Chapter Text
Rain pounded against the Kamisato Estate's windows as Ayaka sat in her office, working diligently at her desk. So much paperwork... was that festival supposed to start so soon? she mused remorsefully. Standing up from her cushion, she arched her back and stretched her arms. How long have I been working? She glanced at the window out of habit, only to be met with a ferocious downpour. The blurry droplets obscured her view of the estate's yard, let alone the sun or the sky.
A dejected sigh escaped her, to which she quickly covered her mouth and straightened her shoulders. You are the Shirisagi Himegime. She scolded herself like her mother once did. You must uplift the people's spirits as a paragon of grace and humility. You have no business sighing when there is work to be done. With that, she sternly composed herself back on the cushion and resumed toiling through the stack of forms on her desk.
Though she couldn't see the sun's position in the sky, her aching back told her that she must’ve been sitting here since at least early morning. Her stomach felt numb. Skipping meals was a bad idea, even if Thoma brought her tea and snacks whenever he could.
She penned about a fourth of the remaining stack before reluctantly giving in to her body's cries for help. Rising from her seat and stretching once more, she contemplated the points made from her latest meeting with the Tri-Commission heads. It seems Watatsumi Island is still recuperating from the war, so tensions are still high between them and the rest of Inazuma. I suppose it will be difficult to regain their trust, but we should mediate their concerns as soon as we can. After all, we don't want to promote any more ill-will between us. She was tempted to sigh once more, but held herself back.
As she slid open her office’s wooden panel door, Ayaka stepped from the estate's main hallway into the kitchen. “Thoma?” She called out hopefully. “Are you there?” Her stomach yearned for a bowl of comforting miso soup.
“My lady?” He called back. She spotted him peeking out of the pantry, then quickly hurrying to her side. “Are you finished with your duties? Nevermind that, you should relax.” His voice was full of concern.
“Thank you. I’m sorry to bother you, but could you prepare a bowl of your signature dish for me please?” Thoma was the one person she felt safe enough with to confide in, sometimes even more so than her own brother. He was as great of a listener as he was a cook, making him her most trustworthy advisor.
“No problem at all! One bowl of miso soup, coming right up. It’ll only be a moment m’lady.” In a flash, tofu, seaweed, stock, and carrots were moved from the pantry into a pot, with the heat on medium. Ayaka headed back to her office, comforted by the thought of a warm bowl of soup to return to. “Don't be too hard on yourself Miss Kamisato!” Thoma called as she left.
Picking up her pen from her desk, she resolved to conquer the stack of paperwork once and for all. The minutes passed by, with each document being more tedious to read than the last. “Which clause were they referring to again?” Ayaka muttered to herself. “And did they mention this in the briefing?” The writing and signing felt endless, yet her progress was evidenced by the once insurmountable stack slowly dwindling away.
Knock knock. Knock knock. Ayaka scrawled another signature before looking up. “My lady!” Thoma called nervously from the other side of the door. “You have a guest, it’s… Lady Miko.” He half whispered the name, as if simultaneously saying it and being heard would summon her personally to condemn him. “She has a message to deliver to you, if you’re not too busy.”
The head of the Narukami shrine, showing up without prior notice? To think she traveled all this way, especially in this weather. Ayaka thought, alarmed. “I’ll be right there. Do bring her some tea if you haven't already.” She signed one last document before glancing shamefully from the nearly completed pile to the doorway. Yae Miko doesn’t usually bother with going anywhere in person, this must be urgent. Steadying herself, Ayaka stood and neatly flattened her dress before heading to greet her guest outside.
The Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine waited at the entrance of the Yashiro Commission headquarters, her chief stature framed by the doorway. Her ears flicked slightly to shake off an irksome drop of water. Beside her, two soaked shrine maidens put away their umbrellas, and dried themselves with towels that Thoma had hospitably offered.
“Do you care for any tea, Lady Miko?” The housekeeper’s voice shook as he held out a tray of green tea. She delicately accepted a cup, and took a whiff. As she Lurched from the bitter aroma, she aversely replied, “No thanks, I’m quite alright.” However, after recovering from her disdain, a playful half smile showed itself as she set down the drink. She continued, “I’m awfully parched right now. Rumor has it, when kitsune don’t get the nourishment they need, they tend to drain the life force of whichever unlucky human is closest to them. Unfortunately, even as the head priestess of the Narukami Shrine, I’m not immune to our nature. Who knows what would happen if I’m not offered something tasteful to drink soon..!” Watching the color drain from Thoma’s face, she remarked, “Well don’t give me that look, I haven’t started yet.”
When Ayaka emerged from her office once more, the sight of Thoma cowering before a mischievous Miko greeted her, to no surprise. Partially feeling bad for Thoma, she subtly cleared her throat and made herself known. “Greetings, Lady Miko. What brings you so urgently to our estate? I see Thoma has offered you many hospitalities already,” she acknowledged the shrine maidens, who seemed to be recovering from the cold with tea and towels. “I would hope we haven’t inconvenienced you any further – I understand the journey here was quite a struggle.”
Backing off of the housekeeper, Yae Miko doted, “Hello Miss Kamisato, it’s been a while hasn’t it? I’ll admit the refreshments were a bit subpar, but I suppose I’ll excuse it just this once.” At this, Thoma took a few steps back, bowed deeply, and stammered, "My– my deepest apologies, Lady Miko! I’ll make sure the refreshments cater better to you next time.” Meekly, in a strained voice, he added, “Please don’t eat me…”
Yae Miko wore a coy smile. “I only just got here, yet I’m looking forward to my next visit already. My, the Kamisatos really are as accommodating as ever.” Turning back to Ayaka, she proceeded, “I heard you’ve been working on the cultural festival taking place next month. How’s that going?”
Ayaka gave her usual professional reply, “The preparations have been going smoothly. I’d like to thank the Grand Narukami Shrine for their help with the decorations and certain stalls. You’ve been a tremendous help, as always.” After a pause though, she hesitantly confided, “However, it’s been difficult to determine how to integrate Watatsumi Island’s culture into the festivities as well. After all, tensions persist on both sides after the war. This festival is meant to alleviate everyone’s worries, yet it’s still no easy feat to pull off.”
Yae Miko performed a playfully theatric sigh. “Oh dear, that’s quite the problem you have there.” Then, in a cunning tone, she added, “Lucky for you, Lady Miko is here to help.”
A small, neat envelope emerged from Yae Miko’s sleeve, and was bestowed upon Ayaka’s hands. Before she could ask what it was for, Guuji Yae warned, “Don’t open it now. This contains the mailing address and pen name of Sanganomiya Kokomi, the divine priestess of Watatsumi Island.” Watching Ayaka’s brows rise in slight surprise, she clarified, “She and I have corresponded over political and military tactics in the past, and I suppose we would only serve to gain from having you establish a connection with her as well… As you know, this information should be kept in confidence between us. I wouldn’t want my dear penpal to start receiving junk mail after all.”
Ayaka carefully inspected the envelope, intrigued. “Thank you very much Guuji Yae. Truly, you have my gratitude.” After tucking it away safely with her folding fan, she bowed gratefully. Was this opportunity too good to be true? It seemed to perfectly fit her needs, with no strings attached. “If I may ask, what would you like in return?” Ayaka questioned. “The Yashiro commission, as you know, will do anything in its power to assist you.”
Yae Miko only replied with a gentle, amused hum. “Surprisingly, I’m not looking for anything practical in return. Just keep me posted.” Her ears flicked coyly. “Oh, and some fried tofu next time.”
…
Sangonomiya Kokomi, leader of the resistance, divine priestess of Watatsumi Island, sole of the deep, Ayaka skimmed, browsing through the list of titles that her new penpal beheld. Truly impressive, She thought to herself, to be so accomplished with such a short career thus far. She recalled her days of intense training to become the Shirasagi Himegime. It wasn’t farfetched to assume Kokomi had endured similar, if not more robust, training to get this far. Strangely, Ayaka felt a connection between herself and a leader she had never met before.
Greetings Sole of the Deep,
In case you’re unaware, Fried Tofu With All The Frills referred me to you. She suggested I come to you about any queries I have regarding Watatsumi Island’s culture in preparation for the upcoming cultural festival held on Narukami Island. In light of recent events, I would like to extend a hand offering to invite Watatsumi Island’s residents to be involved in the festivities as well. However, I am ashamed to admit that unfortunately, I am ill-informed about your history and culture. If you have the time, I would owe you my most sincere gratitude if you would suggest anything you think should be included in the activities or exhibits. This is an opportunity to unite our people and quell any uneasiness remaining between us, and I treasure the prospect of working with you, both on this project and those of the future.
Sincerely, Frostflake Heron.
Ayaka reread the letter over and over again. Was it too formal? Ah, but this was being sent on business terms right? Of course it’s formal, it’s a professional letter. Still, her heart thumped nervously in her chest. Despite being well-versed with the social scene, she didn’t have much experience with making friends.
Snap out of it, Ayaka, she thought to herself. You’re not here to make friends, this is being sent strictly on business terms. Don’t get ahead of yourself. She reread the letter once more. But… it is rather stuffy. Lady Yae said we were penpals, right? Surely being a little less rigid wouldn’t hurt anybody.
With some hesitation, she doodled a little snowflake next to her signature, and sent the letter on its way. Hopefully the priestess won’t be offended, Ayaka thought nervously.