Chapter Text
Ms. Hina, I’ve met a nice girl recently and I’d like to get to know her.. How should I go about that?
‘Well, I’d suggest you say it straight and simple to her. Beating around the bush won’t help you any and generally people prefer if you’re straightforward with them. Perhaps a, “Hey, would you like to go down to Ritou with me to talk?” would suffice. Good luck!’
Ms. Hina, I’ll be celebrating my 1 year anniversary with my boyfriend next week and I don’t know what to wear! Please help!
‘Congratulations and I wish you an everlasting relationship. In regards to fashion, I myself am fairly lax, however, long flowing garments in warm shades to match the autumn season seem to be the latest trend. Although, I’m sure you’ll look lovely in anything, have confidence in yourself.’
Ms. Hina, how should I best take care of my vision and make it shinier? And when I say ‘shinier’, I mean shinier than everyone else’s of course!”
A small smile tugged at the corner of ‘Ms.Hina’s’ lips. Seeing vision bearers walking the streets publicly again made his heart sing with joy, proof of his efforts on the front lines of the resistance. He looked down at his own vision thoughtfully, currently sitting on the wooden table in front of him, emanating a soft amber glow.
“Shinier huh..” He thought aloud, tapping the pen on the edge of the paper in front of him. Gorou contemplated the question for a moment before settling on an answer.
‘I’d suggest using a soft cloth to clean the dust from the surface of your vision to ensure its glow is always at its brightest. Also, be sure not to forget the crevices on the sides of it as they can be easy to miss.’
With a thoughtful smile, Gorou put the pen aside and gathered the draft into a neat pile, ready to be submitted the next day to the Yae publishing house for the ‘That’s Life’ magazine.
The following morning Gorou awoke with a yawn right as the sun was coming up and with a stretch rolled out of bed to start preparing for his trip to Narukami island. Normally submissions for the magazine would happen via mail but today was special as the Watatsumi resistance was planning to celebrate the abolishment of the vision hunt decree alongside members of the tri-commision. Since the end of the war, life had been increasingly hectic for most of Inazuma and only now, around six months later, had things finally calmed down enough for those involved directly in the war, to celebrate their newfound freedom. It filled the general’s chest with pride seeing all his hard work come to fruition. Additionally, he was excited to finally get a chance to sit down with his fellow soldiers and old friends in a casual setting again, it’d been a long time since the last time he was allowed to truly enjoy himself outside the confines of war.
The canine general made his way out the door, ears sticking straight up and fluffy tail swaying side to side, an indicator of his anticipation for the events ahead of him. Today is going to be a good day , he thought to himself, eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. That same excitement worked him into a light jog towards the boat meant to ferry him out to Narukami and once the ship was in sight, Gorou quickly made his way onto it. His nose picked up the scent of the salty ocean breeze surrounding him and he found himself looking wide-eyed out into the horizon where the clear blue skies met the rolling waves of the ocean below, resulting in a wide grin planting itself on the general’s face. Yes, today was going to be a great day indeed , he thought, his own tail began to sway side to side more noticeably now but he caught himself when he heard a few familiar voices approach behind him.
“General Gorou! How nice to see you again.” A feminine voice called out. Her steps were quiet and the woman herself held a regal air in contrast to the soft features of her face, her long peach tinted hair framing it, even on both sides.
“My lady, it’s been awhile. How are you?”Gorou replied, standing straighter. He eyed the two soldiers likely meant to escort her to Narukami, they were dressed in standard Watatsumi military attire. One held a polearm resting partially against his left side while the other had a katana sheathed at his right hip. His eyes trailed back to the Watatsumi priestess who’s face held a soft smile decorated by blush pink lips.
“No need to be so formal with me now Gorou, we are already close and the war is over, we should relax a little.” She brought her gloved hand up to her face to hide a giggle. Gorou blushed in response, his ears flattening against his head subconsciously.
“Apologies my- Kokomi. How are you then, this morning?” His eyes darted to the side, embarrassed that he’d tripped over his words. He quickly looked back to her though as she moved to stand beside him facing out towards the open sea.
“I’m well, and I hope you are too. I’m excited to see old comrades in Narukami. It’s been too long since we’ve set foot there, hasn't it?” Her eyes looked glassy and distant as she faced the clear blue Inazuman skies. The high priestess then shook her head whipping around to look Gorou in the eyes.
“Reminiscing aside, We-” She cut herself off to harshly grip the sides of the general’s arms. She leaned in, her eyes wide with a newfound excitement. “We are going to have fun Gorou.” She said with a mischievous glitter in her eyes.
Sangonomiya Kokomi, the high priestess of Watatsumi island is often swamped with official duties and thus rarely gets a break to truly be herself. Gorou shouldn’t be so surprised that her majesty and close friend would take this rare opportunity to have a little fun. However, there was something about the way her long lashes batted at him and her expression that made him anxious.
She stepped back patting down and re-adjusting Gorou’s sleeves with a blush. She then carefully poised herself looking back at her guards who were just out of earshot. Kokomi cleared her throat before speaking again,
“You see, I actually have a meeting with the Kanjou commission but I’ve decided..” She looked back again before leaning towards Gorou’s ear to whisper.
“I’m not going to go.” She stepped away from him again, her face red and lips pursed. Gorou couldn’t hold in his laughter, the thought of high priestess Sangonomiya Kokomi playing hooky for the first time in her life was amusing to him. Seeing this, Kokomi hit his arm in response,
“Hey! Don’t make fun of me and my hooky-virginity.” She whisper-yelled, her face growing redder as Gorou only continued to laugh.
After a relatively relaxing ride to Narukami Island, Gorou, Kokomi, and her two guards finally arrived at the busy ports of Ritou. The last time Gorou was here, Inazuma was still closed to the outside world and Ritou had been more akin to a ghost town rather than a bustling trade port. Now, children ran around in the streets and people gathered here from all walks of life and Gorou smiled at the sight of it, his tail reflecting the same emotion.
“I have some business to take care of here Gorou, I’ll see you later?” Gorou turned his head towards Kokomi, nodding in response.
“I have some business to take care of too.” He held up the large envelope meant for the Yae publishing house, carefully turned away in order to avoid revealing his identity. “I’ll see you in Inazuma city then?” Kokomi nodded with a hum and turned to make her way towards her own destination.
It was then that Gorou realized he had not eaten yet that day and found himself making his way to the nearest food stall. The stall was simple, providing meat buns and tri-color dango but it smelled so good that he subconsciously began to drool and his tail began to thump impatiently against something behind him as he fumbled around to get his wallet out. When he finally pulled it out he heard a bellowing laugh behind him which startled him almost dropping his things. He whipped his head around to see a hulking six foot plus tall horned man standing behind him, bare chest heaving with laughter. Beside the man, stood a masked shorter woman, her arms crossed and head shaking.
Gorou eyed the two of them cautiously before he realized his wagging tail had been hitting the side of this man's leg quite aggressively. He flushed and muttered out an apology. How embarrassing. He thought as he turned away to pay for his food.
“No need to apologize, little-doggy dude. The food at this stall is good. I would know of course, since this is my turf ya know. I wouldn’t allow anything less than the absolute best.” The man laughed again and planted a large hand on Gorou’s head before ruffling his hair. Gorou batted the guy’s hand away with a huff, quickly reaching for his meal which had been placed in front of him to receive.
“Don’t do that, I’m not your pet.” Gorou spat out, quickly walking away. Clearly though, he wasn’t walking fast enough since the obnoxious guy was easily keeping up with his pace.
“Haha, sorry dude won’t happen again, I swear. It’s just your ears looked so soft, and they are-” The guy gave a thoughtful hum before continuing, “Hey, hey what’s your name by the way? Mine is-” The guy made a big show of clearing his throat, to which Gorou rolled his eyes taking an exasperated bite of his bun. “-Arataki ‘The One and Oni’ Itto or Arataki ‘Oni Sumo King’ Itto or-” Suddenly the so-called Arataki ‘Insert Title Here’ Itto was yanked to the floor via ear by the masked woman he saw earlier. Gorou blinked in surprise, and although he couldn’t see her face, she exuded annoyance.
“My apologies. We won’t bother you again sir.” She said simply before dragging Itto away, a string of ‘ow-ow-ow, Shinobu, ow-’ leaving the giant’s mouth as they departed.
Thank the archons. Gorou thought, taking another bite of his food as he continued to make his way towards Hanamizaka and the Yae publishing house.
When he finally made it to the bustling streets of Hanamizaka, he made a bee-line to the back entrance of the publishing house, hiding his face with the large envelope in his hands. Realistically there was no way anybody would realize he was the famed Ms.Hina as nobody knew what she looked like, but Gorou couldn’t bear the thought of the general public finding out. He’d rather die than lose his respectable image as a high-ranking military officer. Inside the building was a meeting room where he was expected to meet with the infamous Guuji Yae who’s the sole reason he even had this job in the first place. Normally, if he were to come to drop off his drafts in person, it’d be left in the editor’s office and he’d be on his way. However, Yae had requested they hold a special meeting this time to discuss some new ideas she had. This strangely ominous meeting absolutely terrified Gorou to no end. The last time Gorou had a meeting with the fox envoy, he’d come out the other end having the alter ego ‘Ms.Hina’. He silently prayed to the archons above that this meeting wouldn’t result in anything potentially detrimental to his identity.
When he finally worked up the courage to open the meeting room door, he was met with the sight of the refined Yae Miko, seated at a dark wooden table partaking in a steaming cup of green tea.
“You’re finally here ‘Ms.Hina’.” She said with a cunning smile, her head tilting to the side causing her fox ears to flutter. She sipped on her tea, eyeing the canine-man who warily looked at her, ears pressed flat to his skull.
“Ms. Guuji Yae, it’s good to see you. I have this month’s column with me.” He approached the table where she was sitting, placing the envelope in front of her.
“Thank you Gorou, do sit down though. I’m not just here for this, I’m sure you’re aware we have some important matters to discuss.” She adjusted the way her legs were crossed and her eyes crinkled as she met Gorou’s. The military general gave a nervous hum tapping his fingers on the wooden table in front of him as he sat. “As you’re aware the Ms.Hina’s advice column of our magazine is quite popular here in Inazuma.” She took another sip looking thoughtfully at the envelope in front of her. “Due to your rising popularity there have been many requests to meet Ms. Hina coming in recently.” Gorou’s ears twitched and his arms crossed upon figuring out where this conversation was going.
“Lady Miko, I don’t believe what you-” The pink-haired fox envoy set her cup down with an audible clunk .
“Now, now, I haven’t finished yet.” She grinned cheekily and leaned forward, effectively shutting up the military general with a barely audible whimper escaping his lips. “Since we’ve received these requests, I’d like to propose that we host a meet and greet with the lovely lady herself.” She made eye-contact with Gorou while batting her lashes at him. “You needn’t worry about your identity being discovered, you’ll be hidden behind a veil. Also there'll be a limited number of guests and you'll be heavily guarded so you needn’t worry.” Gorou opened his mouth to ask a question but she spoke again, “ Nobody will know who you are, the only people who will know of your identity are, well, myself.” She leaned back with a satisfied grin.
Processing this incredibly one-sided conversation, Gorou realized there was no getting out of this situation so with a huff he said, “Okay, I’ll be a part of your meet and greet event.” As soon as those words left his mouth, it was met with instant regret as the esteemed Guuji Yae rolled out a life-sized cardboard cut out of.. himself, as a woman, as well as a hanger with a teal, expensive looking garment.
“Good, it happens in three weeks, you’re to be here early morning to get dressed and make-up done by yours truly.” She stood looming over him, the same cunning, wide grin planted on her face that haunted him every day.
Maybe today is not so great of a day after all. Gorou thought as he felt sweat drip down his temple.