As the atmosphere grew warm and lively, the tiny fox that had been hiding in Makoto's arms finally dared to peek out.
"Yip—?"
The moment it spotted Luo Li, its eyes first lit with joy—then narrowed in indignation.
"Oh? Little one, I almost forgot you were there."
Luo Li sat up from Saiguu's lap and waved at it with a smile.
"Bad person!" the fox squeaked crisply, refusing to budge.
"So long since we last met, and you're still holding a grudge?"
The little creature huffed and turned its head away like a sulking child.
Luo Li naturally wouldn't argue with it. Instead, he softened his tone deliberately.
"Alright, it was my fault before. Little one, will you forgive me?"
The fox's ears twitched. It lifted its chin, glanced back at him suspiciously—then, after a moment of hesitation, finally chose to trust him again.
It hopped out of Makoto's embrace and scampered to Luo Li's feet.
"If you bully me again, I'll ignore you forever!"
After stating its proud declaration, it sprang up to his shoulder and settled there contentedly.
In truth, it really liked being close to him. It had only been avoiding him earlier out of petty anger.
For some reason, there was always an inexplicable scent about this man that felt… comforting.
Luo Li scratched the underside of its chin, letting it lounge on his shoulder as its fluffy tail swayed lazily.
"Saiguu, you still haven't given this little one a name?"
Hearing that, Kitsune Saiguu finally looked at the fox properly—who instantly became wide-eyed with anticipation.
"Isn't it a bit early?" Saiguu murmured.
Before the fox could droop in disappointment, Makoto gently reassured it.
"Not early at all. It'll be able to take human form before long. Now is the perfect time to choose a good name. Besides…"
Makoto smiled softly, "I can't keep calling it 'little one'. It's not very convenient."
Receiving support from the great Shogun herself, the fox perked up instantly.
Its constantly shifting expressions sent Luo Li into laughter—it was far too adorable.
Even Saiguu chuckled before falling silent in brief contemplation. Her gaze drifted toward the sakura-laden Tenshukaku.
After a moment, she spoke:
"Then… why not name her Yae?"
The small fox squeaked in delight, repeating the name in a soft whisper—"Yae… Yae…"
Makoto nodded with approval.
"'When the east wind enters my home, blossoms bloom in layered folds.' A fitting name indeed."
For some reason, upon hearing Yae, Luo Li didn't think of the "little gremlin fox" she would one day become—
but instead of that old poem: "Seven or eight layers of yamabuki blooms, yet not a single seed bears fruit."
Applied to Saiguu, it was… oddly fitting.
"I'll be Yae from now on!"
Newly named, the fox was bubbling with excitement, tail flicking wildly as it repeated her name to herself.
Chiyo found it adorable and grabbed its tail gently, teasing,
"Well then, you're practically a little grown-up now."
Luo Li stroked the fox again and joked:
"When you inherit the Grand Narukami Shrine someday, everyone will have to respectfully call you Lady Guuji."
In the shrine hierarchy, Saiguu—also called the Hallowed Priestess—stood at the highest rank.
Below her was the Guuji, the shrine's high priestess.
The little fox blinked up at Luo Li, eyes full of expectation.
"Really? I can become the Guuji someday?"
"Of course. The Byakudan bloodline has grown thin—only two or three branches remain. Yours is already among the most prominent.
The position of Guuji is yours by right."
The praise made the small fox melt with happiness, eyes narrowing into blissful crescent shapes.
Everyone watching struggled not to laugh.
Luo Li recalled that originally, the fox had zero interest in becoming the Guuji—
and that Saiguu had eventually tricked her into the role with fried tofu.
But now, with just a little coaxing, she seemed eager to seize the position herself.
And Luo Li wasn't done yet.
"The only obstacle," he continued smoothly, "is that the other yokai must acknowledge you. Without that, the Guuji's authority won't be fully recognized."
"What should I do then?"
The fox asked immediately—pure, naïve, and entirely too easy to mislead.
"No rush. Let's see… tonight is a moonless night. Hyakki Yagyō—the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.
If you can shine brightly during the gathering, the yokai will surely accept you."
"I understand!"
Now officially named Yae, the fox puffed up with determination, ready to take on the entire demon parade.
Seeing her descendant being tricked so easily, Saiguu didn't stop Luo Li—
she even added fuel to the fire.
"That's right. And I happen to have a method."
Yae stared at her with full admiration, waiting for her master's wisdom.
Saiguu said slowly:
"Recently, a new fox of our clan has emerged—exceptionally gifted. His name is Yorozu-sai.
He's respected among many yokai. If you can overshadow him tonight, you will make your name known throughout the demon world."
Yae's eyes gleamed.
What a perfect, glorious opportunity! She couldn't wait for the Night Parade to begin.
And Luo Li, matching Saiguu's rhythm, added playfully:
"I'll be returning to the Grand Shrine later. Yae, want to come with me?"
"It's Yae!" she snapped indignantly.
"Alright, alright—Little Yae."
Only then was she satisfied, nodding with the air of an important grown-up.
Her expression was so serious yet tiny that Makoto doubled over laughing, clutching her stomach.
"You two… bullying a child again."
Even Ei's lips twitched upward, struggling to suppress laughter.
Chiyo didn't bother holding back at all.
Only the fox herself seemed unaware she was the target of the amusement.
Sensing something wrong but unable to pinpoint it, she stomped a small paw onto Luo Li's shoulder.
"What did I do to deserve that?" Luo Li sighed.
He didn't get angry—this was future-Miko, after all—so he grabbed her gently by the scruff and lifted her.
"No idea! But you're all laughing at me!"
Yae mumbled gloomily.
Ah.
No clear reason—just pure emotional outburst.
Truly… an innate gift of womanhood.
Luo Li couldn't help rubbing her fluffy head, like petting a cat.
Finally, Makoto couldn't watch anymore. She reached out, scooped Yae into her arms, and began soothing her gently.
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