After Ayaka left, the Shogun sat back down at the table, taking a sip of the now slightly cooled green tea. Her violet eyes lowered as she began thinking about her next plan.
Then, from the inner pocket of her kimono, she took out a small pouch of Mora. It was the pocket money she had earned back when she worked as an adventurer—not all of it, of course. The rest she had hidden away somewhere only she knew.
What was it like for a daughter to take her own mother out for a stroll? That was exactly how she felt now—complex, yet filled with a hint of anticipation. After all, since the day of her birth, her mother had never truly set foot outside.
Standing up, she closed her eyes and let her consciousness link with Ei's Plane of Euthymia. When she opened them again, she was already within that inner realm.
The scenery before her was completely different from before. The once oppressive crimson and black tones had transformed into bright, warm hues. The blood-red moon had vanished, replaced by a clear, radiant sky. The sandstorms still blew strong, but overall, the atmosphere was fresh and calm—like a refreshing morning breeze, free of all the former heaviness.
Before her knelt a lone woman with purple hair, sitting quietly at the center with her back turned.
The Shogun walked forward, stopping behind Ei. She leaned down slightly, placing her hands gently on Ei's shoulders before kneeling beside her. Lifting her gaze, she studied Ei's delicate face, eyes closed in quiet thought.
"..."
After a moment, she reached out and laid her hand over Ei's, resting atop her thigh.
"?"
Ei slowly opened her eyes, lowering her gaze toward the hand. Then, as if in response, she softly clasped it.
"Who was here just now?"
Ei asked quietly.
"...Ayaka."
The Shogun replied truthfully.
"...She came to see you?"
"More or less. It was about the lightning storms."
"Lightning storms? What about them?"
Ei blinked, her eyes showing a flicker of concern.
The Shogun explained everything Ayaka had told her in detail.
"...Disordered lightning storms? This is the first I've heard of it."
As expected, Ei said almost exactly what she herself had thought.
"Ayaka suspects that one of us might be in a bad mood."
The Shogun gave her a pointed look, her tone implying much.
"...I am not in a bad mood."
Ei paused, then refuted softly.
"..."
The Shogun continued to stare at her.
"Alright... maybe a little. But not too much."
Ei lowered her eyes in a slightly embarrassed way, her tone growing faint.
"But... something feels strange about this."
Ei said at last, her tone thoughtful again.
"What do you mean?"
The Shogun asked, puzzled.
"I no longer possess a physical body. The one you're using now is yours, Shogun. Inazuma is under your control. So shouldn't any disruption in the lightning be related to you?"
Ei's voice was calm—not accusatory, but analytical.
"..."
The Shogun fell silent, her eyes flickering with a trace of confusion.
"Shogun, have you noticed anything unusual about your body lately?"
Ei leaned in slightly, taking her hand again, her voice filled with maternal warmth and concern.
"...!"
At once, memories flashed in the Shogun's mind—of that moment in the corridor, when she'd felt her systems invaded by some unknown force. But she quickly pushed those thoughts away and looked back at Ei.
"No, nothing unusual."
She lied.
"You're nervous."
Ei saw through her immediately. Her gentle fingers brushed aside the Shogun's bangs, tracing down to her cheek and then her side locks—tender and soothing beyond reason.
"...I'm not nervous."
The Shogun smiled faintly, relaxing her tone.
"Hmm... Then perhaps the fault lies with me after all."
Ei relented, no longer pursuing the matter. Instead, she shifted the blame back to herself.
"How about..."
"Hmm?"
Ei looked at her curiously.
"You could disable some of my functions... maybe that would help."
The Shogun said softly, placing her hand over her chest.
"There's no need for that. It isn't your fault."
Ei refused outright. She would never do such a thing to her own daughter.
Then, Ei stood up, and the Shogun rose as well.
"To say I'm in a bad mood wouldn't be quite right. It's more like... confusion. I can see the road ahead, but the contradictions still remain."
Perhaps that was indeed the cause of the unstable lightning—the reflection of her confused heart. She couldn't go on like this any longer, and she knew it.
"Ei... You don't have to rush. I'm confused too. If we jump to conclusions without careful thought, we'll only lose sight of the truth."
The Shogun walked over to comfort her.
"Mm, I think so too. After all, we still have a long road ahead."
Ei gave her a gentle smile, agreeing softly.
"..."
The Shogun looked at that tender smile and instinctively touched the coin pouch inside her kimono pocket. After a moment of hesitation, she gathered her courage and spoke.
"Ei..."
"Hmm?"
Ei looked at her, waiting for what she would say next.
"Why don't we... go out for a walk?"
"Go out? Where to?"
Ei blinked, surprised. She hadn't expected her daughter to invite her so suddenly. Had she finally opened up?
"Anywhere outside the Tenshukaku. As long as we step out, anywhere's fine."
The Shogun's tone carried a hint of shyness as she answered.
"I don't particularly have any reason to go out. Staying here in the Plane of Euthymia is quite peaceful. But... if you want me to go with you, then I suppose I can."
After all, it was only natural for a mother to accompany her child. But for herself—she'd rather stay here. Ei wasn't trying to tease her daughter; she genuinely meant what she said.
"..."
The Shogun felt a bit helpless at that, but she really wanted Ei to get out and take a breather. Staying here all the time wasn't healthy.
"If you think so, then... that's fine. I do want to go out for a walk... C-could you come with me, maybe? ///"
Her cheeks flushed as she spoke, eyes averting nervously, afraid Ei might misunderstand. Her hands fidgeted with the edge of her kimono, the gesture undeniably adorable.
"..."
Ei looked at her shy daughter, momentarily dazed. Then she smiled softly.
"Alright, of course I will."
In her understanding, her daughter simply wanted to go out—but didn't want to be alone. How could a mother refuse?
"Phew... ///"
The Shogun let out a small sigh of relief as her face remained tinged pink. As expected, inviting one's mother out shopping during one's "teen years" took a tremendous amount of courage. Otherwise, she might as well dig a hole and hide in it.
"However... I haven't gone out in five hundred years. I'm afraid I'm not too familiar with Inazuma's current state."
Ei looked troubled. She didn't want her lack of awareness to ruin her daughter's enthusiasm.
"No problem. I can be your guide."
The Shogun shook her head decisively.
"...What?"
Ei blinked.
"Your guide."
The Shogun repeated.
"'Guide'? What is that?"
Ei asked again, confused.
"...A guide is someone who introduces unfamiliar places or leads the way."
The Shogun paused, then patiently explained. She knew her mother had long since fallen out of touch with the world.
"You'll be my guide?"
Ei asked, a faint smile forming.
"Yes."
"Well then... I'd be honored."
Ei chuckled softly, as if playfully humoring her. Was this her daughter's way of showing filial affection? It warmed her heart deeply.
"...Then, shall we go?"
The Shogun, cheeks still red, reached out as if to take her hand.
"But... what about the body?"
"The body?"
She looked back, puzzled.
"We only have one physical body between us."
Ei sounded mildly concerned.
"You can use mine."
The Shogun replied immediately, without hesitation.
"And you?"
"I'll perform object manifestation."
The Shogun summoned Engulfing Lightning into her hand as she spoke, showing her intent. She would merge her consciousness with the blade to create a temporary physical form—just as Ei once did with Musou Isshin.
"Hmm, that should work. Alright, let's go."
Ei didn't argue further. It was indeed a feasible method—allowing both of them to exist simultaneously in one scene. She silently thanked Yae Miko for having taught her that technique.
Still... she was truly happy today. To be able to go out together with her daughter—even if just to accompany her. No, more than that—because her daughter asked her to go. That alone filled her heart with joy.
Just as they had planned earlier, Ei took control of the shared body, while the Shogun's consciousness was transferred into Engulfing Lightning, allowing her to manifest physically through its power.
Hum~
A soft violet glow gathered beside Ei, and she turned to look. The blade of Engulfing Lightning began to take human form, light particles dispersing until the Shogun appeared—dressed in simple civilian attire. She held a genuine wisteria-patterned paper umbrella, wore a plain kimono that ended mid-thigh, and below it were her long, slender legs wrapped in white stockings. Walking up beside Ei, she brushed a lock of her smooth, loose hair over her shoulder, looking slightly embarrassed.
"..."
Ei gazed at her for a moment, momentarily dazed, then smiled faintly as if some emotion had been released.
"What's wrong?"
The Shogun asked curiously, noticing her expression.
"It's nothing. I just thought of old times."
Ei shook her head gently so as not to make her worry. She had to admit... this outfit had been one she chose for the Shogun herself—and it suited her far more than she expected. She looked so much like her sister.
But resemblance aside, Ei knew she wasn't truly her sister. Even their faces were subtly different. Still... her daughter was undeniably beautiful. That natural grace—was it inherited from her, or from her sister? Probably from her sister.
By now, the two had already stepped beyond the gates of the Tenshukaku. The Shogun had waited to manifest until after Ei exited, not wanting the Okuzumeshuu guards to notice. Even if they did, it wouldn't be a problem—at most they'd assume the "Shogun" was simply out for a stroll. After all, dressed like this, she looked every bit the refined noble daughter of the Shogunate—no one would question it. As Ei passed, the Okuzumeshuu soldiers immediately dropped to their knees in respectful greeting.
"The air carries a nostalgic scent... and the ground beneath my feet feels so solid. Mm... how strange, yet wonderful."
Ei lowered her gaze, savoring the feeling of the earth beneath her feet, her expression touched with faint nostalgia.
"You haven't been outside in so long. Does it feel... overwhelming?"
The Shogun smiled fondly, stepping closer to her.
"Mm... perhaps a little... but today, I'm here for you."
Ei replied softly, meeting her eyes.
"Actually, I... always wanted to take you outside for a walk."
The Shogun murmured shyly.
"Oh? So that's why you asked me to come? Not because... you wanted me to accompany you?"
Ei blinked, realization dawning with a teasing glint in her eyes.
"..."
The Shogun fell silent. Of course—this kind of misinterpretation was entirely expected from her mother.
"That's not it... I wanted you to come with me too. But more than that, I wanted you to see Inazuma as it is now—with me."
That was the perfect way to put it. If she had only said "I wanted you to come with me," Ei might have missed the deeper meaning. But if she'd only said "I wanted you to see Inazuma," Ei might have felt a little hurt. So this balanced phrasing covered both sides.
"...I see. I understand now. If it's a way to make us both happy, why wouldn't I agree?"
Ei smiled softly. To think her daughter had put so much thought into this... what a thoughtful child. Truly, daughters are their mothers' warmest companions.
"Then let's go..."
The Shogun exhaled in relief, taking the lead with confident, practiced steps.
"Wait... where are we going?"
Ei followed after her quickly, looking a bit lost—like a country girl visiting the city for the first time.
"The busiest commercial district in all of Inazuma City—Hanamizaka."
The Shogun stopped, resting the umbrella on her shoulder as she turned to explain.
"Oh... since you know the place well, lead the way. I'll just follow."
Ei said with a small sigh. She truly had fallen behind the times—it seemed she'd have to rely entirely on her daughter now.
A few minutes later, they crossed the arched bridge before Inazuma Castle and arrived at the entrance to Hanamizaka's main street.
It was around six in the evening—a time they had chosen carefully. At dusk, the streets were far less crowded. Most townsfolk had already gone home, leaving only a handful of passersby. It was the perfect time for their little outing—peaceful, quiet, and with the shops still open.
Ei and the casually dressed Shogun walked side by side along the street, taking in the scenery that felt both familiar and foreign to her. The sky had darkened gradually, and the cherry blossoms fell like fragments of snow, blanketing the ground in a carpet of soft pink.
"So this is... the market as it is now? It looks so different from what I remember."
Ei turned to the Shogun, puzzled.
"You're probably remembering what it looked like five hundred years ago, aren't you?"
The Shogun replied easily. She didn't even need to guess—after all, Ei had stayed secluded for centuries.
"Ah... yes, that must be it."
Ei nodded in realization, her violet eyes filled with quiet amazement as she looked around at the vibrant street, the shops and buildings radiating life.
"The shops and merchants on the street... none of this was here before."
"Well, it has been several centuries. Humans change quickly from one generation to the next."
The Shogun explained with a small smile. She had witnessed it all—the gradual transformation of Inazuma across the ages. Nearly five centuries had passed, which sounded immense to mortals, yet to Ei and the other gods, it was but the span of a youth. To beings like them, five hundred years was barely equivalent to a human's seventeen.
That was why Ei always said she was still young.
The two of them stepped into Hanamizaka's bustling market street... and that was when things began to get complicated. The Shogun herself wasn't the issue—it was Ei, inhabiting the Shogun's body. Seeing the Raiden Shogun appear suddenly in public sent waves of shock through the crowd of merchants and citizens alike.
"Sh-Shogun-sama?!"
Ogura, the owner of the clothing shop, gasped and quickly covered her mouth in panic.
"Why would the Shogun come here of all places?"
Across the street, the owner of the general store was equally stunned.
"I thought the Shogun had fallen ill! Why is she suddenly...?"
Another shopkeeper at Roots of Netsuke scratched his head nervously.
"C-Could it be that someone reported our goods as defective, and the Shogun came to investigate personally?!"
"No way! My merchandise is all genuine!"
"Don't tell me she's here to shut us down! I've got a family to feed—please no!"
The shopkeepers all began panicking internally, speculating wildly about the Shogun's unexpected appearance. Was she here to enforce a decree? To inspect the goods? Or to hand out punishments?
Meanwhile, the few remaining passersby on the street were equally flustered, whispering to each other.
"The Shogun... shops?"
"Wait, does the Shogun actually buy things?"
"The Shogun... eats food?"
Their questions grew increasingly absurd—until someone even whispered, "Does the Shogun... use the bathroom?"
And of course, people actually began discussing the question seriously.
The answer, of course, was no! She didn't! Satisfied now?!
...Well, technically she could if she installed a simulation plugin—but really, who had time for that?!
"Haa..."
The Shogun squinted in resignation. What did these people even think she was? Some sort of divine, untouchable being that didn't eat or sleep? It made her feel more like an alien than a ruler.
"...It seems I've frightened them."
Ei murmured softly, looking a little lost and unsure what to do—like a child caught doing something wrong.
Well, it made sense. They had become the center of attention in mere seconds.
"It's fine... they'll get used to it."
The Shogun replied calmly. She wasn't particularly worried; after all, she herself often walked among the people—just not in her true form.
"Haa... true enough. We're not here to cause trouble anyway. There's no need to be so tense."
Ei exhaled softly, realizing she was being overly self-conscious. Maybe it was time for her to relax a little—and simply follow her daughter's lead.
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