"You've worked hard."
Kokomi, who had witnessed everything, walked over from the sea. She looked at the still-dazed Muramasa, guessing the reason for his confusion, and presented the demon blade. "Are you thinking about the battle just now?"
"Yes," he replied simply, taking the 'Yaegaki' from her. "That last strike, it was just a stab. What I was supposed to do after that, I've completely forgotten."
"That's not normal," Kokomi nodded. "Was there some interference from the Fatui?"
"Probably." He didn't deny her guess, but he didn't confirm it either. "I've been keeping an eye on the guy over there, but I didn't notice any signs."
Seeing his serious expression, she didn't say much, just nodded. "What you've done tonight is enough. Why not put these difficult matters aside for now and return to Watatsumi Island for a short rest?"
"I suppose that's the only way." Muramasa nodded and headed towards the sea. But behind him, Kokomi also frowned, as if she had forgotten something important.
…
Watatsumi Island
The excursion tonight had been proposed by Kokomi. On their return, there were no obstacles, and they easily arrived back at the entrance of Sangonomiya Shrine. But, unexpectedly, someone had been waiting for a long time.
"Your Excellency, Lord Muramasa."
It was nearing dawn, yet a shrine maiden was still standing at the entrance. The corners of her mouth were turned up so high it was almost unnatural, and her attempt to suppress it made it look a little comical. "How did the battle go tonight?"
At her question, though he vaguely sensed something strange about it, he didn't quite grasp it. So he just gave a simple reply. "Mentally, I'm dead tired. Physically, I'm okay."
Hearing his answer, the shrine maiden nodded thoughtfully, but the smile on her face was even harder to suppress. Kokomi naturally noticed the smile on her face, but for a moment, she didn't understand why her subordinate was acting so strangely.
"Please arrange a room for Mr. Muramasa. Let him have a good rest tonight."
When she said this, the shrine maiden, as if she had expected it, immediately agreed. "Please do not worry, Your Excellency. I have already made the arrangements after receiving your message~"
The playful tone in her voice made even Muramasa's skin crawl. It was so artificial it gave him goosebumps.
But Kokomi just frowned, repeating in her mind, Message?
She had no memory of this, but she didn't say anything, just watched her subordinate's next move. "This is the spare key to Your Excellency's room. Because the Divine Priestess's room is sacred and inviolable, this is also the only spare key. Please take good care of it."
Huh? Hearing this answer, Muramasa was clearly stunned. He turned his head to look at Kokomi. But the one being looked at was clearly even more surprised than he was. A blush instantly spread across her usually serene little face.
Only then did they understand the reason for the shrine maiden's strange expression. As the shrine maiden was about to make a run for it with a 'my-mission-is-complete' look on her face, Kokomi hurriedly called out to her. "Wait!" Her voice trembled slightly, but she controlled her volume.
So the shrine maiden turned around again, her expression a clear mix of respect and, predominantly, glee.
"When... did I inform you of this matter?"
"Hmm…" The shrine maiden looked at Kokomi's expression and, after being with her for so long, seemed to sense that she wasn't lying. She then said seriously, "It was two hours and twenty-six minutes ago. Your jellyfish informed me, Your Excellency. The jellyfish drew your communication symbol, and the message transmitted was, 'Please wait for my return, and after I have returned, please request that Muramasa stay with me for a few days. Especially when I am sleeping, ensure that he is with me.'"
The unusually precise time and the unmistakable message were in line with the usual requirements for information transmission in Sangonomiya. This was indeed her transmission style, and her writing style, which was why Kokomi's expression grew serious.
"I understand." She nodded, signaling the shrine maiden to leave.
"So?" Muramasa asked in confusion. "You suddenly want me to stay with you, but you can't remember why?"
One strange thing after another tonight. He wasn't that surprised anymore.
Kokomi nodded, pressing a hand to her unsettled chest, and said as calmly as possible, "Indeed. This matter... I am also very surprised. I tried to recall that period of time. There seems to be a blank spot, but I don't feel that there is anything wrong with it. But since it was my own doing, I'm afraid there is a consideration that I am not aware of now. So for these few nights, I will have to trouble you to keep watch over me."
Since the person in question didn't object, he wouldn't have any objections either, so he nodded.
"Then, please follow me." She paused after speaking, but still led him to her own bedchamber.
She gently pushed open the door. Behind the half-open door was a private space that should have belonged only to a young girl. Directly opposite the door was a huge bookshelf that took up an entire wall, neatly stacked with all sorts of books and scrolls, from thick classics to thin reports. On the desk, an unfurled scroll contained an unfinished military strategy. Other than that, the room seemed to be empty, so clean it made one hesitant to step in.
"This is really…" Realizing that his scanning was a bit inappropriate, he retracted his gaze after a brief moment of admiration.
"Please come in, Mr. Muramasa." Kokomi's voice had a hint of an imperceptible nervousness as she stepped aside. "The room... is a bit simple. I hope you don't mind."
"Simple is not the word, it's just…" As he walked in, though the space around him was exceptionally spacious, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dissonance. This place is so cold.
He thought to himself for a moment, then, after a bit of consideration, he asked hesitantly, "Besides work, do you have any hobbies of your own?"
The sudden question made Kokomi freeze for a moment. After a long silence, she nodded. "Of course." As she spoke, she very deliberately omitted the specifics.
"That's good." A look of relief appeared on his face. He didn't pry into the hidden meaning of her words.
Realizing Kokomi's curious gaze, he couldn't help but tease, "If you were the type of machine that runs indefinitely, then I would have to suspect you were some kind of monster~"
-------
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