With You | Thoma x Ayaka | Genshin Impact

Always Here

       "Oh? If I may ask, what are these?" Ayaka asked, picking up a kitsune mask from a pop-up stall.

         "Those are masks for the festival that will be happening in two weeks Lady Ayaka!" the seller replied cheerfully.

          "Young Lady, regarding the festival, Yoimiya would like to sit down and talk to you about it tomorrow." Kazari whispered.

           "Good job Kazari, I was wondering when you would remember." Thoma added quickly.

           "Silence Newcomer." Kazari hissed.

           Ayaka ignored the two of them as she stared at the mask with yearning in her eyes.

          "Mother had once said that she loved festivals like these," Ayaka said quietly, "I should buy a mask for her."

           'In two weeks... it would be nice if I could go to the festival with Mother, should I buy a mask just in case?' Ayaka thought.

            While Thoma and Kazari were bickering, Thoma glanced over at his Young Lady and saw that she wore a sad expression on her face.

           'Has Young Lady never been to a festival?' Thoma wondered.

            Ayaka eventually decided that she would purchase the masks later. It would be nice to have an outing with Lady Kamisato and buy them while they were together.

           "Please continue to work hard!" Ayaka smiled at the seller and put down the mask, Thoma and Kazari immediately stopped fighting and snapping at each other and did a slight bow towards the seller before following Ayaka.

          Ayaka returned back home and allowed Thoma and Kazari to leave her and continue their duties. Thoma went straight to cleaning up the yard and getting lunch ready while Kazari was hurried off to wash the clothes.

           "Hello Nii-sama," Ayaka greeted, "Have you heard any news on Mother?"

           "Unfortunately, I have yet to get an update on her condition," Ayato replied, "I heard you paid a visit to her though, how is she?"

            "Mother has started to be able to hold her eyes open for much longer and her breathing has regulated." Ayaka informed.

            "I see, that's excellent news. Does she require more food?"

             "Yes, I am going to speak to the chefs right now."

             "Then please don't let me hold you up," Ayato said, "I am currently needed at a meeting."

             "Please be mindful of your health Nii-sama." Ayaka bowed, she had noticed that her brother had gotten some dark circles under his eyes.

             "Of course, of course." Ayato seemed to have not heard her and walked away. Ayaka hurried off to the kitchen where she saw Thoma working in the corner. At the moment, he was cutting onions and scraping them into a pan.

            "Lady Ayaka!" Chef Itsuki exclaimed loudly so the entire kitchen was aware of her presence, it was his way of saying, 'don't mess up or look bad.'

            "Good afternoon, thank you for working so hard as always." Ayaka gave a slight bow of her head.

            "Of course Lady Ayaka, it's always a pleasure to be at work in the kitchen." Chef Itsuki bowed deeply.