The Korezutos

Spring Festival

"A real festival? Of course I want to go," Hiro said.

"Great," Nori wanted him to meet Fukiya while they were out.

"Nori," Yato said,"I got you a dress when Senji asked me to help Reiko's. It's in your closet if you want to wear it tonight."

"Thank you, I'll do that."

Once Nori had left Hiro turned to Yato,"you're in love with my cousin."

"Where did that come from?" Yato asked.

"Are you going to tell her?"

"Maybe, once all this Mongolia stuff blows over."

"It never does. You should tell her tonight."

"No way."

"I will if you don't."

"Don't."

"I'm gonna..."

After some back and forth Yato told Hiro to go change into some nicer clothes for the festival. They were going to be out late too so he would have to go find a coat.

"Have you seen Senji?" Fukiya asked.

"He already left," Yato said.

"Great, he has documents to sign."

"Go get ready for the festival."

It was amazing! The streets were lit up with lanterns and there were food stands every few feet. Nori and Hiro were both delighted, and highly distracted by everything going on around them.

"Yato," Fukiya said,"you should go give Nori the gift you got her."

"What? Who? I didn't do that."

"The hair pin that you've been staring at for five minutes."

"Isn't it weird to give her this?"

"No, the dress was weird."

"That was convenient for her. I was just helping her out."

"Well Hiro and I are going to play carnival games. Stop being so awkward. It's just Nori."

"Here," Yato handed Nori the fancy hair clip.

"Yato, you're spoiling me today, you really didn't have to," Nori said.

"I want to."

Nori seemed to move away from Yato.

"Did I do something wrong?" Yato asked,"I didn't mean to make it weird."

"No, I just don't want to get the wrong idea. People might think we were more than just friends."

"Would you be upset if I wanted it to be more?"

"Well...I. I don't know."

Yato nodded,"can I help you put your hair pin in?"

"Yes please."

Upon returning from the festival Senji told Nori he had to speak with her. She was clear for patrol again if she wanted to go. Nobody in town seemed to bother her when they went out so she was safe to leave the compound alone too. But if she didn't want to go, he just wouldn't tell Yato he was cleared yet. Nori thanked him and then raced to tell Yato they were patrol partners again.

"Go get a sword and be an official Korezuto officer," Yato said.

"I don't know how to use a sword," Nori said.

"You have to learn? It's not safe to go without one. For now just stick close."

"How close should she stick?" Hiro asked.

"Hiro!" Nori shooed him away and covered her red face.

Yato laughed,"see you tomorrow for patrol Nori. Have a goodnight."

To Nori's disappointment her first day back on patrol was uneventful. She normally would have been grateful that nothing was out of the ordinary, but shadowing Yato felt like she wasn't doing any work at all. Not only that but Yato didn't talk about anything but work.

"How was the date?" Reiko asked Nori when they came back

"You couldn't call that a date." Nori replied.

"Give him time, he'll bring you on a real one someday."

"You think so?"

"Yeah, just give him some more time."

"I'll go tell him dinner's ready. We'll get Fukiya too."

"Thank you," Reiko hummed.

Hiro was laughing when Nori knocked on the door. He opened it in a fit of giggles. Yato had gotten tangled in his brush and neither of them could pull it loose. So he was sitting on his bed looking defeated.

Nori laughed,"Hiro, dinner's ready, go get Fukiya on your way down there."

"What about Yato?"

"I can help him."

Somehow Yato made it worse and ended up with a complete rat's nest on his head. Nori sat down and violently pulled the brush towards her.

"Nori!" Yato exclaimed,"don't pull so hard!"

"I almost got it. How did you manage to make such a knot anyway?"

"Playing with Hiro."

"You don't have to entertain him."

"I like to."

"If you say so."

"So what else are you going to ask about?"

"How did you know I have something on my mind?"

"You sent Hiro away."

"There's a cafe that just opened up on main street. I was wondering if you would want to try it with me."

"We can swing by on patrol."

"What if we just went for fun? When we aren't working?"

"Like a date?"

"A date."

Yato was interrupted by Hiro coming back into the room,"you can't really date! Nori, you weren't supposed to like him back. You'll leave now. Just like Adriel!"

"I wouldn't leave, I can like Yato and stay here."

"You can?"

"Of course!" by this point Nori was getting flustered,"that is if Yato wants to."

"A date sounds nice," Yato said.

"Good," Nori handed Yato his brush and took Hiro's hand,"let's go to dinner. See you there Yato."

"That was painful to watch," Hiro added.

"You're the one who made it worse," Nori said.

After waiting for Yato, Fukiya went to go find his brother. He had managed to fix his hair but was taking his sweet time going to the dining hall.

"Why are you being so dorky?" Fukiya asked.

"She asked me out," Yato smiled.

"What?"