyes at only the first two changes.
Ayato spoke up, the tone shifted to a sharp coldness that made the new clan head shudder, "I tend to the needs of the citizens of Inazuma. To everyone in Inazuma. And quite frankly the current conditions do nothing but set those who are struggling up for failure."
"We control the crime in our nation. As long as the criminals are away from the public, what does it matter? Who cares if they get a good night sleep?" Kamaji laughed at the absurdity of such a thought.
Ayato's face remained blank "No you wish to cause the suffering of Inazuman citizens"
"Now, Commissioner, don't try to use my words against me-"
"That is what you stated. Who cares? You should. They are your responsibility. Why do I need to take time out of my busy schedule to try and teach you how to do your position." Ayato's cadence was flat, but that didn't change the demeaning word choice.
Kamaji narrowed his eyes, trying to play in this mental chess game Ayato was setting up, "their comfort is not my responsibility. I am only tasked with ridding the streets of their filth. As you just said, Commissioner, this is not your position. It's mine."
Ayato clicked his tongue "Temper temper now, bad blood between commissions rarely ends well. And your clan has much less ground to stand on in the eyes of the Shogun."
Kamaji growled at the demeaning tone, "You do not get to speak to me like I am a child." He looked over the list, his eyes stopping at one particularly specific clause.
Inmates of any species must be treated with the same respect humans receive.
That could only be about one pain in the Kujou clan's side.
"How do you know the Oni?" Kamaji's words were full of disgust, the word spat out like some hushed insult.
Ayato bristled. "Who?" He put his hands on his thighs and tilted his head up.
Kujou smirked, thinking he had some ace in the hole, "There is only one non-human that takes up space in the prison."
Ayato tilted his head, "Does he have a name? I'm sure he would appreciate some manners."
"Ha! Him? Manners? But sure, if you would like. Arataki Itto." Kamaji slapped his thigh.
Ayato pushed, his hands digging into his pants, "These changes would be for the better of Inazuma as a whole -"
"That's why you never said people"
Ayato's eye twitches as he looked at his tea cup, "Pardon?"
Kamaji put his hands on the edge of the table, "In this conversation, and in this, you say citizens, not people…this is about some Street Oni "
"A member of society." Ayato piped up
"That does nothing but cause trouble" Kamaji retorted fluidly.
"Allegedly." Ayato crossed his arms with a shrug.
"What? Are you seriously trying to claim he has never committed a crime?"
Ayato held up his hand to make the other stop talking, "I never said that. I have simply seen that many of his arrests were unsubstantiated.'
Kamaji huffed, then got to his feet to pace out his annoyance, "Oh come on. You're going to talk down to me about some, what? Prejudice? When you host the evil cleansing ceremonies that lead him to passing out in the street for my men to drag out."
He looked down to see Ayato tense.
"Oh, hit a soft spot there? All I am saying I'd that you are being quite hypocritical. I don't even understand your motive."
Ayato rose to his feet, looking down at the slightly shorter man, "What motivates anyone to do anything? What motivates you?"
Kamaji shrugged, "My wife and my clan. Though I-"
Something clicked in his mind.
"Wait. You" He started to laugh, thinking he managed to beat Ayato at his own game. "You have a thing for that worthless scum?!"
Ayato turned away from the other man and mused aloud, "I would advise holding your tongue. I see that peaceful deliberation will not lead to change. So, I instead offer a compromise. Your marriage" he turned his head to side eye Kamaji.
"...What does that mean?"
Now it was time to reel them in, "I haven't signed your marriage certificate yet. Without that, nothing is official. You did say your wife is your main motivator."
Kamaji's eyes widened, "You're blackmailing me with my marriage?"
A smile returned to Ayato's lips, "Welcome to the world of Inazuma politics"
"I…you…we were on good terms. You are willing to ruin that for him?" He walked around the table to be close to the Yashiro Commissioner.
"Again. I believe his name would be a proper way of addressing him"
"Then why haven't you said it?"
Ayato turned on his heel and glared, ending the speculation then and there, "Give me an answer, I do not have all day. If you announce these changes today, I will sign the certificate and you two will be in union. If not, I will make a list of all the mistakes made in the ceremony, and show that as my reasoning for the rejection."
Kamaji looked up at Ayato and grinded his teeth together, "You….fine. fine…I thought we could have been friends."
"Your mistake."