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"(Y/N), one day I'll be the greatest oni you will ever lay your eyes on!"
Itto's declaration only earned a giggle from his friend, which he chose to ignore with a huff. Everywhere he went, he wore his pride like a gigantic medallion. Brushing some grass from his clothes, he stood up and offered a hand to the young lass. (Y/N) peered up at the looming figure and accepted his hand.
Thanks to his ancestry, he was unsurprisingly very tall compared to other kids their age. The two friends' difference in height is very evident. The girl could only reach his shoulders if she tiptoes, but never did she mind it. Although, it does become a problem when the boy decides to tease the poor girl.
"Is it just me, or you never seem to grow?" he let out a toothy grin at her, as he pulls her up so that they can visit some food stalls in the city.
Pouting at his statement, (Y/N) jested "You act as if you're the mightiest thing in the whole wide world!".
"That's because I will be. You'll see all the other children will kneel after the great me!" crossing his arms, he stomped his left foot with excitement, "Don't worry, you will still be beside me as I conquer the world!".
"Really?! Thanks Itto-kun, I'll make sure to keep you by my side too when I become bigger!" forgetting his teasing she exclaimed while gathering the flowers she picked earlier.
Their friendship is well known in the city of Inazuma, as she is often seen with Itto in front of Ogura Textiles & Kimonos, gushing about all of the new fabrics used. Visiting the store has become a part of their routine after they purchase snacks from the old street food vendors. She would 'bore' the young Oni, talking about the newly imported fabrics used for the kimono, as well as the colors of the Obi. Despite the subject being dull to him, he never stops her from talking and hums from time to time, to let her know that he's listening. Itto once promised to buy her the 'most bestest kimono Inazuma has ever seen!'. Although it sounds like a childish promise, Itto has sworn to make her happy at all times. There is just something about her smiling eyes that tickles his heart, it almost feels like he just won another Onikabuto Sumo.
Arriving at the city, various stalls were seen as they walked hand in hand. (Y/N) began to greet the people they know, earning smiles from the doting grannies.
"Dear, share this with Arataki-san won't you?" Mrs. Aoi, an old woman that once baby-sat her when her parents were not around, has always been so kind to her. She's quite fond of giving her snacks and occasionally, some of their harvested crops. This time, it was a candied apple that she must've made recently.
"Okay, thank you Aoi-san! Will you come see the fireflies with me again next summer?" chuckling at the child's request, Aoi nodded at her, and sent a smile at Itto's way.
"Thank you, I hope (Y/N) actually shares the apple with me" he snickered with the old woman, earning a humph from the said girl, not appreciating the amount of teasing she's getting. Waving at the kind old woman, they ran off to Ogura Textiles & Kimonos. Now that they have gotten their snacks, there's no reason to stall for the reason of (Y/N)'s visit. Approaching the century-old store of the Ogura, Itto took notice of her toothy smile. Grinning at the sudden change in her mood, he tightened his hold on her hand.
"Woah.. Look at that uchikake ! When I get married, I'm going to prepare lots and lots of Onikabuto, the place will be filled with it so you don't get bored Itto-kun! You're going to be invited, together with Enma-kun, and Chiyo-san!", pulling him with her, they took a closer look to the new display.
"Of course I'm invited, It's our wedding !" He puffed out his chest, frowning at her for implying that he's just a guest. The little girl could only give him a look of plain confusion, tilting her head at him.
"Then, I will build you a house, and take care of you– Just you wait (Y/N)! I'll make you so happy you're going to be very grateful that you married such a great and handsome and wise and strong oni!"
"What do you mean our wedding? You didn't even ask me! Hmph. Makoto-san already asked me for my hand!" She huffed at him, showing him a small pressed flower, wound in a circular shape. "He even sent me some cool stones he found near the Nazuchi Beach!"
"What?! That scrawny kid can't even beat me in Onikabuto Sumo! I totally beat his ass yesterday for challenging me!" He declared, earning an angry look from her. "I get you cooler stones all the time too! What's so special about that 'Makoto-san' anyways? You glorify his name as if he holds a candle to these majestic horns!"
"Well, guess what! I'm going to be married and you are not invited anymore! Good day Arataki-san" she stomped away, tired of hearing his loud and booming voice.
"I'm way more handsome than him by the way!" he emphasized, gritting his teeth for calling him 'Arataki-san', and not 'Itto-kun'. They've long established that they will be using their given names, and the fact that (Y/N) just called him Arataki-san with a cold tone, made it very clear to him that she is not impressed with him.
The passerbys chuckled at the children's antics, and proceeded to minding their own business. Reaching for his comb, he started tending to his hair as an attempt to calming himself.
"Fufu.. That's not how you treat a girl you know?", a certain pink-haired priestess leaned to his ear with an amused laugh. Giving him a closed-eyes smile, she whispered something at him, giving him ideas on how he should apologize, and make his friend feel better.
"Got it. She's going to regret considering another man's proposal and not mine!" He guffawed, putting back his comb. Not bothering to give the priestess thanks, he ran off to find his friend.
"Those two will surely visit the shrine for blessings when they grow up.."
At a bridge near the Naganohara Fireworks Shop, (Y/N) twisted the unlit sparkler between her fingers, that she received from a new friend. She contemplated on going back to Itto, not very familiar with what she's feeling. Hearing the word wedding from him made her feel as if she's sliding down a hill, with some butterflies in her stomach. She could not make up her mind whether it is a good feeling or not.
A boisterous voice filled the area, her name echoing throughout the empty spot, making her wince for a bit. Deciding that it's a good idea to run towards the end of the bridge and pick some grass to throw at him, she only got tackled by an enormous figure.
With her air getting knocked out from her lungs, she let out a small squeak as she patted his back. "Oof- It- Arataki-san! Get. Off. ME!"
Realizing the predicament that they're currently in, he immediately got up, pulling her with him after. Muttering a small apology, he held out a branch from a yumemiru tree.
"Here. The old lady in the city told me to get something that you like so you will marry me"
Narrowing her eyes whilst looking up at him, she began to scold the young oni "How could you! You hurt the poor poor tree !" She whispered softly to the branch 'sorry he is a pea-brained child '. Nevertheless, she accepted the gift, letting him know that he is forgiven.
"Itto-kun, did you.. did you really mean what you said earlier....?"
He grinned, letting out a loud laugh and pulled her beside him. Contented at the warmth he's giving, she pressed her cheek against his arm.
" 'Course I do, you're the only girl I'd ever grant the ability to marry the great me!" He looked down at her, picking a small flower attached to the branch that he brought. Coming up with a brilliant idea, Itto held up his pinky at her. Looking at him with a raised eyebrow, she raised her left pinky.
"Here, I don't have one of those fancy glassy stones yet, but it's not such a tough feat for me if you'd like them right now! Will you give me your hand in marriage and not to that lose-"
Cutting him off, she linked their pinkies together with a very visible tint on her cheeks, her eyes twinkling at him in glee. "Only if you promise to not be mean to the trees!"
Mesmerized at the sight of her smile, he let out a breathless laugh, "Deal! From now on, you are an Arataki!"
"No way! My parents will get mad if I steal your name!" laughing at her, he unlinked their pinkies as they walked towards a cliff.
"We will do so much adventures, and you will be my right hand in my very own gang– With our power and intellect, nobody can beat us!" showing a toothy smile, as he pointed at the horizon. They just couldn't wait for what's in store for them in the future.
Minutes passed, becoming hours. Hours to days, and days into months. Growing up together, they had many adventures both dangerous and fun. Itto had been bestowed a geo vision, and (Y/N) was granted with hydro. The two stayed side-by-side as they grew up, and eventually made a name for themselves. It was not a very smooth journey, but never did they part from each other. The bulletins, filled with complaints about the terrifying oni, and some, thanking the female Arataki for her help.
and... yes, they did have a lot of onikabutos in the wedding but they weren't enough to fill the entire field, much to Itto's dismay.
Uchikake = a white Japanese wedding kimono worn with a white headdress.
Kimono = a traditional Japanese garment, T-shaped, wrapped-front garment with square sleeves and a rectangular body.
Obi = a belt of varying size and shape worn with both traditional Japanese clothing and uniforms for Japanese martial arts styles.