have patience | Kamisato Ayato x Reader

chapter 1 | humble beginnings

With the carton of produce you bought from Tsukumomono in hand, your arms grew heavier by the second, and you anxiously hoped that the famously proclaimed 'fixer of Inazuma' would open the door for you before your arms gave out.

As if your prayers had been answered, the door swiftly opened seconds later and revealed the blonde retainer, his gaze horrified by the sight of the hefty load in your arms.

"Y/N! Why are you carrying all of that by yourself?" Thoma replied with a gasp, quickly taking the carton from your arms before awkwardly motioning for you to come inside with a nod of his head.

It's not that you were immensely weak—you were hardly even close—but only that you had been running across the city for the past few hours, trying your best to get the best deals on the stock that the teahouse needed, and it was clear your entire body desperately needed to rest.

"Hah... maybe I should've taken you up on your offer earlier to come with me?" you coughed as you struggled to catch your breath, smiling weakly at the personification of sunshine that stood in front of you.

As Thoma picked up the produce, your eyes scanned around the area, and your shoulders slumped once you didn't recognize your other best friend's presence in the room.

Quickly setting the carton down onto the bar next to where Taroumaru usually sat, then sitting himself down on one of the stools next to it, Thoma's eyebrows furrowed together as he glanced over at you with concern.

"You absolutely should've! Look at you, you're pitiful..."

"Thanks." you breathily laughed as you took a few more deep breaths, settling down onto the bar stool next to him. Once you were sure you were able to speak without passing out, you tilted your head. "Where's Ayaka?"

"Oh, she's getting ready for a shrine visit... honestly, I don't see how people can be so carefree about going! Lady Miko gives me the shivers..." Thoma's voice trailed off, and you looked at him with pity.

"Are you scared of a fox, Thoma?" you chuckled lightly as a soft smile danced on your lips.

"N-no! She's just... I don't know..."

"Awh, don't worry, Thoma, sometimes even I wonder how it's even possible for anyone to be that smug."

As a comfortable silence enveloped the room, Ayaka finally walked out moments later and waved at everyone within the room, inadvertently causing all eyes to fall upon her and her stunning kimono, the colors of the fabric perfectly matching the fan she always carried around, whereas the fan itself practically tied the entire outfit together, like the perfect bow on a present.

"Y/N, are you accompanying me to the shrine this time?" the snowy white-haired girl asked with a tilt of her head, her ponytail bouncing from the movement.

"Of course, but, I'd feel so under-dressed compared to you and-"

"Y/N, you look fine as you are, I promise."

Ayaka looked at you with such a genuine smile that it almost warmly assured you, and you lowered your head, both in thanks and to break eye contact with her, lest you feel any shyer than you did at that very moment.

Thoma, however, watched the exchange with immense concern painted across his soft features.

"Y/N, are you sure it's not better for you to rest after all you've already done?"

You shook your head, and with a mischievous glint resting in the center of your gaze, you smiled back at Thoma. "I promise, Thoma. Speaking to Yae doesn't entirely drain my energy unlike it does with you."

"H-hey! That's not what I was worried about!" Thoma paused as he threw his hands up in the air defensively. "It's just that you were out of breath when you came here, and-"

"Thoma..." you interrupted him with a gentle sigh. "I'll be fine, I promise."

Thoma looked up at you with stunned green eyes, almost reluctant to agree with your reassurance, but after he took a deep breath, he let out a soft chuckle, one that was delicate enough to convince even the coldest of hearts to soften. "Just be safe out there, alright?"

"I will be."

Your heart was touched by Thoma's concern for your wellbeing, but yet still, you had a purpose for going to the shrine, and you didn't wish to squander an opportunity to maybe finally achieve the goal that lingered in the back of your mind ever since the decree lifted.

It was nearly a hopeless cause, but, what if today was going to be the day after all?

As you looked back at Ayaka, who was patiently standing nearby, waiting for your answer, you got up from your seat and nodded your head.

"I'm ready whenever you are."

Before Ayaka could respond, however, a flurry of light orange fur came rushing out of the kitchen and ran straight towards you, almost knocking you over on your feet. As you looked down, you chuckled as soon as you recognized the wagging, fluffy tail.

"Taroumaru!" you called out to the lovable mascot of the teahouse, patting your leg as an invitation for him to stretch up against your knee. As he followed your command, you reached down to pat the shiba inu's soft fur, gently scratching behind his ears.

As you continued to pat Taroumaru's head, you were blissfully unaware of the fact that Thoma and Ayaka were both smiling at the sight, and you leaned down towards the wooden floor to whisper at the dog.

"I'll sneak in a few treats the next time I see you, alright?" you promised the dog, and you swore his tail began to wag faster, nearly quivering in excitement.

You were snapped back into the reality of your present surroundings as soon as Thoma coughed into the back of his fist. Startled, you looked back up, and sheepishly smiled at your two friends, to which Thoma only shook his head at in response, his eyes closed in amusement.

Getting up off of the floor, you nodded again towards Ayaka, forcing yourself to walk away from your embarrassment over your promise to the teahouse's owner being overheard. "I'm ready this time, I swear."

Ayaka only softly chuckled in delight, and she began her graceful stroll towards the entrance of the Komore Teahouse, stopping right beside the doorframe as she waited for you to follow her.

And as you waved your goodbyes to both Thoma and Taroumaru, once you stepped outside, you let out a shaky breath, unsure of what this trip would bring.

You just sincerely hoped that maybe one day, you would be able to properly thank all of those who helped you.

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