Early the next morning, Kagami Ren opened his eyes, feeling refreshed as he stretched lazily.
Turning his head, he saw Yae Miko still asleep beside him. A faint blush lingered on her beautiful face—last night had truly been intense.
"Well, well, had fun last night?" As soon as Kagami Ren stepped outside, Saiguu's teasing voice rang out.
Looking over, he saw her lounging on a chair, casually smoking, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Of course," Kagami Ren replied without the slightest embarrassment, walking over and sitting beside her.
"Not bad for a young man," Saiguu said, eyeing his loosely worn robe, where his toned chest was faintly visible. She reached out and gave it a light touch.
"…Are you a hooligan?" Kagami Ren shot her a wary look.
"Hehe…" Saiguu laughed like a mischievous rogue.
"Saiguu, what exactly are you doing to my man?" Miko's voice suddenly came from behind. "Acting like a shameless flirt—if you like Ah Ren, just say so. He can take you in tonight."
"Too fast, way too fast!" Saiguu quickly shook her head. While she did have a favorable impression of Kagami Ren, jumping straight into that still felt a bit too much.
"See? Ah Ren, she's just a manipulative woman who plays with people's hearts," Miko said, trying to stir things up.
"Hey, don't you dare sabotage our relationship," Saiguu shot back, glaring at her. That sly little fox…
"Oh, right, I almost forgot something." Saiguu suddenly remembered and turned serious.
"A letter came from Tenshukaku. A Vision bearer has challenged Ei to a duel before the throne," she said. "Tomorrow morning, he'll fight Kujou Sara in front of the Statue of the Omnipresent God."
"Ei has invited you to watch."
"A duel before the throne…" Kagami Ren rubbed his chin. It must be Kazuha's friend—the one who stood against the Vision Hunt Decree and gave his life.
"I'll go," Kagami Ren nodded. "I'd like to see a mortal who dares to face a god."
"To challenge a god despite being as fragile as a mortal… that kind of will is admirable," Miko said, slightly surprised. "Ah Ren, I'll go with you."
"Let's all go together," Saiguu added. She was curious about what could give a mortal such courage.
"Lord Kagami Ren!" At that moment, Kuki Yuki approached.
"What is it, Yuki?" Kagami Ren asked.
"The Kamisato Clan's housekeeper, Thoma, has come to see you," she said. "He also mentioned that the Kamisato Clan would like to invite you as a guest."
"Oh? The Kamisato Clan?" Kagami Ren raised an eyebrow. That was fast.
"That boy Ayato gathers information quickly," Miko said with a snort.
"Yuki, did Thoma say who's hosting the banquet?" Miko asked.
"No," Yuki shook her head.
"Hmph." Miko turned to Kagami Ren. "If it's Ayato, don't trust him too easily. He looks gentle on the surface, but who knows what he's plotting underneath."
"Don't worry," Kagami Ren nodded, standing up. "Since the Kamisato Clan has come calling, it wouldn't be appropriate for me not to receive them. I'll go."
"Alright."
"Yuki, let's go," Kagami Ren said, following her toward the reception room.
Along the way, Yuki kept sneaking glances at him.
"If you want to look, just do it openly," Kagami Ren said with a chuckle.
"Ah—!" Yuki's face turned bright red when she realized she'd been caught. She quickened her pace, too embarrassed to speak.
Soon, they arrived outside the reception room.
"Lord Kagami Ren, we're here. Thoma is inside," she said softly.
"Alright, you can go," Kagami Ren replied, gently pinching her cheek before pushing the door open.
"Eh?" Yuki stood there, touching her cheek, dazed. That gesture had felt… strangely intimate.
Inside, Kagami Ren saw a blond young man.
"You're Thoma?" he asked, looking him over.
"You must be Lord Kagami Ren," Thoma quickly stood and bowed. "Forgive my sudden visit."
"I heard the Kamisato Clan wanted to meet me," Kagami Ren said, taking a seat.
"Yes," Thoma nodded.
"Who is it? Kamisato Ayato or Kamisato Ayaka?" Kagami Ren asked calmly.
"It's Miss Ayaka. She wishes to invite you personally, in a private capacity," Thoma explained. "If you're available today, she has already prepared a banquet and hopes you'll honor her with your presence."
Kagami Ren was slightly surprised. He had expected Ayato to test him. He had even prepared to demonstrate his power to deter any schemes.
Ayato was a master strategist, always calculating. But Kagami Ren disliked being manipulated. He had intended to make his stance clear.
Yet… it was Ayaka who invited him.
"Alright," Kagami Ren nodded. "Where is she?"
"She's waiting at the Kamisato Estate."
"Below Chinju Forest?" Kagami Ren nodded. "Let's go."
"Please follow me, Lord Kagami Ren—" Thoma began, but Kagami Ren stopped him.
"Too slow. We'll go directly."
Golden spatial energy enveloped Thoma, and in an instant, they vanished.
The next moment, they appeared outside the Kamisato Estate.
Thoma's eyes widened in shock. Such power…
"Just a small trick," Kagami Ren said lightly.
"Who goes there?!" The guards immediately raised their weapons.
"It's me—Thoma!" he quickly called out. "Lower your weapons! This is the Grand Chief Priest of the Narukami Shrine! Show respect!"