Beep beep beep—
A noisy alarm suddenly filled the four corners of the room that had been wrapped in quiet serenity. The alarm signaled morning. Just as it proclaimed, the window beyond the thin silk curtains had begun to glow with dawn like a promise of hope. Warm-colored light slipped through the gaps, painting the intertwined bodies of the two beauties on the bed with a golden sheen, coating their fair skin in a brilliant veil of light.
Beep beep beep—
The alarm continued ringing, causing the two beauties embracing each other beneath the blanket to frown slightly.
"Mm... so noisy..."
The purple-haired woman, still hovering at the edge of sleep with her eyes closed, wriggled like a child in the arms of the person beside her and complained in a muffled voice.
"Haa... yes... so noisy..."
Kokomi, who was holding her, lazily echoed with her eyes still shut.
Beep beep beep—
The sound kept going.
"Mm... Shogun-sama... please... haa... turn it off."
Half-asleep, Kokomi murmured the request in a languid tone to the woman in her arms.
"...Don't want... to move. You do it."
The Shogun replied with a hazy, sticky voice, then snuggled further into Kokomi's embrace like a pampered little cat.
"Mm... I... haa... I also don't want... to move..."
Kokomi instinctively hugged the little "cat" tighter, though her voice carried a lazy complaint.
Beep beep beep—
And so... the alarm seemed determined to challenge the patience of the two girls who refused to get out of bed... ringing without pause, torturing the two on the bed.
"So annoying~!"
"Too loud~!"
The next second, both girls raised their voices in shared dissatisfaction.
"Enemy... where...?"
The Shogun asked groggily.
"By... the bedside."
Kokomi replied.
In perfect unspoken coordination, they slowly extended their arms toward the trembling alarm clock on the bedside. However, neither of them was fully awake, so their movements were sluggish. With their eyes still closed, their aim was completely off, and as a result the Shogun ended up grabbing Kokomi's hand instead.
Squeeze~
That slender hand was unconsciously kneaded back and forth. She even absentmindedly interlaced and separated the other girl's fingers repeatedly, as if searching for something.
"Is this... the alarm clock?"
The Shogun asked vaguely.
"Mm... Sho-Shogun-sama... this... haa... is my hand. The alarm is underneath."
Kokomi replied in a sleepy tone without opening her eyes.
"...Underneath?"
The next moment, their intertwined hands finally moved forward together and pressed onto the vibrating alarm switch in perfect unison!
Click!
The world fell into silence.
They stared at each other blankly. Slowly, two pairs of beautiful eyes opened, gazing at one another's hazy figures.
"Good morning... Shogun-sama."
Kokomi offered a drowsy greeting, followed by a sweet smile.
"Has the enemy... been eliminated?"
The Shogun asked, squinting sleepily.
"Mm... temporarily..."
"Haa~"
Thump~
Letting out a sigh of relief, the Shogun lazily collapsed forward onto the girl before her, pressing Kokomi back onto the bed as she sprawled over her.
"Mmph~"
Kokomi let out a soft, delicate cry. Her body, still weak from sleep, was easily pushed back beneath the covers by the woman on top of her.
"...Shogun-sama?"
As her drowsiness faded slightly, Kokomi lowered her gaze to the adorable woman resting against her and gently stroked her hair.
"How much time... is left?"
The Shogun asked quietly.
"..."
Kokomi glanced instinctively at the alarm clock.
"Half an hour left. Sleep a little more, Shogun-sama."
She answered, hugging the woman on top of her again and soothing her gently.
"Mm... sleep is... the greatest enemy... I... underestimated it... haa..."
The Shogun muttered before lazily closing her eyes again.
"Pfft..."
Kokomi held the woman lovingly as she drifted back to sleep, lowering her gaze to the fluffy crown of her head. While she slept, Kokomi leaned closer and stole a light kiss.
Chu~
About fifteen minutes later—
The Shogun, who had taken a short second nap, was awakened again by Kokomi, who had already changed clothes.
"Shogun-sama, it's time to get up."
Kokomi placed the clothes she had taken off the night before neatly in front of her, speaking in a tone like that of a young mother.
"How long did I sleep?"
She rubbed her eyes and asked in a slightly nasal voice.
"Not long. About ten minutes..."
Kokomi sat at the edge of the bed, pulling up the white thigh-high stockings over her legs while turning to answer.
"...Oh."
She nodded vaguely.
"Hehe... I thought I loved sleeping in already, but it seems you're even more fond of it than I am~"
Kokomi teased.
"Perhaps it's... some kind of UG after activating sleep mode."
She murmured softly. Later, she would ask Ei to adjust it for her.
Or maybe it wasn't a UG at all, but her own problem? Recently she had found herself more and more reluctant to get out of bed, completely unable to control it. It was truly difficult. No wonder Ei used to dislike getting up as well. She could now understand her feelings.
"...UG?"
Kokomi tilted her head in confusion.
"It's nothing... just nonsense."
She shook her head to clear her mind, then sat at the edge of the bed and changed into her clothes and shoes. With Kokomi's help, she combed her hair and tied it into a braid.
"You're quite skilled."
Looking at the perfectly braided hair, she praised the girl standing behind her in the dressing mirror.
"You're too kind. My mother taught me hair-braiding techniques before."
Kokomi adjusted the bangs on the Shogun's forehead as she replied.
"All done~ Shogun-sama, I think loose hair suits you better."
Kokomi said.
"Really? Ayaka says tied hair suits me."
She countered.
"Mm—Miss Kamisato thinks so? Then it seems we have a small disagreement."
Kokomi smiled gently. Though, the other was right. A beauty at the level of the Shogun could perfectly handle any hairstyle. Tied hair looked sharp and capable, while loose hair appeared soft and graceful. That was also why she mostly wore tied hair when acting as the Raiden Shogun, while casual clothing often paired with loose hair.
In short, the purple-haired woman before her was truly a peerless beauty. Even someone with Kokomi's appearance could not help but admire her.
"Let's go..."
The next moment, the Shogun stood and beckoned to her.
"Mm..."
They picked up the peace agreement drafted on paper the day before and left the room together. Their destination was the negotiation site agreed upon with the Tenryou Commission.
The location had been selected by the Yashiro Commission... namely, the Kamisato Clan. According to Ayaka's original suggestion, it should be a place both sides could reasonably accept, equally distant from Watatsumi Island and Narukami Island. That way, if anything unexpected occurred, countermeasures could be taken more easily.
Therefore, the negotiation site was set near a beach southwest of Tatarasuna on Kannazuka. When the two arrived, the Tenryou Commission and the Sangonomiya forces were already waiting there.
"Haaawn~ Shogun-sama, during the negotiations later, just follow what I told you last night."
As they approached the area, Kokomi could not help but yawn. She then emphasized her reminder to the person beside her.
"Understood... then it will depend on your acting—and Sara's."
She replied.
"Hehe... yes. I hope you can explain the reason clearly to Miss Kujou and ask her not to misunderstand me."
Kokomi smiled wryly.
"Rest assured. I will tell her."
She gave Kokomi a knowing smile, conveying that there was no need to worry.
"Mm. Thank you for the trouble."
Kokomi smiled back. Now everything was ready—only the east wind remained~!
After that, the two separated. According to their plan, they each walked toward their respective camps. Kokomi headed to the Sangonomiya forces on the left, while the Shogun went toward the Tenryou Commission on the right.
At this moment, the leaders of both sides had not yet formally entered the field. There was a brief period of preparation.
"Shogun-sama! You've worked hard!"
Sara, who had been waiting outside, immediately straightened and bowed upon seeing her approach.
"Enough with the formalities. How many times have I told you? There's no need to act like this with me, silly child."
The Shogun quickly helped Sara up, then indulgently reached out and gently pinched her cheek, her tone soft and warm like that of a mother.
"Mm... y-yes///"
The girl flushed instantly and replied in a small voice.
"You know why I've come, correct?"
Just in case, she asked. As she spoke, she reached up to adjust the slightly crooked tengu mask at Sara's temple, her movements gentle and virtuous.
"Yes. I heard from Ayaka."
Sara nodded.
"Mm... Sara, don't misunderstand. It's not that I don't trust you, it's just—"
"I understand, Shogun-sama."
However, Sara offered her a rare gentle smile—one few outsiders ever saw.
"Hm?"
She blinked slightly.
"I know myself that I'm not good at confronting Sangonomiya Kokomi. You came personally to ensure this negotiation proceeds smoothly. I understand. From now on, I will fully obey your instructions."
The girl spoke earnestly.
"Such a good girl..."
She patted Sara's head with satisfaction, like stroking a small pet.
"Mm///"
Sara lowered her eyes with a blush, letting herself be petted. Fortunately, they were some distance from the troops. If her subordinates saw this, it would be social death!
"Hehe... look how embarrassed you are. Here—take this."
She affectionately brushed the poor girl's flushed cheek with her fingertip before handing over the drafted peace agreement.
"...What is this?"
Sara looked at the contents in confusion.
"These are all the conditions you need to negotiate today. Later, just read them out according to what's written."
The Shogun explained.
"Understood... did you write these?"
Sara asked, puzzled by the elegant handwriting.
"This vessel drafted it. I've also considered certain easily overlooked issues. It's fairly comprehensive, so you needn't worry about omissions."
"Alright... then what about the other side—"
"No need to worry about that either. Sangonomiya Kokomi also has her own copy of the peace agreement. The contents are responses to yours. She will cooperate with you during the process."
The Shogun whispered softly.
"Eh? W-what do you mean? Sara is foolish. Could you please explain a little, Shogun-sama?"
Sara grew adorably confused. The entire sequence left her stunned. Why would Sangonomiya Kokomi cooperate with her? And why did Kokomi also have a copy? Had the negotiation already reached a conclusion? Then what were they even doing here today?
"Haa... well, it's a long story—"
The Shogun leaned close to Sara's ear and summarized the long story in short—
One minute later—
"...I see. Mm, I understand."
Sara nodded in sudden realization.
"Good. Later, when negotiating with Kokomi, don't worry about her expressions. Just focus on stating your document's contents—especially these revised sections."
She leaned in and pointed to the modified clauses.
"Mm///"
Sara blushed as she nodded, faintly catching the fragrance from the person beside her.
The time was nearly up—
"...Go on."
The Shogun patted her shoulder.
Sara nodded and stepped out of the tent, walking to the central negotiation area exposed before everyone. When she arrived, Kokomi was already waiting on the other side of the table.
In an instant, the atmosphere around them grew solemn. Aside from the sound of waves and wind, there was nothing else. The Sangonomiya forces and the Shogunate army stood on opposite sides, their respective military banners raised high. Their gazes followed every movement of the two.
Sara took a quiet breath upon seeing Kokomi and stepped to her side of the table. Suddenly, she felt a bit nervous—not because of the negotiation itself, but because of the acting. She was terrible at this!
"..." (nod).
Seeing the Shogun emerge on the other side and give her a subtle nod as a signal, Kokomi lifted her gaze toward the girl opposite her and began the talks.
"Long time no see, Kujou Sara. The last time we met... was on the battlefield, wasn't it?"
Kokomi crossed her arms with practiced ease and spoke fluently. In such matters—including acting—she was clearly more adept. Her opening was smooth and natural.
"...Yes. At that time, we suffered considerable losses at your hands—"
Sara steadied herself and adjusted her posture, slipping into negotiation mode under Kokomi's lead. Though she was not as composed as the other, it was not noticeable to outsiders.
"Only by preparing in advance can one remain unshaken in crisis... which also proves that under your leadership, the Tenryou Commission is indeed brave and capable."
Kokomi replied calmly. As she spoke, her fingertip lightly tapped beneath her own eyelid, subtly knocking against her copy of the agreement as if reminding her of something.
"...!"
Sara immediately understood and awkwardly placed her agreement on the table. She had been clutching it foolishly since earlier, nearly wrinkling it.
"Pfft..."
From afar, the Shogun smiled indulgently.
"Ahem... then let's proceed directly to the main topic."
Sara cleared her throat and cooled her tone.
"Very well... please have a seat."
Kokomi gestured to the chair and gracefully smoothed her skirt before sitting down, her legs gently together and angled to the side in a refined posture.
Sara also took her seat. As she looked at the tranquil girl opposite her, Kokomi's eyes subtly signaled downward.
Understanding, Sara lowered her gaze to the document and began what appeared to be a 'heated confrontation'—though in truth, everything had already been discussed.
The first few conditions were no different from those proposed by the Shogun last night. They passed smoothly. The key lay in the clauses below.
Throughout, the Shogun observed the reactions of the surrounding soldiers with her violet eyes, missing not a single detail.
"Next is the matter of personnel exchanges and the jurisdiction of stationed forces."
Sara glanced at the next revised clause on the paper before raising her eyes and taking the initiative to bring it up. She was now entering her rhythm, far less stiff than at the beginning.
"Since the war has ended, I propose that the Yashiro Commission select certain merchants to oversee trade between both sides."
"Commerce requires reciprocity. Merchants from both sides must participate. It cannot be entirely handed over to the Yashiro Commission."
Kokomi did not even need to look at the paper. She could recite this line by heart—it had once been her own words.
"However, as I understand it, Watatsumi Island is currently in urgent need of supplies. Having the Yashiro Commission coordinate distribution would also benefit you."
Sara glanced at the document. A circled note in azure ink read: 'Raise Watatsumi's supply shortage.' The handwriting was not the Shogun's. Could it be—
"As for supply shortages, we have our own means of alleviating them. Watatsumi Island is rich in resources, and many foreign merchants are willing to come."
Kokomi responded without looking at her paper.
"Moreover, such matters should be discussed between the Kamisato Clan and us. The Tenryou Commission... does not seem to possess authority in this area, does it?"
This sentence had not been part of yesterday's discussion. It was newly added—clearly intended to escalate tensions.
"..."
Sara glanced again at the document. Another line in azure ink read: 'I will object. Then drop the topic and move to security.'
"In that case, let us discuss security. I propose that Watatsumi Island's security forces return to the jurisdiction of the Tenryou Commission."
She rose slightly, folding her arms as she spoke coldly.
"For the time being, that is impossible."
Kokomi also stood, lightly placing both hands on the table as she leaned forward, replying with equal chill.
"There is no such thing as impossible. The Tenryou Commission oversees Inazuma's security. Watatsumi Island cannot remain an exception indefinitely—"
That line was her own improvisation. It had not been written in the script, though its meaning was similar.
Heh...
Kokomi smiled inwardly. The contradiction had been ignited. Now it was time to wait for the prey to take the bait~
"Tch~!"
"Hmph!"
At that moment, Sara noticed several soldiers among the resistance beginning to stir restlessly, their expressions filled with hostility toward her direction.
So this was what the Shogun meant...