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Making people smile was something that Yoimiya truly lived for. Whether it was children running around Hanamizaka or spectators and travelers viewing her precious firework displays, bringing joy to others and a smile to the faces of others was something that Yoimiya valued greatly, and something that truly brought Yoimiya joy.
But nothing, absolutely nothing could compare to the joy and sheer elation that Yoimiya felt when she first made the daughter of the Yashiro Commission's Kamisato Clan smile.
Yoimiya could remember it vividly.
As Yoimiya was a bright fiery ball of pyro, Ayaka was the cool, calming breeze of cryo. Ayaka moved, breathed with elegance and grace and peace and calm and all things good and wonderful and when she smiled, Yoimiya felt like everything was right in the world. Ayaka was as beautiful and kind as she was graceful, and Yoimiya knew in that moment that she would do anything to protect the esteemed Shirasagi Himegimi’s smile.
What started out as a simple crush on a girl rapidly spiraled out of control. Yoimiya seemed to run into the cryo heiress seemingly everywhere.
She had half a mind to think Ayaka was purposefully seeking her out, before quickly pushing those thoughts out of her head
She’s a heiress of the Kamisato Clan and a member of the Yashiro Commission, Yoimiya told herself. You’re just a fireworks-maker that she occasionally pays to make fireworks for an event. It’s nothing special.
Yoimiya didn’t know if she was lying to herself and being delusional, or being willfully dense to protect her feelings. Or both. It was probably both.
And then, the heiress of the Kamisato Clan, representative of the Yashiro Commission, the Shirasagi Himegimi, the people’s princess, had snuck out to see Yoimiya, the fireworks-maker from the streets of Inazuma City.
“It’s funny,” Ayaka said softly. Yoimiya and Ayaka sat shoulder to shoulder, on the precipice of the Amakane Island's tallest cliff, away from the prying eyes of others. “I’ve always dreamed of something like this.”
“…like what? What do you mean?” Yoimiya asked.
“Being normal,” the heiress said. “No one is looking at me like I’m different. Or special. Or treating me like…you know.”
Yoimiya nodded. The festival goers were all fully enamored with the sparkling lights that Yoimiya had painstakingly prepared for weeks leading up to this very night, perfectly timing each and every sparkler and rocket that soared into the air. As they should be. Yoimiya would not have put in so much work for any other reaction. No one was looking at or drawing attention to the Shirasagi Himegimi, who had snuck out of the Kamisato Estate, away from the careful watch of her elder brother to attend the festival, without several bodyguards and attendants following her every move. With tensions rising between the Tri-Commissions and political discord rippling across Inazuma, the Kamisato heiress had been discouraged and advised to not attend the very events she helped organize. It had disheartened Ayaka greatly, Yoimiya noticed, when the two met up to discuss festival plans. And when Yoimiya suggested Ayaka sneak out, it was a suggestion Yoimiya expected to be taken as a joke or shut down immediately. But the gods must have been on Yoimiya’s side that day, for Ayaka had indeed taken Yoimiya’s suggestion seriously.
“But it doesn’t feel as different or jarring as I dreamt it would,” Ayaka continued, turning to face Yoimiya. Yoimiya clung on to every word that Ayaka said—her voice was a breath of fresh air, clear as the rushing rivers, easy for Yoimya to focus on even amongst the cracking of fireworks. But when her eyes met Yoimiya’s, it was as if the whole world had stopped. Nothing else existed for the fireworks-maker except for Kamisato Ayaka.
“I feel free. And calm. Like I always do with you, Yoimiya.” Ayaka continued, a soft smile painting her face. “You…being around you…you make me feel…normal. Does that make sense?”
It didn’t. Nothing made sense, after all. Yoimiya’s brain had completely shut off, focusing on nothing but the beautiful smile and light pink that tinted Ayaka’s cheeks. It was the most beautiful sight Yoimya had ever seen. No fireworks could ever compare to the smile on Ayaka’s face.
“Yeah, it makes sense,” Yoimiya lied.
“I…I enjoy being around you, Yoimiya.”
“I enjoy being around you too, Ayaka,” Yoimiya responded, meaning each and every word.
Of course she would enjoy my company. I’m probably the only company she has that is her age. Of course I would be better company than tutors and handmaidens. It’s nothing special, and I’m pulling at strings if I think it is.
“I’d…I would like to invite you to the Kamisato Estate, two days from now. In the afternoon,” the heiress spoke, the pink tint on her cheeks darkening. “For some tea. Or we could visit Komore Teahouse, if that would make you more comfortable. Although I must preface that a bodyguard may join as an escort if we were to visit Komore Teahouse. Which is why I would prefer you to visit the Kamisato Estate, I would like to just spend time with just you—please do not feel pressured, however—”
Ayaka’s face was lit up on fire, and Yoimiya noted that Ayaka must have neglected to bring her fan with her, as Ayaka raised a hand that usually would have held a fan to hide her rosy cheeks, turning away from Yoimiya. It was wildly uncharacteristic of Ayaka to speed up and stumble over her words, blushing furiously, and Yoimiya thought it was the sweetest, most adorable thing she has ever witnessed.
Oh.
Oh.
Does she mean that as in…oh gods, am I reading this right?
“I am honored to be invited, Ayaka. I would love to spend more time with you,” Yoimiya said softly. She slowly reached towards the hand Ayaka had been using to cover her face, giving Ayaka time to reject her touch in case Yoimiya had been reading things horribly wrong.
But the rejection never came. Yoimiya gently took Ayaka’s hand in her’s without a fuss, and interlocked their fingers.
Yoimiya felt Ayaka tense up beside her for a split second, before Ayaka let out a sigh of relief, and gently laid her head on Yoimiya’s shoulder, looking up at the last few fireworks of Yoimya’s show. “I look forward to spending more time with you as well,” she whispered, breath ghosting over Yoimiya’s neck.
Yoimiya leaned her head on Ayaka’s, captivated by the beautiful smile on the heiress’ face. The fireworks she had put so much time and effort into producing had become dull, drab, and dreary in comparison to the beautiful woman beside her, after all.