Yoriichi never sought out for approval. At least, that was the case until he met you.

There was something about you that made him want to just do his best, to impress you. No matter the task, he would do it for you. You just had that ability to pull anyone in with ease with your laughter, your smile, your warmth, and he was no exception.

He would always find himself looking at you for your approval—finding ways to keep your attention on him. And if he could, only him. Whether that would be carrying wood for you to your abode or showing off his strength for a reaction, anything to keep your eyes on him.

It started when he first ventured the village when he was old enough to come alongside his twin, Michikatsu, and his mother, whenever he took the trek down the mountains. You were a child of a poor artisan, who happened to be selling your wares to any passerby that only brushed you off. It was a momentary curiosity towards your merchandise, which consisted mostly of careful beadings and woodworks carved delicately into birds and fish that anyone could tell of the amount of passion put into the artistry. From then on, Yoriichi frequented the village, gathering as much money as he could to buy little trinkets that slowly began to accumulate within his room, all in which became his prized possessions. Devotion, as his mother had said to him when he was younger. There was no greater love than giving your significant other stability in this era. To love was to be devoted. To love was to provide.

Thud. His muscles flexed with beads of sweat as he raised the axe over his head, only to slam against the block of wood placed on the stump. The wood was small enough, easier to work with alongside many others he’d chopped up that he planned to bring to you.

Gathering as much as he could handle on his back, Yoriichi traced the path to the village. His heart yearned to see you again, imagining your beaming smile the moment he gifted you materials for future carvings as you often did whenever he gave you something he knows you’ll like. As he neared your stall, however, his expression slips at the sight of its empty spot, a look of confusion replacing his usually calm demeanor, unaware that you were behind him.