"Wow…" Fox Saiguu watched the two completely immersed in their kiss, her eyes widening slightly as she swallowed.
"Can it really be this intoxicating?" Having never experienced love herself, she felt an unfamiliar sensation stirring within her.
"Hmm?" Kagami Ren suddenly opened his eyes, looking at Yae Miko in surprise.
As expected of a fox spirit… she learned fast without any guidance.
After a long while, their lips finally parted.
"Sweet?" Miko's eyes were half-lidded, her cheeks flushed red, her gaze soft enough to melt.
"Very sweet. Delicious," Kagami Ren said with satisfaction, leaning close to her ear and whispering, "I can't even imagine how delicious you truly are."
"Is that so?" Miko brushed her cheek lightly against his, her voice teasing. "Coward. I can already imagine it myself."
"So bold?" Kagami Ren chuckled. "Then let me have a taste."
"Mm~ go ahead then," Miko raised a brow, her tone playful.
"Alright, that's enough. Are you two done yet?" Saiguu's voice interrupted from the side, clearly annoyed.
"Oh my, Ah Ren is just too sweet. I almost forgot there's a lonely old fox watching," Miko said with a grin. "Sorry, Lady Saiguu, I didn't consider your feelings. You're not going to punish this poor little fox, are you?"
Her teasing tone instantly made Saiguu grit her teeth. She lunged forward. "You brat! When did you become so shameless?"
"Hey! Don't touch my hair ornaments! Didn't I learn it all from you, old fox?" Miko exclaimed as she fought back.
The two of them began playfully wrestling, their lively scene beneath the Sacred Sakura painting a stunning picture—one that only Kagami Ren could witness.
"The consciousness is still too weak… Even if it could last until the Traveler's arrival in the original timeline…" Kagami Ren looked at the Sacred Sakura, sensing the fragile remnant of Raiden Makoto's will.
"Better to be safe."
With a flick of his finger, a strand of white light entered the Sacred Sakura, gently nourishing that faint consciousness.
Inside Tenshukaku, within the Plane of Euthymia, the will of the Raiden Shogun and Raiden Ei stood opposed.
"Inner self, you are straying from eternity," the Shogun said coldly. She had perceived everything that happened while Ei controlled the body.
"To submit to an unknown god and allow him to become Inazuma's deity—this is an irreversible blow to eternity."
"Kagami Ren is no longer unknown! And he has the power to revive Makoto!" Ei retorted stubbornly.
"If he can bring Makoto back, I'm willing to give up everything."
"Hmph…" The Shogun lowered her gaze. She inherited Ei's emotions, memories, and abilities, fully aware of Makoto's importance.
But she was still a puppet devoted to eternity. Anything that threatened it was unacceptable.
Only through battle—only if Ei could defeat her—could she accept that Ei's change was not erosion.
"Shogun, this chance is rare… I don't want to lose Makoto again," Ei said softly.
"…"
The Shogun's expression remained cold. "Only the laws endure. Eternity is unchanging. Inner self, do not stray. Otherwise… I will become destruction itself."
With that, her figure faded, leaving Ei alone in contemplation.
Back in Tenshukaku, the Shogun opened her eyes.
Her cold, emotionless gaze fell upon the neatly folded robe Kagami Ren had given her. A faint ripple appeared in her expression.
Before she realized it, she had picked it up, holding it tightly, feeling the lingering warmth.
"Why would this body…" A trace of confusion and unease crossed her eyes.
"No… impossible. Resolve, courage, love, hatred—all will eventually distort with time," she muttered, shaking her head. "I am the guardian of eternity. This cannot be."
"…Kagami Ren…"
…
Time passed quickly, and night soon fell.
"Alright, enough playing!" Inside Miko's room, Saiguu sat sewing, exasperated as she watched Kagami Ren and Miko fooling around on the bed, Kagami Ren absentmindedly playing with her fluffy tail.
"Honestly…" Saiguu sighed. A shrine maiden chief and a god, acting like children.
With Saiguu revived and her long-suppressed emotions finally released, Miko had completely let down her guard around Kagami Ren.
"Lady Guuji, Lord Kagami Ren, the banquet is ready."
A knock sounded as Kuki Sachi spoke from outside.
"Alright, we're coming," Miko replied.
"Ah Ren, change into this," Saiguu said, holding out a robe. While they had been playing all afternoon, she had hurriedly crafted an official High Priest garment for him.
Encouraged by Miko—and with her gratitude toward Kagami Ren—Saiguu had also begun calling him "Ah Ren."
"Alright." Kagami Ren nodded and put it on.
Saiguu's craftsmanship was exquisite. The robe, made of fine silk embroidered with golden threads, fit him perfectly. The dark fabric gave him a composed, dignified presence, while the golden cloud patterns added an elegant charm.
"Mm… perfect," Saiguu said, adjusting his collar as she admired him.
"I'd say from now on, Ah Ren shouldn't bother buying clothes. Lady Saiguu can just handle all of it," Miko added with a smile.
"Of course," Saiguu nodded. She enjoyed making beautiful clothing, and now that she had no burdens, it was a pleasant way to spend her time.
Earlier, Miko had tried to push the role of Guuji back onto Saiguu, accusing her of tricking her into taking the position.
But Saiguu had firmly refused, saying everyone was already used to Miko as Guuji. Besides, after being gone for five hundred years, she wasn't about to start working immediately.
"This burden suits you just fine, Miko," she had said without hesitation.