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As the festival’s noises faded out behind them and the lights started to fade out behind the wood, the group walked at a leisure pace back to the Grandcypher; Vyrn, Lyria and Deejta were far ahead Azusa and Narmaya, their cheerful voices raising to the starry sky as they skipped a beat in their steps, the small dragon flying above the two girls’ heads while they discussed that afternoon.
“Hehe, they all seem so happy! I’m so glad we all come together today.” Narmaya says as she giggled in her fist, head slightly tilted. By her side, Azusa agrees, a smile spreading in her lips as she watches the small group leading the way.
They had eaten their fair share of snacks, played games until they ran out of coupons and even participated in the festival’s main event, wrapped by the colorful and shiny paper lights and fireworks flourishing in the sky. Even when everyday was joyful by the side of the captain, Narmaya could say for sure this has been one of the best nights of her life, her heart still swelling with the delight of that night.
As she looks down at the white yukata adorned by butterflies, she is sure it was because of it—the yukata she won thanks to Azusa, allowing her to live the dream of attending the festival with one. Because she was wrapped in Azusa’s yukata, Narmaya was blessed by such lovely night.
Azusa. Yes, it must be because she was by her side that day that the festival felt so especial. Even now, her hand can still feel the strength of her swings and the edge of her sword, her legs can still remember the rhythm of their dance.
Narmaya wants to tell that to Azusa, she wants her to know how full her chest feels when she’s by her side—that next year, they must come to the same festival again, the two of them.
“Azusa, I’m- woah!” But as she speaks up, Narmaya feels how one of her feet lose its footing, but rather than the ground turning slippery under her, its her sandal—between her toes she could clearly feel the cloth giving in and snapping. Trying to prevent her falling, she grabs on Azusa’s long sleeve, inertia causing her to stumble against her side.
Bumping against Azusa, she could feel the warm of her body, the dampness and salty smell of sweat stuck to her skin. And she can also see her face close to her, so close the darkness of the night cannot hide her features; her bright crimson eyes that pierce her with such ardent gaze, the long lashes that gives them cover, the tenderness of her cheeks as well as the luster of her slim, pink lips—when Narmaya looks at them so close by, she can only concentrate on them, gulping sharply as her breath hastens; in that moment, her breath is racing as fast as when she’s fighting, yet she feels so dull, her head covered in a hazy mist.
“Narmaya, are you alright?” Azusa quickly asks with great worry, turning around to help Narmaya stabilize, catching the captain’s and the rest attention.
“I’m fine, don’t worry, it’s just…” Narmaya chirps to not worry her friends, laughing awkwardly as she lowers her gaze to the snapped sandal. Like that, she would not be able to go back to the ship.
Seeing she’s fine, Djeeta asks Azusa to take care of Narmaya before making a race to the ship, saying she will go grab her a pair of shoes so she can go back. Lyria and Vyrn not so far behind her, though they’re not very fast as their yukata reduces their speed.
Narmaya simply looks them go, her hands grabbing firmly Azusa as her mast, only one of her legs useful as a support. Her heart beats fast like a piston in her chest as she feels Azusa’s warmth under her hands, her chest brushing hers and her hands holding her by the waist, pressing their bodies together. Narmaya wonders if Azusa is aware of that, of how she’s affecting her to the point her head feels like spinning out of its axis.
Maybe she should walk barefoot, it may be a hassle, but she didn’t want the captain to bother herself for her.
“How could it snap so easily?” Azusa asks with a dry laugh, but it’s a rhetorical question, they both crack in laughter as they remember their sparring that night, the flashes of their edges crossing against each other popping as fireworks in their minds—there was no way such footwear would stand such cadence.
Laughing like so carelessly like that brings Narmaya back to old times.
But before nostalgia can wash over her, she squeals as her body is suddenly lifted.
Narmaya’s eyes widen as she finds herself being held between Azusa’s arms, bridal carry style. In a reflex, she grabs Azusa’s collar between her hands as air leaves her lungs. If her heart was beating fast before, now Narmaya was sure it was about to burst out like a firework in an array of colors.
“Azusa!?” Narmaya can only yell her friend’s name as she looks up at her. When her eyes caught a look at Azusa, she can see under the veil of night the brightness of her blush, almost neon colored against her pale skin, lips pouting as she avoids her gaze with embarrassment plastered all over her face.
“We cannot make the captain make such route twice, I can carry you back.” Azusa says in a whisper, her voice constricted as she tries to keep it even.
Narmaya wonders if Azusa is looking forward instead of at her because she feels too embarrassed too.
“I’m too heavy for that.” Narmaya tries to deter her from it, not knowing if her heart would hold on until their arrive to the ship. “I can walk.”
But Azusa is obstinate and simply starts to walk with Narmaya in her arms.
“It’s no problem, I want to do this.” Azusa says with finality, fastening her grip.
Even when her steps are even and firm, as Narmaya presses her face against her shoulder and a hand against her chest, she can feel how Azusa’s heart gallops wildly in her chest, fast and strong beats under her fingers betraying her faux stoicism. When she’s nervous like that, Narmaya cannot help but feel giddy, a smile lifting in her lips.
Between her arms, Narmaya feels cozy, like inside a warm cocoon. Even when she was sure their night had already been perfect, her wardrobe malfunction proved to be a blessing in disguise.
As she’s hold so closely to Azusa, with her own fireworks cracking in her chest, Narmaya wishes the way home is a long one.