Chapter TextCongratulation
Quest "The Raiden Shogun " has ended
Status : Successful
1+ friend ( Number of friends : 1/3)
Makoto smugly smiles, ignoring how his little sister now has a name. Raiden Tsukiko. " Two more to go and Ei. And I am free from this damnable 'window'."
His attention went back to Tsukiko. Makoto didn't know if she was happy or not. It's hard to decipher any emotion aside from sligh changes in her eyes.
"Makoto." Now it's interesting what she intends to say to him. " Can I ask for your help?."
Now that is very interesting, curious enough what his mighty little sister wants to ask him for.
"Just say, we are friends right?." Those words were easily said by him. Proved that centuries of Manipulation and work as Harbinger still not became dull. Or perhaps it's something growing inside him toward her. He never considered friendship before after all those things happened. But he is in a good mood right now.
"Thank you." Tsukiko thanked him, before pointing at her, with also Ei clothes. He looked at the poor condition of her clothes. It's in complete mess because of his earlier attacks. He can even see what the ruined clothes try and fail to cover, healthy and perfect artificial skin along with a certain shape that makes Lesser men drool, ignoring the fact of how dark the room is. Fleshy temptation is something he easily puts aside before turning his attention back to face Tsukiko. "Can you help me change?."
"KA-BOOOOM"
The sound of thunder outside indicates the beginning of the storm tonight.
The storm rages outside of Tenshukaku. But Makoto preferred that he was outside right now to be wet and be harmed by whatever the storm carried away than to do… what he is doing right now.
He and his newly named little Raiden Tsukiko. Right now both of them are inside the bedroom of the Electro Archon after silently moving to avoid the soldiers that are right now in the middle of a guard shift.
Thankfully the storm that rages outside makes it easy to pass those soldiers.
They don't use any light to not cause the shadow of Makoto that would make the guards become suspicious. It's better to play safe than sorry. Even if they were not checked, the shadow of a man in the bedroom of Shogun could cause rumors.
Makoto right now is trying to take off the ruined clothes of his sister/mother that he ruined. It's very tedious work for him.
He doesn't understand what their mother was thinking when programming her. How she has not put such basic knowledge inside of her.
Makoto sighed. Who does he try to defend really? He himself doesn't know how to remove his own clothes without damaging it at first. It's thanks to Katsuragi that taught him to do that.
It's not complicated work, the clothes were beyond saving. It's just a matter of just taking it off and then done.
Tsukiko is wearing his birthday suit right now. Makoto finds it's kinda smart to whoever created that idiom. He looked closely at her, ignoring the fact of a 'young' healthy man and attractive naked young woman together in a room. He can see faint gaps on her ankles, wrist and many places that allow her to move freely.
"Your characteristics as puppets still can be seen." Makoto stated. Tsukiko nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, you are a very observant one."
"So that's why she dresses like that?." Makoto asked regarding his mother's choice of clothes. "To hide this?."
"I can't say what Ei intended to wear such clothes." Her answer to his question. So she doesn't know either. " For what purpose to ask such a question?"
"nah, just curious, student things." Makoto lie. She definitely wears such revealing clothes for the sake of the moment.
"Makoto, can I ask you for more help?." Tsukiko asked. Makoto feels weird about how fast their relationship is growing. Is this perhaps the 'window' influence or it's just how Tsukiko.
"Fine, but after we find you another piece of clothing to wear. Where Ei keep your clothes." Makoto agreed but after finishing this one, it's better to make sure the first is done before continuing to the next. It can make his attention more focused. Calling a servant to take the clothes and healing her dressing was not worth it. There is a chance it would cause a rumor regarding him having a close relationship with her. Unaware that in fact there is already a rumor about him with Ei in inazuma.
"It's in the warehouse." Makoto hearing that stopped what he was doing right now.
"Why?." He asked, find it ridiculous. That is where the clothes Ei keeps and her room are far apart. Wait, no, the old tradition to keep the clothes clean, the Noble and rich merchants have dedicated rooms, even buildings to keep their clothes. Makoto finds it annoying. His mind wandered back to Tsukiko (and him in the beginning) inability to wear her clothes herself probably because EI don't know how to wear her own clothes. Because why not, she has a Servant to help her wear her own clothes. There is no need for her to do it. "Wait, forget it. How will I reach it?"
"You need to…"
Makoto heard her explanation carefully. He nodded. "Wait here."
He definitely will be wet after this but better than the lecherous rumor circulated around him and Ei.
That would be one hell of annoyance to explain to Nahida.
Raiden Shogun or perhaps she should call herself Tsukiko from now on ?. Tsukiko, she decided. Only between him and her, that she will call herself Tsukiko. She looked at the young man who gave her the name leaving the room.
She doesn't understand what is happening to her program. It became much worse after she finished checking his durability. The error caused her to feel weird in her chest and became a constant occurring thing. That was before he named her Tsukiko. Raiden Tsukiko. The reason he gave her that name was because she is the creation of Ei, so it makes her Ei daughter. His logic was flawed. Just because she was created by Ei doesn't mean she is her daughter. But he insisted, so in the end Shogun now Tsukiko needs to accept that.
And now the error itself now became the very part of her programming. It's just unnatural but the newly added program is not causing any problems for other programs. Besides causing weird feelings that she now can describe better as weird warmth and her decision making being a complete mess when it's about Makoto.
So, above all of these everything is still under control.
She looked at her/Ei ruined clothes, she took it and brought it close to her face. She took a sniff then another before she deeply inhaled the smell of his hands that were still on it.
" My Eternity." Tsukiko thought, it's just a matter of time that both of them can be together forever. For now it's better for her to play safe before Ei starts to suspect things. He just goes for a moment and yet, she already misses him.
Makoto silently moved between floors. There are a few guards there and there, that he easily passes without causing them to suspect things were up.
After passing a few guards and moving silently. There is no need to use Vision for this easy job.
It's not too long for him to reach his destination. He is now right in front of the warehouse. " Easy."
With one little problem there is a rat or in a much more specific way : a Crow that has been tailing him since he left Tenshukaku.
He ignored her before because of how slow she was.
That unfortunately lasted not long before an Arrow struck the door and stuck fast. It's flight passing dangerously close to his head. He would be in danger if it hit his head, not death but definitely one nasty headache.
He turned back to look at who had followed him to this place. Makoto wasn't surprised that the one behind him was the Tengu general herself. Kujou Sara.
"Good, if it's you then it's fine, let's help." Makoto casually dodged her shot. Its speed is nothing compared to his mother and Tsukiko. "Damn, you are an annoying little bird."
"Surrender or face the punishment, intruder." She declared as she readied another shot, this time infusing it with her Electro element.
"Intruder? Pretty sure Ei already told you about me before." This kind of blind follower is very easy to piss off. He really questioned what was wrong with him when he wanted this kind of follower during the Sumeru crisis he and Dottore caused. "I am her guest, you know."
He wonders why she dont call others guards, because of her pride perhaps?.
"Surrender or face the punishment." She spat as she became more emotional than before based on how she reacted.
"And you think I'm scared of one little bird." Makoto goaded her to try to shoot him again. She took the bait.
It's better to end this fast, the storm became much worse by moments.
As the arrow launched at him, Makoto pushed himself using the Anemo element to make him fly so fast toward her. He dodged the arrow and in the next moment he was already right in front of her and punched her right in the gut causing her to puke whatever she ate before and then chop to the back of her neck causing her to fall unconscious to the wet road.
Makoto looked at the unconscious Sara, he shrugged, he can deal with her later. He needs to get clothes for Tsukiko.
It's Sara's own fault why she was so weak.
"I'm back." Makoto muttered. His clothes are wet but not that wet thanks to his hat. He found that Tsukiko was still not changing from her position at all."Here are your clothes."
"Welcome back and why are you bringing Sara here." She replied back to Makoto only to see the unconscious Sara that Makoto dropped unceremoniously to the floor.
"Your General has just been a stubborn thorn so I just made her 'sleep' to make my job easier." Makoto explained as he softly Sara's body to make sure she was still unconscious. Dealing with obsessive followers was annoying on a good day, it'd be a nightmare during a storm.
"Is it necessary to make her unconscious?."
"Better unconscious than dead." He murmured. Check if the Ei/Tsukiko clothes are any wet or dirty, fortunately he found none. "Now, let's help you wear these."
Sara slowly opened her eyes. Still not used to the darkness surrounding her. She can feel her body in immense pain, especially on her stomach and neck.
She tries to move her body to no avail. Sara remembers what she last did before end up unconscious. Following that damn eat to the warehouse.
Sara lost control of her emotions because, how dare that man, that guest, to dishonor The Shogun's kindness by trying to do something at the warehouse to the point she didn't even alert others soldiers and guards to help. She doesn't care what that man tries to do but she will definitely catch, interrogate and imprison him after this.
She tries to stand up only to find the man and Shogun herself doing something she doesn't even dare to utter loudly. Not even the darkness can hide the fact that the very man that defeated her is now trying to take off the clothes of her Shogun, showing the beautiful, perfect and sacred body of her Shogun.
Sara's mind can't accept it. She can feel tears start forming.
"Aahhh."
She tries to make sure that whatever she sees is just a hallucination or a nightmare. Yes, yes all of this is just a nightmare. Sara reasons herself trying to keep her sanity intact. She just fell unconscious because the man knocked her out, she needed to wake up from this nightmare. And catch that man.
Sara looks at the man who groped the Shogun to suddenly look at her directly. He stopped his hand from the unholy deed he is doing when he is aware that she looked toward them. One moment he was beside Shogun, and the next moment he was right in front of her.
Sara doesn't know what happened after that. She was just grateful that the nightmare ended.
"You don't need to make her unconscious again." Tsukiko said after she saw sraa knocked out again by Makoto. Sara loyalty was an integral part of the Inazuma military. To training and war, almost all of it falls to Sara's shoulder if Ei can't be responsible for various reasons.
It's unfortunately not enough to stop a disappointing feeling from her, from seeing Sara easily knocked out by Makoto. Is it because Sara is too weak?. No, it's not the answer, the answer was because Makoto is much more powerful than Sara was.
Tsukiko knows Makoto holds back his punch from accidently beheading Sara. While Tsukiko wants to see how strong his punch is, she doesn't want Sara to be dead. Tsukiko still needs her alive and well to serve, and explains why Ei's General ends up dead with her head beheaded; it's not something Tsukiko wants to explain to Ei.
"And make her see something she doesn't need to see?." Makoto asked, now Kicking Sara to make sure that she is still unconscious.
"General Sara is loyal to me, there is no need to make her unconscious. She can look at what we do and she will not tell a single soul to her end of life if I order it herself." Tsukiko reason. She trusts Sara's loyalty toward her or in better words : Ei. She is one of her 'favorite' followers, she is still doing her duty no matter how it's against her personal feelings. She truly is a good soldier and warrior.
"And I will believe and trust your words easily if you say so?." Makoto sneered, it's better to make her unconscious. Then allowing her to see things she has no need looking at. Royalty is something that always changes in just near instantly. He doesn't know much about The Tengu herself personality but her 'loyalty' when he gathered information about the current state of Inazuma sounds closer to obsession to him than normal, healthy loyalty. Then again he never sees what healthy loyalty is.
"I just don't want you to hurt her too much." To be hitting someone as hard as Makoto, no matter how he holds back can cause injuries or sound that causes performa drop, especially during battle. Especially in military positions. Peace is in Inazuma, but looking for Sara's replacement still would be difficult. " I am afraid that can cause her injury that will make her combat abilities drop."
Makoto shot Tsukiko with an irritated look. "Fine." He said before kicking her again one last time. "Let's continue again."
Makoto looked at underwear with a scowl. "You know why you don't wear it yourself, it feels weird for me to help a woman like you wear her underwear. It's already a complicated task to help you wear clothes."
"I just don't know how to wear it."
Makoto sighed. He was pretty sure this was not an older brother's job.
Makoto is curious if other older brothers like him need to deal with problematic things like this. Perhaps he needs to ask Aether.
It makes him wonder where Aether and that flying brat are in this middle of a storm.
" Why should I care?" Aether is the Traveler, there is no need to worry about him.
The sound Storm rages even more outside.
"AAAHHHHH, HELP PAIMON, PAIMON DRAGGED BY THE WIND AHHHHHH, TRAVELER!!!."
"HOLD TIGHT MY HAND, PAIMON!!!."
"GAAHHHHH, TRAVELER!!! THERE A FLYING TREE!!!."
"DODGE!!!."
"AAAHHHHHH, TRAVELER!!!."
"WAAAAAHHHHHH, PAIMON DON'T FLY TO FAR FROM ME!!!."
"HELP PAIMON!!!."
"Done." Makoto said after finally done wearing Tsukiko her underwear, thankfully she understood to put down her others herself after that. He cannot be proud of himself for that. Makoto feels dirty and sick because he needs to do this. " This was disgusting."
"Thank you so much, Makoto." Tsukiko thanked him. Makoto tries to hide the disgust from what he needs to do to her.
"Huh, good at least you know to give me thanks for helping you." Makoto sneered. "Now I will go back to my own room, you don't need me for another task right?."
"No, I don't have any. But can i have one wish for you, there is no need for you to agree to this but i Will really appreciate it."
Makoto sighed. "Fine, say it."
"Can…" She stopped, hesitant to say what she wanted to say. " We talk like this again after this."
Ah, Makoto understands what she wants.
"Not a big problem to me." It's not a big problem indeed for Makoto aside from Ei to find out this and the End of Teyvat in his hands outside of that is not a big problem. For Ei he already knows the solution.
"But you or perhaps we need to tell this about Ei." Makoto stated. It's better to tell Ei first before she finds out.
"I don't understand why we need to tell her." Tsukiko asked. Don't see the advantage or purpose that serves their wants.
Makoto wants to laugh, he doesn't know why but he finds her reaction as something funny. But he does not allow it to show on his face.
"Simple, it makes her perhaps less…explosive." Makoto doesn't know how Ei would react if she found their relationship if they hid it instead of being honest and open to her in the first places. Perhaps sad or disappointed that her shadow and newly close associate, he really doesn't know what his relationship with Ei and Tsukiko really are?.
Close associate that she invited to sleep in her home and apparently also the son she abandoned that she forgot because her son tried to erase his existence but instead just made the world forget about him and he is also close to her shadow behind her back. That would be quite an explanation.
"Explosive, i don't believe Ei can show that but i trust your judgement."
"Then let's tell her after breakfast." Ei definitely doesn't want to miss breakfast because of her Shadow and he just wants to say something. And soured her mood.
Also breakfast is an important thing to start the day.
Not for him unfortunately. No matter how much Nahida talked about the importance of that"How the taste, Aether?." Asked the white haired girl who sat besides Aether right now. Kamisato Ayaka, one of his trusted companions in Inazuma. And one of many that are close enough to call by his name instead by title.
Aether remembers when the Storm began, instead searching for a place to spend the night and shelter from the storm that approaches. Against his rational judgment, he ignored the sign of storm and followed Paimon to search for more of Lavender melon even though they already have enough to themselves and to sell too. Aether definitely gives the scamming merchant a piece of his mind and his sword if necessary when meeting them again. Or so the plan.
It all changed when the storm began. It's not as strong from the wind that was created by Dvalin during his first adventure. But the heavy rains, the lack of visibility and slippery terrain make it in different ways much more dangerous. It becomes much more dangerous when he and Paimon only have each other that time.
Thankfully, they are close to Kamisato's residence. Aether can only give a tired smile when Thoma panicked looking at them. Cant really blame him, he and Paimon are completely wet, dirty and definitely seen better days show up in the middle of a storm during night time.
Bless Thoma and Ayaka, who apparently wake up because of the commotion they caused, to give him and Paimon a place to clean and rest for the night.
Now this morning after a very tiredful night, Aether sits together with Paimon, Ayaka and Thoma. Eating breakfast together with them.
"It's very delicious." Indeed Thoma food, especially the miso soup, was very delicious on his taste buds.
"I hope you enjoy the food, Aether, you too Paimon." Ayaka says before putting a spoonful of Miso soup into her mouth. Paimon just nodded at the same time she took another bite of the grilled fish. "Delighful as usual, Thoma."
"Thank you, Milady." Thoma gracefully thanked her, he is not joining them eating breakfast but instead he sits beside Paimon and prepares another bowl of delicious hot rice for Paimon. Aether swears he can see the rice glowing with beauty when Thoma scooped it. He also found it quite cute that Thoma also wears an apron too. Quite a dedicated man to his lady.
"Thank you again for sheltering me and Paimon from the Storm and also for allowing us to taste such delicious breakfast too, Ayaka." Aether thanked her. He can see how she blushing hearing his gratitude. Aether doesn't like that at all.
"Nah, it's just a small thank you from the Kamisato clan, it's nothing for what you did to help us." Ayaka answered. She sounds very honest and pure like what a girl from her position demanded. "In fact you can rest whenever you want during your time in Inazuma at our residence. My Big brother and I will welcome you and Paimon with open hands. Paimon definitely likes it, especially with the many food of Thoma can cook."
Aether not a stupid man, naive yes but experience never betrayed him, with few (many) exceptions. He internally sighed, tired dealing with girls falling in love with him. He just wants to search for his sister and leaves dammit.
"Thanks, but I just don't like to inconvenience you and your brother." It's the truth but not all of it. "I am Traveler. It's much more fitting for me and Paimon to spend the nights in the wilderness."
"Eehhh but Paimon likes it here." Sometimes her gluttony that makes her blind and unable to read the room really annoys him while at the same time he can't deny that very cute and part of her charm. "Thoma, second one!."
"Here, Paimon." Thoma gave her another bowl of rice.
"Paimon right, it's at least what the Kamisato clan can do to repay you for your help before." Ayaka really insisted, Aether doesn't know if that is a good thing or not to accept that. She was honest about that but still…
"Or perhaps Aether, do you want something different?." Something different, Aether can't think of other things. Mora, place to spend the night, his sister and food the only thing he can think about.
"Nothing, really Ayaka, there is no need for you and your brother to repay me, I help because I want to." That is a lie and manipulation that transforms to the truth, he helps them because he wants to search for information about Lumine at first, He uses them and vice versa, it's just a coincidence really because the problem was the Shogun herself and he need to talk with her and a change of heart in the middle of his first Adventure in Inazuma because how Aether see their struggle and pain first hands.
Especially after he lost…
Aether closes his eyes, it's not the time for him to think for someone who has already passed away. He just needs to focus on what is in the present right now and in the future too.
"I see, I understand then but you can depend on us whenever you need." Ayaka before putting her chopstick on top of the rice bowl. "Thank you for the food."
"I appreciate that, it meant so much to us." Indeed that sounds very great to him.
"Then what is your plan next, Aether?." Aether can see that Ayaka is very interested in his next plan, a plan that unfortunately still does not exist, yet.
"I planned to go back to Liyue, but I just need to wait for Beidou and her ship to arrive first." Aether doesn't know how the storm would affect Beidou sailing to Inazuma but this Beidou so definitely not so much.
"Ah." He can see how disappointed Ayaka is in hearing that. Aether needs to cheer her up.
"And what about you, Ayaka?." Dealing with girls and women for as long as he can remember still does not give him enough knowledge dealing with those who fall in love with him.
But that question was enough to light up Ayaka's face when hearing that.
"It's just normal stuff, boring even, you still want to hear that."
Aether nodded, there was nothing wrong with boring stuff.
"Normally after breakfast I have light training to hone the basics of swordsmanship followed with my clan swordstyle." Aether found Kamisato clan swordstyle really beautiful but at the same time very efficient, there was no any wasteful movement. Especially with the combined Elemental power of her cryo vision that makes it much more deadly or that deadly slash infused with hydro of Ayato.
"After that rest to allow my body to cool down, it's very fortunate of me that having cryo vision is very convenient for cooling body heat, Aether." Aether remembered that Albedo talked about one of his research regarding further application of Vision to utility and improvement of living standard like how Diona used her Vision to cool down her 'cocktail' or Adventures in general with Pyro vision have no need to bring a match to their adventurer.
Ayaka continued. "Then lunch time is followed by another rest, then it's time for my studies like histories, etiquette and anything that I need to learn, nothing interesting."
"Sounds complicated." Studies were never really his greatest aspect. But that doesn't mean he doesn't respect those who study it.
Ayaka giggled, hearing his comment. "Complicated or not, it's just my duty."
"Aether sorry if this sounds like I am trying to meddle too much in your business but is there any reason for why you and Paimon end up like last night?"
She is really a caring friend.
"It's just nothing, me and Paimon just don't realize that it's already nighttime when we gather Lavender melons and also for the same reason that we are stuck in the storm that has begun before we can find shelter, nothing to worry about." Aether honestly answers, while the reason they end up in that situation can be easily avoided. It's not the first bad choice he made and perhaps more in an unforeseen future.
"Have you heard any news about Inazuma lately?" Aether asked, trying to divert her attention to another. He knew that Ayaka would ask more about his reasoning and he didn't want to be pitied, especially by a friend. He really doubts that anything remarkable would happen during his little adventure away from civilization but still this is just a distraction.
"I don't hear any unusual rumors lately but before Thoma once said to me that he hears rumors from the market that said that Her Excellency right now is trying to search for a husband. Right Thoma?" Ayaka turned to Thoma who still gave Paimon, who knows how many, another bowl. The man himself stopped what he was doing and turned his attention to his lady who asked him.
"Oh shit." Aether cursed silently, he knows where this is going. It's definitely Makoto's fault.
"Yes my lady, there was a rumor about that this week when I went to the market before." Thoma stated. "I also hear that her excellency has a preference for a much younger man. Which is quite funny, I mean Raiden Shogun is definitely much older than all men living in Inazuma right."
Ayaka doesn't laugh when she hears that, she just frowns upon hearing that. "Those rumors were definitely made by someone with ill intention. You sure that rumors are really circulating right now."
"I am sure my lady, even your big brother once asked me about this before." Thoma explained. "I am pretty sure that is something he needs to dig more to find more about so he…"
Before he could complete his sentence, Paimon asked for another serving."
"Neh Touma, another bowl please." Paimon how much you eat already, when it comes to food she never cared about the situation at all.
"Oh right away, Paimon."
"Yeah, thank Thoma!"
Aether and Ayaka smiled seeing their interaction. It's not a bad way to start the day but…
"Just don't eat too much, Paimon."
It's bad eating too much during breakfast, no matter how hungry you are.
"Eehhhh."
"Nah it's fine Aether don't worry too much about it." Ayaka convinced him. It's been a long time since Paimon ate so freely, it's definitely before they go to Inazuma. So probably around a month ago. It's probably fine then.
"Haa, fine eat to your heart's content then Paimon."
"Yeaah!!!." Then she continued eating again.
Aether turned to Ayaka with an apologetic smile. " I am so sorry about her."
Ayaka shakes her head. "There is nothing to forgive for there you or Paimon did anything wrong."
She truly is a good friend and Ally in this nation. A pity that her feelings are only one-sided. He can never accept her feelings, for he does not love her that way and even if he did, she is not his priority.
"So Thoma, what are you trying to say?."
"Ah yes, Lord Ayato talked about sending a few of his agents to search for more. He perhaps worried, for what at least I can decipher from his expression. you know how lord Ayato after all milady…" Aether shudders remembering how Ayato almost always has that small smile on his face. Aether reminded himself that for his own good, that man is hiding too many secrets that Aether doesn't want to be involved with. Good ally Ayato is, it's still not a good reason to be involved too deeply with his business. The only thing he can think more about Ayato aside from his caring love for Ayaka, his clan and swordsmanship, was his love for... "He also wants to order more Boba Milk Tea too."
"Hahahaha, my brother really likes that drink. But for what reason does he need to investigate such a rumor to begin with?." Ayaka asked. Don't truly understand what his big brother is trying to do.
Thoma thought for a moment trying to remember what Ayato said to him before. "Well if that rumor is just something like Fatui did then he wants to make sure the rumor dies out as fast as possible. But if there is a shred of that being true, he has a plan but I don't know what the young lord's plan is."
Ayaka and Aether fall silent while Thoma takes their breakfast utensil, bowls and other stuff to clean after Paimon is done eating, she right now lay on her back while patting her bloated stomach.
"I wonder what big brother is trying to do right now." "I hope he doesn't put me in his plan." Aether added in his mind. He really doesn't want to be a pawn again no matter how Ayato tries to return the favor.
Aether hears a sound of footsteps closing, he looks toward the door that opened not long after. The one that opened it apparently is one of many servants that serve the Kamisato clan. She looks very tired as beads of sweat start forming on her face but she tries to not show any form of discomfort on her face at all.
"Lady Kamisato, I have brought news."
Ayaka Nodded, Acknowledge her. "Talk." She ordered.
"Lady Guuji Yae asks for an audience with the Clanhead."
Aether knows somehow he needs to deal with this.
"Hmm never expected to see you here Traveler." The pink kitsune said, trying to act surprised about his presence here. Which Aether doubted she really was really surprised. He never likes Miko but he also doesn't hate her unlike a certain Puppet with a big hat. "What a great coincidence, after all I want to talk to you about something after I'm done with this." She turned her attention to Ayaka.
"Now where that brat you called big brother?."
"He isn't here right now, Guuji Yae but I can send a message to inform her about your presence."
Yae Miko frowned at hearing that. "No need, I just come back next time, make sure to tell that Brat about me, little lady."
For some reason she looked pissed, which was clearly weird to Aether. From what he knew about the kitsune personality which is not much aside from certain moments, she is not the type to show that kind of expression. Perhaps something outside her control caused her bad mood.
The question is what?.
She now looked at him. That definitely is not a good sign to him.
"Now let's talk where we can talk without others bothering us, shall we or perhaps others can leave us alone." Miko looked at Ayaka and Paimon. With Ayaka she understood what that meant but for Paimon…
"Sorry, Ayaka but Miko, Paimon and Traveler need to talk between them, you probably should leave." That sounds really impolite to say to Ayaka because they are right now in Kamisato Residence. He needs to talk about that with Paimon after this.
"It includes you too, Paimon." "Eeh!?, Wait, wait." And with that Paimon is dragged away out of the room by Ayaka. Aether doesn't know much why the Kamisato clan really respect Yae Miko more than others to the point why they follow her request easily, besides she once helped them fall from complete grace which to Aether is not enough to follow orders from people around like Yae did. But it's not important though he decided, it's their own problem not him.
After making sure that only Her and Aether are inside the room. She smirked at him.
"I need your 'help', Traveler."
Aether doubts she is really asking for help from him; it's much closer to rope him to another one of her pranks or in this case a scheme. "What kind of help?." Better ask than regretting it later. Even though he knew Miko would play deception and twist her words, that made him conscientious to help.
"You know about Ei rumors right?."
He nodded. It's rare for her to be straight to the point.
"Never did I imagine the glorious Archon of Inazuma to have such rumors about her, I wonder what kind of failing that can cause such rumors." Miko said with what Aether recognized as sarcasm.
"I just wonder where all of this came from." She looked at him like he knew the answer. He don't.
"I don't know." Aether answered, simple and honest.
"I don't remember asking you a question, Traveler?." She acts confused by his answer. Aether not failing for that, she enjoys playing games with him clearly.
"But now that it comes to this, perhaps I should ask you a few questions." For a moment he can see Miko's eyes shine with predatory light. "If you don't have a problem with that, Traveler."
"I don't." He answered. "What is your question?"
"Well, you are quite enthusiastic like at the last festival. Perhaps you need to come again, perhaps invite one of your Sumeru friends." She gave him a hint so Aether knows what she means. Aether doesn't like it.
She asked about Makoto.
"Just say, there is no need to say something unrelated. What is your question, Miko?" Aether doesn't want to think what Makoto will do to him if he finds out that he gave his information to Miko.
"You would help me again if I ask right, and relax, there is a reward for that."
That question can be answered easily. "Yes."
Miko nodded. "Good."
"I need you to gather information." Now this time Aether is confused, Information gathering it's not his speciality at all. It's supposed to be Miko specialition. "Why?"
"Just don't have time for that. Because some goddess has a nice vacation for a week and her familiar needs to deal with important Clans meetings this week and other bureaucratic things." Miko is definitely stressed because she has an additional job because of how annoying she sounds. "Then again you know about the Ei vacation. After all, you have already met with her before, so she definitely mentioned her vacation to you, and before you ask from where I know this is some mikos that see you, Ei, Paimon and some guy having snacks together."
"Yes, I met her before. She also mentioned she is on vacation." It takes him back to the moments when he, Paimon Makoto and Ei eat dinner together and have a snack before that.
"Good, last question."
"Do you have any information about someone named Makoto"
Aether sighed. "Oh shit."