Two to Tango (Genshin, Yae/Kokomi)

Two fellow authors duke it out over prose and style, only to fall in love whilst doing so. Written for Thundering Hearts, an Inazuma WLW zine.

You can also check out the full tags and read it here on AO3!

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Yae holds the novel between long fingers, tutting softly as she turns a page and reads a few lines. 

“Not bad,” she murmurs, dragging a nail down the freshly bound page, “but too formal and structured. The prose is well-fashioned, but it lacks inspiration, entirely dry.”

Gorou blinks at her, his arms wrapped tightly around a thick-bound folder of work-related notes. He swallows nervously. “Ah, well, that is to say, people find her work popular?”

“Of that, I have no doubt.” Yae chuckles, slamming the book shut. “Those in the general public are entitled to their wrong opinion.”

“I wouldn’t say that it’s wrong—”

“Now, now, are you siding with her?”

Gorou grimaces. “No, of course not. I only meant to say that people have their preferences, and while there are those who like Miss Kokomi’s work, don’t forget that you are just as popular.”

“More popular,” corrects Yae not so politely. “But who’s keeping track, right?” She laughs then, dropping the book to the table. “Oh, don’t look so terrified. It’s all in good fun. I truly don’t care if her work sells or not, I’m just surprised that she has gained such popularity. That’s all.”

“Different strokes, I guess,” says Gorou, easing up a bit as he rubs at his chin. “I read her newest novel and it’s—”

Yae’s sharp-eyed gaze lands on him, narrowed slightly. “You did?”

“For research purposes, I swear!” 

She grins then, delighting in the way that Gorou squirms. He’s a good manager, but Yae finds perverse pleasure in teasing him every moment that she can. “Such a good agent,” she croons, reaching out to tap his nose, “doing research for me.”

“I am here to help. That’s my job.” 

“Your efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.” A pause, then, her eyes flickering back to the book where it sits on the table. “You read further than I. Tell me more. I find myself curious.”

“Well, you’re right, her prose is a little structured, comparatively—” Yae smiles at that. “—but her characters are well built, and it’s easy to connect with them. Her prose is more purple and very descriptive, so even with it being so formal, it’s truly immersive in a way that’s a little different.”

Yae frowns, then. “And so, you’re a fan now?”

“Eh?” Gorou looks panicked. “I mean—”

“I kid, I kid. You’re allowed to like this droll, just as anyone else. In fact, it might prove useful to me in the end. You can describe to me exactly what she’s putting out.”

Gorou’s brow furrows at that. “It’s… not entirely a competition, you know.”

“My little pup,” she says, mouth curling around the nickname he hates. “We both write romance which means that we are rivals. I should study her, no?”

Gorou doesn’t disagree which means she’s won the argument this time around. As she should. Yae isn’t the type to give in so easily. Kokomi is coming for her well-earned crown at the top of the best seller’s list, which means that Yae has her work cut out for her. 

She smirks at the thought, tapping her fingers against the book as she plans.

xxx

Kokomi has always held a middling position on the list of sellers when it comes to her work. 

It suited her just fine, taking a seat towards the back. She made enough money to be comfortable, eyes wandering over her instead of staring the moment she stepped into the room. Book signings and the like were always quiet affairs, filled with only the most dedicated of her readers. 

Quiet, quaint, and lovely. 

And then she wrote Shogun in Love which propelled her to a level of popularity that she is still at odds with. 

Kokomi stands there, staring at the entryway as though it is about to swallow her up. In her arms is her book, squeezed so tightly that she’s lost the feeling in her elbows. She sighs, wondering if this is a good idea. It is, she thinks to herself. It must be. 

“Stalling out here won’t make your time inside any better.” Kaedehara Kazuha nudges her against the ribs with his elbow. “This isn’t like you. You love signings.”

“Yes, when they were small. Kazuha, this event has been fully booked for months.”

“It’s not entirely you,” he says. “There are other authors here, arguably larger. Perhaps you’ll still slide on by.”

Kokomi levels him with a flat stare that leaves him laughing. “I didn’t ask for this,” she says. “I didn’t think—”

“I don’t think any author thinks their work will catch on. Embrace your lucky break. I still have poetry books that are only dusty manuscripts years later.” Kokomi snorts at that. Kazuha gives her a gentle push. “In you go. Don’t dawdle. A lot of those people came here for you.”

She sighs softly, rubbing her brow. Kazuha’s bookstore isn’t usually the site of such grand affairs, but he knows people here and there, and managed to pull strings. It’ll be good for him, all these patrons. It’s worth it, she thinks, if only for that. 

“This is mostly because I’ve known you forever,” she tells him. “Otherwise, I’d go back home and sign copies over the internet.”

“And I wouldn’t blame you if you did. Now off.” He gives her a gentle shove and this time she goes. 

The walk to the door isn’t as scary as it first seemed. 

xxx

But the woman on the other side of the door is. 

Kokomi might be quiet and keep to herself, but she doesn’t live underneath a rock. She recognizes Yae Miko the moment they meet gazes. Yae looks her over, a soft sneer spread on her face. Friendly rivalry, Kokomi tells herself. That’s all it is.

Yae taps at her chin, that sneer turning into a smile that isn’t very genuine. “Well, if it isn’t the new queen of the best-seller list.”

“I’m no queen, just another author,” says Kokomi.

“Hm, perhaps you’re right. You aren’t quite to the top yet, but the bottom rung is still on the ladder, isn’t it?”

Oh, she’s a foul thing, isn’t she? Kokomi’s heard the rumors, of course. She’s prepared herself for potential cattiness. Kokomi prides herself on being polite and keeping an air of professionalism, but she isn’t about to let the dig go. 

“And I wonder how it is, being at the top for so long? Do you remember what your fans look like, or have you lost touch with everyone that you deem too little to be worth your presence?” Kokomi laughs sweetly, smiling as she sinks her teeth in deeper. “You might be more established, but it shows in your work. You’ve been writing for so long that it always seems so dull and uninspired.”

Yae’s brows raise. “Dull and uninspired? And what of yours? I couldn’t tell if I was reading something written within the last century or not. Dragged on, didn’t it?”

“At least I’ve found my literary voice, no? Tell me, Yae Miko—truly, what an absurd pen name—do you even recall what it is like to write from the heart? Or are you so intent on churning out novel after novel that your prose feels all the same?” Kokomi laughs, smiling, all grins. “You mock my work for feeling contrived, but at least it has a feel.”

Kokomi expects Yae to not take kindly to her words. To her surprise, though, Yae doesn’t bite back. She tilts her head to the side and blinks slowly, her gaze washing from Kokomi’s head to her toes. “Interesting,” she finally says, tapping at her cheek. “I didn’t expect you to bite back, even if it makes you sound like a yipping dog.”

Well then, thinks Kokomi. Yae Miko has just laid out a playing field that’s quite tricky to navigate, but she has no idea that Kokomi isn’t the sort of woman who gives up. Kokomi snorts, holding her head high as she shoots Yae a level stare.

“Yes, well, even the kindest dog bites the hand which feeds it when being served poison.”

Gorou’s mouth drops, stunned. Kazuha, who stands beside Kokomi, shuffles slightly. The two agents share a quick glance, worried. 

Yae’s mouth twists into a grin that is not kind. She says, “Well, aren’t you just a puerile thing?”

“It seems as though reading a thesaurus has widened your vocabulary choice.”

“Yae,” murmurs Gorou, leaning over and tugging on her sleeve, “there is a point at which you should stop.”

Yae tuts, sighing softly. “Sadly, he’s right. I’m afraid that I must cut this chat short. I have places to be and books to sign—which, I guess, you’ll know how that feels sooner than later.” Her eyes narrow, as she regards Kokomi. “Consider this a challenge, however. We are now true rivals within the world of literature.”

“Well, what an honor.” She gives a mocking courtesy. “May the best author win.”

xxx

The problem with declaring a rather public rivalry is that it can backfire. 

Yae Miko is usually the sort who thinks her actions through, considering every angle. With Sangonomiya Kokomi, it’s as though Yae has lost all function. She thinks of the woman and that prim little smile of hers, and only sees shades of red. 

The spat has cost Yae the spot at the top, Shogun in Love securing its title as the number-one best seller. Another notch in Kokomi’s belt, against all odds. 

Gorou is rightfully wary. Yae is often in the worst sort of mood, prone to tossing things around haphazardly in a multitude of directions. 

“It isn’t just her who’s received a boost in sales,” he says, trying to ease her frustration.

“My sales don’t matter if I’m not at the top!” She regrets her tone the moment the words fly from her mouth. As annoying as Gorou can be at times, he’s a hard worker, and invaluable to her enterprise. Yae pinches her nose, takes a deep, and counts to three. 

“Why not use it as a rebrand?”

Yae pauses, turning to him. “I’m sorry?”

Gorou hesitates, choosing his words carefully. “She wasn’t… entirely wrong when she criticized your work. Reviews as of late have been mediocre. But perhaps you can use the rivalry to approach your work from a new angle.”

It is not a bad idea. No, actually, it’s a fantastic idea. Yae taps at her chin as she thinks and thinks. And then, she smiles. 

xxx

“You know, it’s pretty good.” Kazuha holds Yae Miko’s new novel, eyes scanning the prose. “Definitely different from what I’ve seen from her.”

“This is…” Kokomi’s brow furrows. “Is this satire?”

Kazuha laughs. “Knowing her? Yes, probably. Historical fiction certainly isn’t her usual fare, and she isn’t one to write something so serious.” He closes the book with a snap. “Still, the numbers are projected to do well. It’s garnering her good reviews. ‘She’s turned over a new leaf,’ they say.”

“Not likely.”

“Of course, not. She’s clearly taking a jab at your most recent success.” Kazuha pulls out his phone to check something. “Which, by the way, is on its twentieth consecutive week in the number one slot. Congratulations.”

Kokomi sighs, setting Yae’s latest novel aside. “What an atrocity to the genre.”

“I have been talking to Gorou—”

Her eyes flash and she grins. “Oh?”

“For professional reasons, I assure you.” Kokomi pouts as Kazuha continues. “It seems as though Yae is using your rivalry to her advantage.”

“And you think that I should as well?” Kokomi’s eyes narrow. 

“It isn’t the worst idea.”

No, of course not, but Kokomi isn’t sure that she can bring herself to write the same trite, cliched rom-coms that Yae Miko is so well-known for. 

But, then again, perhaps a change of pace would be nice.

xxx

Kokomi pens That One Time I Got Lost in a Public Bath and Found the Gateway To Heaven over three days, and while it is not a hit in the way her previous novel was, it does garner the begrudging respect of Yae Miko who sings its praises publicly. 

“Truly a fun one, if you are a fan of reverse harem comedies. Miss Sangonomiya seems to have found a rather witty voice when it comes to this particular genre.”

Time passes and they share more events. Their bickering and bantering melts from heated, scathing insults into a more light-hearted affair. Kokomi finds that she rather delights in their clever turns of phrase, one-upping each other when it comes to the teasing. 

They share lunch. And dinner, even late-night drinks, much to the surprise of both Gorou and Kazuha. And then, at one event, they even share a booth, selling their best-selling novels side-by-side as bundled pairs. 

“I will admit, Yae, as we’ve grown to know each other, I’ve come to admire you.”

“Oh?” Yae raises a brow, her head tilted to the side. “How unexpected. I never expected you to bow down before me.”

Kokomi’s lips purse. “I would never,” she says curtly, “but even I can admit when I’ve come to respect another, even if the sentiment is not returned.”

Yae laughs then, full-hearted. “Kokomi, whoever said that I do not respect you?”

“You did. Many times, in fact. So many, that it’s practically seared into my brain—”

Yae scoffs. “Empty words,” she cuts in, waving a hand. “If I had no respect, I would not be sharing this table with you. I would not be selling our books together. I would not have read your latest work, which, yes, could use a little more pizazz, but—”

Kokomi chuckles, a soft, snorting sort of laughter. “Why does it sound as though you are trying to convince yourself?”

Yae falls uncharacteristically quiet, thinking. “I am not. But, it’s hard to admit defeat when the issue at hand had little warrant in the beginning. Loathe as I am to admit it… my first impression of you was not very sound.”

“Ah. Jealousy can do that to a person.”

“I suppose that is true.”

It is strange, Yae Miko being truthful with her. Kokomi watches her carefully for any subtle signs of deceit but sees none. Yae looks rather pleasant, sitting there at their booth, watching Kokomi back. Unsettling, in the way that it causes Kokomi’s cheeks to pink. Her pulse races just slightly in the way that books like to describe. 

Yae is pretty enough once one realizes that she’s all bark and no bite. Kokomi realizes just how her heart lurches ever-so-slightly when she leans near. 

Which is why, when Yae Miko kisses her later under the cover of the stars, Kokomi lets her.