Someone has snuck in a few coupons...
For birthday treats at both the Kiminami and Uyuu Restaurants. A letter imprinted with plum blossom designs is also attached, along with some samples of rice cakes to use in a particular soup.
"A friendly spirit has informed me of your special day. And no I don't mean -THAT- special day, silly. For all your hard work you deserve delicious treats. So take the time to enjoy them. Happy Birthday, my dear client ~ "
[ . . . ] their plans had fallen through , an unmitigated disaster that had sent her home early & an abundance of chores that he’d had needed to get done —— on his birthday of all days / january 9th , where he had hoped to celebrate his day of birth with her & a mutual friend of theirs both . a promise to see each other again had been made , one he’d sworn to uphold , when she’d next find herself stepping foot on inazuman land once more , when her duties allowed her the freedom to travel carefree . her trips are few & far in between , this he knows , when her clientele don’t need her , well , who is she to travel so far ? just to see him ? no . & though he knows that she cares for him , in her own way , he’s hardly that important . ( she has friends that are closer , more accessible , easier to meet up with , he is not one of those people . he feels much like a burden , sometimes , when he invites her to catch up & she has to spend ages through the unending expanse of water , seasick & miserable . ) it had originally been a friendship of circumstance , he’d needed her connections & her services & so he had sought her , per the request of his lord but she had been easy to talk to & were he to be honest , quite funny & entertaining in her own right . everything else had been set in motion , like the falling of dominoes it all followed its own path & now he feels confident in calling her a friend . [ not just an acquaintance , or a connection created to benefit the kamisato clan but his friend , hu tao . ]
here he stands , now , in komore teahouse , after her quick exit , at 6 in the evening , alone , on his birthday . it’s depressing .
[ . . . ] & though he’d rather be anywhere else in the world , he’s here , in the aftermath of her abandonment , with a broom in his hands & a room to clean up to lock up for the night , the interior illuminated by the faint light of a candle . it’d been easy to pick up the pieces of their brief game of shogi , they hadn’t gotten too far , when she had to up & leave , a house call or something of that nature / he doesn’t blame her , when duty calls there’s a need to answer . it makes him wince , to pick up after himself & realize that the celebration is done : this is all he’s getting for his birthday . he’d gotten a hug at least & a verbal wishing of a happy birthday but despite it all he still feels a bit chagrined . ( he’s not ungrateful , truly but he’d had many more plans in store , a trip to amakane island to see the fireworks & a trip into inazuma city for other less exciting endeavors . ) it takes a while , of sweeping , of tidying up & placing back everything they’d removed from the table in order to make space for their match , a lot of metaphorical blood , sweet & tears goes into polishing up the quarters so they may be used once more when taroumaru opened for the day tomorrow .
he wants to cry , it’s a very sobering experience .
[ . . . ] the shameful walk to the door is slow , he drags his feet , every step taking all the strength he can muster / like a humiliation ritual , he wallows in all his self pity & wavering confidence . when he gets to the door he almost misses the gift , sees it , in the very corner of his eye , he reaches for the handle , to exit & it’s then when he does a double take .
[ . . . ] it’s as if he’s reached enlightenment , when he turns to the counter that the coupons are situated on , with the rice cake samples & the note . it’s a mad scramble to open it without tearing the envelope , so it remains intact for him to keep safe / optics are glued to the paper , to every word & every stroke of her pen . [ so she had thought of him enough to get him a gift . he’s so touched , it makes his heart flutter . ] there’s no way he’ll leave the note unanswered & with much difficulty he reaches over the table top to retrieve one of the papers hidden behind it & a pen to boot , gleefully adorned with a photo of taroumaru .
and here i thought you hadn’t gotten me a gift. i can’t thank you enough, i’m touched. i know our plans fell through but seeing you today was nice, even if it was only for a few hours. i had lots planned for us, i’m still going to see the fireworks but know that i’m thinking of you while i watch them! here’s to many more birthdays, for both of us. i hope to see you soon. from inazuma, to liyue, know that i’m thinking about you, always.
to the post office , first thing in the morning .
