" 𝗔 𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣
𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟 ."
- Proverb 27:9᯽
"𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡?" Kimiko huffed exhaustedly. It was ironic because you were carrying her on your back.
You rolled your eyes, "You act way too childish for someone who recently became a general. You know that right?"
This seemed to have perked up Kimiko. "Now that you mention it. I know that were the same age and all, but when's your birthday Katsuhiko-senpai?" She asked, taking a quick peek at your face.
"My birthday is on (d/o/b). You?"
Stars were seen in her eyes as she gasped excitedly, "Woah really?! Then I'm older than you by a day! Hehe!"
(The feeling that your older than someone by one day is just- yes-)
"That means I can be your onee-chan right?" Kimiko happily triumphed.
You then, to her surprise, dropped her. "Ack-" She coughed out. You put a hand on your hip as you stared at your junior.
"Then miss onee-chan. Since your older than me by a day, why don't you walk the rest of the way hm?" You hummed, soon walking off leaving Kimiko on the floor.
'I'm going to get back pains after this-' Kimiko dreadfully thought to herself. She got up and wiped the excess dirt on her uniform, before catching up to you.
"What business do you have with ms Miko senpai?"
You took a glance at her before taking out an envelope, "I have to deliver a message to her. It appears to be something urgent. I, however don't know what its about." You told her. After all, she's your junior and someone that the shogun thought was worthy of being given the general title.
The two of you continued to walk on the path towards the shrine without any disturbances. You often had to yank Kimiko's collar whenever she almost fell down the mountain. You couldn't believe that such a clumsy and social person was now your co-worker.
"Are we there yet?" Kimiko asked yet again.
"Yeah, just about four more stair cases and we should probably be halfway there." You said, looking at Kimiko's expression, she was dreading it.
"I- I thought we were halfway there already? Whyyyyy~~~~" She whined as she whacked her head into the dirt pavement.
You deadpanned at her behaviour, "Well, I can come up with one significant reason. We would've been halfway there already if SOMEONE didn't almost fall of the edge twenty-four seven." You sarcastically said, clearly pointing the blame at her.
"Now come on," You took her by the collar of her uniform once again, making her sit upright before dragging her. "The sooner we get this done with, the sooner we can have that spar you wanted."
"Ehh?! Really?!" Kimiko gasped, stars in her eyes once again. This time, sparkling.
"Yeah yeah. If that'll make you walk on your two legs then sure. We can spar."
After hearing your words, Kimiko immediately jumped ban on her feet. Walking along beside you, humming happily.
Soon enough, not soon enough for Kimiko though- The both of you reached the top of the mountain. You greeted the shrine maidens there before heading towards the tall sakura tree.
There you saw the priestess, Yae Miko. Her long cherry hair swayed with the gust of wind that came along like on que. She gazed at you, before narrowing her eyes at Kimiko.
"Hm... I had expected that only general [Name] would be here.."
She walked down the steps in an elegant manner. You took out the envelope and handed it over to Yae. She took the envelope and inspected the writing on the front. She glanced at the both of you.
"Arigato, sorry for the long walk you both had to go through." She apologised. Her electro vision glistened.
"You must be Kimiko, the new general I suppose?" Kimiko only nodded in response. You didn't know why, but the atmosphere suddenly changed like the wind.
'Why did the atmosphere suddenly become- so uneasy?' You thought to yourself as Yae and Kimiko seemed to have a stare-down.
"Apologises for my sudden appearance Yae Miko. I was only accompanying Katsuhiko with her delivery." Kimiko said, a hand over her chest.
You sighed, before tugging on Kimiko's uniform, you looked at Yae. You bowed your head, "I apologise for her behaviour. She's still new to this. We'll take our leave now." You said, making Kimiko bow her head.
"Why are you apologising for me- HEY! NOT THE EAR-" Kimiko shouted as you dragged her again by pinching her ear.
Yae watched with amusement as she saw the two generals leave bickering. She looked over her shoulder at the sakura tree behind her, "You can come out now, traveller." She spoke.
As soon as Yae said those words, Paimon and Aether both looked around from behind the sakura tree before walking over to Yae. "Whew- Paimon was sooooo nervous!" They exclaimed, their stomach(s) rumbling.
"That Kimiko person doesn't seem to be dangerous at all! She seems very carefree, she kinda reminds me of Childe." Paimon said disregarding her hungry appetite.
Aether facepalmed at Paimon's sentence. "[Name] seems to be the more responsible one. That wouldn't be a surprise, I'm guessing that she's her senior after all." Aether said, recieving a nod from Yae.
"Anyways, you both wanted to know something about the moon goddess right?"
Paimon gasped, "Oh yeah! Kazuha said something about the moon goddess. What was it again?" Paimon rubbed her head, trying to think back.
"That the moon goddess had the power to reignite a fallen vision." Aether said, it sounded more like a question.
An amused thin smile crept on the priestess's face. "He's not wrong, but that's not entirely true." Yae said, however she was still amused.
"Since were on that topic, would you like to hear a story?"
(Hehe- cliffhanger :D)
Baal stood near the window, gazing at the horizon. The sky was clear, there was no sign of an upcoming storm. A vase of blood-red roses at there, flourishing.
She turned to head for the door. Baal had some, matters to attend to. Her gaze switched from the door to a piano a close friend would play from time to time.
'General Kimiko huh...' She thought to herself.
'Kimiko has her eyes.'
The electro archon shook her head. She had no time to think of them. Baal left the room,
Not noticing that the roots of the roses were starting to wilt.
Thanks for reading act viii of Saudade!
This chapter is shorter than usual, but I just want to quickly finish this arc. 2 more chapters to go! And then we'll have the 5 ovas.
Second arc will focus on Gorou and [Name]!
Okay, I'll go to sleep now-,