Yuuki had honed her blade for this day. She followed Mitsu down to the dojo. With how excited her partner had gotten the moment she was asked to join her for morning practice, it was hard for Yuuki to maintain her own composure. She felt guilty for the pretense, but she had put too much preparation into today to back out now.
Her chance to strike arrived soon. Just as they entered the arena and Mitsu skipped towards one of her bokken, Yuuki went to grab one of the tempered blades she had stashed away the night before. With a yell to draw Mitsu's attention, she swung the sword right at the other woman's head.
Mitsu whirled around, initially more confused than anything. Once she noticed the attack about to strike her face, her cyberware activated by pure instinct. With her accelerated perception giving her the time to properly assess the situation, Mitsu leaned forward and caught the blade with her mouth.
The chocolate blade shattered between her teeth. She happily began chewing on its broken remains.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Mitsu!" Yuuki said and picked up a bag holding another sword. The first one had been little more than a proof of concept. Now she kneeled in front of her partner and revealed her final product.
Words failed the samurai, so it was with a pleased moan that she gingerly picked up the chocolate katana presented to her. One hand grabbed the red painted handle, with a thumb gently running over the heart shaped tsuba. The other lovingly ran along the shiny black blade.
She started swinging the sword, at first tentatively out of fear that it would snap. With each strike, her confidence in its durability increased and her movements became more vigorous. Mitsu ended her practice by lunging at Yuuki. Instead of returning the earlier strike, she scooped up her partner in a hug. "Thank you! It might not be a true warrior's instrument, but it's a beautiful piece of art nonetheless. In fact, I fear your craftsmanship might be too fine. Food it may be, but my heart aches at the thought of biting into this blade as well."
Yuuki returned the hug with a chuckle. "We can worry about that another time. For now I'm just happy you like it. Let's hope it's a good sign for today's service."
"I'm sure your efforts will bear fruit today. Tis a day of love after all and none could deny the passion with which you've built your establishment."
"I'll take your word for it. Actually, I'm sorry to have gotten your hopes up for practice, but how about I make you a cup of hot chocolate?"
"Fear not, the way is as patient as it is long. Warm up your skills for today's battle. We shall resume your training in due time. Lead the way!"
Shortly afterwards they were back in the cafe, with Yuuki behind the counter preparing cups of hot cocoa and whipping cream and Mitsu seated at one of the tables. Given the occasion, the shop had been decorated to accommodate couples, but seeing her partner surrounded by roses and candlelight made Yuuki wonder. How much money was there in a cute maid handing out valentine's chocolate?
The idea was banished by the time she set the cup down in front of Mitsu and sat down across from her. The customers aside, Mitsu was too innocent to make some quick eddies that way.
"Thank you very much for the beverage." Mitsu took a deep swig of the hot chocolate.
"You know, I really am grateful for all your help, Mitsu," Yuuki said, chin resting on one of her hands and fondly watching her partner. "I couldn't imagine someone I'd rather have at my side. So thank you. Thank you for having stepped on the train to Kagoshima with me, thank you for having stayed with me since and thank you for always having my back. Oh, and of course, thank you for being so cute in a maid outfit. It really helps around the cafe." She finished with a wink.
Mitsu threw her head back. Ostensibly to finish her drink in one go, but it also hid her face behind her cup. It might even have hidden her blush, if it didn't spread all the way across her ears. Eventually she lowered her cup again. "I consider myself quite blessed by our partnership as well."
"That's good to know." Yuuki ran her thumb over Mitsu's upper lip to wipe away the streak of cream and chocolate that had formed. Then she licked her thumb clean.
"Ah! Please excuse me. I just remembered that I've forgotten to present my own offerings." Mitsu fled up the stairs without waiting for a response.
Yuuki watched her go with satisfaction carrying just a hint of concern that she might have teased Mitsu a bit too much. She could never resist the urge when it came to her partner.
It was a relief when Mitsu returned shortly afterwards. She came rushing back down with the same breakneck speed and just barely managed to skid to a halt in front of Yuuki. She thrust a small package hand wrapped in paper with a flower motive towards the other woman. "My artistic skills may pale in comparison to yours, but I hope these sweets are sufficient as a token of thanks for all you have done for this humble warrior."
"Consider your feelings received." Yuuki took the package and cradled it against her chest with one hand. The other hand she held out to Mitsu.
Their fingers intertwined. Their eyes meet. Their cheeks redden.
"There's still some time until the cafe opens," Yuuki said.
"Then mayhaps we can stay like this for a while longer."
"I'd like that. Say, today aside, you're going to stay with me, right? Or are you feeling your wanderlust acting up?"
"Consider my blade yours for as long as you desire it."
"Great." Yuuki gave Mitsu's hand a squeeze. "In that case, you're stuck with me."
"A most pleasant arrangement. Though, mayhaps it would be nice for the two of us to go on a pilgrimage to broaden our horizons."
"A vacation with just the two of us, eh? That sounds lovely."
Yuuki spent a long time with Mitsu.
-For those wondering, the initial idea was the chocolate sword that turned to the teeth blade catch and then I kept going from there.
-Right until I ended things out on a Persona social link style line. I guess it was on my mind after Persona 3 Reload added a higabana to its opening and I remembered that one of the MC's names is Yuki.
-On which note, I guess Mitsu's arcana would be Chariot?
