Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

LXXXII

Two days passed with everyone in the castle preparing for the coronation. Each day flower arrangements and garlands were being delivered, and the castle was cleaned from top to bottom including the hallways Shoto had never seen anyone use. He tried dozens of cakes and desserts and trifles, and each meal became a banquet so the chefs could know what foods the future king preferred best. He had his favourites of course, including zaru soba and green tea cakes, but he also made sure to include a variety of spiced foods, warm soups, and delicate hand foods for all of his friends. 

He had received word from Tooru that Momo had received her letter and was on the way soon, and that everyone else would receive their letters in the next few days, a week at most. Shoto was truly in awe of how fast she and her company worked, and he wondered whether she knew someone with a power that could decrease the time traversing long distances. It would be incredibly useful, to say the least. 

Early in the morning of the third day since preparations began, he awoke to loud banging on his door. It was much like the sounds Denki or Mina made when they wanted to do something with him and couldn't wait a moment longer, but whilst it was a rapid sort of knock it wasn't loud enough to wake the whole castle. Thankfully he wasn't disturbed from his sleep, having awoken with the morning sun and drying off from a warm bath. 

"One minute!" he called out to whoever was on the other side of the door, knowing at least that it wasn't Fuyumi as she would have called his name with good morning greetings. 

"I know I'm a lady, but I don't think I have the patience to wait another minute after travelling all night to see you." A voice spoke from behind the door, the sound making him pause before hastily putting on a shirt and trousers. He rushed over to the door, bare feet silent on the carpeted floor, and opened it to see Momo standing on the other side, a small bag in her hand and a smile on her face. 

Before he could greet her she jumped on him, and he could see over her shoulder Jirou watching the corridor for unwanted voyeurs. He returned the hug quickly enough, almost feeling the excitement radiating off of her as he basked in her familiar touch. After seeing each other every day, it truly felt like such a long time since they had last seen each other. 

"Oh Shoto, it's finally happening!" She exclaimed, shaking her bag at her side. "I have so many ideas!"

"I'm glad you're here Momo." He returned warmly, allowing the two women into his room and ringing the bell to request a pot of tea. "But I wasn't expecting you until midday, at least."

"You knew I'd be coming today?" she asked, sitting gracefully on a nearby armchair whilst he sat at the end of his bed to finish getting ready with his socks, books, and tunic, his necklace and wristbands never parting from him for long.

"I figured you would set out as soon as you got my letter, but I'm surprised you travelled during the night." He explained.

"I couldn't help it! I was so excited I had to leave immediately, and thankfully my parents were more than eager to let me go. Having the Yaoyorozu name be a contributor to your coronation will be wonderful for them."

"Had to promise them I wouldn't let you get kidnapped, though." Jirou joked, sitting by Momo a little closer than usual. Shoto watched them exchange a smile for a moment, glad to know their path was still hopeful. 

"Thank you for being here, I have no idea of what to wear. A tailor from the royal haberdasher came to visit yesterday and everything seemed to be an exact replica of what my father wore for his coronation."

"Like the portrait in the gallery hall?"

"Yes. But I don't want to be a reminder of him for my people, I want to symbolise a new future for them."