With You | Thoma x Ayaka | Genshin Impact

Fireworks

       The entire household was silent and for the entire day, every household servant wore black. Ayaka was dressed not in a similar outfit to her usual one but instead of blue, it was completely black with the only exceptions being the white accents.

        "Lady Kamisato..." Ayaka heard one of the housemaids whisper to their friend, they seemed to be having a hushed conversation but put it to a stop when they saw Ayaka walking down the hallway.

           Ayaka did her best to hold back the tears, it was by all means, no simple feat. Ayaka took deep breaths as she walked over to where Thoma was. Lady Kamisato, Ayaka's mother, had... gone into an eternal sleep just yesterday and the news was still hard to process.

          The festival would still be continuing but instead of it being just a simple celebration of Summer, it would act as her mother's memorial. Lord Kamisato had said that they would go to Liyue to talk about the funeral plans. Why Liyue? Well apparently, Ayaka's mother had always dreamed about going there one day and Ayaka's father felt as though that should be her resting place.

          Ayaka strongly disagreed but she didn't say that out loud, her father had known his wife for more years than Ayaka knew about. Surely, her father wasn't lying when he said that it would be for the best if Lady Kamisato didn't have her body here.

          "Your mother has been here for her entire life," Lord Kamisato had said, "This will be her chance to be free from Inazuma... free from the Kamisato clan's name."

           Ayato had no objections, if he did, then he certainly didn't say them out loud. Ayaka let out a few sobs as she turned the corner and saw an empty hallway. These days, Ayaka had to wear a mask like never before. Even in front of Kazari, whom she felt safer acting as her true self around.

          Ayaka had to keep on a brave face for the past few hours and last night, before she went to bed. Thoma said, "Ayak- er... - Young Lady, I understand that you must put on a brave face for your family name but... If you ever feel like crying or letting out imprisoned cries, please do not hesitate to find me."

          "... Thank you Thoma..." Ayaka had finally said after seconds of silence. Ayaka's pillow was wet with tears and her body was vibrating. In fact, the only thing that had stopped her body from shivering, was Thoma wrapping a comforting arm around her which must've been an awkward position considering how she was laying on her left side.

          After Ayaka had promised Thoma to come to him whenever she was going to cry, Thoma had finally said good night. Ayaka was barely able to repeat the same words before drifting off to sleep.

          So, that's why Ayaka was going to Thoma. Ayaka had been having to hold in her tears and sobs for a heart-wrenching three hours before finally admitting to herself to go see Thoma.

           Ayaka turned another corner and saw the servants-who were all dressed in black- cleaning the floors. Before Ayaka had turned the corner, she could hear them all repeating her mother's name over and over again with some conversation following it. However, as soon as Ayaka had turned the corner, all sounds died. The only sounds being the squeaks against the wood as the cloth wiped it down and the occasional splash of water when someone needed to clean off their cloth.

          "Good afternoon Young Lady," one of them said, "I offer my most sincerest condolences."

           "Thank you," Ayaka bowed her head slightly, "Mother will be happy knowing she was loved."

          As Ayaka walked past more servants, they all gave their condolences, Ayaka had to take deep breaths every two seconds and remind herself to keep the mask on. It was suffocating, Ayaka didn't feel like herself, she felt like someone who was being controlled by strings and could snap in half at any given moment.