Good Evening Traveler

Chapter Thirteen: a Kitsune's Advice

Before the sun came up, Ayaka snuck out of her own house. She had yet another plan. I can assume that you (the reader) are getting sick of Ayaka's schemes, but bear with me. She made her way to the grand Narukami shrine. Ayaka didn't want to make a wish at the grand Sakura Tree. She wanted to speak with the Guuji Yae Miko herself.

Yae Miko was standing in-front of the Grand Sakura Tree, checking off her list of tasks. "Lady Guuji? Lady Guuji!" Ayaka called, nearly tripping on her way over. "Ah! The youngest Kamisato! How may I assist you today?"
"Well...I need some advice."
"Here, let's go down the shrine. That way the scenery won't go unnoticed," Yae Miko smiled and led the young woman down the Sakura-framed path. "So, what might be your inquiry? You surely didn't come up here to just see poor old me for no reason!"
"Well...I did say that I need some advice, and you're the only one that's...skilled in this field."
"Oh really? Well, I won't be able to help if you don't tell me!~" Miko giggled, gently tossing her hair. "I have these two friends...one is the traveler, the other is this adeptus named Xiao. They've known each other longer than you or I have known Lumine. Not to mention they both act so adorable around each other! Though...both Xiao and Lumine are quite nervous. Xiao isn't even one to show the slightest bit of attention. Lumine is trying her best, but she's unsure. I've tried to set them up on a date or two but they don't even get close to admitting anything. Though Xiao has said something that comes close, but I tried my best to make him actually admit it to Lumine. But..."
"Aw, But what?"
"I don't know when I'm going too far! I don't want to loose another friendship!"
Yae Miko smiled in her signature charismatic way. It was a way of her showing she was thinking, whatever she was thinking of. A few minutes had passed when Miko spoke. "It's a shame these two lovebirds are too scared to admit to anything! If you want to take little me's advice, I would recommend to set them up in a scene as beautiful as their love. A night under the Sakura blooms or watching the sun set in each others arms... even taking a midnight stroll across the beach, watching the stars twinkle above," she sighed, almost acting as blissfully as the subject she was speaking of. Ayaka smiled. She knew Miko would be a good person to ask about this. Miko was a sweet person if you weren't scared away by her charisma. Poor Gorou. Though returning back to Ayaka, she still had more to ask. "How do I do it though? They are too afraid to even be close to one another," she threw her arms up in the air, eventually adding, "I apologize for my behavior, Miss Guuji."
Yae Miko looked quite frustrated, before she began to laugh. Ayaka smiled in return, hiding her confusion. "Tsk tsk - you've been like this as long as I could remember. Always wanting to help people by butting right into their business. Well, I am quite guilty of that myself. Hence my following statement. Think of your help in this matter as the role of a big sister, or an old friend. You will help guide both Lumine and her suitor to what they both want. If they don't love each other, then they will discover that soon enough. Finally, if you'd like, I'll try and press our lovely traveler as well!" Miko crossed her arms politely as she so often did - another page in her collection of charisma. "If you'd like to, you may. Just... please don't press her too hard. If we scare her off, we may have a conquer of demons on our trail," Ayaka giggled, opening her fan, "And what of you and Raiden Ei? How has your relationship been?"
"Poor Ei has been meditating for a while, but she's doing just fine. Thank Teyvat that her gnosis is gone. Celestia is...not all the glimmer and glamor. Or so I've heard. Now run along! I wouldn't want to keep you away for so long!"
Ayaka thanked the kitsune and ran off.

It was about noon when she returned. Lumine had appeared to be staying at the estate today, as she was trying to make flower crowns under Thoma's instruction. The crowns were either too big or too small. Delicate Cecelia's that Lumine had stowed away were being twisted and turned in every direction. Xiao was sitting beside them, trying to be a model for her. The crowns would often hit his nose or even become a necklace. Despite all of this, Lumine was laughing along with Thoma. Xiao didn't appear to have any emotion - but no negative energy. Interesting.  Plans began to flood her head. There had to be one place where the scenery would take away all the fear. There had to be. Nevertheless, Ayaka did her best to help out with the flower crowns.