Yashiori Island's Tatarigami power had already been re-suppressed by the two of them. The island, once covered in dark clouds, had now regained its former healthy radiance. They had set out in the morning, and by the time everything was finished it was already around three in the afternoon. One could say it had taken an entire day.
As for the residents of Yashiori Island who were temporarily taking refuge on Watatsumi Island, Kokomi did not immediately inform them. After all, the Tatarigami power had only just been suppressed and there might still be residual effects. She would wait until it had completely dissipated before allowing these people to return home. If she told them immediately, it might cause them to become overly anxious, and that would not be good.
At this moment, the two had already returned to Kokomi's room. Since there was still the postponed celebration banquet from yesterday scheduled for the evening, Kokomi had already decided not to do anything else that would "consume energy." Before the banquet began, she planned to rest for a while in her bedroom and recover her spirits.
The time was around four in the afternoon... the banquet would begin at seven, leaving three hours.
"Haa..."
Kokomi sat down heavily on the carpet in her bedroom, leaning her back against the edge of the bed while hugging her knees and quietly calming her mind.
Because it was evening, a golden glow gradually appeared outside the window, shining onto the bed and across the girl's back, making her already delicate and beautiful face even more moving.
"...Is there any left?"
The Shogun casually leaned her body back against the edge of the desk, arms folded. Her exquisite legs wrapped in black stockings crossed beneath her skirt, slightly raised as she looked toward the girl leaning against the bed and teasingly asked.
"...Left?"
Kokomi looked up at her in confusion.
"Energy. Is there any energy left?"
She slightly shook her head, borrowing the other's earlier wording, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do," as she asked.
"Oh... it's fine, there's still some left..."
Kokomi understood and smiled reassuringly at her, her hand unconsciously sliding back and forth over her calf wrapped in white stockings.
"You should sleep for a while. Otherwise you won't have any energy later."
Tap tap~
She left the desk and walked over to the girl. After smoothing her skirt, she gently sat down beside her against the bed edge, shoulders touching, her legs stretching forward in a relaxed posture.
"..."
Kokomi stared blankly at her extended legs, unable to help but lose herself slightly in thought.
"...What are you looking at///?"
Perhaps noticing the direct gaze from the person beside her, she asked with a hint of shyness.
"Eh? Ah... nothing, I just think your figure is amazing///."
Kokomi said it reflexively, her face flushing slightly. Not only her legs, but also... her chest. Seeing the perfect height of the violet-haired beauty's chest beside her, like a finely carved jewel that captured the heart, she could not help feeling a little stirred.
"...Little pervert~"
Hearing this, the Shogun understood her implicit meaning. Her face reddened slightly as she gently poked the girl's forehead with a finger, complaining softly.
"Uu..."
Kokomi cutely tilted her head back from the poke, pressing her flushed cheeks as she stopped talking.
"Go lie on the bed and sleep for a while..."
She said casually.
"It's alright, this is fine."
Kokomi did not move.
"Why? The bed is more comfortable. Sitting like this must be uncomfortable."
She looked at the person beside her in confusion.
"It's not that, haa... if I lie on the bed I'm afraid I won't wake up once I fall asleep. If I sleep at the desk, I'll subconsciously want to work, and then I won't be able to sleep."
Kokomi leaned against the bed edge and explained her dilemma.
"Then I'll wake you when the time comes, alright?"
"It's fine... this is good enough."
Just staying beside you like this is better than anything.
Kokomi silently thought this while leaning against the woman's shoulder.
"...Aren't you tired?"
Seeing the girl's current state, she could not help but ask with concern.
"I'm alright," the girl replied.
"Haa... then how about lying on my lap?"
She made this suggestion.
"Eh? C-Can I?"
Kokomi froze for a moment, then her eyes lit up slightly. This was the Shogun's lap pillow. Could she really experience it?
"Why not? Since you don't want to lie on the bed... and leaning like this to sleep is tiring, you might as well lie on my legs and sleep. It will be more comfortable."
The Shogun tilted her head in confusion for a moment. Then she drew her extended shapely legs in black stockings slightly to the side, changing into a very girlish sitting posture. After that, she patted her thigh toward Kokomi in front of her.
"Come... if you don't mind?"
She said this.
How could she possibly mind such a dreamlike opportunity?!
Kokomi hurriedly shook her head. With the other's support, she slowly lowered her head onto the woman's soft thighs. A pleasant fragrance from her skin drifted into her nose, making her feel intoxicated.
"How is it?"
She asked.
"Very comfortable... thank you."
Kokomi turned slightly onto her side, facing toward the woman's abdomen, her face flushed as she replied.
"That's good... sleep. I'll wake you when the time comes."
After saying this, she took out the light novel she had previously picked up from the other's desk and casually began flipping through it.
During the process, Kokomi happened to see the cover. She instantly panicked.
"That is—!!"
"Hm?"
The Shogun froze briefly before lowering her gaze toward her.
"P-Please— g-give— it— back— to— me—///!!"
Kokomi hurriedly reached out, trying to grab the light novel above her. Her voice became extremely cute, even sounding somewhat tragic.
"!"
Seeing this, she instinctively moved her hand slightly aside, perfectly avoiding the girl's fingers.
"Uu~ please... please don't read it///"
After failing to grab it, Kokomi pressed her face against the woman's abdomen. Having no other choice, she continued pleading in a muffled voice while her outstretched hands cutely tugged back and forth at her sleeve.
"...?"
The Shogun paused, then curiously looked toward the book's cover.
"As the Raiden Shogun, I Somehow Became a Heartthrob Surrounded by Everyone~"
Wasn't this...
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she recalled the familiar title.
Wasn't this the one she had seen before at Yae Publishing House with Ei? She remembered it being a strange story where a protagonist modeled after her formed a harem in a school setting.
"Please... don't read it, don't imagine things///"
Kokomi muttered while covering her face with both hands on her lap, as if sensing what she was thinking. Her cheeks rubbed back and forth against the woman's abdomen like a small cat.
Haa...
She let out a breath, then helplessly placed the novel she held gently on top of the girl's head.
"?"
Kokomi froze for a moment before cutely looking up at her.
"If you don't want me to read it, then I won't."
She would not force others regarding something like personal privacy.
"Thank you..."
Kokomi gratefully held the book and hugged it to her chest, then curled up again while lying on her lap.
If it were any other light novel she wouldn't mind. But this one absolutely could not be seen by the Shogun. Absolutely not.
Thinking this, Kokomi gradually closed her eyes while hugging the light novel. Under the soft touch and fragrance of those thighs, she grew increasingly sleepy. Perhaps because she had been tired all day, she fell asleep quickly.
"..."
Looking at the sleeping girl on her lap, she gently used her fingertips to brush aside the girl's bangs, revealing her fair forehead. Seeing her slender body curled up, she could not help turning her head to glance at the bedding on the bed.
Rustle~
She pulled it over and skillfully covered the girl's delicate body lying on the carpet, gently placing her hand against the girl's cheek, letting her own warmth pass to the other so she could sleep more soundly.
Afterward, she casually picked up a military strategy book from the ground and began reading, letting time slowly pass.
...About two hours later...
Kokomi, who had been sleeping soundly on the Shogun's lap, felt a gentle touch appear on her cheek. That touch was like a small cat pressing against her, occasionally moving as if trying to wake her. But she did not want to open her eyes yet. She wanted to stay in bed a little longer.
"Kokomi..."
The woman above softly called her name.
"Mm..."
She rubbed back and forth against the black stocking fabric on the other's thigh, letting out a comfortable murmur before becoming still again.
"...Kokomi?"
Seeing the girl lazily clinging to sleep on her lap, she narrowed her eyes slightly and called out again.
"..."
There was no response.
"Haa... Sangonomiya."
She changed how she addressed her.
"Please... call me... Kokomi..."
Still half-asleep, Kokomi responded like she was talking in her dreams.
"Divine Priestess."
She changed the title again.
"Mm... no~"
The girl still did not move, continuing to murmur cutely in her sleep.
"...Stinky fish!"
She sighed and finally scolded her like this, unable to endure it any longer.
"Mm~ please don't... call me... that... haa."
The other finally reacted slightly, her small face rubbing against the woman's abdomen again while her hands tightened around her waist like a clingy kitten.
"..."
She looked at the girl speechlessly, then suddenly had an idea.
"I'm going back to Narukami Island."
She did not move, only saying it seriously as if it were true.
"Ah, d-don't go back... I... I'll get up."
Kokomi immediately opened her eyes and looked at her with a slightly aggrieved expression. Her cheeks puffed slightly as if saying, "You're bullying me~!"
"Good evening."
The Shogun teased her with this greeting.
"Mm... how long did I sleep?"
Kokomi sat up slightly, covering her forehead with a dazed expression.
"Two hours."
"Two— wait, the banquet!"
"It hasn't started yet."
She replied.
"Haa... that's a relief."
Kokomi sighed in relief, then leaned forward against the woman again, planning to shake off her lingering drowsiness.
"You'll fall asleep again at this rate..."
She gently pinched the girl's cheek, speaking with both indulgence and helplessness.
"Mm... getting up..."
Kokomi lazily climbed to her feet and shook her head to wake herself fully. She still needed to attend the evening banquet. She could not delay it.
The Shogun also stood up, placing the military strategy book she had finished reading back onto the bookshelf. Kokomi returned the light novel in her hand to the desk drawer before looking toward her.
"Let's go, Shogun-sama. Let's attend the banquet together."
Kokomi, now back to her usual self, smiled as she invited her.
"Let's go."
And so, she and the Divine Priestess who had just woken from a nap put on their shoes, left the bedroom, and walked out of Sangonomiya Shrine. Passing along a nearby path, they headed toward the beach on the western side of Watatsumi Island.
When the two arrived, the banquet had just begun. Several torches were lit along the beach's edge, and a massive bonfire burned at the center. Banquet tables filled with wine, meat, and dishes surrounded it. For Watatsumi Island, today's feast counted as a grand expense, since due to the Sacred Soilization they normally could not grow such ordinary ingredients.
The banquet covered roughly half of the nearby beach. The crowd was dense and incredibly lively. The fragrance of delicious food and the sound of laughter rushed toward them, even drowning out the sound of the ocean waves.
Nearly all of Watatsumi Island's residents, merchants, and soldiers had gathered to attend the banquet. And since it was evening, the illumination of the lights made the atmosphere even more festive.
"Lady Sangonomiya!" ×N
"Lady Sangonomiya has arrived!" ×N
The moment Kokomi walked over, everyone's attention immediately focused on her. With excited expressions, they called out her name. Seeing this scene, the Shogun could not help but sigh. This feeling was completely like they were treating Kokomi as a goddess. But then again, the Divine Priestess was also considered a descendant of the Watatsumi Omikami, so it was understandable.
"Mm, everyone has worked hard these past few days."
After saying this to them, Kokomi led the Shogun toward the seaside.
Seeing this, everyone stopped shouting and, like before, began chatting among themselves. Although the banquet had started, no one touched the food yet because they were waiting for Lady Sangonomiya's speech.
"It seems the celebration banquet is almost ready. But before the feast begins, I still need to give a brief speech."
The two arrived at a relatively less crowded area by the sea. Kokomi looked toward the Shogun.
"Can your body handle it?"
She asked.
"Don't worry, completely fine... having you by my side these past few days has also lightened my mood. And after resting just now, energy +3~!"
Kokomi smiled at her and replied cutely.
"Alright. Don't push yourself."
The Shogun exhaled softly as she responded to the girl who greeted her with a smile.
"Mm..."
Kokomi nodded obediently.
"Lady Sangonomiya."
In the next moment, a soldier approached from afar and stood beside Kokomi.
"Is everything ready?"
Kokomi asked.
"Yes, everything is prepared. We are only waiting for you to take the stage."
"Alright... I'll go immediately. Mio, I'm heading over, okay?"
Kokomi nodded toward her. Then, with agile movements and a strangely altered affectionate form of address, she waved toward her in a friendly manner. The Shogun also raised her hand in response.
After that, Kokomi went alone under the escort of soldiers and stepped onto the constructed wooden platform, standing before everyone. Everyone watched her attentively, and for a moment the surroundings fell into rare silence.
"..." ×N
She first lowered her gaze silently, scanning everyone's expressions. Elderly people, young people, children, soldiers, and merchants. Among them, she noticed the Shogun standing in a corner on the opposite side watching her as well. She gave her a gentle smile before beginning a brief speech to the crowd. No matter what, it was part of the process.
"Everyone has worked hard. Today is our celebration banquet."
Her voice, like clear spring water, accompanied by delicate enunciation and tone, flowed into everyone's ears like nourishing rain.
"During this past period of time, our war with the Shogunate Army has come to an end, and we have also witnessed the abolition of the Vision Hunt Decree."
"..." ×N
Everyone listened quietly.
"What Inazuma's future will become, I cannot predict. But I will definitely take responsibility for all of you, in the name of Sangonomiya Kokomi."
Her speech paused briefly before she continued.
"Tomorrow, I will begin peace talks with the Shogunate to strive for peace for Watatsumi Island."
She did not say she would negotiate with the Tenryou Commission because she knew her negotiation partner was the Shogun herself. The Shogun represented the Shogunate, Narukami Island, and Inazuma. Her wording needed to change accordingly.
"..." ×N
Some soldiers below slightly frowned. Some even looked around sneakily, and soldiers on the opposite side nodded at them as if they had planned something together. Some civilians also revealed dissatisfaction. But these were only a minority. Most people instinctively showed hopeful smiles upon hearing the word "peace."
"Thank you all for your continued efforts. It is because of your efforts that our goals were able to be achieved."
Kokomi placed a hand over her chest and spoke sincerely to them.
"Today's celebration banquet is prepared for everyone present. I hope everyone will fully enjoy this hard-won peace."
Woo—!!! ×N
"Alright!" ×N
"Long live peace!" ×N
"We finally don't have to live in fear anymore. That's wonderful, isn't it, old man?"
"Yes... sigh... we've finally waited for this day!"
The people below began celebrating. Laughter echoed everywhere, filled with longing and hope for peace. Some mothers even hugged their children and cried.
"Thank you all..."
Seeing this scene, Kokomi's eyes reddened slightly with emotion. But she did not cry. Instead, she sincerely expressed her thanks and bowed.
And thank you as well, Shogun-sama.