Chapter Text
A dreary overcast looms over a cemetery. Despite hundreds of bodies, it seems only two are restless. One of them, an older woman with pink hair, is enjoying a picnic in front of a gravestone. Small portions of food are scattered between her and the tombstone she’s currently entertaining.
“You know,” Yae whimsically says as she bends forward and steals a piece of fried tofu from the grave, “if you’re going to let your food get cold, you’re better off just offering it to me. Really, I ought to be the one rolling her grave right now, Saiguu, I mean honestly…” Her words trail off into silence. Her pleasant nostalgia with her aunt quickly turns to melancholy. In Yae’s silence, rumbling thunder makes itself heard, it seems to agree on the current mood. “See what you’ve done. Everything’s going to get rained on. Well, hate to cut it short, but you know how I dread getting wet…See you next year, Saiguu.”
Yae begins cleaning up and then gets up to leave, regretting her parting words, for they left her feeling bitter. Maybe she’ll lie and give her departed aunt a surprise visit. Just maybe. This visit was hard enough for her already.
As she heads back to her car, Yae manages to bump into the only other living soul in the cemetery; a younger woman as distraught as her hair is purple. She’s panicking but trying her best to hide it. It gives the girl a pathetic, yet adorable look. The older woman simply snickers at her, despite it being her fault she won’t apologize. It seems like the other woman won’t either though. She just stares at Yae with an intense frown. A duel perhaps? The pink haired lady stares back with a much more amused expression.
Their so called duel ends in a stalemate when rain begins to drizzle upon the two. The girl looks up and then clicks her tongue. Finally, she says something, “It’s raining…By chance have you seen my bike? It seems to have left me.” Her voice is soft but monotone. There’s a sense of sternness to it, a kind that can’t be taken seriously for she sounds too cute as well.
“Mmmm…I don’t think I have. You don’t think a ghost stole it did you?” Yae teases.
However, it seems ineffective, the purple haired girl just furrows her brows and shakes her head, “The restless dead have no need for a piece of trash that is my bicycle. Besides, ghosts can hover effortlessly, if going by basic media.” She said this so deadpanned that Yae has no idea if she is teasing back or is just…like that.
The rain starts picking up, so Yae decides to not to think too much about it. “Well then, I can’t argue there. Good luck finding your bike, take care!” Deciding this conversation is done, the woman clasps her hands and begins power walking away while she’s still dry. The strange girl makes some kind of sad sounding noise, and it makes Yae stop in her tracks. The spirit of her aunt must be judging her from beyond the grave for being so inconsiderate. Best not to disappoint her once more. She turns around and asks, “Do you need a ride home by chance? No bike, rain, aaand it’s getting late. An adorable little thing such as you deserves a safe and dry journey home, no?”
The younger woman blinks a few times as she processes Yae’s words. A blush creeps on her face as she thinks about the pros and cons before coming to a silent conclusion and shakes her head as a means to send her back to reality. She awkwardly jogs towards Yae and simply states, “very well.”
The walk back to the car is basically silent, the only sounds being the increasing pitter patter of rain and rolling thunder. By the time they get to the car, both of them are uncomfortably wet. It makes Yae mourn for her car’s soon to be ruined interior. At least she could afford a new car after this. When the two of them get situated in the car, Yae shakes her head like a dog, and the other girl flinches and cringes as cold droplets flick onto her.
“Whoops! Force of habit,” Yae shrugs before quickly powering on her vehicle. “Now what’s your address…oh…now here’s a problem. I don't know your name. How troublesome.”
“Raiden Ei.”
Ei pulls out her phone, and punches in her address on a map app. Immediately afterwards, she brings her phone to Yae’s face. “What’s yours, ma’am?”
“Ahh, that’s a pretty name,” Yae murmurs as she peers at the map, noticing visible cracks on the screen and how old the phone is. She quickly memorizes the route and sets off. Remembering, “Oh did you ask me my name? Surely you recognize me by my beautiful appearance alone?”
Ei simply shakes her head. Sure she’s beautiful, but many aloof women often are.
Yae sighs dramatically just to get on the girl’s nerves, “Now now, no need to play ignorant.”
“Huh?” Ei gives the other woman a bewildered look. Her ignorance was not a game, despite being the most beautiful woman she’s ever seen, Ei genuinely does not recognize the pink haired lady. It makes Yae practically gasp. Everyone in Inazuma knows who she is.
“It’s Yae Miko. Surely you recognize my name at least,” Yae scoffs.
Again, Ei shakes her head, “No. Why should I, Miss Yae?” Her question is as curious as her monotone voice lets her be. Has Yae seriously met an enigma here?
Whether she has or not, Yae refuses to spoon feed the girl, “...Yae Publishing House? Does that ring any bells?”
Ei’s fingers stroke her chin as she hums aloud in thought, “Yae Publi-Oh! I know of them. That’s the publisher with all the pricey light novels. You must own it?”
“Ding ding ding, you passed!” If she wasn’t driving, Yae would be clapping mockingly.
However, the passenger is utterly clueless at the woman’s bullying. She just takes it at face value. “It was nothing. I should have realized it sooner. But, um, thank you anyway, Miss Yae?”
She’s so dense, it causes Yae to laugh, “Miko, just call me Miko.” Typically Yae casts fury down on anyone who thinks they’re close enough to her to call her anything except Yae, but since this will probably be the only time she’s with Ei, she decides to make an exception. She’s quite unsure as to why though. It definitely doesn’t help that the purple haired woman is as cute as a button. “Do you really think my novels are expensive? Hah, maybe for being so amusing to me, I should reward you with some of them, free of charge.”
“I appreciate the gesture, but that won’t be necessary, they’re typically on torrent sites quickly after their official releases,” Ei states. Seconds later what she just said registers and she gasps, “...I probably shouldn’t have said that. Um, p-please don’t call the police on me.”
If Yae was laughing a whole lot before, now the laughter becomes twice fold, “My my, Ei, aren’t you bold. What a curious little thing you are. Whatever will I do with you?”
“I’m sorry! Please don’t,” the younger woman pleads, face beginning to turn red.
“Hmm, to turn a blind eye on such a devilish crime?” Miko dramatically sneers, “I hope you realize you aren’t just asking any nobody to be your accomplice, but the fantastical genius behind Yae Publishing House itself. What’s in it for me?”
Before Ei can answer, they arrive at their destination: a dingy apartment complex. But then an idea pops in her head. A painful idea, but in her current situation, the only idea that could work in Ei’s favor. Ei unbuckles herself free and leaves the car. She states in a voice just barely about a whisper, “Follow me, Miss Yae.”
“Miko”
“Oh right. Follow me, Miko,” Ei corrects herself then walks briskly to her apartment, looking behind her every so often to confirm that Miko is still behind her. She waits at her door with her key in hand. It seems Miko is taking her time. “Apologies in advance by the way.”
Miko wonders what she means by that, but she swiftly discovers the answer when she’s led inside. Cleaning, or even tidying up, didn’t seem like Ei’s strong suit. The luxurious life Miko lives is so clean and cozy compared to this. She relishes the fact that she has maids now. Thankfully, Miko is no stranger to poverty. Despite her effortlessly regal appearances, the CEO is one of the true rags to riches women around. She knows how difficult things can be when one is poor. Still, she can’t say she enjoys being in one.
“Ah, home sweet home. So why did you drag me up here, Ei?” Miko wonders while studying Ei’s cheap studio apartment from top to bottom. With how it’s falling apart, she can deduce the landlord doesn’t quite care about the state complex is in. Outside of the mess, there really isn’t much to study. A stained futon, loose sheets; an old CRT television with some sort of gaming device hooked up to it; and a computer sitting atop a makeshift desk. Her kitchen seems like the only part devoid of personal items. Not counting the garbage, it is basically empty.
Violet eyes, full of shame, avoid Miko at all costs. “Compensation,” Ei squeaks. With only that said, the girl scuttles into her closet. A couple minutes later she’s carrying a box while pushing another in front of her with her foot with every step. “This might suffice.”
Miko has no intent to do anything more than to watch the girl squirm, but nonetheless, struts towards Ei, eager to see what sorts of treasures the poor girl has uncovered for her. To her surprise, the boxes contain video games. Lots of them. Humoring Ei, Miko looks through a box. She’s not sure how any of these frivolous things can make up the cost of one of her precious light novels, but at least the art on some of these is funny.
Appearing with another box, Ei sighs, “There’s a lot of junk and shovelware, but I know for a fact that there’s a decent amount that will sell for a heavy sum of Mora online. I’ve personally checked. There’s even a copy of the Teyvatwide release of Mother 2 in there. The one that came with the scratch and sniff walkthrough. It’s in mint condition.”
Miko doesn’t understand a lick of that. The pink haired woman is curious though. Why hold onto these things until now? “I’m not one to bite a gift horse in the mouth, yet I can’t help but wonder why you haven’t sold these sooner. A little extra Mora can really spruce up a place you know.”
Choosing to ignore the underhanded way Miko just called her poor, Ei decides to give a straight answer, “They were my parents. The collection is dear to me and holds a sentimental value indeed. Plus there’s a lot of classics in these boxes… And before you ask, I’d rather not go to prison than hold onto them. I’m positive someone like me would not do well there.”
What is this guilt Miko is suddenly feeling? Why does she feel sorrow for the poor girl? “Ah, so that must be why you were at the cemetery today.”
“Huh? Oh…no, I was visiting my sister.” Ei frowns. The way she naturally has a constant gaze of pathetic puppy dog eyes manages to pierce Miko's icy heart.
“...Archons,” Miko mumbles to herself. This is just the saddest little thing around. None of this will do. She thinks of something to get her out of this increasingly awkward situation. An idea clicks, “I refuse your offer, Raiden Ei.”
Ei cocks her head slightly and stares at Miko with confusion. The gears in her head continue to spin until the girl remembers how to speak again, “S-so you’re going to have me arrested then?”
Again, Miko not once planned to pursue legal action, but the bit has gone on for so long now, that if she were to tell Ei that, she would simply lose all her pride. She’d rather die. “No, no, no. At least…not yet. I just have absolutely zero need for these kid toys. Why Ei, even if you barely know who I am, you’re at least aware of how successful my publishing house is. Truly, obtaining more Mora when I already have five centuries worth of excess is useless.”
The heat from Ei’s jealousy is so hot, Miko could feel it. Her mouth begins watering from the mere thought of Miko’s wealth, and it does not go unnoticed by the older woman. How cute. “I will be the one to decide how we settle this. I’ll be back tomorrow evening to decide your fate. I trust you’ll be around?”
“Yes,” Ei anxiously nods. Even if her bike is recovered before then, it’s not like she leaves her apartment anyway. Only classes and her job gets her to leave the place, and on top of her classes ending before the evening, she’s also unemployed. With her poor social habits and mental health, Ei struggles a lot to hold down any sort of job she’s qualified for. All of which seem to be customer service and retail jobs.
“Perfect. I’ll be leaving now,” Miko leans in closer to Ei and grins mischievously, “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow. Sleep tight, Raiden Ei,” she coos. The menace spends no time lingering around and in a matter of moments, she’s back in her car and driving home.
Everything happened so fast. Ei doesn’t even realize she’s still holding a box until now. She gently places it on the floor and falls backwards onto her futon. She is confused and overwhelmed. Today began so simple and planned out, all Ei had to do was get out of bed and visit Makoto’s grave and then go home. Miko didn’t even feel like she’s the one to blame for all this either. Nothing good ever happens when Ei opens her mouth, and today was only more proof. The overwhelming feeling gets past all her defenses and the girl begins to release everything she currently feels through pathetic, loud sobbing until she starts gasping for breath. A little while later, exhaustion knocks her out.
It’s a simple law to follow. If Yae Miko asks her to join her for lunch, it’s a trap. No matter what. All Ayaka has to do is say no and continue on with her work. But, when Yae is staring her down like a cunning predator, she forgets how to say no in every single language.
“Um, Madam Yae, why are you doing this?” Ayaka squeaks, immediately mentally slapping herself in the back of the head for asking a question instead of nodding along. Ever since she received an internship at Yae Publishing House’s main office, she quickly became her boss’s venting and gossip buddy. She once asked why Yae doesn’t go to her older brother for all this, knowing he’s as big as a drama queen as her boss is. Apparently Yae hates him.
Yae smirks, “It’s good practice. I check in with all the interns one on one throughout the week with offers of free lunch. Consider it a bonus to your paycheck!” She’s at least in good spirits today. The last time they ate together, her boss went on and on about how lonely she’s been. Going off of Yae’s previous night, Ayaka can understand why.
“Madam Yae…” she wants to tell her boss that she and the rest of the interns are unpaid. She desperately wants to explain that these free lunches are just corporate bullshit to hide the fact that they aren’t getting paid. Instead she bites back her tongue out of fear and says, “no, my apologies. What I meant was why are you toying around with a grieving woman? Don’t you think that’s…” Noticing Yae’s face slowly becoming irate, Ayaka shuts herself up before she says something she regrets.
“Go on,” Yae urges in a low, threatening voice while maintaining a false smile.
“Ah, Madam Yae, it would not be my place to finish that sentence.”
“No no, I deem that it’s well in your place. Now spit it out.”
Ayaka groans, this is the day she’ll lose her internship, she knows it. “It’s just…it’s just that it’s cruel. From the sounds of it, this Ei girl is suffering enough. Do you really want to make her life any more miserable?”
Yae purses her lips to the side, actually contemplating Ayaka’s words. Whatever happened yesterday is making her soft, and she hates that. However, she is struggling to stop herself. What would everyone think if the cunning, ruthless Editor-in-Chief, the beloved Yae Miko the Cruel, went soft? Right now, it doesn’t matter though, she has more important things on her mind.
“Cruel? It’s just in good fun. If you saw how she reacts to being teased, you’d understand. But since you’re feeling courageous today, Ayaka, what would you do if you were me? I’m curious.”
Looks like she hasn’t lost her job yet. Strange, Yae fired interns for pettier reasons before. Ayaka hums, “Hmm, if I were you? …Get her a new bike as an apology.” The intern’s phone alarm begins going off suddenly and she quickly gets up and silently thanks Istaroth, “Ah, apologies once again, Madam Yae, I must return to work. It was nice chatting with you! Farewell” Ayaka doesn’t look back as she rushes out of the cafe the two of them are in.
Miko just stares at Ayaka as she dashes out, almost half-way running into a table during the process. She makes a mental note to give her a raise later, not realizing she’s unpaid. “An apology present?” She mumbles to herself, lost in thought. Yae thinks heavily about it. She imagines seeing such a depressing girl get excited, smiling at Miko and thanking her with her entire heart while tears well up from her eyes. She decides it’s a weird scenario to imagine. Yet, it’s a pleasantly weird scenario that makes the CEO feel hot. She feels like she’s probably been cursed by Saiguu in some way.