Work Text:
"wow..." Ayaka thought "so, thats Kunikuzushi? the next in line after Raiden Ei..." she stared at Kunikuzushi, her signature fan held up to cover her mouth. "she's absolutely gorgeous..." Her brother, Ayato, was talking... business. She couldn't understand anything they were talking about. Not that she doesn't know, on the contrary, she just couldn't focus. Not when Kunikuzushi was there.
Of course. Kunikuzushi was no stranger to stares. After all, she was Raiden Ei's puppet. Daughter, if you will. She was sitting a bit behind Raiden Ei, to the side with hands on her lap and looking down. She could feel Ayaka's stares. Kunikuzushi lifted her head slightly, and opened her eyes to look at Ayaka. The latter hasn't looked away. Instead, she kept staring. They held eye contact to what seemed hours, until Ayaka noticed and looked away shyly, holding her fan higher to cover the majority of her face.
"So, that's our renowned 'princess'," Kunikuzushi thought, "I should invite her some time to spar." she looked back down, "How quaint. She's exactly how the rumours say she is..." She thought with a soft smile on her lips.
Both Ayato and Ei noticed the... Tension (could they even call it that?). Both had mentally agreed not to bring is up as not to cause more tension between the two. Until later anyway.
And later came.
Ayaka and Ayato were in their carriage on their way home. Ayato questioned himself, how should i bring this up? He knew it wasn't all that serious, but he was curious. Maybe a bit worried, even. Kunikuzushi, as gentle as she comes, can come of as.. Rude, cold even, but of course, like mother like child
"Ayaka," He called out to his little sister, only to get a flinch in response. He raised an eyebrow as she replied with her signature smile "Y- Yes, brother?" he narrowed his eyes, "Is something the matter?" he asked, concern dripping from his voice "You were quite distracted in todays meeting." He could notice a slight.. Red tint on his sisters face. was she getting a fever? no she seemed perfectly fine, other than the weird distraction "Not only that, but it seemed like you were only focused on Miss Kunikuzushi." He pointed out, "O- Oh!" She sounded surpised. "Was that... obvious..?" she asked, voice becoming low at end.
"Painfully so," he bluntly said, "Miss Kunikuzushi..." he trailed off "She hadn't done anything to you, right?" As Ayaka heard that, her body jerked, "No!!" her voice came out louder than she hoped, startling her brother "..My apologies. Miss Kunikuzushi hadn't done anything to me. i was simply..." she put her pointer finger and thumb on her chin, to indicate deep thought. "In awe, you could say?"
"In.. Awe..?" Ayato raised an eyebrow, until a few moments later his face lit up, and his eyes widened in realisation. "Ayaka..." he called out softly, "Do you, by chance, fancy Miss Kunikuzushi?" as he said that he could see his baby sister go into multiple different emotions. She went from surprised to embarrassment to beet red. it was quite cute. He never saw his sister act that way before. He couldn't help but chuckle.
Ayaka covered her red face with her hands only to mumble something, "what was that, Ayaka?" her brother asked not catching what she said. You would think getting more embarrassed was impossible but alas she took a deep breath, "Maybe.. i..i do..?" Her brother chuckled once more.
At the same time as the siblings' conversation was happening, a similar one was happening in a different place...
"Mom?" Kunikuzushi called out, "Are.. Are you busy now?" Ei turned around to look at her, face stoic and cold, "I'm going to meet Yelan. She should be arriving soon." Her voice didn't clash from her face. A short pause came from Kunikuzushi, until she replied "I.. see." She sounded... disappointed? bummed out? Ei couldn't place her finger on it, but she knew she didn't like that tone.
"What is it?" Ei's face remained the same. indifferent and emotionless, but her voice was different. It was soft and caring. Kunikuzushi looked down, almost embarrassed. When Ei didn't get an answer she let out an assumption, "Is this about.. That human? Ayaka, I believe?" The moment Ayaka's name was mentioned was the moment Kunikuzushi's head SHOT up, her face beet red.
why was she acting this way? she just wanted to invite the princess to spare with her! not like she was interested or anything!! "I believe she's unmarried. She is your age after all." (well, converting it to human years then yes, they would be around the same age) Ei pointed out while steping closer to her child. "M- MOM???" Kunikuzushi yelled in surprise, "that's NOT-" Ei cut her off, "If you'd like i can arrange a marriage. It would be easy-" This time it was her turn to get cut off.
"MOM NO!" Kunikuzushi turned to the side while Ei looked at her intently. Anyone from the outside would think Ei was glaring at her rude daughter. But come on, we all know she would never glare at her. thats just how her eyes are! Scary, yes i know, "While the princess-" "princess?? is that how kids these days call the girls they like?" Ei thought, she knew that wasnt the point so she didnt press on at all. maybe she'd ask Yelan about it later. "-IS super pretty with her light, soft hair and blue eyes and... that cute mole under eye and-" Kunikuzushi's face became even more red the more she talked. She didn't like any of this "Ugh. i just wanted to know if it was possible if we both could spar with each other. I know you dont like me sparing with others incase if i were to hurt them but- oh my archons you're enjoying this." Kunikuzushi flatly said. She sounds so stupid right now and shes aware about it but the way her mothers face suddenly changed. That was even weirder.
Ei extended her hand to cup Kunikuzushi's face, her cold face melting into that of a sweet smile. A tear falling from her eye. "wait. A TEAR? SHES CRYING??" Kunikuzushi panicked, "wait mom why are you-"
"Oh my archons..." Ei wiped a tear with her free hand dramatically, "They grow up so fast" Kunikuzushi froze, what was she supposed to do? comfort her? Before she could think of anything else, she was pulled into a tight hug by her mother, "I'll do my best to get you two married, i promise you," she smiled while hugging her daughter who only yelled at her "I DO NOT WANT TO GET MARRIED, WOMAN."
how sweet.
some time later (bonus scenes idk):
Kamisato Estate:
"I can not wait until i tell Kaeya." Ayato smiled softly. "Wait, you want to tell Kaeya?" To Ayaka's horror, that was equivalent to pushing her into fire and smiling as she withered away. "Well, why not?" Ayato questioned with that fake innocent tone of his, "he will not let me live this down, brother! You can not tell him!!" She rushed to his side, clinging to his arm, "We'll see." he chuckled at her reaction, "Brother!" She called out, oh he was so telling Kaeya.
Tenshukaku Estate:
"You're telling me," Yelan spoke while reaching her hand to side-hug Kunikuzushi, who was on the verge on actually turning as red as a tomato, if not more, "That our little Kunikuzushi fancies someone?" she smirked, hugging her tighter, "i told you, its NOT like that!" she yelled out. "what does 'fancies' mean?" yaoyao asked as she was in Ei's lap, playing with Yuegui, while Kunikuzushi and Yelan "argued" (it was more like Yelan trying to get Kunikuzushi to admit she likes Ayaka) "It means liking someone, or something" Ei explained calmly, "so, Kuni likes someone?" she asked, Yelan and Ei replied "Yes!" while Kunikuzushi said "No." at the same time.