Embers Before Fireworks

The workweek passed without much fanfare.

Hinoka and Miyami were the tiniest bit awkward around each other the following morning on Tuesday, the latter nursing a slight headache from her first hangover, and the former still mopping up residual guilt. However, it'd been easily dispelled by kisses and hugs, and a promise that they'd be more honest and communicative in the future.

Wednesday, Thursday, and now Friday rolled on like a train, the pair of girlfriends working together at the counter, and relaxing in the off hours of home. Shared meals, conversations, and laughter—the rhythm of it all grew even warmer than before. They'd been going over the New Life List again too. Specifically, proper preparations for the fireworks display.

The dark-haired girl's eyes drifted over to her partner remembering what they had in store for today, watching as she sorted through a purchase at the counter.

'Wear a yukata/kimono (The right way for me).'

It hadn't inherently been a part of the entire 'Kiss Under Fireworks' item, but it was a desire and additional task that had been bundled in with a suggestion from Hinoka. The only real challenge was that despite the simplicity of the thought, the execution would be a bit complicated in its own way.

She glanced down at her clothes as she scribbled the number of screen protectors down.

Miyami had technically worn the traditional garments before, but only when she'd been little, and only in the more masculine styles. As far as she knew, there was a certain way that she was supposed to put them on, but what little she remembered from back then no longer applied.

The penguin watched her girlfriend bow to a customer, expression kept in check despite the difficulty the lady was making.

Thankfully, while she was more or less clueless, Hinoka had ample experience with the process. She'd worn them quite a bit growing up, so all they really needed to do now was find a fitting outfit for the dark-haired girl to wear. That was the plan, anyway, going on a quick shopping trip after work to hopefully find the perfect one to buy at a place Hinoka'd found.

Her heart thumped at the thought of wearing such a cute thing, hair done and obi tied snugly around her waist. It'd probably be the most feminine thing she'd ever worn in public, and the thought that she might be able to experience an entire festival in it?

Aah! She almost couldn't wait!

Thoughts wandered more to the possibilities. She'd looked online for some generic examples to try and look for, but with how many options there likely would be, it'd probably be best to wait until they were actually—

*tap, tap, tap*

Eyes clenched, and lips turned inward at the sudden intrusive sound of cane against tile. The now too familiar sound instinctually made her brace.

Oh no.

"Hello there, Fiery Emblem lady!" The tapping stopped with the arrival of the elderly man. "Ooh, are you preparing for another performance today? I'm still waiting for you to top the merchandise avalanche!"

Miyami's inner soul teared up, and she barely resisted the urge to hurl herself into the storage room. What the heck was up with this old man?!

Hadn't he already made a visit this Monday?

"Ahaha… Hello again. Unfortunately, I'm not doing anything like that today. Just sorting some things before closing." Her voice came out more direct than normal.

"Oh?" He leaned in, inspecting her and then the goods. "Ah! Fiery Emblem stuff. That's right, I came in today to grab yet another thing for my granddaughter. You're more than free to yap while I try to remember which one she wanted."

"…"

Miyami felt a migraine coming on.

He was mostly harmless, of course, but she couldn't help but think of him as some sort of menace. Somehow, he was always able to tip her even more off-balance than usual—a feat considering how clumsy she already was—or ready to make some out-of-pocket comment.

"Hmm…" He pondered a second. "Ah! That's right. I was wondering if you could help me grab that big box on the wall. The special edition thingy."

Head tilted toward the item. "Oh, the FE: Engagement Deluxe Edition box? Sure, I'll help you with that."

Miyami took out the stepladder and relaxed a little as she climbed it. This didn't seem too bad so far.

"Ah. You're quite the tall lady, aren't you? My, my, you're practically a model."

"Ahaha… Thanks, I guess?" Hands clamped around the box, and the penguin carefully descended to floor-level. She wasn't sure what to make of his observations.

"Hey, hey." He lightly tapped her leg with his cane. "When did you start exercising, Miss Talk-a-lot? Your limbs have stopped resembling the soba noodles I get at the corner shop."

"…" Miyami's face flushed at his bluntness, shifting the box for a better grip.

It was true that her arms and legs had been filling out a bit more as of late, thanks to Hinoka's influence. She felt conscious of it since muscle definition wasn't a particularly feminine thing, at least to most people. But the streak-haired girl had complimented her on it a few times, so maybe it was a nice thing?

"Um… A bit ago?"

"Good, good! I was worried about you being snapped in half by a breeze like my granddaughter!"

"Y-yeah… Um, here's your box. Would you like to get anything else—"

"You know, if she talked half as much as you do, I think she'd have a lot more luck with guys or gals not plastered to posters." His eyes wandered over her before he nodded to the box. "Mind helping me take it over to grumpy lady?"

Miyami felt her girlfriend's eye twitch from across the floor.

"I-I don't mean to pry, sir, but I think she might prefer to be called something else."

He didn't seem to hear her as his pace to the counter slowed to a snail. "You know, my granddaughter has a nickname of her own from her online friends: 'Shut-In Kitten,' I think is what I overheard."

The penguin's lips flatlined, and she could feel her own soul leaving her body via secondhand embarrassment.

She really didn't want to be rude to the old man, but…

"Excuse me, sir, but could you please not use such nicknames?"

"Hmm?" He looked genuinely confused as he tilted his head. "Grumpy lady or my granddaughter? Because I think she's fine with her nickname. My granddaughter, at least; she hasn't said anything when being called that so it's probably fine. Not sure about grumpy lady though, she always seems so mean to me regardless of what I use for her."

A tiger scowled from behind the register.

"E-either." Miyami said, voice paradoxically shakier and sterner than intended. "Please. Nicknames are fine, but maybe you should try asking them first if it's okay to use them?"

"…" His eyes narrowed at her as if examining her statement under a microscope.

"Ah, okay."

"…"

The AC flared up, softly spitting more air above their heads.

"…T-that's all?"

"Yes. I'm old and meek. You're young and yappy. You're also a pretty lady and a Fiery Emblem expert, and my granddaughter says those are people to be respected. If you insist, I shall listen."

"…"

"…"

"Oh ho! Fiery Emblem lady, is this flyer right?" He spotted a paper taped to a counter display. "Could I get a 10% discount on everything if I buy one another one of those special editions—Ah, sorry. Almost forgot. Is it okay if I keep calling you Fiery Emblem lady?"

"…"

Miyami felt a tear roll down her cheek. She honestly had no idea what to think of the man, but one thing was certain.

The poor penguin had to resist the urge to cry

***

Wilted shoulders trudged beneath an indigo sky tinted with the colors of sunset.

The day had finally come to a close, and the two young women had begun their trek over to the shopping district, a place that Miyami had yet to really venture in the time that she'd been in Nagashiro.

Honestly, she was beginning to feel a bit anxious, but if Hinoka was confident in the place, then that was more than enough for her. Besides, it probably wouldn't take too long, right?

"Hey." A warm arm brushed against hers. "Are you excited?"

Her voice tried answering, but only a puff came out. She resorted to her phone instead.

────────⊳⋆⊲────────

 > Yes. I'm really excited.

 > Maybe a bit nervous too, but I think it'll be fun.

 > How about you, Hinoka?

────────⊳⋆⊲────────

The ponytailed girl stared at her screen. "Wow, no emoticons? You must really be tired."

The other woman shrugged. She was, although she had the feeling her vocal confidence batteries would eventually recharge if she just let them sit long enough. Their capacity had been grown considerably since a few months ago, but she still had to be careful to not run them dry.

Mmm, perhaps some extra ☆whimsy☆ would be what she needed…

Her girlfriend continued, not bothered by her silence as she wrapped an arm around her waist. "I'm excited too. Like, I'm going to get to see my girlfriend in a cute kimono? And then spend an evening with her? It's the best date night I could possibly ask for!"

Heat bloomed from cheeks to ears, and Miyami tried to shoo her away, not wanting to cause a scene on a street. The shorter woman just giggled though, heart pulsing, and matched the taller's pace as they turned the corner.

The sights hit them like a flash.

So many different kinds of stores lined the lane, from food markets to clothing boutiques. It almost reminded her of Takeshita street in Tokyo, although maybe only a quarter of the size and not overcrowdedly busy.

Was this the right place? Surely there was no need for them to go here, right?

Hinoka just grinned as she led the way through the throngs of people, past the bustling storefronts and the chatter of the crowds, and to a place where a bright display window greeted them with a few yukata and kimono. Strangely enough, there were also a lot of very… intimate posters of woman in each other's arms, some dressed in the traditional garments, and others only half-so.

Miyami blushed. Had her girlfriend accidentally taken them to a lingerie shop instead?

She poked Hinoka to confirm, and the girl shrugged. "Ah, yeah, this is the place. It's a bit quirky. They specialize in second-hand kimonos and stuff. I've come here a few times since I've moved to the city."

"…" Her eyes pointed to the poster of two ladies in a rather suggestive embrace, both tangled in each other's outfits.

"Oh, I mean, we can always do that when we get home later." Her girlfriend winked. "We should focus on the main event for now though, yeah?"

*fwap!*

Hinoka yelped as she got playfully swatted, both stepping into the shop as a bell chimed their arrival.

"Welcome dear customer~!" a cheery voice echoed through the air. "Is there anything I can help you find today?"

Miyami glanced around the shop, her eyes taking in all the beautiful fabrics. There were racks upon racks of garments and accessories, some with flowers, others with animals, and others with even more unique designs.

Wow.

Her heart raced with excitement as she thought about wearing something from this place. They all looked so… stunning.

Hinoka began speaking on their behalf. "Hey, my girlfriend and I are looking for kimonos for the festival this weekend. Could you help us find some?"

The worker's eyes widened as if she'd just witnessed Amaterasu descending from the heavens.

"G-girlfriend? Festival?! How lovely!!!" She clapped her hands together, suddenly much more energetic than before.

A twirl. "Ah! The season of yuri is here~"

"…"

Miyami blinked at the comment.

That… explained the décor.

The nearly drooling lady shook her head, likely remembering she wasn't alone. "A-anyway. Come, come! I'll show you our stock, and we'll see what fits your tastes~!"

The two were practically dragged into the shop as they followed the woman into the depths, immersed in the growing rainbow that surrounded them.

Miyami looked around, gulping as somehow even more designs than she'd expected passed through her vision.

That was a lot of whimsy.