--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Compared to the last time I saw you, it seems like you have given up acting."
"So you were watching me from the ship that day?" Y/n asked Kazuha skeptically. She was unsure whether or not she could trust him, but even if she doesn't say anything, he'd most likely find out anyway.
"I just happened to look outside the ship at that very moment."
Kazuha displayed a gentle smile as he walked beside Y/n through the camp. It's been a day since the traveler and Paimon had left for Watatsumi Island with Teppei to meet the divine priestess. Y/n had also tried to go as that was her main goal since leaving Narukami Island, but of course! The doggy general had to stop her saying he had to keep an eye on her at all times.
The sky was still gray and stormy. The lightning never stopped and Y/n was always on her guard because she never knew when lightning would strike her again.
She looked up at the sky and frowned.
'I swear the Raiden Shogun has something against me.'
Y/n looked back at her acquaintance when he began laughing. She gave him a questioning look to which he looked away and tried to suppress his laughter.
"What's so funny?"
The samurai gave her a side glance and shook his head. "No no. It's just you seem very angry at the storm. Almost as if you would pick a fight against the Shogun for all the lightning!"
"It's almost like you can read my mind..." Y/n sighed, continuing on her walk down to the beach.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sound of bamboo swords echoed on the beach as the two sparred. Within the fight, Y/n switched between different skills from Liyue and Inazuma. Both watched each other's ways of fighting and thought of ways to counter attack. After a few duels, the two sat down on the cold sand.
"I recognize some of your techniques. They originated from Liyue, correct?"
Y/n nodded her head and laid down. It had been a long time since she had freely spoken whatever with anyone besides Sara and Heizou.
"...Wouldn't it be nice to see some fireworks right now?"
Kazuha hummed in reply. "Yes, that would be wonderful. Perhaps once the vision hunt decree is abolished, there will be many firework shows again."
"We should go see one together then..." Y/n spoke without thinking. She felt Kazuha's gaze on her and she bolted up, realizing what she had just said out loud. "Sorry- I know we just met." She sighed while shaking her head.
"No, that's quite alright. I wouldn't mind accompanying you to a firework show."
"Is that so? Even with someone from the Tenryou Commission? I thought you would find me suspicious like all the others in the resistance."
"I may have not spent that much time with you, but after spending the day together, I cannot sense any bad intentions. Rather, it seems like you are on our side."
With Kazuha's response, the h/c haired girl laughed. Her e/c eyes released a cheerful glimmer. "Congratulations, Maple boy. You're the first person I trust since leaving Narukami Island."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Y/n,
How has your vacation been? Tell me you haven't done anything stupid. Just kidding. I'm joking! I know you haven't done anything stupid. I mean you are Y/n. After you left the island, that Tengu keeps complaining about how I don't show up to the station as much! She should be grateful I still show up every now and then. Anyways I thought you might want something to remind you of our walks to Ritou so I sent you a maple leaf! Since you aren't here in person, you can't do anything about it! Haha! Though... If you are actually reading this and the resistance didn't intercept this letter... Now that's a surprise! Don't worry about how I found out that you're with the resistance. I'm a detective and I have my own ways! When you come back, let's spend more time together, alright? If you bring back some random boy you met out on the front lines like those light novels from the Yae publishing house, I'll be really annoyed. Got that?
Yours Truly,
Shikanoin Heizou
P.S. I'm serious about everything. Did you doubt my words?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------