Gender Nuetral Reader X Yoimiya DISCONTINUED for now..

ch.4] Queen of the Summer Festival

(A/N)

quick reminder to let me know of any mistakes I make if you feel like it :)

You stood hesitantly in the doorway of Naganohara Fireworks, glancing around the colorful interior as Yoimiya made her way to what appeared to be a- very cluttered- work station. She set her crates down on the bestrewed desk and yawned widely. This endearing act grabbed your attention. You blushed and quickly looked away, embarrassment taking hold shortly thereafter. Yoimiya seemed to sense your brief gaze, because as your eyes wandered the room, attempting not to stare- she glanced up and cocked her head- confused as if she'd just noticed you hadn't made your way inside yet.

"Hmm," She hummed, before opening her mouth to call out kindly to you. "Get over here, I wanna show you something!" She waved enthusiastically towards the work bench.

"Oh! Um, right," You stepped inside and closed the front door behind you, causing the quiet store bell to ring delicately. You then shuffled over to Yoimiya acquiescently, like a curious little puppy.

Maneuvering around the long desk behind which Yoimiya stood, you worked up all your little socially anxious courage to start a conversation. "So-uh, how exactly does one get in to the firework business?"

Yoimiya's head snapped your way and eyes widened along with her grin, "Why? Are you interested?" She asked, excited.

"Ah, no," You answered, quick terror of disappointing her striking you with a hit of adrenaline. "I'd rather be on the audience side of things, that's all! I just meant that it doesn't really seem like the childhood dream sort of path, so I was wondering how you came upon it. I.. guess." Once the momentary relief of mumbling a fairly coherent sentence had passed, you tried racking your brain in search of a single moment in your life that you hadn't experienced this conversational awkwardness.

Nope. Pretty sure I was just born like this. You decided.

And of course the pretty girl standing before you didn't exactly help that verbal clumsiness of yours.

"Oh, well in that case! Naganohara Fireworks is a family business," Yoimiya responded cheerily, passion for her art dancing in those wide golden eyes as she spoke. "So I actually grew up learning about the business, and have only come to adore it more and more every day! There's nothing better than seeing hope reflected in the eyes of children as they watch our fireworks explode in a million colors. So as long as that keeps occurring, I doubt I'll ever have reason to leave this line of work."

"Cool," You mirrored her smile unconsciously as your fingertips grazed across the diverse little trinkets scattered over the table top. "It must feel amazing to have such a strong purpose like that. Waking up each morning knowing exactly what you'll do until the sun sets, and then falling asleep excited for another day to roll around. I've never really had a passion like that. One that never gets old, nor stops supplying excitement, that is," You glanced around the room and noticed that the houses here were a far less pristine than that in Liyue, but somehow so much more beautiful. "Although coming here, starting a new adventure like this, and hopefully getting to experience the summer festival comes close. But even that won't last long."

Yoimiya dawned a more serious expression as she studied your face. Oh, you bit your tongue, only now realizing that you may have said too much given that this was, one- a complete stranger, and, two- likely someone with little understanding for your more pessimistic views.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" You began before Yoimiya interrupted you, securing direct eye contact and features brought down towards a slight frown- features which until now had struck you as a beauty built only for smiles.

"You know," She began. "When I first bumped into you, that surprised look on your face in the quick moment of vulnerability before you composed yourself reminded me of one of the children I play with often. You clearly harbored the same sort of childhood wonder and curiosity as that little boy. So, I was surprised when you opened your mouth and spoke in reserved, sullen tones," She poked your forehead and giggled a little bit, letting her playful nature resurface slightly. "So I think- with the evidence of that quick moment- that you do have purpose, passion, and excitement for all sorts of things, and are just to afraid to let it surface because you think that it would only show itself in one form- in one path that you could stray from and lose motivation for at the drop of a hat. But really, self expression, ambition, and enterprise will show themselves in a hundred ways if you let them. And even if you do stray from their paths, you will always find your way back if that's what you desire. Or you could find yourself accidentally wandering upon a whole new path altogether. So, essentially," She pointed towards you and stuck out her tongue gaily. "Get out of your head, have fun, and nurture hope in yourself and those around you whenever possible. That's my mantra."

Then, just like that, she turned back to the desk, pulled out a drawer, and picked up some sort of building instructions to begin studying as she hummed a cheerful tune. As if she'd said all she needed to say and with that, the moment had passed.

You, however, were still stuck in it.

You stood stunned for a moment, not expecting to get such spot on and blunt advice from this bizarre and wondrous girl whom you'd only met half an hour ago at the most. But after a moment of awe you shook your head to snap yourself out of the daze she'd cast upon you, and cleared your throat quietly.

"Thing is, I'm not exactly sure how to do that. I'm not sure I've ever been able to have fun without the aid of distraction- from my anxieties, or from my life. I didn't know one could harbor that sort of joy when relaxed as they accepted all passing thoughts."

"Well then," Yoimiya didn't look up from her hands, which had begun folding together a decorative paper into a small dispersal cannon, but she still spoke directly towards you. "You should stay with me until the festival. I'll try and teach you," Now she turned your way and offered the biggest grin you'd seen from her yet. "It'd be my pleasure, really."

Your eyes widened and you blushed heavily, unable to control your instinctual reaction to such a show of sugary graciousness.

"Um sure. Yeah, okay. I'd like that. A lot." You mumbled, still caught off guard and flustered.

"Hooray!" Yoimiya exclaimed. "And if you need help cancelling your reservation for our city's hostel, I know the owner, so I could likely be of some help." She winked.

"Ah, I think I can handle it, but thank you." You answered with quick strain, deciding it best not to mention to her your lack of previous arrangements with the local inn. There was no need to embarrass yourself further, as you already felt a bit like you were intruding. At this point you couldn't quite care though, because at this point you were far too attached to this odd girl to leave her side for the simple worry of intrusion. Especially when she'd just proposed her tutelage and companionship for the coming days.

(A/N)

hello again!

goodbye again!