Inazuma City was built at the heart of Narukami Island, where cherry blossoms bloomed year-round. Petals often drifted like rain, clinging to those who passed through if they were not careful.
At the city's center rose its most iconic landmark—the Tenshukaku, the fortress where the nation's supreme ruler, the Raiden Shogun, resided.
At this moment… the great hall within the Tenshukaku was utterly silent. The pale tatami mats were spotless, the folding screens and sliding doors painted in hues of soft violet. At the far back, the sliding doors of the main chamber bore the crest of the Electro mitsudomoe.
Despite its vastness, the room was sparsely furnished—just a few purple folding screens, a black brazier, weapon racks against the walls, several unlit candlestands, and a low black desk before the steps to the upper chamber.
And at the top of those steps, seated gracefully before the desk, was the room's master. The flowing hem and sleeves of her kimono spread across the floor, making her seem like an otherworldly maiden.
The breathtaking woman had her eyes closed, as if in meditation, passing the quiet moment in stillness. Her hands were not resting on her lap, however… for someone else occupied that space.
Yes—her thighs were serving as a lap pillow. And the one resting there was none other than her other self.
The woman who looked identical to her lay on the tatami, head nestled against the soft thighs, violet eyes half-closed in comfort.
"There is no pillow in this world as comfortable as the Shogun's lap. To rest here is bliss itself."
Ei sighed in contentment as she spoke, occasionally tracing a finger lightly over the skin of her thigh. Her high-heeled sandals had been slipped off and placed neatly to the side. Her shapely legs, identical to the Shogun's, were sheathed in deep-violet thigh-high stockings, alluring in their elegance.
At this moment those beautiful legs stretched slightly, her delicate feet playfully crossing and uncrossing, toes flexing beneath the fabric, rubbing against the tatami as if in mischief.
…
Yet the Shogun gave no response, eyes still closed, whether she had heard or not unclear.
…
Ei raised her eyes toward the Shogun's face. She already knew what the other was doing.
"Shogun…"
"Mm?"
The soft call carried a note of tenderness, and the Shogun immediately replied.
"Are you simply idling away the time?"
Ei asked playfully, her fingertip still brushing lightly against the thigh beneath her cheek, inviting idle chatter.
"…Passing time in vain, brooding over inkstones. Hmph~"
"Pfft…"
Hearing that little "hmph~," Ei couldn't help but laugh. Sometimes the Shogun's tone turned childishly sulky, just like a pouty child.
"…Is it comfortable?"
The Shogun suddenly opened her eyes, glancing down at her, and asked.
"Of course it is. How could it not be?"
Ei rubbed her cheek lightly against the patterned hem of her stockings, catching a faint fragrance rising from her thighs. Then she rolled onto her back, gazing up at her face.
"You always insist on using my lap as a pillow. Wouldn't it be easier to use an actual pillow?"
Though she spoke thus, her tone carried no trace of complaint—only gentleness. Reaching down, she brushed aside the fringe of hair from Ei's face. The smooth lock revealed a beauty mark beneath her eye—identical in size and placement to her own.
The tenderness she gave to the woman in her lap was instinctive, not out of command or compulsion, but simply… natural.
Lying on her thighs, Ei basked in the gentle touch, her eyes narrowing with comfort. After a moment she propped herself up, leaning close enough to meet her gaze at near distance.
"Are you going to Seirai Island afterward?"
She asked softly.
"I gave my word. A promise must be kept."
The Shogun replied in kind, her voice low as she looked into the beautiful face so close to hers. She had promised the Thunderbird; since the being had aided her, she would not betray its expectations.
"You summoned Sara to accompany you there?"
"Indeed."
"..."
Ei narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression touched by faint complexity.
"…Are you angry?"
The Shogun asked softly.
"Not angry—just a little helpless. You always attract so much attention."
Ei sighed.
"This vessel has long overseen Inazuma, but… it has been ages since I last went to Seirai. I am unfamiliar with the terrain there. The Tenryou Commission visited recently, so Sara knows the route better. Summoning her is simply for efficiency, and having her alone is only to avoid drawing eyes. Do not misunderstand."
Her tone was meant to put Ei at ease.
"To be honest, Shogun… seeing so many people care for you makes me glad. Jealousy is natural, but gods and their subjects should share harmony… following one heart."
Ei reached out to gently caress her cheek, stroking with tender affection. Though the Shogun stiffened slightly, she did not refuse.
"So… you need not worry about my feelings when you treat your people kindly. Sara follows you, the Shogun, not 'Ei.' The same goes for all of Inazuma's people. Seeing you grow like this… I am satisfied."
Ei lowered her hand, taking the Shogun's hand instead. Her words were heartfelt. The Vision Hunt Decree had been her doing—if anyone was unworthy, it was herself. And yet… she would not give up. For Inazuma's sake, she must continue.
"Ei…"
"But no matter what, you are still my puppet, my daughter. Don't you dare distance yourself from me. Understand?"
Ei pressed a slender finger to her lips, leaning close as she whispered.
"Hah… what nonsense. Don't say such things."
The Shogun grumbled softly, displeased. She knew full well she would never treat Ei that way. Her gentleness toward her was instinct, not command nor compulsion.
"Mm… I trust you."
Ei ended the topic there. She did not want to dwell on it further. Looking at her now, she truly felt relieved. Her gaze drifted over the low desk nearby.
Hm?
Something out of place caught her eye. A… book?
Neither of them often read books. How had one ended up here?
"What is this?"
Like a curious cat, Ei crawled over, picked up the colorful volume, and returned to her side, puzzled.
The Shogun lowered her eyes to glance at it. She recognized the object.
"…A light novel."
She answered. Shifting her posture, she drew her feet out from beneath her and sat on the tatami in a proper seiza, hands resting at her sides.
"Light… what?"
"Light… no… vel."
The Shogun patiently sounded it out.
"A light novel? It's just a book, isn't it?"
Ei tilted her head, clearly confused. It looked like a book—a storybook?
"Something like a storybook, but more fanciful. Mostly just the author's own whims. I don't fully understand it either. That's how Miko explained it to me."
'The author's self-indulgent whims… basically their own fun. I found it interesting enough to read.'
The Shogun recalled the words of the pink fox beneath the Grand Narukami Shrine, and sighed.
"Miko? So this book is hers?"
Ei looked at the cover with its bold, colorful letters.
Reincarnated as the Raiden Shogun… Determined to Show My True Power in Another World!
She read the bizarre title aloud, stumbling in the middle. How ridiculous could a title be?
"She brought it to me once. Said she found it at Yae Publishing House and thought it amusing. She said it might interest the two of us."
Recalling the conversation, the Shogun explained. At first, she hadn't understood why. But after seeing the title on the cover, she realized. As for what kind of person wrote such a thing—she couldn't imagine.
"Hah… truly, that fox is incorrigible."
Ei muttered softly, staring at the silly title. It was exactly the kind of thing that suited that fox's taste. No wonder she found it amusing.
She could already picture Miko smirking mischievously in private.
A few minutes later… Ei still wanted to give this unheard-of thing—a light novel—a try.
Carefully, almost nervously, she opened the first page and glanced at the illustration… Hm, the art was quite good.
The insert showed the Shogun holding Engulfing Lightning in hand. So this was how the people saw her? So dignified?
"..."
She lifted her eyes slightly at the woman beside her, lost in thought, then suppressed a smile and looked back down at the book.
Perhaps to feel more comfortable, she leaned against the Shogun, snuggling into her embrace and resting her head at her neck as she flipped the pages.
The Shogun did not resist. She obediently let her rest against her, even adjusting her posture slightly to make it more comfortable. Ei's warmth pressed faintly against her skin, leaving her heart quietly softened. Yet she knew Ei had no physical body anymore—this was only her form given shape through Musou Isshin.
Rustle…
The soft sound of turning pages reached her ears. She could almost feel Ei's breath tickling against her neck.
After some time…
"Haa… I underestimated this."
The woman in her arms muttered in frustration. So close, her voice seemed to echo within her chest.
"You… can't read it?"
The Shogun, already understanding, lowered her eyes and asked softly.
"Strange, isn't it? I know every character, but when strung together… I can't make sense of it."
Ei straightened slightly, like a child complaining, staring down at the light novel she could not take in, her expression fallen.
"It doesn't matter if you can't. The content is sloppy… overly fanciful, the author lacking skill, the characters collapsing."
Especially her own character! Reincarnation or not—it was absurd. A complete collapse of personality. Things she would never do, turned into laughable nonsense.
"Shogun… you can understand it?"
Ei asked.
"Not fully, but I can grasp the general idea. It was difficult at first, but it grows easier with practice."
The Shogun answered. Indeed, she had once been like Ei, illiterate to its flow. Over time she had gotten used to it—"follow the author's train of thought," as Miko had said.
"What is it about?"
"…A man dies… and is reincarnated as me."
The Shogun explained awkwardly.
"'Reincarnated'… what does that mean?"
Ei asked like a curious child.
"…A change of gender. A man becomes a woman, or a woman becomes a man."
The Shogun clarified.
"Why would he become us?"
Ei posed the profound question. Why indeed? Or rather—why would the author write it that way?
The Shogun met her violet eyes. Their gazes locked. Then she spoke:
"…Market demand."
"…Oh~."
Ei made a soft sound of acknowledgment and fell silent, as if needing time to digest it.
Tap, tap…
Footsteps sounded outside. Faint, but clear in the stillness of the hall.
Sara had come.
Ei heard them too. She exchanged a glance with the Shogun before dissolving into violet motes, retreating back into Musou Isshin.
The Shogun rose slightly, her exquisite legs straightening as she slipped her feet into her nearby Inazuman sandals. Then, turning her back to the door, she crossed her arms in a poised stance.
Knock, knock…
A gentle knock.
"Shogun-sama… did you summon me?"
A voice rang from behind the door, magnetic yet dignified.
"Yes. Enter."
The Shogun replied in her usual calm tone.
"As you command."
Slide…
A short-haired girl wearing a tengu mask stepped into the wide, dojo-like tatami hall. She walked forward slowly, stopping behind the Shogun and kneeling on one knee.
"What does Shogun-sama require of me?"
"…No need for such formality."
The Shogun turned her head slightly, glimpsed Sara kneeling, and sighed softly before stepping closer to lift her up with her own hands.
"Shogun-sama…"
Sara was visibly flustered, almost overwhelmed, at being raised by the Shogun herself.
"…Such a formal bow… I hardly deserve it."
The Shogun spoke half-jokingly to the young woman before her.
"U-um, yes, as you command."
Sara quickly averted her eyes from that breathtaking face, answering shyly.
"Sara."
"I am here."
Her response came without hesitation, as if she would never let a single call go unanswered.
"Are you familiar with the terrain of Seirai Island?"
The Shogun crossed her arms again, going straight to the point.
"Seirai Island? Yes… I'm familiar enough. Previously, due to the island's thunderstorms, monsters surged out. Large groups of hilichurls took the chance to attack nearby villages. The Tenryou Commission carried out evacuations and purges then."
Sara recalled the mission, explaining each part to the Shogun—then paused, realizing something.
"Shogun-sama… you intend to go there as well?"
Since she had asked, there had to be purpose. In Sara's eyes, the Shogun never acted without meaning.
"Indeed… I have private matters to handle on Seirai. I called you here to accompany me. You know the area, which will be convenient."
The Shogun stated her purpose. But seeing the other's dazed, adorable look, she lowered her gaze. Perhaps she was being presumptuous—Sara might have pressing duties. She could not afford to hinder them.
"Oh, if you have important duties… you may refuse. I will find someone else—"
"Please allow me to accompany you! I… I have no urgent matters!"
To her surprise, before she could finish, Sara raised her voice slightly in an eager plea. Yet her next words were a bit less certain.
"…Truly no urgent matters?"
The Shogun asked gently, with no pressure in her tone.
"N-no… well… yes, actually. The resistance has been restless lately… I was working on counter-strategies…"
Sara's voice deflated like a punctured ball. To outsiders she was the unshakable Kujou Sara, but before the Shogun she was like a well-behaved kitten.
"But… please rest assured, Shogun-sama. My subordinates are top-notch strategists. Even without me, they can handle it. So… so… please let me go with you."
This was her rare chance to be alone with the one she thought of daily. She knew it was selfish, but she had to seize it.
"Haa… such childishness, Sara. You haven't changed at all."
The Shogun sighed softly, her tone helpless. She was exactly the same as when they first met.
"I'm sorry, Shogun-sama."
Sara lowered her head, guilt in her voice.
"It's fine… The trip will take at most one day. It won't delay much. If you're prepared, we can depart now. How about it?"
The Shogun shook her head gently. Seeing her apologize softened her heart. She understood her feelings. It would be fine—just one day.
"Yes, I'll prepare at once. Please wait a moment, Shogun-sama!"
"Mm. Go on."
The girl turned to leave. She wanted to run but forced herself to walk steadily—this was the Tenshukaku, after all. Yet her excitement showed in her wavering steps as she went out.
The Shogun watched her go, finding her truly endearing, and shook her head with gentle helplessness.
[Shogun…]
'What is it?'
[I am entering meditation. I will close off the Plane of Euthymia and cut contact with the outside. If you need me, come to the Plane. Inazuma's affairs are in your care.]
'I understand.'
The Shogun answered without complaint.
[Good…]
Hum~
She clearly felt her link with Ei sever. In the previous world, Ei had always left a small opening in the Plane of Euthymia to remain in touch. Now, back in Inazuma, there was no need for such caution.