"But... wouldn't that interfere with your rest?"
Ayaka asked.
"How could it? If anything, I'm the one who delayed all of you..."
The Shogun shook her head.
"...Then... will Your Excellency be cooking personally?"
Ayaka asked carefully, her tone filled with unmistakable anticipation.
"Pfft... yes~ If you want to eat it, then I'll make it for you."
The Shogun smiled at her indulgently before brushing back her long loose hair and answering with exceptional domestic grace.
"If it's food cooked by the Shogun herself, then we simply must eat it."
Pandora nodded in agreement.
"Agreed. Excellent. Then let us depart as soon as possible?"
Ei was more excited than anyone else, though she still tried to restrain herself from appearing too obvious. Even so, her tone revealed everything. After all, it was her daughter's cooking. She knew exactly how good it was. At this moment, she was already the first to stand. As she moved, the others gradually followed.
"In that case... do we get to join as well~?"
Miko smiled brightly with her arms crossed. By "we," she naturally meant herself and Hanachirusato's shrine maiden group.
"Of course. Miko, Hanachirusato, and... Kokomi...?"
As she spoke, the Shogun looked toward the pink-haired girl who had remained unusually quiet for some time now. Seeing her still seated on the tatami with lowered eyes in a daze, she became slightly puzzled.
"..."
Kokomi was somewhat absent-minded at the moment. She suddenly felt as though she could no longer insert herself into the conversation, almost like an outsider.
Which was true, in a sense.
She was not from Narukami Island to begin with.
Previously, she had subconsciously tried to blend in because of the person she loved. But now... after calming down, she could not help feeling completely out of place.
"...Kokomi?"
Seeing this, the Shogun softly called out to her again.
"...?!"
Kokomi instantly snapped back to reality and subconsciously looked up at her. At first all she saw were several pairs of legs, only then realizing everyone else had already stood up. She hurriedly lifted her gaze toward the Shogun.
"Tenshukaku... aren't you coming? Together with us?"
The Shogun stepped forward and stopped before Kokomi. Her figure under the light gradually enveloped the seated girl beneath her shadow. Kokomi looked up at her somewhat adorably, seemingly spacing out again.
Seeing this, the Shogun glanced back at the others and silently signaled with her eyes.
"Let's head outside first... everyone..."
Ayaka sharply noticed the cue and proposed it to the group.
Everyone agreed and obediently left the room together, arriving in the courtyard outside. Soon, only the two of them remained indoors.
"...What's wrong? Why are you suddenly like this...?"
The Shogun slowly smoothed her skirt and sat elegantly before the girl, gently stroking the back of Kokomi's hand resting on her thigh as she asked with concern.
"...Shogun."
Kokomi stared at the hand holding hers and subconsciously returned the grip without lifting her eyes.
"Mm?"
She answered softly.
"I..."
Kokomi carefully considered her words. She glanced toward the silhouettes outside the room, especially Ayaka's figure, before pressing her lips together.
"I... think I won't go after all."
Kokomi looked at her and smiled somewhat complicatedly.
"...Why?"
The Shogun froze briefly, a faint frown forming as though dissatisfied.
"I... it's nothing—mmya~"
Who could have expected the Shogun to suddenly pinch her cheek lightly the next second?
"Mmm~ It hurts~ ┭┮﹏┭┮"
Kokomi made an adorable crying expression, letting out a soft kitten-like whimper.
"Are you thinking that you're somewhat unnecessary? Thinking you shouldn't disturb us?"
The Shogun narrowed her eyes before releasing her cheek.
"...Eh? How did you..."
Kokomi was startled. She shook her head blankly—not to deny it, but because she did not understand how the Shogun knew exactly what she was thinking.
"Haa... do you think I don't understand you by now~? I saw through those little thoughts long ago. You always overthink things. I suppose that's the downside of being so attentive."
The Shogun complained to her in a muffled tone, lightly squeezing the hand she held.
"...Sorry..."
Kokomi apologized softly.
"...Why are you apologizing? I don't want your apology... haa... don't you... want to stay beside me? ///"
She turned her face away and asked while blushing.
"Eh?"
Kokomi looked at her.
"...I already promised you before. When you need me, I will stay by your side. But likewise, when I need you, you should stay by mine too. Isn't that how there can be... that kind of... that kind of... /// m-mutual... um..."
Her final words became fragmented and difficult to understand, yet Kokomi still understood perfectly.
"...Mutual love?"
Kokomi helped her finish the sentence.
"I-it's trust~! W-what do you mean love? /// That's embarrassing~"
She retorted stubbornly with a flushed face.
"Pfft... you want me to go? To Tenshukaku? To your home?"
Now successfully persuaded, Kokomi immediately began taking the initiative instead.
"What else would it be?"
The Shogun sounded puzzled.
"Could you... say it to me one more time?"
Kokomi asked with deliberate intent.
"...I want you to come to my home. Is that enough?"
The Shogun sighed and obediently complied.
"And what would we do there?"
Kokomi continued asking.
"Come to my home and I'll cook for you. Don't you want to eat the dishes I make? I'm making them for you."
"Hehe... I do... of course I do... I really, really do~!"
Kokomi answered loudly and directly, as though she had cast aside all restraint.
"Mm~! Then let me have your hand~!"
She raised her hand.
"Okay..."
Kokomi obediently lifted her hand and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.
"You'll take responsibility for me, right? Shogun...?"
She intentionally whispered that final sentence softly to the beautiful woman before her.
"Haa. Unfortunately, that line should be mine instead. You should take responsibility for me."
The Shogun turned her head and smiled back at her teasingly.
"Hehe... of course I will. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Kokomi accepted immediately.
"Smooth talker~"
"Pfft..." ×2
The two of them burst into laughter together. Hand in hand, they walked out of the room and reunited with the patiently waiting group before heading together—rather, practically as a traveling party—toward Tenshukaku, her home.
"Feeling better after being coaxed~?"
Ayaka's sharp eyes swept toward the hand Kokomi was still holding with the Shogun's as she asked with a bright smile.
".../// Kamisato-san, I originally intended to yield this opportunity to you. Who would've thought I'd change my mind? Truly regrettable."
Kokomi blushed briefly at the remark before instantly regaining her composure. She smiled serenely at the ice-colored girl beside her who rested her chin atop her folding fan, refusing to lose in momentum.
"Hehe... indeed~ I'm so frightened. As expected of Lady Sangonomiya~"
Ayaka shrugged dramatically, pretending to be afraid.
"What are you two whispering about back there?"
Hearing the two murmuring behind her, the Shogun turned around in confusion.
"Nothing at all, Shogun~!" ×2
The two girls instantly changed expressions and smiled at her sweetly as they answered.
"...Really?"
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Mm~!" ×2
"...Fine then."
Helplessly, she turned back around—only to suddenly whip her head back again and stare at the two girls.
"...? Shogun~?" ×2
Yet even then, both girls still gazed at her serenely as though absolutely nothing had happened.
"...Never mind."
Something felt very strange. She remained puzzled.
"..." ×2
The instant the Shogun withdrew her gaze again, Kokomi and Ayaka simultaneously reverted to their previous expressions. They exchanged mutual eye-rolls while the hands hanging at their sides secretly tangled together.
Unfortunately for Kokomi, she was still far too inexperienced in this sort of thing. Against Ayaka, she stood absolutely no chance.
In a single instant, Ayaka's hand "bit" into the flesh of Kokomi's palm. Kokomi frowned and tried to pull away awkwardly after feeling it, but that snake-like hand refused to let go. Ayaka even retaliated mischievously by pinching the center of her palm precisely at a particularly sensitive pressure point.
"Mmmya~!"
The sudden stimulation made Kokomi let out a delicate cry on the spot, immediately attracting everyone's attention.
"?" ×N
Everyone stared at her strangely as her face turned red enough to drip blood.
"Pfft~"
Ayaka had already silently withdrawn herself from the scene, secretly laughing.
Sangonomiya Kokomi... trying to compete with her in technique was still far too naive.
These techniques were all reserved for the future, for the Shogun herself—for the woman she loved to properly "enjoy." No one could surpass her in that regard.
"Kokomi... don't tell me you're the type who—"
"N-no, that's not it ///... please believe me... mmm ┭┮﹏┭┮"
Kokomi blushed furiously as she denied the Shogun's increasingly strange misunderstanding. She looked moments away from crying.
In her view, tonight was likely going to become extremely lively.
—Mm, definitely very lively. Haa~
With slight resentment, she glanced toward the secretly snickering White Heron Princess nearby before sighing softly and rubbing the palm Ayaka had pinched earlier.
As the group entered Tenshukaku, there was no need to avoid the Okuzumeshuu guards stationed throughout the area. After seeing Ei lead everyone inside, the guards naturally did not stop them—or perhaps they simply did not dare to.
In their eyes, these people were guests personally brought by the Shogun.
Since the Shogun intended to entertain guests, then as her subordinates, they naturally ought to cooperate to the best of their abilities.
Thus, upon seeing the group approach, the guards all lowered their heads and bowed respectfully.
Among everyone present, Kokomi seemed to be the only one still unaccustomed to this sort of treatment. The others appeared entirely used to it.
Even back on Watatsumi Island, her own subordinates had never treated her with such exaggerated reverence.
As expected of the Almighty Narukami Ogosho.
And when she thought about how familiar she had become with the daughter of that very Ogosho—the Shogun herself—it still felt somewhat unbelievable.
Almost like a dream.
Of course, part of that also came from the effort she herself had made in approaching the other woman from the very beginning.
After all, the Shogun had once held certain prejudices against her.
Back when they first met... the Shogun had even drawn her blade against her.
And now...
For example, at this very moment, her hand was still being held by the woman she loved.
Warmth filled Kokomi's heart as she quietly revealed a smile toward the figure before her, careful not to let anyone else notice.
That's right.
She wanted to remain by that person's side.
If the atmosphere earlier had already surprised her somewhat, then upon seeing the interior of Tenshukaku itself, she became even more astonished.
The scale of the building far surpassed Sangonomiya Shrine. There was a difference of several times over.
Simple and spacious, every corner carried the dignified grandeur of its owner.
Behind the main hall, beyond the folding screens, lay a private living area.
The group gathered there together before entering the living room.
The living room itself was not particularly large.
Unlike the imposing atmosphere outside, it instead felt unexpectedly warm and cozy.
Clean tatami mats.
A low dining table.
Several personal furnishings and decorations.
Everywhere one looked, the place carried the unmistakable warmth of daily life.
"I'll go prepare the food. You all can wait here for now."
The Shogun briefly tidied a few things in the living room before informing everyone and heading toward the kitchen.
"Shogun... are you feeling alright physically?"
Ei asked with concern.
"I'm fine. I've mostly recovered already."
She stopped and turned around to answer.
"That's good... don't overexert yourself."
Ei nodded.
"Mm... don't worry. You all chat amongst yourselves."
With that, she entered the kitchen.
"I'll prepare the tea."
Ayaka also stood and began arranging the tea set.
"I'll help you, Kamisato-san."
Seeing this, Hanachirusato also rose and followed her.
"Hehe... my, my~ The Shogun is truly so domesticated. A perfect example of a good wife, wouldn't you say, Ei~?"
Miko found a spot to sit and reclined sideways on the tatami while watching the figure moving inside the kitchen, unable to help sighing emotionally toward Ei beside her.
"..."
Hearing this, Kokomi smiled inwardly.
She herself had once said something very similar to the Shogun before.
"Indeed... very wonderful."
There was even a hint of pride in Ei's tone.
"You should learn a little too, you know? Wouldn't it be nice to become more domesticated? Just look at the Shogun, then look at you... spending all day holed up reading light novels."
Miko spread her hands with a tone that sounded like she was lamenting hopelessly failed material.
"Haa..."
Ei let out a speechless sigh.
"Eh? Lady Ei reads light novels too?"
Now this topic immediately excited Kokomi.
After all, she herself often read novels whenever she had free time.
She never expected this divine being to have such a... well... refined hobby?
No, perhaps "refined" wasn't quite right.
Maybe it was more... approachable?
"Hm? Judging from your tone, you read them too?"
Ei's eyes lit up with interest.
"Yes... I've been reading them for quite a long time. You could say I'm an old bookworm, hehe."
Kokomi answered with a bitter smile.
"Oh? Then what a coincidence. Having a senior like you around is my good fortune."
Ei spoke humbly.
"N-no, no, I truly don't deserve that. We're only reading novels after all. We're all just readers. There isn't any seniority between us."
Kokomi hurriedly waved her hands.
Being called a senior by this person in particular nearly made her heart stop on the spot.
"Haa~ Wonderful. Now you've really gotten into it."
Seeing the two already beginning to discuss novels enthusiastically, Miko muttered tiredly to herself.
Though she herself was the founder of Yae Publishing House and also read novels, at a time like this she only wanted to lie down peacefully and become a salted fish for a while.
However, just as she narrowed her eyes and prepared to drift off, she suddenly felt a hand stroking her fluffy drooping fox ears.
The instant they were touched, the ears even twitched adorably.
"...?"
She opened her eyes in confusion and looked over.
It was Pandora seated beside her.
At that moment, Pandora was curiously petting her ears, though the instant their eyes met, she immediately withdrew her hand.
"Oh my~? What's wrong, little one? Interested in my ears now? Want to pet them~?"
Miko was not angry.
Instead, she spoke in a charmingly seductive tone.
"Is that alright, Guuji-sama?"
Pandora froze briefly before asking.
"Haa~ Sure. I'm bored anyway, so you can groom my fur for me."
Miko simply laid down indifferently.
"..."
Pandora cautiously reached out again and gently touched the fox ears, her azure eyes filled with curiosity.
"Are these real ears?"
She asked.
"How rude. Of course they're real. What else would they be?"
Without lifting her head, Miko comfortably narrowed her eyes.
"It's nothing..."
So even in Teyvat there were demi-human races...
It wasn't unique to her own world after all...
Pandora silently marveled inwardly.
Meanwhile, on the other side...
Ei and Kokomi were already discussing novels enthusiastically.
"You read that one too...? The book called "As the Raiden Shogun, I Somehow Became Everyone's Crush~"?"
Ei asked.
"Mm... I've been reading that recently too. It's... pretty good."
The moment Kokomi recalled the parts where the novel depicted herself, she still subconsciously felt a trace of discomfort.
But it didn't matter anymore.
After all, novels were fictional.
Reality was not like that.
Her relationship with the Shogun was nowhere near as twisted as what the novel portrayed.
"Ah... that one. The Shogun actually asked me earlier to give feedback to the author. She specifically wanted all the chapters involving you completely revised. The whole matter slipped my mind afterward."
Miko looked toward Kokomi and casually explained.
"Eh? Revised? Why?"
Kokomi froze in confusion.
"Isn't it obvious? She was worried you'd feel hurt after reading it. Her little thoughts are easy to understand. She was afraid you'd misunderstand her and think she was really like that in reality."
Miko shrugged.
"..."
Kokomi listened blankly.
"The tea is ready~" ×2
At that moment, Ayaka and Hanachirusato approached carrying the tea set and gracefully knelt beside the table before skillfully pouring tea for everyone one by one.
"It's true. The night before last, the Shogun was even complaining to me about it. She said she was very dissatisfied with those chapters. According to her, the version of you in the novel was especially pitiful."
Ei lifted the teacup, gently blew across the surface, took a small sip, and spoke to Kokomi.
"I-is that so..."
Kokomi snapped back to reality, suppressing the sour warmth rising in her nose as she murmured softly.
So she truly had been worrying about her...
Just like back then...
This was bad...
She felt so unbearably happy.
The warmth inside her heart was becoming difficult to control.
So this was what it felt like to be cared for by the person you loved...
Could happiness truly be this overwhelming?