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Business is slow today, Chiori thought. Now one must prepare for periods of stagnancy when one had their own business, but it's still unusual. Usually she’d be making a gown of some sort for one noble lady at this hour. She just finished fitting a wedding dress earlier and she would have been making a suit as well by this time. However, she forced the client to… reconsider his request after he harassed the bride-to-be. Some people are much too entitled and lose their temper while waiting. Especially young noblemen who thought their time was more precious than anyone else's.
Actually, maybe it isn't so strange that business is on the slower side, she thought, looking now at the broken glass window in the store front. The store looked more like a crime scene than a leading fashion house currently. Anyone would be put off by this, especially potential customers. But Chiori couldn't find it in herself to regret what she did.
The sound of the door pulled Chiori out of her reverie. A customer, finally, Chiori thought. “Welcome to Chioriya Boutique-” she stopped seeing who it was that entered. She never thought she’d see this face again, after she left Inazuma all those years ago. After she left everything behind back at home.
Kamisato Ayato walked into the shop, hand in the pocket of his signature white suit and donning an easygoing smile, his hair slicked back. He cast his eyes all around her shop before his eyes settled on Chiori and smiled softly, making her heart pound faster. His smile dropped off, however, when he saw the broken window.
“Chiori, what happened here? Are you alright?” concern filled his violet eyes.
“A customer was being rude.” Chiori explained, trying to keep her face nonchalant.
“And I take it you kicked him out through the window?” Ayato inquired, eyebrows raised.
“No, this one jumped out on his own this time.”
Ayato laughed, the melodic sound filling her ears. “You haven't changed much, have you, Chiori?” His eyes shone with amusement and pride, his eye wrinkles deepening as he smiled.
She could feel his eyes on her, looking at her up and down. She’s no stranger to being stared at, considering her choice of attire most days, but Ayato's gaze always had a way of making people feel exposed, like he knew all their secrets and dreams.
“What brings you here today?” She looked him straight in the eyes, slipping into her customer service persona.
“Right, yes. Ahem.” He tore his eyes away from her body, and returned her gaze, looking at her directly. “I need a western style suit for a diplomatic dinner hosted at Palais Mermonia in a week. I do not know the styles that are in vogue here in Fontaine so I'll leave the choice of design in your capable hands.”
“Noted,” Chiori nodded. “Would you like to choose the color of the suit at the very least, Ayato?”
“Uh, perhaps white?” he said to the surprise of absolutely nobody. Knowing him, he most likely had seven sets of the same identical white suit hanging in his closet. One for each day of the week, to eliminate the mental energy of choosing an outfit for the day. She wouldn’t put it past him.
“What kind of white? Pure white, off white, cream or maybe ecru?” Chiori pressed.
“There's a difference?” Ayato said incredulously while smiling.
“Of course, there's a difference! You are still clueless about fashion, even after all this time.”
Ayato laughed. “What can I say, I have more pressing things to think about than the difference between cream and ecru.”
She bristled. She was about to go on a tangent about color shades, tone and saturation but then she saw his teasing smirk. She decided against it. He was not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her riled up.
“Look, all I'm saying is, maybe you can branch out to wearing other colors.” Chiori looked at her fabric swatches, “Hmm, you look like a spring, maybe light blue? But would it be appropriate for an evening event at Palais Mermonia though, hmm.”
“What's wrong with white?” Ayato asked. He still won't let his signature color go.
“Too bridal, especially at this time of the year.” Chiori said.
“I don't see anything wrong with bridal.”
“Absolutely not, you're meeting Monsieur Neuvilette, not marrying him.”
“Why, Chiori, are you jealous?” He teased. His smile was too wide now, grin too knowing.
She scoffed, but didn't refute it. “You're already married to your work.”
“You're the last person who can say that to me.” He retorted, crossing his arms.
“Fair enough.” she said begrudgingly.
Ayato walked towards the mannequins on display at the corner. He scrutinized them, eyes narrowed.
“What about this one?” He pointed to the outfit the mannequin was wearing.
"You want to wear a hot pink suit?” It's her turn to look incredulous.
“Yes, why not.” Ayato tried to keep a straight face, but was failing.
“Hmm, you don't have the flamboyance to pull it off. Your image is too straight laced.” He's far from Monsieur Lyney, the magician, who modeled this exact outfit last fashion week.
“I have an idea.” Chiori said, grabbing a black embroidered blazer from a nearby rack. “Here, try this on with this tie.”
“A black suit, how revolutionary.” He said with a hint of sarcasm. He obeyed though, putting his arm through one armhole, then the other.
“I prefer to think of it as a classic. You seem like you could pull off the classics well.” Chiori said.
“How do I look, Chiori?” Ayato said, awaiting her verdict.
Handsome as the day that I lost you, Chiori thought. “Black also suits you and the tie brings out the color of your eyes,” Chiori admitted. “Your tie is crooked, here let me.” Before he could protest, she came closer adjusting his tie.
Her memories drifted back when she used to do this for him, back when they were younger in Inazuma. Seeing him in this suit made her rethink her choices. What if she had stayed in Inazuma? What if she didn't leave, stayed by his side? What if she got married, became Lady Kamisato? What if she didn't follow her dreams of being a fashion designer? What if she didn't leave for Fontaine? What then?
“Chiori, not that I’m not enjoying this, but you're starting to strangle me.” Ayato interrupted her thoughts, slightly breathless.
“Oh right, sorry.” She quickly let go of his tie, letting him breathe.
“I didn't know you were going to be in Fontaine.” Chiori said to him. “How long will you be here?”
After catching his breath, Ayato said. “Yes, the Yashiro Commission was invited here for the Fontinalia Film Festival and to discuss Inazuman-Fontanian relations. Ayaka and I will be here for two weeks.”
There it is. It's always about work with him. She remembered now why she left. He’s never around. He’s more devoted to his duty, his clan, his country than he ever will be to her. She'll always have to walk one step behind him for the rest of her life. Her dreams and desires will always come last.
“How is Ayaka?” Chiori inquired to distract from her racing thoughts.
“She's good. She's starring in a movie,” he replied.
“That sounds like it would suit her,” Chiori agreed.
“Chiori, I-” Ayato started, but then paused, as if he changed his mind. “Chiori, have you thought about opening a branch back in Inazuma, expanding your business? The Yashiro Commission will do our utmost to help you.”
Chiori understood. She knew what he was really asking. “I don't think it's a good idea for me right now, Commissioner.” She’s not ready to leave behind the shop, her friends, the life she built for herself here.
“I see,” Ayato said, disappointed but understanding. She looked at his weary eyes. She always thought he wore the shackles of his duty with style, but now he just looked exhausted.
“However, maybe an expansion would be in the cards down the line. When that time comes, I'll come to you.” Chiori said, eyes not quite meeting his.
“Please do, Chiori,” he said. He grabbed her hand, looked into her eyes and said, “Even if it's not in the cards, I just want you to be happy.”
He smiled at her softly, “Happiness suits you, Chiori. I'm proud of you.”
What about your happiness? she thought. But she decided to keep it to herself. She must imagine Sisyphus happy as he rolls the rock up the hill once again.
“Black it is then,” Ayato said, letting go of her hand. “When can I expect to pick this up?”
“Come back in three working days,” she said, with her back away from him. She has work to do.
“Alright I will. See you then, Chiori.” He said, turning towards the door.
“Ayato?”
“Yes?”
“You're still wearing the sample blazer,” Chiori laughed.
“Oh right, sorry.”
After taking it off, he said, “Alright, I'm heading out for real this time, but I'll be back.”
“You do that,” Chiori said with a smile. She grabbed the blazer, put it on the mannequin, and began to work.