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It isn’t often that Ayato finds himself wandering around Chinju Forest. After all, being the Yashiro Commissioner and the Head of the Kamisato clan, there is little to no time for leisure. He couldn’t even remember the last time he visited this estate since he has been stuck in Inazuma City for years. The end of the Sakoku Decree was truly a monumental event for the nation, and the Yashiro Commission was faced with the duty to re-establish strong diplomatic relations with other nations. While Ayato did enjoy the countless trips and travels, nothing quite beats the serenity of his home.
His retainers ensured the forest is well maintained even after years of his absence— Loyalty that he would be sure to reward generously. The abundance of wildflowers is just as he remembers, maybe even more. It kept the glowing aura of the forest alive, giving it a mysterious luminescence.
Or a romantic glimmer.
The forest seems even more mystical as he and Itto wander through the dim forest. Granny Oni stayed behind since she wished to rest after quite a long flight, yet the sparkle in her eyes said otherwise as she bid them goodbye. Itto did not notice this, of course. He never notices anything when it comes to romance. If Ayato wasn’t the one suffering for it, he might have found it amusing (it was, for the first couple of months).
“Woah,” Itto exclaims with an excited drawl, “this place is cool! And you really live here?”
The oni looks so impressed that it forces a chuckle from Ayato. “This is part of my family’s land, yes, but I live in the mansion.”
Itto rolls his eyes, though his smile does not falter. "Ha-ha, very funny. It's just really cool. Glowing flowers, really? I've never seen anything like it! Well, there are some in the city, but not this bright..."
"My family ensured the preservation of this forest. You are seeing it now as how my ancestors first found it. These flowers are in their natural habitat, of course they would glow brighter." Ayato pauses for a moment, watching the oni gawk at their surroundings. "It's said that this forest was home to many demons. As for these flowers, their name is a long one. ‘Of Promises Unkept the Night Flowers Speak,’ beautiful, isn’t it? They have been blooming for countless nights, spanning through centuries.”
He finds himself staring at the flowers for far too long, and he can feel Itto’s gaze burning holes through his soul. “Ah, my apologies. I have been ranting, haven't I?”
“What’s the story behind it?” Wide red eyes stare at him with genuine curiosity. “I mean, a name like that would have some sort of background, ya know?”
“I’m not quite sure. My parents did not really dwell much on mythology. Politics were more of their thing…” He plucks a singular flower from the bush. “The books, however, told me this:
Promises are a powerful force, so powerful that they can slow the senses, even until the passage of time itself might be dulled.
Mortals ensnared by such forces may be suddenly surprised to find while looking in a mirror, that they have suddenly sprouted white hair. But for certain beings that shall never grow old, perhaps such endless waiting is an incalculable sorrow.”
Silence fills the air around them. Ayato, though having spent his life learning how to read people, does not know what Itto could be thinking. Had he said too much? Was it not to his liking? Has he lost interest? It’s strange how someone so… odd could have Ayato— Yashiro Commissioner, head of the Kamisato Clan, leader of the Shuumatsuban— wrapped around his finger.
“That’s a bit of a bummer,” Itto states, “for such a pretty thing too.”
“It is, is it not?” Ayato laughs nervously. “Apologies.”
“You seem to like the story, though, what does it mean to you?”
The blue haired man raises an eyebrow. “I haven’t given it any thought.”
“We got the time, don’t we?”
“Beetle fight while I think?”
“You got it! You are so gonna lose.”
The fights ended with Ayato winning most of it, save for the last wherein he allowed Itto to win (though he would never admit it as to not crush the oni’s feelings). He had lost track of time already until his companion complained about starvation. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence; The two tend to lose themselves in their little games and conversation. Perhaps one of the traits Ayato loves most about Itto. Though his life has been nothing but maintaining status in the country as well as trying to keep his personal life away from his political persona, Itto has always been a constant in both lives. It wasn’t intentional— He had been a friend even before he was his bodyguard. Ayato did not even need a bodyguard as his parents already made sure he knew how to defend himself but seeing his friend struggle to find jobs and keep them, there was no way he would turn a blind eye on it.
The more they spent time with each other, the more Ayato’s interest grew. At first, he mistook it for simple happiness from a successful friendship. However, it was only ever present when it came to Itto— the oni was different . It took him a while to realize his own feelings. After all, this subject was uncharted territory for someone who spent his childhood learning how to be the Kamisato Clan Head and the Yashiro Commissioner. Then the little things came: The way he would miss Itto and the warmth he proves, or the nauseating feeling Ayato gets when he hasn't seen Itto in a while.
Kamisato Ayato is clueless when it comes to feelings and romance, but he is a determined learner.
“Almost forgot!” Itto exclaims. “The question I asked earlier. You said you’d answer after the game.”
“I did, didn’t I?” Ayato chuckles. “Well, let’s see… What do you think of soulmates?”
Itto hums as he forms his response. Ayato’s eyes never wandered as he took in the features of the oni. “Soulmates? Well, I guess I've never really thought about it. I don't know who mine is so it never really crossed my mind.”
“I’ve met mine.”
“Wait, really?”
Ayato smiles. “Really.”
Itto pauses for a moment or two, and it gives him hope that Itto cares — More than a friend. “That’s great, Ayabro! Where they at?”
His smile falters, though he tries to keep it from Itto. “My question first. You have some time to think now. What do you think about soulmates?”
“Well, I think it's dumb. How can the universe know who’s meant to be for me? Why can't I decide for myself who I’m gonna spend my life with? Y’know what I’m sayin’?”
And there he has it.
Itto keeps talking, but there is ringing in Ayato’s ears. Four years, he kept his feelings hidden. Four years, he tried dropping hints. Four years , he waited for Itto to realize it himself. Yet, his soulmate thinks it’s all dumb. The love of his life doesn't want a future predetermined by fate— A future with him .
“You listening? Hey, you still gotta tell me who your soulmate is! I’m not dumb, I wouldn't forget, you know.”
Ayato bites back a harsh reply. Even if he wanted to, he would never. Itto is allowed to have his own opinions, even if it hurts him. It’s normal— There are countless people who choose not to stay with their soulmates, or they stay as platonic soulmates. The deed is done, though, Ayato has fallen for Itto already. He can't simply throw away his feelings nor can he dismiss it as something platonic. For four years, he dreamed of a future where he could hold Itto’s hands, live together, get married, perhaps kids…
He sighs, yet it comes out as an annoyed one.
“Is something wrong?” Itto asks, and his heart breaks. He’s mad (not exactly, but he cannot put into words what his feelings are) and Itto has no idea what he said that made him feel this way.
“My soulmate,” he begins, averting his gaze from Itto’s excited one, “thinks that soulmates are dumb. He says the universe cannot decide who is meant for him… And that he is going to be the one to decide who he will spend the rest of his life with.”
“Huh…?”
“You.” He points at Itto, who stands beside him dumbfounded. “You’re my soulmate. I'm sorry that you are stuck with me, but it is what this stupid universe decided on.”
His eyes sting with tears that threaten to fall, but he continues. “I hate it for not making it obvious— We don't have a visible mark, no timer, no nothing. All we have is a bond. I can't go a week without being near you or it would fucking kill me. Sound familiar? Do you not get nauseous and sick when we haven't seen each other for a while?
God. You know what I hate most about the universe? Because it’s right— You are the one for me. You are the one I want, and it has been like this even before I found out that we are soulmates. And when I did find out, I was so happy . I was so happy because it was you because in truth, you are wonderful. I loved you, and I would have loved a future with you and I still do. I was promised by the universe a person that would be by my side and I am so glad it’s you.
But I apologize if that is not what you want. I do not hate you for it, but I am mad— not at you, not at anyone in particular— because I spent four years waiting on a promise that will never be fulfilled. The irony of it all makes me even more furious…” He pauses to take a breath. Even after all of that, his chest still feels heavy. He wipes his tears, though it’s pointless when he can't stop more from dropping. “You can take a break from work after this. Do not worry, I will still pay you. If you wish to be transferred, you can. Coordinate with one of the assistants. If the sickness gets bad, you can come into my office.”
He excuses himself, trying to get away from Itto. He can't bring himself to look at the oni after saying all of that. How can he even spend any more time with Itto after that? He should have simply stayed quiet. How utterly humiliating—
“Please let me talk?” Itto calls out.
It stops Ayato in his tracks. The dejected tone the oni has makes his heart break.
“I didn't know it was you.”
“Yes, I know that. I do not hold it against you.”
“I’m sorry I didn't realize.”
“You do not have to apologize. Do not apologize. None of it is your fault. I understand, everyone has different opinions about soulm—”
“— Can you please let me talk?” Itto is now in front of him. “Look at me, aniki.”
Ayato hesitantly looks up at the oni. “Okay.”
“I did not know you were my soulmate, but if I did, I wouldn’t have said those.” Itto smiles. “I love you too, but I didn't know if you shared my feelings and I didn't wanna ruin our friendship.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. Exactly,” Itto chuckles as he wipes Ayato’s tears away. “You didn't let me talk. Though that's the first time I heard you talk for so long outside of work.”
Itto’s hand holds his, giving him some sort of comfort after that embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” he manages to say.
Itto laughs, and Ayato gets pulled into a hug. The rumbling of the oni’s chest brings him more comfort, and he melts into the embrace. “That’s okay! It’s all good now. I'm sorry for making you wait.”
“It’s okay,” Ayato mumbles. “I'm just happy that my feelings are reciprocated.”
“Guess the universe was right after all, hm?”