—Gorou, you can’t be fucking serious.
—Hey! You’re supposed to be here to support me not make me feel more like an idiot.
Gorou hid his face in between his hands, falling into the table in front of him. The woman beside him just laughed, finding amusement in the current state her best friend is at right now. She had come all the way into Inazuma city because of a certain fox lady’s letter asking for help over with the festival. Of course, that woman was YaeMiko and she did not actually need help with the festival, that was a cover to let Kokomi inside the city and help Gorou put his life in order.
Kokomi sighed slightly before gently patting Gorou’s head. She had been listening intently to what Gorou told her. All about the man he’d met during training back at the resistance camp. The time they’d spend all day trying to catch a rare pink Onikabuto but failed miserably. About his meetings outside of the camp and the real reason why he’d been so eager to go on reconnaissance missions on Inazuma City. He told her about his newfound desire to keep crossdressing, how it made him feel pretty, powerful, and overall, that he just belonged.
Gorou didn’t know what it was about dressing up as someone else, no, as Ms. Hina, a woman that made him feel so free, so stress relieved. He didn’t know how far he’d actually want to be a woman. So far, he’s only tried on more feminine makeup, fancy kimonos, long hair, and high heels. Of course, he knows h feels more than comfortable in them, but another part of him doesn’t want to get rid of his masculinity either. He loves his abs, his sharp features, and his overall figure. He’s spent quite the time getting to the point where he felt comfortable with his body, but sometimes he feels more comfortable with a pair of boobs, and it annoyed him. Because he didn’t understand himself, was he a man or a woman?
Or if I’m just neither just let me decide for once!
—You know, I’ve been keeping something from you. —Kokomi revealed nonchalantly. Gorou’s ears went up and his face looked up to his friend with eagerness. —Some time back, before the war, I met a boy my age. He’s from Liyue and was visiting to play an opera performance here in Inazuma. We started talking and got to know each other well. When his time here was due, we parted ways but managed to keep in contact through letters. We still talk occasionally, you know, a full ocean distance kind of makes things harder for us.
Gorou listened intently, of course, he’d seen Kokomi replying to letters from near and far but never once thought they’d be from close friends or other things that were non-professional related stuff. In short, Kokomi had been so devoted to her work that he found it amusing to get to know a part of her that wasn’t.
—And… Am I gonna meet him one day?
—I hope you do, I’m pretty sure talking to her will help you with what you’re going through.
Kokomi sipped her tea delicately, without any hurry, and Gorou proceeded to do the same with his forgotten cup. The two were currently inside the Komore teahouse since they longed for some privacy and the busy streets of Inazuma city wouldn’t get them that calm atmosphere they were nostalgic for.
They both revel in the calm atmosphere inside the teahouse, tasting the delicious treats and enjoying their tea in comfortable silence. Once they were done, they spent some time talking and catching up with each other. Kokomi talked about visiting her birthplace at Enkanomiya now that the war was finally over and Gorou thinking about staying for a while in Inazuma city before going back to his family. Once they were ready to leave, they thanked for the food and left for the exit. Before leaving, they thanked Taroumaru, the Shiba Inu and owner of the teahouse, and exited the building.
As they were leaving the place, a big shadow was cast upon them, making them stop and look back at the tall person behind them.
—Doggy general! I’ve been waiting for you! What took you guys so long?
—I-ITTO?!
Gorou’s shocked face was truly award-winning, especially as the tall oni stayed by his side, his arm around Gorou’s shoulders and smiling innocently as if it wasn’t a big matter. The young woman beside them couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s face, visibly embarrassing Gorou even more. The oni stared at her thoughtfully until he decided to give her a smile and offer his hand.
—Ayo! You must be Gorou’s friend, right? From the resistance? I, am Arataki numero uno Itto, the One and Oni! Nice to meet you, but even better for you to have met me.
Gorou facepalmed himself and covered his flushing face. Why did Itto always have to introduce himself like that? It was very cute but seeing it in front of his friend made it a bit embarrassing. Kokomi didn’t mind it though; she found the man quite interesting and eagerly shook his hand.
—You’re right, I am very lucky to have met you, Arataki. My friend Gorou has been talking non-stop about you. —She replied with a genuine smile. —My name is Sangonomiya Kokomi and I’m Gorou’s best friend.
—Well, I’d sure hope whatever my doggy general said about me was nice. He tends to overthink certain things, y’know?
—I am aware, trust me. Sometimes all Gorou needs is someone who’ll make him do irrational decisions from time to time. Get him out of his comfort zone, do you get me?
—Nah, nah, I totally get ya. That’s what I’ve been trying to say all along! Though I have been able to make him leave his comfort zone and enjoy himself, I’d say I’m pretty impressive!
Gorou looks down, embarrassement filling him to the brink. Kokomi and Itto keep talking comfortably, laughing and ocassionaly lightheartedly poke fun at him. He turns away and keeps to the original trail, they had planned to visit Ritou before Kokomi had to catch her boat to Watatsumi Island. The duo laughing began to follow him silently, still being immersed in their conversation. Before they leave Inazuma City, they buy some sake from Shimura Kanbei for their trip to Ritou.
Once they start their trip, Itto and Kokomi decide they’ve had their fun pulling Gorou strings, for the moment. Slightly catching up to Gorou, Itto takes him by the shoulders and Kokomi stands by his other side. They indulge in a fun conversation for the rest of the trip. Going through Byakko Plain and stopping for some Sunsettias and Sweet Flowers at Konda Village, they finally arrive at Ritou right before noon. The climate is perfect, and the time is just right to take some snacks before Kokomi must take her boat back home.
Itto seems excited as the three enter the small city of Ritou. Kokomi and Gorou guide Itto to their favorite snack place. Itto immediately orders some Tricolor Dango for them, while Kokomi takes care of the payment. They make their way to the port, settling at the border of the farthest port. They sit down and let their fingertips touch the water, Itto, on the other hand lets his feet go inside the water until right below his knees.
—I can see my boat approaching, it was nice to see you again Gorou, and it was nice to finally meet you Arataki.
—No problem, Komi! And I’ve told you it’s fine to leave the formalities. Call me something like… like ‘Itto, the Onikabuto Master’! Or ‘Arataki That Sexy Oni Itto’! Man, I got a whole list of names that you can choose from! So really, take your time, get a feel for one, pick one nice. As long as it’s cool, it’s an a-okay from me!
—I am not letting her call you ‘Itto the Sexy Oni’. Where did you even come up with that?
—But Gorou~, Arataki was just joking. I’m fine with calling him whatever, unless, of course, it’s you who doesn’t want anyone else to call him sexy. Hmm? Is that it?
Gorou turns abruptly to stare at Kokomi. Eyes wide open, and his entire face radiating pure horrified disbelief. Frantically shaking his head as to say no, Itto and Kokomi laugh at the small man sitting at the middle. Gorou can still hear their snarky comments and remarks.
Archons, he thought they’d made enough fun of him already. Thank the archons Kokomi stayed by Gorou’s side, otherwise, she probably would’ve caught the eye of that evil fox lady back in Inazuma City. Who knows what those two women could’ve planned for him then?
Gorou hid his face in between his hands, as it had become a habit lately. He decided to start counting butterflies in his mind, to both tune off their teasing comments and calm his blushing face. He concentrated on envisioning every butterfly he counted, the first one with a beautiful yellow glow. The second one came with turquoise wings and black stripes. The third one would be a beautiful pink butterfly, with slight tints of purple, just like the rare Onikabuto Itto so much loved to search for. It would’ve been similar to those little beetles if his concentration hadn’t been hindered. If only his last string of sanity weren’t cut so abruptly by a big hand petting the back of his fluffy dog ears and making his tail wiggle from side to side.
—Ayo Gorou-
Gorou disappeared.
He had let himself be swallowed by the ocean in front of them. Detaching himself from the safety of the port and sinking deep into the cold water. Shocked gasps were all he heard before pushing himself deeper into the water and as far away as he could from his two friends. He had panicked. He never let anyone touch his ears in years, the only person he had given permission to do so was his mother. And frankly, Gorou was unsure whether or not he was ready to trust someone else with such an intimate move.
It wasn’t their fault, he trusted them with his life.
But he had simply, panicked.
The small window of time between the hand caressing his ears and him jumping into the water had been enough for Gorou to feel his insides tingling.
He didn’t know whether that warm, tingling sensation had come from the memory of his mother petting his ears as a young pup, or because it was Itto who had just pet him after so many years of neglecting them.
He didn’t know, and he didn’t want to know.
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