Within the Tenshukaku's grand inner hall, bathed in the warm glow of sunlight, the Shogun sat calmly at a low table, sipping tea. Her soft lips touched the cup lightly as she took a small sip, her slender throat moving subtly as she swallowed.
Slurp~
"Haa..."
She exhaled softly after finishing the sip, letting the warmth of the tea spread through her body. Lowering her violet eyes, she gazed at the reflection rippling across the water's surface—her own flawless, divine face mirrored back at her.
"Would you like some tea?"
It sounded like idle self-talk, but in truth, she was addressing someone else—the woman across from her, lost within herself.
[...No.]
The reply was muffled and distant.
"I brewed it myself. It's quite good."
She tried again. Normally, if she brewed it, Ei would drink it. But this time... was different.
[...Not thirsty.]
"..."
The Shogun fell silent, quietly setting her cup down upon the table before rising to her feet. She walked toward the wide windows of the hall, gazing at the brilliant sunlight outside.
"The sun is rather pleasant today."
She spoke casually, almost as if continuing a one-sided conversation.
[Hm.]
A short response.
"...Perfect weather for going out."
[...Mm.]
"..." ×2
For a long moment, neither spoke.
"Haa..."
The Shogun sighed deeply, visibly weary.
[...]
No response.
"How long do you plan to keep sulking like this?"
Finally, she could no longer hold it in, her tone colored with frustration as she addressed the sullen goddess within her.
[...Shogun.]
"What is it?"
Ei's voice came at last, soft and uncertain. The Shogun paused, listening.
[I... lost.]
The tone was pitifully fragile.
"I know you lost."
The Shogun rolled her eyes. Was she still hung up on that? She'd merely lost a duel—was that really something to mope about? And besides, that Traveler didn't win in a fair fight—he'd relied on the power of countless wishes.
[In the Plane of Euthymia... I was defeated.]
Ei repeated herself, sounding even more despondent.
Ever since the Vision Hunt Decree had been abolished and the matter resolved, Ei had been acting... strange. Though the nation had entered a new age of peace, her mind remained restless. The duel against the Traveler weighed on her still—no matter how she tried to rationalize it, she couldn't let it go. The more she thought about it, the more it stung.
"So what if you lost? You were merely distracted—everyone makes mistakes. Besides, didn't I win it back for you?"
They shared one body, after all. If she had defeated the opponent later, then that victory was Ei's as well. Why was she still brooding over it?
[But... I still... lost.]
The same line again. The Shogun could only sigh helplessly, torn between helplessness and sympathy.
"Haa... You really can be like a child sometimes."
Honestly, who was the parent here? She was starting to wonder.
[...I wanted you to comfort me, and yet you mock me... How cruel.]
Ei's voice trembled slightly, her tone small and melancholic.
"How should I comfort you, then? Should I drag that boy here and beat him again?"
[There's no need for that. I just want you to make me feel better.]
"Cook something for you?"
[Not hungry.]
"...A lap pillow?"
[Not in the mood.]
"...Read you a light novel?"
[Don't want to.]
"Sleep beside you?"
[Not sleepy.]
What do you want, then?! Even for a high-level AI, this was exhausting!
Clack!
Just as she was racking her brain for ideas, the sound of the great doors opening echoed through the hall. She turned instinctively—and saw a familiar face.
"Forgive my intrusion, Shogun... Are you well?"
Kamisato Ayaka stepped into the grand chamber, her expression filled with concern. Seeing the Shogun standing there, she hastened her steps and approached.
"I'm fine, Ayaka. You..."
The Shogun looked at her, slightly puzzled, momentarily ignoring the two small figures lingering nervously behind Ayaka.
"I'm relieved to hear that. I came because I heard you've been in seclusion lately... and because the lightning storms off Inazuma's coast have grown unstable. I was worried about your condition."
Hearing that the Shogun was unharmed, Ayaka finally exhaled in relief. Thank the heavens—if anything had truly happened to her, she wouldn't have known what to do.
"Unstable lightning storms?"
The Shogun frowned slightly upon hearing the key phrase. So that was what this was about—she hadn't even realized. But why? Her mood hadn't been bad... unless one counted the constant trouble of caring for that sulking "mother" within.
"Yes. The lightning storms have begun moving inland toward Inazuma's inner islands. I was worried your mood had taken a downturn. If something troubles you, Shogun, please tell me, won't you? Ayaka is quite good at cheering you up~"
The young woman looked at her with gentle concern, studying her face as if to read her heart.
"This one's mood is as usual—no discontent."
The Shogun answered evenly.
"Eh? Then why—"
"...Look."
The Shogun gave her a meaningful glance toward the other side of the hall.
"Ah... I see now!"
Lady Ei, of course.
Ayaka wasn't slow to catch on; realization dawned instantly. So that's whose mood was unstable.
"She's sulking right now. I've tried to reason with her, but she won't listen. If you think you can talk her out of it, be my guest."
The Shogun sighed softly, her tone carrying a hint of tired complaint. Perhaps Ayaka, with her gentle understanding, might succeed where she could not.
"Hehe... You overestimate me, Shogun. If you can't persuade her, I doubt I could do any better. Besides, in times like these... you're the only one who truly can."
In Ayaka's eyes, both the Shogun and Ei were equally endearing. This moment only proved it more—mother and daughter, after all. And when it came to mothers, who better to reach them than their own child?
"Only me... huh..."
The Shogun lowered her gaze, her energy slipping away.
Seeing her like this, Ayaka couldn't help but smile softly, amused and fond. Then she reached out and gently took the Shogun's hand, giving it a small tug.
"?"
The Shogun looked at her questioningly, and Ayaka met her eyes with a silent gesture—come closer.
Tap... tap...
Obediently, the Shogun stepped forward. The delicate scent of Ayaka's perfume reached her at once.
Without hesitation, Ayaka slipped an arm around her waist. The Shogun's breath caught as she suddenly found herself face to face with that pure, snow-like beauty—those cool blue eyes, cherry-pink lips, the glimpse of her elegant collarbone, and the faint strands of white hair brushing against her brow.
"///!"
The Shogun's face flushed pink as she instinctively looked away, avoiding the girl's gaze. Despite her centuries of existence, her heart still beat wildly under the closeness. That gentle breath against her skin brought back memories of that night—the kiss that had left her flustered beyond belief.
She thought of it again now and felt utterly embarrassed. She was supposed to be the Shogun! Yet somehow, this younger woman always made her feel like she was the one being toyed with.
Catching sight of the faint blush tinting the Shogun's cheeks, Ayaka's smile deepened ever so slightly. She didn't show it outwardly, but she was quite pleased. Standing a little shorter at about 162 centimeters in sandals, she had to tilt her head slightly upward to meet the Shogun's eyes.
Then she leaned closer—just enough that her lips brushed near the Shogun's ear. Her hand rose, cupping gently near her mouth as she whispered in a delicate, airy tone. The words were soft, secretive, and sweet enough to make even a goddess falter.
The Shogun stiffened, instinctively trying to pull away, but Ayaka's arm around her waist tightened slightly, keeping her close until she finished.
A few seconds later, the two separated again. The Shogun's face still held a faint rosy hue as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, briefly revealing the beauty mark beneath her right eye.
They truly were quite the pair—each with a single teardrop mole, mirrored left and right. Ayaka's gaze lingered on it briefly, her smile still serene.
"Shogun, only you can make Lady Ei happy."
Their hands slowly parted, though as they did, Ayaka's fingertips brushed teasingly against the Shogun's, leaving behind a tingling warmth.
"T-Then... what should I do?"
The Shogun asked hesitantly, trying to hide her flustered face as she folded her arms.
"That... is for you to discover."
Ayaka's smile turned playfully mysterious.
"...You're being cryptic again."
The Shogun gave her a weary, fish-eyed look, muttering under her breath.
"Pfft... I'm sure you'll do just fine~"
Ayaka chuckled softly, offering a look of gentle encouragement.
"...Thank you. This one understands."
The Shogun nodded slightly in response—but the moment after, the two "tagalongs" she had been deliberately ignoring finally approached. Perhaps they had grown impatient after being excluded for so long. The Tenshukaku's hall was vast, and since Ayaka had walked ahead quickly, the two had lagged far behind.
By the time they caught up, Ayaka had positioned herself perfectly to block their view of the Shogun. The brief, intimate moment between them had gone completely unnoticed. Even if they had seen, she could have easily passed it off as a whisper exchanged in confidence. She wasn't worried.
"Ayaka, what are you two whispering about? So secretive!"
Paimon's shrill voice echoed across the hall.
"You two were hugging," Aether muttered, sounding distinctly envious.
"It's nothing, we were just—"
"The door is over there. Five seconds. Get out."
Before Ayaka could finish, the Shogun's cold voice cut through the air. She raised a hand and pointed directly at the great doors, her tone sharp and commanding.
"!" ×2
The abruptness of it made both Aether and Paimon freeze in place, their eyes wide. Then, as realization sank in, indignation followed.
"Hey~! What's with that attitude?!"
Paimon protested loudly.
"The Vision Hunt Decree's over—we're not criminals anymore!"
The Shogun cast them a disdainful glance.
"Unauthorized entry into Tenshukaku. Disturbing the peace. Insolent behavior. If you wish to be wanted again, I can arrange it. Perhaps with a complimentary tour of the Commission's prison."
Her gaze turned cold and dangerous.
"Hey—you're the one being unreasonable! Besides, we didn't break in! We came here with Ayaka! She has the access pass!"
Paimon crossed her arms defensively.
"Unfortunate for you... each permit grants access to one person only. Yours are invalid."
The Shogun smirked faintly, her tone calm yet cutting.
"Eh? Is that true? Ah... I-I forgot. My apologies, both of you."
Ayaka blinked in mild surprise, then gave them a sheepish, apologetic smile.
She wasn't lying—she genuinely had forgotten.
"Ha?!" ×2
Aether and Paimon both gaped, completely horrified. That was not what they'd signed up for!
"I truly am sorry," Ayaka said again, bowing politely, her pristine expression full of guilt.
"Five."
"Eh?" ×2
"Four."
The Shogun began counting down mercilessly, eyes narrowing. Her tone left no room for argument.
"Three."
She didn't stop.
"!!" ×2
Aether and Paimon exchanged a single look—and immediately bolted toward the exit, stumbling over each other in their haste.
"One."
"Where's two?! You skipped two!"
Paimon yelled as she flew, indignant even in retreat.
"Zero."
Clack!
The doors shut firmly behind them, leaving the hall quiet once more.
"Shogun~ please don't be so harsh with them..."
Ayaka murmured softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
"I was only scaring them. I wouldn't actually harm them."
The Shogun sighed, her voice calm again.
Ayaka smiled faintly in relief. Indeed—despite her strict demeanor, the Shogun still had that unmistakable streak of childish mischief.