sempiternals | are we crawling, and falling?

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are we crawling, and falling? | @houndfangs

[ It's late, and Sangonomiya Kokomi should be asleep. Sleep deprivation, after all, can lead to any myriad number of issues, none pleasant nor conducive to a successful diplomatic trip— which, considering her current status as on a diplomatic trip, is a problem more pressing than usual. Not only are there the physical issues that on their own are something of a concern, but there's also the threat of weakened mental acuity and heightened emotional instability. So, really, going to sleep would be the best option, and if her body would just listen to logic and obey her, then all of this would be much easier.

Unfortunately, said logic does nothing to make it easy by calming the actual issue at hand, which is that sleep is doing its very best to evade her.

And that's why she's currently in the courtyard of the Tenryou Commission Headquarters, where she and her retinue are generously being housed, watching the stars and the full moon, her ears tuned to the sounds of the city around them. And really, she's not meant to be out here on her own; the peace is still new, the wounds still fresh enough that she promised her people that she'd keep a guard on her person at all times...

But it's late, and she didn't want to wake anyone for what is essentially a pity party.

......

She misses the ocean.

It's not that the capital is far from the shore, but unlike Watatsumi, it isn't one with the water that surrounds it. The smells in the air are those of festival foods and fireworks, the sounds those of people talking and celebrating the turn of a new year. At home, it would be the calming scents of salt and sand, the soothing hush of the rolling waves.

With a sigh, Kokomi takes a seat on the wooden stairs, her eyes trained on the sky.

Strange, isn't it, how with the war over, there seem to be so many little things for which she no longer knows how to prepare. ]

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(His own tasting of it after she takes her bite is definitely not what he expects too, surprisingly not too bad? Odd perhaps, but not that bad given he's tasted the bitter melon before straight without anything dampening the bitterness. Needless to say he did not enjoy that escapade of his after whenever he had to wash his tongue of the taste repeatedly. He wouldn't wish that on just anyone.

A momentary swallow later, he's mulling over how to respond given his eyes likely watered a little from the reminder of his previous experience.) Not what I expected either? Not bad, but the flavors definitely different than the usual. (Though if he knew she planned to cover this by giving him a bonus he would have ironically been wanting to deny it left and right.

He didn't want her to think she had to give him the extra money though he's grateful for her wanting to either way.

He doesn't always shell out like this but he wanted to give her memories of this time something special to look back on. Even if he didn't realize that he accidentally guessed she was eyeing it to try it since he had looked at it personally and did think it would be something different to try.)

I think I prefer this to the time I ate lavender melon straight. I was told that my face looked like I was fed a lemon and comparable to an unhappy pup. (Even if that thought was embarrassing, by the Archons, he didn't want to find out what it looked like truly if someone had a Kamera at the time.)

[ Of course, for a moment Kokomi isn't really sure why Gorou's eyes are watering; in fact it's not until he explains the story that she gets it, and she can't help but laugh, a bright and warm sound on her lips that, while definitely at his expense, is far from mean-spirited or unkind. It's really just as simple as that she can imagine it too clearly, can see in her mind's eye the unhappy, puckered look on his face as the taste of the fruit spreads through his mouth. ]

It is true that lavender melon does have quite a... unique taste. [ She can't stop giggling; at this rate she can only hope that he understands her intent, that he can see she does intend cruelty by laughing. ] But I think in the case of this taiyaki, the custard and pastry work together to subdue its sharpness. [ Her giggles finally subside, and she offers him a bright smile. ] I enjoy this more than I anticipated. Perhaps we should purchase some more before the festival's end to take back to Watatsumi Island with us? Although I am sure they are much better when they are fresh like this...

[ She's lost in thought deeply enough that the next firework makes her jump, laughing in the next moment at her own expense as she shakes her head, her eyes turning to the sky, and the taiyaki temporarily forgotten. ]

Is the main event due to start soon? Or are there more things we should be doing first?

(Thankfully for her, Gorou is by no means offended since he told her that to make her laugh. This was his intent, to cheer her up some more from whatever depressing thoughts take hold of her mind a bit longer; to let her feel joy together with this being something precious even to him he can say he'd always feel such bliss knowing that he got this moment with her. A moment of reprieve, a moment of respite that the two of them so desperately needed from being far from home even if his feelings run deeper than her own might.

It's why when she speaks of Watatsumi, of taking some back with them that he idly wonders if he can ask the stand owner how he made them. Maybe he can do that and pick up some lavender melon as a way of giving her a treat whenever he has opportunities at night to bring her some manner of snack to remind her that he's always going to remember tonight fondly. Her jolting and laughter from being surprised by the firework even getting a wide smile and laugh from him too.

From how the sky looks at her question they are nearing time for the main event. Though there's always the chance they'll run into more people on the way there knowing that the fireworks are something people rarely miss, something that people of all ages get joy from just by watching Yoimiya giving her all for the sake of their happiness too.)

I think it's starting soon, but we can look around on the way there for anything else that we can do last minute. (Like getting masks for fun even if the two of them might not wear them for long. He'll just have to remember to keep his as a souvenir for later to look back on. Something to give him strength with knowing he spent this time with someone he held dearly to him.)

[ As much as Kokomi is looking forward to the main event, she has to admit that she is somewhat glad that that most recent explosion wasn't the start of it. Truth be told, even with the sudden intrusion of strangers (to her, at least, even if they are friends to Gorou) into their evening, she is enjoying herself more than she anticipated. With the beginning of the night having been so lonely, such fun emerging from it is something she could never have predicted, even with all her strategic skills. It is, of course, thanks to Gorou and his never-ending determination, and for that she is unspeakably grateful... it's just that the sooner the main event starts, the sooner it is over, and their night together with it.

And so she's grateful that there's time for them to do more on their way to find a good viewing point... even if she doesn't know exactly what "more" there is, between the medaka in the paper bag she holds and the bittersweet custard taste of the taiyaki still lingering on her tongue.

Lucky again that she has Gorou with her. Where she has been entirely clueless for this whole festival so far, he has known exactly where they should go and what they should do. It's a piece of knowledge that causes a question to surface in her brain, something lingering and confused— although right now she's barely even aware of its existence, let alone able to puzzle out its meaning.

She offers him another smile. ] Then, General, I place myself in your capable hands! Whatever ideas you have for us to do, I am more than happy to try them before we settle in to view the show.

(Like before he links their arms together with care, a decision made to for now make their way to the mask stand next. Maybe they can get a good one and perhaps they might spot a prize that Kokomi herself could want to go with the Medaka that she caught that Gorou could attempt to win for her. Hopefully with it making use of his excellent aim and eyes since he'll be certain to let her look around on the way to mask stand.

His own smile bright and wide, maybe without knowing just how she's starting to slowly come to her own realization about things. Things that he still holds near and dear wordlessly though wondering if he might one day be able to tell her the truth of his heart. Maybe if this was a fairy tale he could; with the fireworks as he once thought earlier.

But he's finding himself getting off track as eyes start to skim over the stands for anything interesting. Anything that they could try for before they make their way to a decent spot to relax at before the fireworks begin their ascent; they may want to have a good enough spot but it's still the joyous memories that make for the occasion too.

Something else that he certainly wants to not forget too between them.)

If anything I do hope that they have fitting masks for us too, since I'm not sure if you'd want to run around with a fox mask while we look around a bit further.

[ It's almost natural at this point, the way her arm loops through Gorou's as they make their way toward their next destination, and while he doesn't tell her exactly what that destination is, it's obvious enough from the sight of it as they get closer, from all the people she can see ahead of them wearing all sorts of decorated animal and youkai masks. In their approach, she's able to look around the other stalls, many of them types of food and games like senbonbiki; and there's one that catches her attention in particular, a stall with a collection of uchiwa in different patterns and styles.

Gorou is talking, and he says something about a fox mask and she laughs— to be honest, she doesn't think she'd mind wearing a fox mask compared to some of the other options there are (and besides, she doesn't think they'd have fish or jellyfish as options)— but then withdraws her arm from his for a moment, the slight smile on her lips bordering on mysterious. ]

Will you allow me to meet you there in just a moment, General? Something caught my eye at one of these stalls... I assure you I will be safe. Perhaps you can look at the masks to find something that might suit us both in the meantime?

[ It's against every single rule she has for her on this trip, but they've already broken a lot of rules this evening, have they not? And Kokomi can't help but think it might be nice for them to have something to remind them of the trip— little does she realize of course that Gorou is thinking the same thing with regards to the mask. ]

(It's the pause in her step that makes him blink whenever he spots the smile on her lips. He's confused really on what she might be planning but he does at least opt to trust her; knowing that the mask stall isn't too far away were anything to happen. That and Gorou thinks that Itto might be nearby from how the crowd is saying something about Sara and him fixing to have a contest at one of the other stands so that helps too.

The thoughts aside, he at least with a tentative nod of his head is going to give her this opportunity knowing that they've broken multiple rules tonight as is.) I only ask that you shout, Excellency, were you to be in danger. I can grab us fox masks then or canine ones depending on what they have. (Canine being more likely due to foxes reminding him often of Guuji Yae and he'd prefer this to be a pleasant memory more than a very frightening one for him.

Especially since they haven't ran into her by some miracle which he will be grateful about. Were that to happen he would surely tense but part of him is assuming she's with the Shogun herself as she typically would be; likely attempting to get her to play some manner of game with her.

He doesn't envy whatever stall keepers have to deal with the two of them knowing just how strong she even is to begin with.)

Edited 2023-01-23 09:32 (UTC)

I promise. [ She means it, too— if something were to come up while she's separated from him, she would call for him as loud as she could.

Thankfully though, it doesn't come to that and her time away from him is relatively uneventful, made up of a short conversation and exchange of money with a stall-keep who kindly helps her find the things for which she is searching. When she returns to Gorou's side by the mask stall, it's a few Mora lighter and a pair of fans in her hand: one, a sensu in teal and gold, and the other a uchiwa in blue, patterned with swimming goldfish.

It's with a bright smile that she reaches out to hand him the former. ]

I hope you do not mind that I purchased this for you. This whole time, we have been wearing yukata, and yet we are both lacking the appropriate accessories... Besides, I thought having some souvenirs of our trip would be nice. [ She pauses, eyeing the masks as she finally realizes that he's had the same idea with buying them, and then chuckles. ] More souvenirs, that is.

[ They may not have been meant to leave the Tenryou Commission, especially not just as the two of them, but Kokomi can't help feeling more and more that she's glad they did. She and Gorou rarely get to spend time together on a personal level— she rarely spends time with anyone on a personal level, if she's honest— so it's nice to relax with him, to see him in a different element than that to which she's become accustomed.

It has certainly helped the homesickness, too. ]

(So that's why she was gone, similar thoughts which makes him amused to learn this. Seeing that they're in their colors he's pleased that he left that much of an impression tonight that she wanted something in teal and gold for him; it might not be the deeper part of his feelings in the open but it's enough to make him feel proud. He'll definitely be energized more once things are said and done, especially at knowing he eased her worries.

With the sensu in hand from her and him holding out the mask to her since the kitsune masks were close enough despite the small reminder, all in all he's pleased. He'll just need to remember to double back to ask the Taiyaki stand owner how he made it with lavender melon though he has a few ideas once he finds himself grinning.

A pleased pup now even, he'll treasure not only the mask but the sensu itself. He doesn't mind at all with the way he finds himself laughing a little. Similar thoughts aside, he'll consider tonight a success even if he won't be able to tell her like he wants to.)

Masks and sensu and uchiwa, I'll still treasure whatever souvenirs we bring back tonight proudly. (Ah. He near slips but he reins it back in just enough. He's positive that later the others will throw a fit but that's nothing that he would say makes this less worth it, he didn't suggest this after all to simply stand there idly and let her feel homesick.

Maybe if there's more time they could go by the beaches here on Narukami Island after slipping away on another evening like this alone. Without the eyes and ears of everyone on them.)

There's hopefully good spots still open, I'd be surprised if we did run into Yoimiya though knowing her since the fireworks are suppose to be her and her father's duty. (Though he has a gut feeling he shouldn't be surprised if they did after running into Itto earlier with Shinobu; that might happen but they'll have to see then in the end.)

[ Sadly, her thoughts on the uchiwa coloring aren't necessarily linked to what he's wearing right now, but his outfits in general; perhaps it would disappoint him to know that the impression he's left isn't quite as significant as he's imagining it to be... although perhaps it is significant in a different way, one that she has never considered before— and isn't considering now, either, as she takes the mask from him with a bright smile and puts it on, wearing it on the side of her head the way she sees others doing. ]

Me too. They will be a nice reminder of our time together.

[ Again, that strange feeling of not wanting it to be over, of almost dreading the main event of the fireworks for what it represents: the end of their evening.

Despite this, she manages to keep a smile on her lips, something playful against the strangeness of the emotion, as she links her arm through his again, letting him lead her toward where they have to go— and her arm tightens just a little at the sight of the crowds, the throngs of people getting thicker and thicker around them, and Kokomi is starting to wonder if it's worth this to find a good spot for them to sit when a voice cuts through the noise: ]

Ooh, wait wait... heeeeey, puppy guy! Aren't you Arataki's friend?

[ As if summoned by his thinking they wouldn't have a chance to meet up with her, none other than Naganohara Yoimiya appears in front of them, a bundle of unlit fireworks in her arms and a bright smile on her face as she looks from one to the other. ]

And this must be your friend too, right? Your girlfriend? Hehehe...

[ Kokomi stares at Yoimiya for a moment in silence, her brows lifted high under her bangs, a slight color in her cheeks and a wordless shake of her head as she tries to figure out how to address this newest face in front of the two of them. ]

(Him and his thought processes. He hadn't expected that but perhaps he should have known by now even as he keeps his arm linked with Kokomi's to ensure she stays close to him throughout the thickened crowds around them. He didn't expect that on one hand but half did expect it on the other; someone who knew him due to his association with Itto given the two are best friends.

Though he half thought Itto was the reason why it was out there given circumstances.

No use crying over spilt milk anyway, since he can make this work and hopefully not cause some manner of energy drainage on Kokomi's part. Especially since Gorou isn't sure how to explain her entirely.)

W-we're um... this is her Excellency, Sangonomiya Kokomi, actually. Your Excellency, this is Nagonahara Yoimiya, she's more one of Itto's friends however since they've known each other longer.

(He probably was going to have to explain later how exactly he managed to leave with her but they didn't need to know that he willingly sneaked out with her while everyone was asleep. Though he is blushing as he keeps his eyes shyly on Kokomi without realizing at her being called his girlfriend; something which he has yet to dare notice.

Puppy guy was definitely not a nickname he thought he would leave the evening with too but it could be far more worse for him anyway. Some of his nicknames could get downright vicious in varying degrees.)

We were actually on our way to get a spot found to watch the show.

(Is it obvious he's trying to not focus on the part where she called them boyfriend and girlfriend knowing his hearts pounding now at it?)

[ Yoimiya isn't stupid. She's not, you know, Sumeru scholar levels of intelligent, but she likes to think she's got a pretty good head on her shoulders. It's for that reason that she takes Sangonomiya's blush and Gorou's aversion of the subject for what it is: a clear confession on both of their parts, albeit one each of them seems to be trying to avoid. And that's... well, that's practically a travesty! Young love should be celebrated, shouldn't it?

And if there's one thing Yoimiya knows how to do, it's celebrate. ]

A spot to watch the fireworks, you say? It just so happens I know of the best place for it. Why don't you follow me, okay~?

[ She's as fast as a firework on her feet, and Kokomi is left to blink, following along with Gorou as quickly as her own feet can carry her through the throngs of people; like before, she notices the change in his demeanor, and this time she feels a little guilty: surely her General's life would be easier if he wasn't being mistaken for being her romantic companion. While it's not exactly a surprise that some people see them that way, given the amount of time the two of them spend together, it must make it even more difficult than the matter of time alone when it comes to approaching the girl he does like...

If they weren't moving so fast, she might stop to apologize.

But there's no time for that, because soon they emerge at a spot clear of people— due largely to its having been roped off as a fireworks storage area, although at this point there isn't much left in said storage crates, she can see from here. Yoimiya turns to them both with a smile, and spreads her arms to indicate the space. ]

Ja jaa~n! Here it is, a space just for the two of you! I'll tell the Tenryou Commission you're allowed to be here, so don't worry~! Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

[ Without even so much as a goodbye, Yoimiya starts to head off once more, but she pauses on her way past Gorou, her lips close to his ear as she speaks once more, this time her words for him and him alone: ]

I'll make it extra special for your first date with her, puppy guy~ Have a nice night!

(Gods, he almost wants to combust! Especially since he was trying to not admit to Kokomi he does in fact like her. The irony is that Kokomi is in fact the person he was desiring as his romantic companion and he really didn't know how much more obvious it's getting if everyone in the entire city could call out how they look cute together. Or if Yoimiya of all people could call him out for having painfully obvious pining toward Kokomi to begin with, then it's clearly not as well hidden as he had hoped to everyone except Kokomi herself.

The area they were brought to surprised him, the fireworks storage area? It's not crowded, devoid of all life except them now and he's clearly surprised that they were able to be brought somewhere this 'premium' for lack of a better term on the situation. Gorou hates to admit it but it is an excellent area despite the repeated comments on congratulating them for their first date.

He almost wants to thank Yoimiya but soon enough finds himself choking harshly just about, gawking at her comment on their 'first date' being made now extra special. Dear Gods, Yoimiya, why would you betray him like this now too similarly to Itto! Something that he drops before his ears flick about as if to make certain nobody else is coming around which seemingly helps to calm him.

He did seem to shoot an apologetic glance toward Kokomi over this turn of events not going the way he expected either. More surprises tonight now more than ever, shocking as it was.)

I'm sorry also for her doing this... a-and if its made you uncomfortable any, I'm at least fine in my own case, just worried more about you.

(As always really. He knows her social battery and other things runs differently than his own reserves. So far he can honestly say after tonight he might fall asleep more soundly than ever since the trip here; probably more deeper than he did after the decree ended from how tirelessly they worked.)

[ Perhaps it's good then that she's as oblivious about this as she is. Her being more aware of the situation might just make things worse for him, even though she doesn't realize that. As it is, her assumption is that his embarrassment and frustration comes from being thought of as dating his commanding officer, and how can she blame him for that? Especially when she was already thinking about the fact that it must get in the way of his ability to date that girl he actually likes...

Is it wrong of her, then, that she finds herself wanting to spend more time with him and not less?

...Of course it is, comes the immediate thought, admonishing where its precursor dared wonder. His problem is borne of the fact that his duty already requires him spend so much time by her side... taking even more of his time to fulfill her own selfish desires is hardly liable to help him with it. It is not his job to cover her social needs, nor his fault that she has no real friends with whom to spend time (outside of the Traveler, of course, but it is not as if they are ever free...)

This is why she has books, is it not? She should not try to change those things that already work, no matter how much tonight may have showed her that she enjoys spending time with others more than she realized before.

Kokomi is lost enough in her own thoughts that it takes her a moment to recognize Gorou is talking to her again, his expression apologetic and his cheeks still flushed. ]

There is no need to apologize, General. To tell you the truth, I am not entirely surprised that people seem to think as such, with the amount of time we spend together. If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you... I am sure it does nothing for your situation. [ She pauses for a moment before continuing, her voice a little smaller than she would like to to be: ] If it would help you, please do not hesitate to have the object of your affections talk to me... I will assure her myself that it is not the case with us.

[ Another strange, uncomfortable knot in her stomach leaves her frowning internally, even as she keeps that smile on her lips. Discomfort, perhaps, at the idea of talking about his love life with someone she can only assume she does not know well, if at all? ]

(Again. He swears he thinks he detects something different, something unusual in her tone. Her voice normally isn't that small, her tone felt off for trying to reassure him even with that smile. Did he miss something after all? The moment he filed away earlier of thinking he heard jealousy began to re-emerge for the time being; did she really feel the same and they both hadn't realized? It's far too early for him to say even now once he looks at her with a more quiet determination he has tucked away from her eyes. He'll make sure to make this night into something magical too then.

That way if she did feel the same, no matter their ranks, he'll give her this to let her draw strength on knowing he feels the same too.

Now that he has this in mind he brings himself to take in mind her words more though it pains him to hear her think that it wasn't her. Gorou didn't expect her to notice truly that his object of affections remains her and solely her. He isn't interested in anyone else which is the truth of it all once he shakes his head with a smile, choosing instead to speak:) ... Excellency, you'd be surprised, maybe one day I'll tell you the truth on who it is. I only know that I enjoyed tonight the most with you despite the unusual turn of events.

(Because I'm with you. The unsaid words being something meant to stay to himself and he makes sure of that. Maybe not a full admission but maybe something to let her think about more after this if perchance she finds herself feeling the same way.

To him he does not need another. His one and only is before him without him daring reveal any of it unless the time finds itself right, unless she seeks to hear his answer to her own if any if he did hear correctly by her tone now twice.

If he did then he'll meet her heart with his own, if he didn't then he'll take tonight with fond memories and let himself carry onward knowing his feelings will remain the same regardless.)

[ That he can detect the change in her voice shows not only how well he knows her but also the level of attention he pays to her— she, after all, is barely aware of the shifts in her own demeanor in this case, much less what they might possibly be indicating. What she is starting to recognize, however, and what in turn is starting to concern her is that recurring feeling twisting in her stomach. As naïve as she can be when it comes to her feelings, she's clever enough that she's starting to see a pattern falling into place, starting to recognize not just what it is, but the fact that it seems to come up in concert with discussions about the girl he likes.

Kokomi is a clever young woman, and she knows that that cannot merely be a coincidence. It has to be that the sick feeling is a direct result of her knowledge that he has feelings for someone.

Which has to mean...

Well, it is likely a mix of feelings: the first being the guilt she feels over the impact of his duty on his social life, and second the new realization of her wanting to spend more time with him, and the third the knowledge that such a desire is selfish beyond compare. Is it jealousy? Almost certainly. But she also knows it is not his responsibility to entertain her. Tonight's outing was borne of his kindness toward her, and she should not take advantage of that; in that case, the jealousy is just something she will have to learn to live with.

She can do that, can she not? She owes him that much, with everything he has done for her until now.

And so she does her best to shake herself out of the strange funk in which she's found herself, her smile warm as she fixes it on him. ]

If ever you decide you wish to tell me, I of course will be thrilled to hear all about it. But, General... you are not obliged to tell me anything at all, if it is not what you want. [ He is, after all, entitled to his private life. ] That said... I have also enjoyed myself this evening. Greatly so.

[ So much so that she doesn't want it to end, but how is she to tell him that? ]

(Truthfully, he is considering maybe hinting a bit more strongly even if he has no right to on how he doesn't want the night to end either. He wanted it to continue onward and just things to keep going knowing that she might genuinely feel the same. That he might not have known the truth until now that they've managed to spend some manner of additional time together though he isn't sure how to approach this first.

Her words about it were enough to incense him a little right as he makes a decision to maybe see if he can tell her before they're found. Maybe see if he can also try to let her know without saying it straight to her that it's her; that it would always be her even if he isn't sure if he could tell her the words he wants to say in their entirety.)

... Excellency, I... (He's biting his lip, thinking, his gaze holding itself on her with the depths of his feelings surfacing just enough. What would one way of saying it be? Then it hits him.) Kokomi. I don't know how I can tell you this but... as honest as I can be, I don't think I want the night to end. (He never uses her name, it feels so foreign on his tongue but sweet. Its nothing amongst his norm to say, to use so willingly her name without the title so maybe that's the biggest and most important hint he can give.

He would say more or try to tell her more without being completely open but it was then that the sudden start of the fireworks starts and catches his attention. Loud explosions filling the air as he near jolts like a frightened pup from the sound before taking her hand in an attempt to ground himself. Unwittingly taking it at that. Gods, if he knew he was that bold unintentionally after using her name instead of her title then he definitely would have combusted.

Or asked their deceased God to smite him if not the Shogun for committing this act without thinking or realizing.

Sadly he can't help how scared he was about it but the fireworks themselves are beautiful. Worth this wait of theirs as the colors fill the sky and he watches on perhaps breathlessly before directing his attention back toward Kokomi.

She's really far more beautiful under the sky filled with such colors, more than he'd ever imagine.)

[ The expression on Kokomi's face when he says her name is one of shock, a lift of her brows that reveals the pleasant surprise she feels even as she tries to hide it, a task which becomes less and less possible as he keeps speaking, telling her that his feelings toward the night are the same as hers. He does not want it to be over... is it somehow possible he saw through her and is trying to ease the guilty she's feeling by putting himself in the same situation?

Surely not. Logic tells her it is incredibly unlikely, unlikely to the point it is closer to impossible, and yet the worry still settles deep in her chest. It is however a worry she does her best to ignore on the strength of said logic, and she offers him a smile in the name of honesty, honesty grounded in her trust of him and her own logical thoughts, and she nods. She should tell him, she thinks, that she too does not wish the night over, that she wants to it to keep going as long as it can, and if her selfishness here is less of an issue... ]

I—

[ It's as far as she gets before the fireworks explode overhead, and she startles a little, and then once again to find in the next moment his hand around hers; Kokomi's gaze turns quickly from the sky to Gorou's face, and then the hand wrapped around hers, and she feels heat warming her cheeks as her fingers coil around his in return.

Her thoughts are temporarily put aside in favor of turning back to the fireworks again, her eyes wide and a bright smile forming on her lips as she watches the patterns decorate the sky. She doesn't notice it when, a short way into them, his eyes turn to her instead; nor does she notice the way her fingers involuntarily tighten on his at some of the bigger explosions. ]

So beautiful...

(Beautiful. It's all so beautiful, down to seeing this look on her face, underneath the fireworks, alone together without any interruption even as he silently swears to himself that this alone was worth using her name alone before he grew startled by the explosions. A moment made more special by them being together to Gorou, a moment he never wants to forget as being perhaps when he fell so very hard for her that he doubts he'd ever find another now.

This only confirms it to him. His heart is hers, his heart will stay hers.

So to watch her in silent vigil, to not say a word of his heart longing for her so deeply, he'll live with that as long as she finds her happiness. Whether it be she notices his feelings or finds another. The thought aside he realizes that she spoke again. He'll need to ask her what she was going to say after a bit longer once he finds his eyes on the explosions again now with him sneaking looks at her knowing she might not detect him for now.)

... yeah... it really is beautiful.

(So is she too. The unsaid part of it even once he realizes he grabbed her hand, instead of jerking away he simply squeezes hers in response to her tightening her grip. This will be something else then he'll count as a treasured memory. Holding her hand even if it was over a cowardly moment he had due to his canine instincts hitting at the sudden noises. He can apologize later if she doesn't like it.

For now while the fireworks start to die down, he only hopes that he can have just a little longer with her. Before the night is forced to end once the others catch on that they're no longer with them; he'll surely be scolded for doing this even if he did leave with her to protect her, but, he couldn't bring himself to mind the thought.)

What were you going to say actually? (It's a question that strikes him once he notices the colors had eased to being more relaxed in the sky than earlier.)

[ As the fireworks continue, Kokomi finds herself in silent awe, watching the lights explode across the night sky with wide, watching eyes and an absent smile on her lips, completely unaware of the eyes on her in turn. She's aware of course, albeit vaguely, of the fact that their fingers are linked together, and the heat remains in her own cheeks as a direct result, but other than that she pays no heed to any changes in the strength of her grip or his, her attention solely on the flashing lights in the sky. Only when the patterns start to slow their dance does she come back to reality, looking across at him as he speaks— and noticing anew the grip of her hand on his, cheeks darkening yet more as she offers a momentarily wordless smile, unentangling their fingers and taking her hand back to herself. ]

Ah... my apologies.

[ But he spoke, and she has to take several mental steps back in order to actually hear the words that stunned her from her dazed reverie, a slow blink as she considers them, as she glances away because the moment of her bravery has passed, allowing her to hide behind the guilt if she so chooses, despite the logic, despite all the things she knows. ]

It... it was nothing.

[ And yet, on the off-chance that he was not merely speaking to make her happy, should she not be honest too? The thought is louder than the guilt, supporting the logic and making her ground herself on a breath, looking up at him again in the next moment. ]

...Merely that I have also enjoyed this evening greatly, and... I also do not wish it to end quite so soon.

[ If at all, she thinks, but she must save some of her pride in case he's only trying to please her, the way he so often does. ]

N-no, it's fine... I did grab it.

(Worth that too. His tail was wagging again though slowly once he finds himself starting to mull over how to go about this. He didn't want her to think he wasn't meaning any of it whenever she at first tries to backtrack, he was ready to have to head back with her instead of finding some manner of way to stay out a little longer whenever she soon changes her words.

The way he lights up hearing that, it thrills him more than she might realize once he smiles widely, so happily, with ears going up along side his tail out of pure joy.

They weren't going back then!

In that case he's more than willing to keep going, this wasn't something to please her with like she thought but a true earnest wish to be with her a little longer. To have something that he knows he can't have so easily with admitting the way he felt toward her. He may not be able to now but he would surely if given the opportunity to hear those words from her that she felt the same, he would.)

... do you want to go by the shore then for a little longer?

(They're nearby, thankfully, so they probably could before they're noticed missing just... relax finally. For a little longer without the eyes of others on them.)

[ For a single moment, Kokomi thinks she'll regret telling him so easily that she does not want the night to end. After all, there's still that possibility, however slight it is, that he has seen through her façade, is speaking merely because he thinks it's what she will want—

The way he lights up, though, is enough to quickly put such insidious thoughts to rest, eyes bright and tail and ears perking up in that way they have that reveals even things he would rather keep silent sometimes. He really is happy about this, and that makes her happy too, she realizes, the knowledge that he genuinely wishes to spend time with her beyond the call of his duty...

Having just taken her hand back, she offers her arm to him instead, allowing him to take it so that they can wend their way down from their vantage point and through the streets— much quieter now that the main event is over, mostly comprised in fact of young couples who, she notices almost absent-mindedly, walk in much the same way they do— until they reach the shoreline.

From here, the noise from the city above is almost entirely muted by the cliffside between them and the soft rush of the waves against the sand, and Kokomi can't quite help the way she breaks from the lock of their arms to run forward so her feet touch the water, a pleased sigh on her lips as she inhales the sea's salty scent.

Oh, but this was exactly what she needed...

They may get in trouble in the morning, but at this point it has all been worth it, she thinks, turning to Gorou with a bright smile and an outstretched hand. ]

The water is the perfect temperature, General. Join me?

(If asked, Gorou would later admit that he did worry that he may have come off as doing things to just make her happy. Honestly it was from a wish to be with her in general but he is partially glad she hasn't seen through his own feelings yet. Part of why he during the walk once he links their arms together there's a sense of joy that he managed to not completely screw this up. What a relief in its entirety that he'll have this additional time with her in the end, here he thought he'd have to throw in the towel.

That aside, he notices just a little the other couples that were staring at them to a degree before going back to their own business instead of paying them any heed. The quiet and how everything seems to have eased into a more relax atmosphere is pleasant to him, the canine would love to see another festival were they given opportunity in the future but he knows that isn't always possible.

For now once they reach the shore, he isn't surprised to see Kokomi take off the way she did. Its pleasant for him to see it too. Her being this happy once he slips out of his geta before stepping foot on the sand itself. It's really just what he needed too in seeing her this happy and not anywhere near as depressed as awhile ago, his feelings aside, he liked seeing her happy too and at ease.

Those thoughts soon were interrupted by her extending her arm and asking him to join her, the heat soon makes it way back into his cheeks with his tail instantly wagging at the idea. Something he hasn't noticed too.

With a smile he steps forward toward the water even if inwardly he has butterflies in his stomach then takes her hand. Really tonight going this great is just making it better even if he's going to be in for it later.)

After you then, Excellency.

[ It's not really until Gorou steps out of his geta that Kokomi realizes she probably should have done the same... but it's a little too late for that now. She'll just have to be careful not to get the whole yukata wet, she thinks, despite the fact that there's a big part of her that longs to just submerge herself entirely in the cool of the water... but then she'd be alone under there, not enjoying her time with the young General who kindly accompanied her here. It doesn't seem right to her, and so it's an urge she resists.

Instead, she stays in the shallower parts of the water, letting it flow over the top of her feet, one hand bunched in her yukata to hold it up over her ankles, the other with fingers entangled with Gorou's as she leads him on a walk, knowing all the right places to move so that he won't sink too deeply into the sand sucked away by the undertow.

It's not quite the same as the water back at the Island, with its clear bright quality, less cloudiness from surrounding civilization, but it's still lovely, and her smile stays, grows on her lips. ]

Would you think less of me if I told you I think this might just be the best part of the evening? [ The address is sudden, eyes bright and gleaming as she looks back at him. ] The festival was lovely, and the fireworks were beautiful, but... this is exactly what I needed.

[ And somehow, he knew. He always knows. Sometimes even before she does, she realizes. ]

...Thank you, Gorou.

[ Before she can think twice about what she's doing, she pauses in her walk, taking a step back instead and moving to press a kiss to his cheek. ]

(It's easy to follow her, to step at her side almost as if they were like the couples he saw earlier that were looking at them. Seeing her this happy was worth all of the teasing he dealt with during their time wandering the main streets too, the things he heard as well about the two of them being quite the cute couple. Those comments pushed aside he can safely think he made this into a success for the two of them which pleases him greatly.

Time spent with her would be worth all the teasing and suffering he has to deal with to potentially get it is what he thinks.

Whenever she speaks again and draws him from his thoughts and fondness of her that he attempts to keep hidden, he finds himself almost on cloud nine, flying close to the sun but hopefully not too close at hearing her remarks. That doesn't surprise him. She's always preferred the water which is something he recalls vividly once he stares briefly at the waters of Narukami Island again. Personally even he misses the waters of Watatsumi too but this isn't all bad.)

I wouldn't, not at all, since this was my other thought if you might not enjoy wandering the festival. (Things that the two of them enjoyed. His own case was more because the water reminded him of her, the scent of the ocean as well on top of it.) ... and it's worth the lecture I'll be getting too.

(It's her thanks that causes him to feel the urge to near beam as his tail starts to really wag, that is until it stops from surprise like the rest of him but it wasn't in a bad way either from his ears perking up to the cheek kiss. Gods! He didn't think this would happen but he now thinks he can wind up near dead tomorrow and this would be worth it.

This really is the best night he's ever had of his life with her.)

... I'd do it again too, Kokomi.

(That's a promise.)

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