It's the 3rd day and you had finally recovered at least more than half of your strength. Since your batch had already fulfilled your roles as part of behind the scenes to prevent the enemies from gaining reinforcements in the field, all that's left is for the remaining two groups to handle the situation in the battlefield.
The traveler was asked to assist the frontlines so you were left in Heizou's care during your recovery. Not that you mind either way. If anything, you were really happy that you got to spend more time with him. Though, this would have been romantic if you two were not in the military camp.
"So your condition had gotten better these past few months?" The redhead detective asked as he nommed on a piece of onigiri.
"At least the attacks now are not as frequent... With the help of Aunt Lisa and other knights, I managed to take medications that hold off the attacks for a while. Though it gets triggered with frequent stress so I have to take it easy often" You also took a bite on your piece of the onigiri, you then looked at it and realized that it's a tuna-filled onigiri, which then you slowly ate to savor the taste.
"In that case, you should head back to Narukami island. You already fulfilled your job either way, and we can't keep you around in this condition" He said with concern written all over his face.
"But I don't want to leave you here.." Your eyes lowered as you worry that something might happen when you're away.
The detective placed his free hand over yours, gently took it and kissed over your knuckles, which made you lightly blush.
"I'll be alright. As much as I want to go with you, I have to stay and see things through to the end. Once this is finally over, we can meet up again" He gave a light smile while still holding your hand.
"I can't help but worry..."
"I'll be even more worried that you're here... especially with your condition. I won't be able to protect you when they need me out in the frontlines"
You gazed into his worrying eyes then you sighed a bit in defeat with a light smile. You thought that he's right. You can't afford to be a burden to him when he has his hands full with something else.
"Alright, I'll head back.. For your sake"
His expression then shifted from worry to a soft smile in relief then he leaned in for a short kiss. "I promise, I'll come looking for you once this is over. Wait for me, okay?"
You blushed and nodded. "I'll wait for you there, the same place where we would always meet"
After eating and packing up your things, Heizou then assisted and escorted you to a boat which is headed for Ritou.
You were about to get on the boat then the detective suddenly pulled you back for a tight embrace. You were a bit surprised for a moment before you wrapped your arms around him.
"I love you..." He whispered in your ear and kissed the top of your head before letting you go.
As you were about to tell him that you love him back, he placed his index finger on your lips.
"Hold your response until we meet again~" He smiled then turned around to make his leave.
You pouted when he hushed you, then watched him leave for a few seconds before you turned back to the boat and got on as you start to make your way back to Narukami island.
***
You soon finally made it back to Ritou and inhaled the familiar air of the port. You took a breath of relief that you made it safe and sound. All that's left is wait for the detective's return.
"Is that my compadre I see??" You heard a familiar loud voice from the distance, to which you turned then your face brightened upon seeing the silver-haired oni.
"Itto!" You waved at him gleefully as you were quite happy to see your yokai friend after months of being away from Inazuma.
"n/n, my pal! Where have you been these past few months?" He approached with a wide grin on his face as he waved back.
You and Itto then began catching up on the things that happened so far for the past few months as you both walked through Ritou.
"So how's the gang? Has Shinobu returned yet?"
"The gang has been doing well as usual. As for Shinobu, yeah she returned just a few days ago, keeping an eye on the gang as what a deputy leader should do"
"Though, I feel like she's doing more work than you do.." You sweatdropped along with your remark, which made the oni taken aback.
"H-Hey! that's not true!" He protested.
After a long good hour of talking on the road, you happen to meet up with the rest of the Arataki gang at the entrance of Inazuma city.
"Boss, there you are! We've been looking for you everywhere!" One of Itto's gang members rushed towards the both of you then he took notice of your presence. "Miss y/n! It's been a long time!" He greeted.
"Right back at you Akira" You greeted back with a smile.
"I heard you came back from Mondstadt" A certain green-haired woman in a mask approached you. "Welcome back, y/n"
"Shinobu!" You went over to give the female a hug as she returned the gesture.
"Since everyone's here, why don't we have a feast tonight at Uyuu restaurant? My treat!" You offered as the gang-- apart from Shinobu, had their eyes gleam in excitement.
"Really y/n!?"
"Now, now, hold on a second!"
Everyone paused and turned to look at their oni leader.
"I believe that we should all hold the celebration at a beach instead of celebrating at some fancy restaurant or something so that we could give n/n here an even better celebration!"
"Just say you didn't wanna be indebted, Itto" You crossed your arms and raised an eyebrow.
"But boss! How can we have a feast if we don't have any food??" Akira interrupted.
"Well duh! We're gonna fish of course!"
"Brilliant idea, boss!" Genta and Mamoru clapped.
As the boys of the gang were busy bickering about where and how to celebrate the feast, Shinobu then pulled you over to the side with a sigh and shook her head.
"Let's go buy some snacks and drinks for the boys, because knowing them..." She pointed at them with her thumb. "I'm pretty sure it will take a while for them to get things done"
You let out a sheepish laugh and sweatdropped at the thought. Although the boys of the Arataki gang aren't the brightest, you know they mean really well and would give an effort for others.
You and Shinobu then let the boys know that you two were gonna stroll around the city and left them behind, though you decided to head back to your place to drop off your baggage.
***
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Itto...?"
"Don't ya worry, n/n! It'll be fun!"
"Won't we get in trouble with the Tenryou commission???"
For context on what kind of shenanigans you got yourself into, Itto apparently ordered a huge firework from the Naganohara's. You can try to take a guess on what comes next.
Picture this, you and the Arataki Gang were at the beach, just right below the city. The boys had prepared the firework, strapped to a chair and even placed upside down. The chair then was placed by the water so basically, if you were to ignore the chair's existence, the firework is aimed at the water.
Now you question yourself why are you all doing this? You actually didn't want to but the boys had dragged you along with their dumb ideas while Shinobu is still out buying drinks. So now, you're in a questionable situation that could get you in trouble with the authorities or not, but mostly the former.
"Alright! our under-waterwork is ready! Light em up boys!" The silver haired oni snapped his fingers in cue.
You quickly distanced yourself within the safest range you could get, praying to the archons that this won't cause any huge trouble, especially to the citizens and authorities.
[Shinobu's POV]
I managed to buy some drinks for the gang at Tsukumomono groceries then immediately head for the beach before the boys start doing something dumb and drag y/n along.
As I was about to head down the stone stairs, a sudden explosion occurred within the city.
"-!?" I immediately turned around to see one of the houses on fire from the top floor.
"Help! My house is on fire!"
I immediately put down the drinks I held and rushed off to the source of the cry. A woman was crying in front of the burning building and so I immediately approached her to see if she was hurt.
"Ma'am, are you hurt?"
"N-no... but my house..!"
"Is there anyone else inside??"
The woman then shook her head, which is good because that means no one was hurt. I immediately went to call the Tenryou Commission for assistance and they managed to arrive just in time, helping out each other to put out the fire.
The fire was soon out and the Tenryou officers went to check the cause of the fire. To my surprise of their finding, they managed to drag out a certain red-horned oni that they found in the owner's bathroom, holding onto a firework.
I approached him with my arms crossed. Seeing that he's the culprit of this incident, I'm no longer surprised.
The boss slowly looked up at me while groaning in pain. "Ow ow ow...uhh.... h-hey Shinobu-" He gave the usual stupid nervous look on his face.
How the heck did this happen?
[Flashback]
"Alright! our under-waterwork is ready! Light em up boys!" Itto snapped his fingers in cue.
Akira nodded and lit up the match, starting up the firework that was sorta placed in a dangerous position.
As the firework was being lit up, one of the legs of the chair unfortunately fell apart and tilted the position of the firework, and who could've guessed that it was aimed right at the certain oni out of all people in the area? Guess lady luck is not his side.
"-!? Itto! Watch out!!" y/n called out as she could see what's happening despite the distance she kept.
"Huh?-"
Boom!
The firework was shot out, a direct hit at the silver-haired oni but since his body is built and sturdy enough, he was rather pushed off by the firework like a stray cannonball and he was thrown up towards one of the houses in the city, flew through the bathroom window and the firework exploded.
***
[y/n's POV]
"You what!?"
You and the rest of the gang quickly rushed to the city to check up on Itto if he was okay. You soon found the oni kneeling on the ground while covered in burns, perhaps from the explosion. In front of him is the reliable Shinobu, giving him a good scolding about the chaos he had caused.
"Boss! You're okay!!" The boys rushed over to Itto and Shinobu, then they too, received a harsh scolding from the latter and were brought to their knees.
When the matter had finally calm down, the boys then were brought to the station to serve their punishment for public disturbance and property damage. Shinobu then turned over to you and approached closer.
"Sorry about that, y/n. Even though you had planned a celebration with us.."
"Don't worry about that Shin!" You waved your hands in front of you. "I'm just glad that Itto's okay. Though I feel kind of at fault here for letting them do this instead of warning them.." You sweatdropped in guilt.
"Oh well, I wouldn't blame you. I bet they just dragged you along anyway" She went over to pick up the drinks she had bought and gave you some. "Why don't we go and drink at your place instead? The boys most likely wouldn't be out for a while so I'm kinda free"
You then nodded as you accepted the drink from her and you both head over to your place.
***
"...So we ended up kissing" You took a sip of your drink.
You and Shinobu drunk some sake in your house, talking about the things that happened to the both of you for the past few months. The current topic is about your love life with the detective and how things were brought to that point.
"Is that so? Good for you, y/n" She responded as she sipped on her glass as well. "Though, how come you came back on your own?"
"Well... He said that he can't leave since he's one of the in-charge of the operation. I understand his position, yet I can't help but worry for him.." You glanced down on your shot glass as it gleamed under the moonlight that passed through your window.
"He'll be fine. That detective isn't so easy to beat, he might as well be skillful in combat just as much as in cognition"
You lightly smiled at her words of reassurance then lightly nod. "I guess you're right" You then sipped on your glass.
For the rest of the evening, you both kept talking and drinking until midnight, then decide to sleep in the living room as soon as you both had finally enough to drink.