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Gorou had endured a grueling day of training his subordinates, struggling to earn their respect. Despite his rank as a general, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was failing in his role. He found himself deep in thought, contemplating what he might be doing wrong.
Waiting patiently outside the base on Watatsumi Island was Itto, a friend who had an uncanny ability to listen to Gorou's troubles and provide a comforting presence.
"Sorry for the delay, Itto. It's been a long day of training," Gorou apologized as he approached.
"No worries, buddy. The festival isn't starting until later anyway," Itto replied. "But we should head to Akamane Island soon. There's a booth where you can buy Ms. Hina's next book, and I want to make sure I get a good spot when it opens!"
Gorou blushed. Little did Itto know that Gorou was the enigmatic Ms. Hina, who had been thrust into crossdressing to assist people through an advice column. His popularity had grown, thanks to Itto's ardent fandom of Ms. Hina. Their friendship had blossomed afterward.
Suppressing his embarrassment and training frustrations, Gorou mumbled, "Okay."
"Hey buddy, everything alright? You seem down," Itto observed.
"Yeah, sorry. I put so much effort into training those new recruits, but they just don't seem to listen to me. They treat me like a cute little puppy instead of the general of Watatsumi Island."
Itto chuckled. "Well, you are quite adorable."
"Ugh, not you too..."
"Sorry, couldn't resist. But seriously, don't be too hard on yourself. If they don't appreciate you now, they will eventually. You're a strong and capable general, and they're lucky to have you."
Gorou's eyes softened. "That's surprisingly reassuring. Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Let's get you a hammered and forget about those recruits for a while."
And there it was – the Itto Gorou knew and loved.
"What?! I don't know... I sometimes have trouble with moderation," Gorou hesitated.
Itto teased, "Planning to out-drink me, Mr. General?"
"I hope not. But after today's training, I might need it," Gorou admitted.
“Hey, don’t sweat it. I think treating yourself is a great idea in this situation. Let’s head off to the festival and get you just what the doctor ordered. I heard that there’s a special osmanthus wine that they’ll be selling at one of the booths. It’s straight from Monstadt so this might be the only time we’d get to try it!”
“Okay fine… I guess I could use a drink.”
"YESSS!" Itto cheered.
They set off for the docks on Watatsumi Island to catch a ride to Akamane Island. During the hike, Itto pulled out a stash of food from his pack.
"Itto, have you been carrying that food around all day? It's hot out; I hope it hasn't spoiled," Gorou cautioned.
"Nonsense! This is a special Treasure Hoarder recipe. This meat doesn't spoil," Itto confidently claimed.
Gorou stopped in his tracks. "Itto, all meat spoils."
Itto paused, giving Gorou a wide-eyed look. "What do you mean? The guy I bought it from assured me it doesn't spoil. I even paid extra Mora for the non-spoiling kind."
"Oh, Itto... you've been scammed," Gorou said with concern.
"Nah, this guy seemed legit. It tastes a bit weird, but not bad," Itto pondered for a moment. "I'm sure it's fine. You're just a worrywart. 'Preciate you worryin' 'bout lil' ole me," he teased.
"Oh, whatever. Don't blame me when you start feeling sick," Gorou replied, resigned to Itto's stubbornness.
Eventually they made it to the docks and boarded the boat. Soon they were sailing across the water towards Akamane. Gorou gazed out at the water, still replaying that morning’s training in his head.
“Hey Gorou, you really have got to stop letting yourself get all down in the dumps over people thinking you’re small. You are! So what? Embrace it.”
“Easy for you to say. You are the leader of a gang and you have the build of someone who is in charge. As for me, it’s no wonder they don’t listen,” Gorou hesitated. “I just feel so helpless.”
“Oh buddy, that’s not true. You have to know it’s not. You’re THE general of Watatsumi, you’re hella attractive, and you-“
“Wait… what was that?”
“What was what?”
“You think I’m attractive?”
“O-oh er… well… oh… oh god… hang on… I think I’m getting seasick.”
“How convenient,” teased Gorou.
“No… like actually dude… shit!” Itto dove towards the side of the boat and began to throw up.
“Oh my gods you were serious? Ugh, this is why I said you shouldn’t have eaten that food.”
Seeing that Itto was struggling to keep his hair out of his face, Gorou ran over to the oni and held his hair back while his friend was tipped over the side of the boat. “Here, I’ve got you.”
Gorou smirked to himself, finding the sudden sickness after such a bold compliment rather amusing. It was then that he noticed how soft and fluffy Itto’s hair was. Hell, he was part dog and this man might’ve been fluffier than he was. Soft, delicate strands filled his hands like wisps of cotton candy. While holding Itto’s hair back, he began rubbing his hand in small circles on Itto’s back.
Soon Itto lifted his head up, eyes puffy and red. “Thank you for keeping my hair back. You’re… ugh… a good friend,” he mumbled through groans of pain.
“Not to worry. I am the general of Watatsumi Island. I would help you even if you weren’t my friend because that’s what a great general should do. Are you feeling better now?”
Itto's heart melted at the concern and care his friend was showing for him. “Yeah much better now that that nastiness is outta me. Phew,” he sighed, slumping to the floor of the boat. Gorou sat down on the floor next to him, now gently rubbing Itto's shoulder instead.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better. I’m sorry you got tricked by whatever urchin tried to practically poison you.”
“It’s okay… when you’re the great leader of the amazing Arataki Gang, stuff like this happens all the time.”
“...Are you sure it has something to do with you being the leader of the Arataki Gang and not… erm… you?”
“Pffft no. If it was me, then why would I poison myself? Duh.”
“No, that's not what I… never mind. I’m just glad you’re feeling better,” Gorou corrected.
Before long, they were reaching the shore. Gorou paid the ferryman a little extra due to Itto soiling the side of his ship. Then, they headed off to the festival.
The streets were all decorated and busy with life as vendors called to passersby to see their wares.
Itto scanned the stalls before locking on to one in particular: Ms. Hina’s stall. He grabbed Gorou by the hand and began zipping through the crowd, set on getting one of her books. Gorou yelped, but eventually succumbed to getting dragged around by Itto. There were about 20 people ahead of them in line once they reached the stall, so they would have to wait for a while.
While beginning to wait, a certain pink fox-eared Guuji caught the corner of Gorou’s eye. He stiffened at the sight of her, knowing that this would be bad. She locked eyes with him, snickering. He could only guess what she must be thinking. She then glanced from Gorou to Itto and grinned. This was going to be very bad.
Yae approached them, her mischievous grin widening. "Hello, General Gorou. How delightful to see you here. I had no idea you were such a fan of Ms. Hina," she teased.
Gorou felt his face flush. He hoped Yae wouldn't push the issue further.
Itto, however, played along. "Actually, I just brought him along. I’m soooooo excited for this book! Ah! I hear it’s going to have anecdotes from Ms. Hina’s ACTUAL life. Can you believe it?"
Yae Miko glanced from Gorou to Itto and winked. "How intriguing, Gorou. Personal details about Ms. Hina's life. I wonder who she truly is beneath all that hair and makeup?"
Gorou stammered, his embarrassment growing. "U-uhm... yeah, that's... quite something."
Yae giggled, hoping she could get out at least one more quip before Gorou would actually break. “Well I will leave you both to it. I have many errands to run and was just stopping by to check the status of the booth. I’ll see you later Ms. Hin- I mean Gorou.”
At this Gorou’s face turned a deep shade of pink. Of course she would try to tease him like this. He was easy bait after all. Yae chuckled and left them, her work done.
"Did you hear that, Gorou? It sounded like she almost called you Ms. Hina," Itto said obliviously.
Gorou breathed a sigh of relief. "Yeah, that was pretty silly of her... I guess."
They finally reached the front of the line at Ms. Hina's booth. Itto's excitement was palpable as he chatted with the seller about Ms. Hina's work, while Gorou stood by, feeling both grateful for Itto's enthusiasm and nervous about being exposed. Thankfully, the oni wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer.
As they left the booth with the coveted book, Gorou noticed his friend's lingering concern.
"Hey, are you okay, Gorou? You still seem a bit off," Itto observed.
"Oh, it's just... I'm still feeling a bit down from this morning," Gorou offered, trying to divert attention away from his internal struggles.
"Aw, come on, cheer up, buddy. I'll buy you the best food at the festival. There's this one booth that sells the best Tricolor Dango in the world!"
"You don't have to do that. I'm fine, really," Gorou said with a weak smile.
"Nonsense! I have my book now, so I'm good. Now I just need to learn how to read," Itto joked.
With an appreciative smile, Gorou allowed Itto to lead him through the festival, their friendship providing a much-needed respite from his worries.
Draping an arm around Gorou's shoulders, Itto led him on a lively journey through the festival. Their path meandered past stalls offering delectable foods, displays of exquisite fabrics, intricately carved jade ornaments, and more. Laughter and joy filled the air as people reveled in the festivities.
As they strolled together, Itto's fingers gently brushed against Gorou's, a subtle but electric connection. Itto's eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and affection before he spotted the Tricolor Dango booth once again. Without hesitation, he grabbed Gorou's hand in his, pulling him along as they hurried to the stall. With a charming smile, Itto ordered servings of the sweet treats for both of them.
They continued their leisurely journey through the festival, savoring the flavors of their dango as they savored each other's company. While Itto devoured his portion in record time, Gorou relished each bite, finding solace in the simple pleasure of the moment.
As the evening advanced, the time for the grand fireworks show approached. "Let's find the perfect spot to watch the fireworks," Itto suggested with a radiant grin.
Gorou hesitated, his vulnerability surfacing. "I... um... I'm not a fan of fireworks, actually," he admitted.
Itto's response was understanding and reassuring. "No problem at all. We can watch them from a distance or do something else entirely."
Relieved by Itto's understanding, Gorou agreed, even though he felt guilty for dampening Itto's enthusiasm for the fireworks. This inner turmoil weighed heavily on him, as he struggled with his perceived weakness and the pressure to live up to his role as a general.
Guided by Itto, they ascended a quiet hillside where they could observe the fireworks from a tranquil distance, away from the deafening explosions. They settled onto the grass, awaiting the spectacle. The first burst of fireworks startled Gorou, and his discomfort was evident, despite his prior attempts to avoid showing it.
His inner turmoil intensified. He berated himself for not being able to enjoy such a simple pleasure as fireworks, and for not living up to his own expectations of strength and bravery. It was as if his weaknesses had overshadowed his identity as a general.
Feeling overwhelmed, Gorou excused himself to find a restroom. Alone in the bathroom, he unleashed the pent-up emotions that had plagued him throughout the evening. Tears streamed down his face as he confronted his own insecurities, questioning his worthiness as a general and friend.
Suddenly, the bathroom door swung open, and Itto entered, concerned by Gorou's absence. "What's going on?" Itto asked, his eyes filled with worry as he took in Gorou's tearful state.
Gorou attempted to explain, his voice choked with emotion. "I'm sorry. Go back and enjoy the fireworks. I just... everything became too much."
Itto, however, refused to leave his friend in distress. "No, I'm here for you, buddy," he stated, reaching out to tenderly wipe away Gorou's tears. "You're not weak, Gorou. Remember what I told you this morning? You're incredible."
Gorou's trembling lips curved into a fragile smile, touched by Itto's reassurance. "Really? It's just... it's difficult not being as strong as you."
Itto's eyes sparkled with affection as he gently cupped Gorou's face in his hands. "It's okay. We all have different strengths and bodies. My appearance is mostly because of my oni heritage. You're an outstanding general, and your body type doesn't define your worth."
Gorou sniffled, the weight of his self-doubt gradually lifting. "But my men won't listen... I can’t even get something as stupid as peacefully watching fireworks right!"
Itto leaned closer, his voice filled with sincerity. "That's alright. Fireworks don't have to be your thing. You don't have to be so hard on yourself."
Gorou began to protest, but Itto stopped him firmly. "No more 'buts.' Say it with me: 'I'm a good general.'"
Gorou, his heart warmed by Itto's unwavering support, repeated with newfound conviction, "I'm a good general."
Itto smiled, his eyes locked onto Gorou's. "That's right. Never forget it."
Grateful for Itto's presence and encouragement, Gorou felt a deep connection between them. The vulnerability they had shared in that moment brought them closer together than ever before. Gorou's initial worries about disappointing Itto had transformed into an appreciation for the depth of their friendship.
"Thank you, Itto," Gorou whispered, his voice soft and filled with genuine gratitude.
A tender smile played on Itto's lips as he replied, "No problem at all. I can't bear to see my favorite puppy in distress."
As Gorou's cheeks flushed with a bashful hue, Itto enveloped him in a warm, comforting embrace. Gorou nestled into the safety of Itto's chest, cherishing the closeness they shared. Itto's presence felt like a soothing balm to his soul, and he couldn't help but marvel at the qualities that made Itto so captivating—his kindness, humor, warmth, coolness-
Oh shit he was down bad.
Realization hit Gorou like a lightning bolt, leaving him in a state of mild panic. He was head over heels for Itto, and the intensity of his feelings was overwhelming. In his flustered state, he stumbled backward, nearly losing his balance. But Itto's quick reflexes kicked in, saving him from an embarrassing fall. Itto's strong arms wrapped around Gorou's waist, sending a delightful shiver down his spine.
"Hey, watch out! I've got you," Itto reassured him, his voice filled with genuine concern. The gentle grip of Itto's hands on his waist sent Gorou's heart racing even faster, leaving him more flustered than ever.
As they regained their composure, Itto slowly withdrew, his face tinged with a captivating mix of shyness and embarrassment. He had no inkling that Gorou harbored such feelings for him, or he might have held onto him longer, cherishing the closeness that had enveloped them.
"W-well, we better get back to the festival, huh? It sounds like the fireworks have stopped," Gorou stammered, trying to distract himself from his racing heart.
Itto agreed, his voice filled with a warm understanding. "Yeah, let's—wait! We still haven't tried the osmanthus wine I was going to get you! If we don't hurry, the booth might close."
Gorou's concerns resurfaced as he sniffled, fearing he had spoiled the evening for Itto.
"It's not too late," Itto assured him with a reassuring smile. "If we miss it, we miss it. But I'm certain we can find our own way to have fun."
Gorou let out a contented sigh, his heart brimming with affection for Itto's thoughtful perspective. "Okay, let's go!"
They rushed out of the restroom, hand in hand, heading straight to the wine booth. Luck was on their side, as they arrived just in time.
"You boys are lucky," the shopkeeper remarked. "We were about to close up for the day."
Itto beamed at Gorou, their adventure far from over. "Wow! I can't believe we made it!"
Gorou shared in his excitement, a sense of joy washing over him. "I know, we made great time. Three of your finest osmanthus wine bottles, please," he requested, his heart soaring with anticipation of the night ahead.
The shopkeeper handed them the bottles, and Itto paid for them with a flourish. Gorou couldn't help but admire how generous Itto was, always going out of his way to make sure Gorou was having a good time.
With the bottles in hand, they headed to a quieter part of the festival, away from the crowds. Itto found a comfortable spot for them to sit, and they opened the bottles. The sweet scent of osmanthus wafted out, and Gorou took a cautious sip. It was unlike any wine he had tasted before, and he found himself enjoying the delicate flavors.
As they continued to drink and talk, Gorou's earlier worries began to fade away. Itto's presence was comforting, and his easygoing nature put Gorou at ease. The night air was warm, and the festival lights created a magical atmosphere around them.
As they finished their first bottle, Gorou felt a pleasant warmth spreading through his body. Itto, too, seemed to be feeling the effects of the wine, as he became more animated and carefree with each passing minute. They laughed, shared stories, and talked about their hopes and dreams.
Itto leaned in closer, their shoulders touching. "You know, Gorou," he began, his words slightly slurred from the wine, "I'm really glad we're friends."
Gorou smiled, his heart fluttering. "Me too, Itto. You've made today so much better for me."
Itto's hand found its way to Gorou's shoulder, and he squeezed it gently. "You're not alone, buddy. We're in this together."
Gorou felt a rush of emotion, and without thinking, he leaned in and hugged Itto tightly. Itto hugged him back just as fiercely, and they stayed like that for a moment, two friends finding comfort in each other's arms.
When they finally pulled away, Gorou's heart was pounding in his chest. The wine had loosened their inhibitions, and the closeness they had just shared left a warm, lingering feeling between them.
Itto looked at Gorou with a soft, affectionate smile. "You know what, Gorou? I think you're amazing. You're strong in your own way, and you make a great general."
Gorou blushed, feeling a surge of affection for Itto. "Thank you, Itto. You're pretty amazing yourself."
Their eyes locked, and the world seemed to fade away around them. The alcohol had made them bold, and in that moment, they leaned in and kissed.
It was a soft, gentle kiss, filled with the warmth of their friendship and the sweet taste of osmanthus wine. Their lips met and parted, and they kissed again, their closeness growing more intense with each passing second.
The night was filled with the sound of their laughter, the glow of the festival lights, and the shared intimacy of that kiss. Itto and Gorou clung to each other, their hearts entwined, as they continued to enjoy the festival and the newfound connection between them.