In the morning, Yuuko arrived at Shimura's on the streets of Inazuma City, just as he was about to order a bowl of ramen to fill his stomach.
He noticed that Shimura Kanbei, the owner of Shimura's, had a pensive look on his face.
Curious, Yuuko stepped forward and asked:
"What's wrong, old man? Is business bad lately? Why do you look so serious?"
These words brought Shimura Kanbei, the owner of Shimura's, out of his contemplation.
He looked at Yuuko and shook his head, "Ah, you're here, kid. It's nothing much, I just heard some disturbing rumors recently, and I can't help but worry."
"Rumors?" Yuuko raised an eyebrow slightly.
Since Yuuko worked on light novels, he usually spent most of his time cooped up at home writing.
Although he had a good relationship with his neighbors and communicated often, there were times when he missed out on news.
Yuuko asked, "What news would make you so concerned, old man?"
Shimura Kanbei sighed slightly:
"I heard that Her Excellency, the General, will soon issue a new decree, planning to confiscate the Visions of all Inazumans.
And it will be enforced strictly. Everyone in the neighborhood is talking about it."
"Confiscate Visions? What is the Raiden Shogun trying to do?" Yuuko was stunned again.
Hearing such news first thing in the morning left Yuuko quite bewildered.
After all, to recall something like a Vision, and to enforce it strictly, felt very unnatural.
What was the meaning behind doing so?
Yuuko couldn't understand what schemes the god of Inazuma was plotting.
Shimura Kanbei shook his head:
"I, a commoner, don't know what Her Excellency, the General, is thinking.
Although the Raiden Shogun must have her reasons for recalling Visions.
But wouldn't forcibly recalling Visions be a bit too heartless?
After all, Visions are objects that carry people's hopes.
How is depriving people of their Visions any different from depriving them of their wishes?
Now, many people have voiced their opposition, but Her Excellency, the General, still turns a blind eye..."
After speaking, Shimura Kanbei sighed heavily once more.
Hearing this, Yuuko also fell silent. He pondered for a long time before speaking, "So, if the new decree is successfully issued, it will have a huge impact on Inazuma, won't it?"
"So, if the new decree is successfully issued, it will have a huge impact on Inazuma, won't it?"
Shimura Kanbei shook his head, "I don't know. Forget it, let's not talk about this. You want the Beast Bone Ramen today, right?"
"Mm." Yuuko nodded, not pressing further.
But he had already taken the matter to heart.
After breakfast, Yuuko planned to go find Yae Miko and ask her what was going on.
After all, for such a major event concerning Inazuma, Yae Miko, the chief priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, should know more.
Having finished breakfast at Shimura's.
Yuuko first went to Yae Publishing House to inquire and, after confirming that Yae Miko wasn't there.
He then set off for the Grand Narukami Shrine.
It took almost no time at all for Yuuko to trek all the way to the Grand Narukami Shrine atop Mt. Yougou.
As soon as he reached the mountain and arrived at the shrine entrance, Inashiro Hotarumi, who was at the reception, greeted him with a smile:
"Ah, Lord Yuuko, you've come again."
Yuuko nodded. Just as he was about to ask where Yae Miko was, Inashiro Hotarumi, as if she had anticipated his question, said with a smile:
"Guuji-sama is under the sacred sakura tree. Lord Yuuko can go directly there to find her."
"Then I'll go in first." Yuuko gave Inashiro Hotarumi a strange look, then said.
"Lord Yuuko, please take your time."
Afterward, Yuuko went deep into the shrine and quickly arrived under the sacred sakura tree.
As expected, he saw that familiar pink figure.
The bad woman, seeing Yuuko approach, immediately revealed a mischievous smile:
"Oh my~ Yuuko-chan is at the shrine again today. Are you here to play with me?"
Yuuko thought for a moment and said, "Not really... I just came to draw a fortune slip today, and also have some things I want to ask the Editor-in-Chief."
These words made Yae Miko blink in surprise. She looked at Yuuko:
"How rare, what is it about?"
"It's nothing major, I just heard recently that the Raiden Shogun seems to be issuing some new decree, so I wanted to come and ask the Editor-in-Chief if it's true."
Yae Miko sighed slightly, "Is it really about that?"
Seeing Yae Miko's expression, Yuuko tentatively asked, "Could it be that the Raiden Shogun really intends to forcibly confiscate all Visions in Inazuma?"
Yae Miko didn't respond, but her expression said it all.
Yuuko asked again, "Why would the Raiden Shogun suddenly recall Visions? Is this really good for Inazuma?"
Yae Miko didn't answer the question, but instead chuckled:
"What? Is Yuuko-chan scared? If you're scared, then move into the shrine."
As she spoke, Yae Miko even extended a slender finger, pressing it against Yuuko's chin, their faces drawing very, very close:
"I'll definitely take good care of Yuuko-chan, I'll give Yuuko-chan meticulous care every day~"
This bad woman, even at a time like this, is still flirting... Looking at the enchanting face only about ten centimeters away, Yuuko secretly complained in his heart.
But to be honest, Yuuko was indeed a little tempted... Although Yae Miko loved to tease people, having her care for him.
Coupled with his good relationship with the shrine maidens, life would probably be much more convenient in the future.
However, considering that moving from Inazuma City to the shrine was too far, Yuuko still refused:
"No, thank you for the Editor-in-Chief's kindness."
Yae Miko looked regretful: "Oh dear~ I was thinking of being intimate with Yuuko-chan every day, what a shame~"
After a pause, Yae Miko said:
"Since Yuuko-chan is already here, why not draw a fortune slip at the Omikuji stand?"
As she spoke, Yae Miko revealed a benevolent smile: "Hmm... remember not to tease our shrine maidens."
"Hmm... then I'll go draw a fortune slip... I'll head back after I'm done..."
And so, Yuuko walked towards the Omikuji stand at the shrine.
When he got there, he saw the familiar shrine maiden, Kentarou Ringo.
Seeing Yuuko arrive, Kentarou Ringo was full of pleasant surprise:
"Oh my, Lord Yuuko, hello! Are you here to have your fortune slip interpreted today too?"
Yes, it's the gentle and considerate Kentarou Ringo... Yuuko smiled:
"Yes, to see today's fortune."
Seeing that Kentarou Ringo was still her gentle and considerate self today, Yuuko was quite happy.
However, while happy, Yuuko also felt some doubt in his heart.
All he had seen these days was this gentle Kentarou Ringo; as for the other sharp-tongued and tsundere one, he hadn't seen her in a long time... On the other side, under the sacred sakura tree.
Yae Miko was still leaning against the fence under the sacred sakura tree.
After confirming there was no one else around, she softly called out, "Sayu, you're there, aren't you?"
After her words fell, a short while later, a small figure emerged from the side and came before Yae Miko.
This was Sayu, the Shuumatsuban ninja who often slacked off and slept in.
Sayu had a puzzled expression:
"Ugh... what a terrifyingly intuitive woman..."
Yae Miko chuckled, then asked:
"Sayu, are you properly carrying out the task I gave you yesterday? Little... Yuuko, should be in no danger, right?"