"Thank you... for listening to me. After you pressed my forehead just now, I feel a little better."
She thanked Ayaka.
"Haa... Shogun-sama, I told you not to thank me, did I not? If you treat me so formally, I will be sad."
Hearing that, Ayaka lowered her eyes in slight disappointment.
"Mm... my mistake. I will not do it next time."
She smiled in response, then slowly rose to her feet, casually smoothing her hair and straightening the fabric over her shoulders.
"Are you leaving?"
Ayaka stood up as well.
"Yes. I am returning to Tenshukaku... If I stay out too late, she will worry about me again."
She spoke with mild complaint, her tone filled with helpless affection—like that of a daughter indulging her mother.
"Pfft... Lady Ei should loosen up with you a little more."
Ayaka laughed along with her, teasing lightly.
"Exactly... but she will not listen. So stubborn."
She answered helplessly.
"Just like you."
Ayaka replied at once.
"Such a smooth talker~"
She lifted her hand and lightly tapped the girl's nose.
When Ayaka escorted her to the entryway, something suddenly came to mind—
"Ah, please wait a moment, Shogun-sama."
After saying that, Ayaka turned and hurried into her bedroom, as if searching for something.
"...?"
Hearing her, she did not step outside. She waited obediently, casually taking the wisteria oil-paper umbrella leaning against the wall. Her slender white-stockinged feet slipped naturally into the grooves of the high-heeled sandals she often wore.
Tap tap~
A minute later—
Ayaka pulled open the bedroom door, carrying a bag that seemed to contain clothing. She handed it to her.
"This is...?"
She asked in confusion.
"The new outfit you asked me to have tailored for Miss Pandora last time. It arrived two days ago. Since you are here today, I thought I would give it to you. It is a kimono that suits her temperament. You may have Miss Pandora try it on later."
Ayaka explained.
"Oh... Pandora's clothes. Thank you for the trouble... As for the money—"
"Shogun-sama~!"
Ayaka seemed to anticipate what she was about to say and revealed a faintly pouty, adorable expression.
"The money, then... I will trouble the White Heron Princess to cover it for me this time."
She quickly changed her words.
"With pleasure~"
Ayaka answered, suppressing a smile.
"Then I shall take my leave?"
She turned her head slightly as she spoke.
"Mm... take care on your way back, Shogun-sama. Come visit home again when you have time, all right~?"
She did not say to visit the Kamisato Estate, but simply "home"—a sign of how close their bond was.
"...I cannot trouble you every time."
She replied.
"It is no trouble... Ayaka will always be waiting for you."
"You, honestly~ I am going now."
"Mm..."
Clatter~
She pulled open the gates of the Kamisato Estate and stepped into the front courtyard. The dazzling golden sunlight in the sky made her feel faintly wistful, but she did not linger. Walking out of the estate grounds, she followed the path down from Chinju Forest toward the Hanamizaka shopping district to the south.
It was around three in the afternoon—
Hanamizaka was as lively as ever. Dressed in casual clothing, no one recognized her identity. Just like every other time she went out, couples, children, and even elderly people occasionally brushed past her shoulders. Their laughter and chatter drifted clearly into her ears, drawing a faint smile from her lips.
As she passed through the commercial street, her gaze wandered idly over the stalls lining the road. Holding her wisteria umbrella and wearing a light smile, she looked every bit like a young maiden leisurely shopping.
"...?"
However, as she passed one particular stall, she unconsciously stopped.
Before her stood a jewelry shop of considerable size. Its decor was minimalist, yet elegant and refined. A short-haired girl stood at the counter—likely the proprietor. Behind her, the wall displayed all kinds of high-end accessories: necklaces, earrings, rings—gold, silver, in every variety.
Her gaze settled on one particular item. After a moment, she stepped inside and looked at the girl before her.
"Ah... splendid and resplendent, fashionable and elegant! Welcome to Toudou Jewelry, beautiful guest."
The girl smoothly delivered the shop's catchphrase.
"...Are you the owner?"
She asked.
"Me? No. The owner is my mother. She has been busy lately, so as her daughter, I am watching the shop in her place."
The girl answered fluently.
"I see... no matter. May I take a look at that one over there?"
She pointed to the second necklace from the left on the wall.
"Of course. One moment."
The girl skillfully removed the necklace and handed it to her with both hands.
"..."
She lifted the exquisite necklace. Under the sunlight, it shimmered with a pure silver glow like moonlight, causing her eyes to flicker slightly.
The reason she had taken an interest in it was because the hollow at its center seemed perfectly suited to Pandora's magic stone. It could perhaps be placed inside and worn around the neck to prevent it from being lost.
"This necklace is called 'Heart of the Ocean.' It resonates with blue-toned light and emits a beautiful radiance. You see, the edge of the pendant can be opened."
Click...
Following the girl's instruction, she gently opened the pendant. As expected, there was a hollow in the center. Once closed, it appeared as a transparent crystal.
"I will take it. How much is it?"
She asked.
"Because this necklace is extremely rare, the price is rather high—about 800,000 Mora."
800,000 Mora...
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
It was not that she could not afford it. The problem was that she had not brought that much cash with her today. What was she to do? She could hardly suggest taking it first and paying tomorrow like some naive child. Yet coming back another day would be troublesome.
"Is it... too expensive?"
The girl asked.
"Miss... I do not have that much Mora on me at the moment. How about this—I will leave 200,000 Mora as collateral today. Tomorrow, I will have a servant bring you the remaining 600,000 Mora. Not a single coin short."
She proposed.
"Ah? Well... hmm—"
The girl frowned, looking at her utterly pure face, then at the pendant in her hand. After a moment, she sighed.
"All right... but you must pay tomorrow. Leave 300,000 Mora as collateral instead. If it were anyone else, I would not agree. But you are so beautiful—you do not look like a bad person."
After saying that, she retrieved a contract-like sheet of paper from the back and handed it over along with a pen.
"Here. Please sign."
"Mm..."
She took the pen and signed the name 'Raiden Mio' at the bottom, then handed it back for inspection.
"Raiden... Mio. What a lovely name. The same surname as the Shogun. It seems you will receive the Narukami's blessing."
The girl lifted an eyebrow teasingly.
"Haa... many people have said that. Here, 200,000 Mora."
She smiled faintly in response, unconsciously smoothing the long hair at her shoulder, and handed over her entire coin pouch.
"All right~"
The girl counted the money, then carefully packaged the pendant and passed it to her.
If she had brought more than 200,000 Mora with her, she would not have needed to go through such trouble. After all, she had several million Mora in savings—earned through past adventures. She was hardly short of funds.
...
The Tenshukaku in the afternoon was as silent as ever. The clamor of the commercial district was completely shut away behind its great doors.
Clatter~!
Pulling open the doors and stepping inside as though returning home, the Shogun entered the first-floor hall and deliberately let her gaze sweep across the interior.
For some reason, she felt the atmosphere was different from usual. Perhaps it was simply too quiet... though it had always been rather quiet to begin with.
"...Haa."
She let out a faint sigh, inwardly complaining about her own pointless suspicion before casting it aside and walking onward once more.
Tap tap...
The sound of her high-heeled sandals striking the floor echoed dully through the stillness, unusually clear in the silent space.
The first floor of Tenshukaku was spaciously arranged. Upon entering, the first thing one saw was a broad training hall. Beyond that were the stairs leading toward their bedroom quarters. Past those stairs lay the vast area that served as the living space shared by her and Ei.
It was not only the bedroom before her. Following the home-like corridors revealed another room with a sitting room, kitchen, study, and various other living spaces. Nor was it limited to the first floor. Tenshukaku towered high with several levels, each containing multiple rooms. The floor-to-ceiling windows in those chambers offered a clear view of Inazuma's lofty and unobstructed scenery outside. Especially at night, Inazuma's nightscape was even more beautiful than by day.
"...Ei?"
She walked up the stairs to the folding screen and instinctively called for her mother, yet no answer came.
"..."
The Shogun fell silent for several seconds, letting her eyes wander around once more before finally landing on the low work desk before her.
This had once been the place where she handled Inazuma's affairs. Now that Ei had come out to work, the other woman had taken over those duties herself.
At this moment, several half-processed documents still lay upon the desk, and a brush stood upright in its holder.
Click...
She raised a hand and lightly touched the teacup on the desk. It still held residual warmth.
Even the brush handle retained the warmth of the other's palm. The cushion did as well.
Had Ei only just left?
Otherwise, these things would not still be warm.
"Ei?"
She called again, then slid open the bedroom door and leaned in to look.
Still empty.
"...Strange."
She murmured unconsciously. Where had that woman gone?
"...Shogun?"
Just as confusion rose in her mind, Pandora's delicate voice came from behind.
She turned and saw the beautiful silver-haired girl standing on the staircase leading from the second floor.
"Pandora..."
She instinctively called her name.
"Welcome back, Shogun..."
Pandora smiled at her gently, then descended the stairs barefoot, step by step. Perhaps because she wore no shoes, her footsteps were exceptionally light.
"Mm... have you settled in well? Is there anything you are unaccustomed to?"
She asked softly.
"No. I adapted quickly. This place is beautiful... and reassuring. Warm, too. I almost feel overwhelmed by how well I have been treated."
Pandora pressed a hand to her chest and smiled bitterly.
"...As long as you can adapt, that is enough. Ah, come back to your room first. I have new clothes for you. I will take you back and let you try them on."
She gestured to the bag in her hand.
"...These are... for me?"
Pandora froze in surprise, looking dazed.
"Who else would they be for? Did you think I bought them for myself?"
She laughed lightly and teased her.
"...Well, actually, there is no need to spend money on me—"
"Haa... Sometimes, accepting graciously is the proper thing to do."
She cut off Pandora's words and spoke with firm authority.
"..."
Pandora fell silent.
"...Or is it that you do not wish to wear them?"
She lowered her eyes and asked softly.
"No, of course not. Since they were bought for me, I am happy. Very happy."
Pandora hurriedly refuted her. She had only said that because she did not know how she ought to repay such kindness.
"Truly?"
She asked.
"Mm... absolutely true."
Pandora replied.
"Then go change. Let me see."
She placed the clothing bag into Pandora's hands and had her carry it herself.
"Mm... thank you, Shogun."
Pandora accepted it obediently and thanked her.
"Mm. Come, let us return to your room."
Thus the two of them climbed to the second floor.
Compared to the first floor, the second was somewhat smaller, though not by much. It simply lacked the large reception hall below. There were many rooms instead, and every bedroom was warmly arranged. Pandora's room was the first along the corridor, so they arrived after only a few steps.
The room faced the sunlight, though curtains softened the brightness. Its colors were bright yet warm. The furnishings were complete, with a soft bed and tatami suitable for resting directly upon. There were no overly luxurious decorations. Instead, it carried a simple style—minimal yet elegant.
It suited Pandora's temperament perfectly.
After entering, she opened the bag and took out an exquisite light-purple kimono patterned with flowers. Unfolding it simply, she handed it to Pandora.
"Try it on... let me see whether it fits."
She instructed her.
"Mm..."
Pandora obediently accepted it and walked to the open space by the floor-to-ceiling window, preparing to undress right there.
"...!"
Seeing this, she helplessly strode over and pulled the curtains shut, then looked at Pandora in reproach.
"As a woman, you must have awareness of protecting yourself. You must not be so careless."
"...I do not think anyone would have interest in a frail body like mine."
Pandora narrowed her eyes like a cat, then touched her own chest and mocked herself.
Tap...
The Shogun deliberately flicked her lightly on the forehead.
"Mm~"
Pandora adorably leaned back, taking a few soft steps backward.
"Do not speak of yourself that way. And... what is frail? That is merely your own opinion. Hurry and change clothes..."
She gestured toward the purple kimono on the bed, urging her onward.
"Mm..."
Pandora rubbed her forehead lightly, then picked up the clothes. Without caring much that someone else was in the room, she directly removed the white robe she had been wearing, exposing her delicate and pale body to the air.
"..."
Seeing this, the Shogun deliberately knelt upon the tatami and turned her gaze aside, looking instead toward the outdoor scenery not covered by the curtains.
Rustle rustle~
The sound of fabric brushing together occasionally reached her ears.
When she looked back, Pandora was nearly finished changing. Yet perhaps because it was a kimono, she still did not know how to wear it properly. The sash had not been tied, and the collar hung slightly open, making her look somewhat comical.
The Shogun smiled inwardly, then rose and walked to stand before her. With her own hands, she adjusted the front collar, crossing the sides properly over one another. She straightened the upper and lower layers, then picked up the sash from the bed.
"This type of clothing is called a kimono. It is worn differently from ordinary clothes. Once dressed, you must tie the sash like this, so it will not come loose."
She wrapped the sash around Pandora's slender waist, then skillfully tied it into a bow, securing the skirt below.
"Mm..."
Pandora stared blankly at the mirror opposite them and nodded.
Several minutes later—
It was complete.
She had also tidied Pandora's long hair. The once loosely hanging hair had been woven into an elegant princess braid befitting a noble young lady. The length was slightly shortened and moved behind her back. The silver hair at the sides of her head was fastened with matching moon-shaped ornaments, and her bangs had been lightly arranged as well.
She now wore a short-hemmed light-purple kimono adorned with bellflower patterns. The inner lining of the flowing sleeves and short skirt was edged with pure white lace. The sash drew in her waist, lifting the integrated skirt below. Its hem rested just above mid-thigh, perfectly revealing those slender legs. On her feet were plain white socks rising just above the ankles.
"..."
Pandora stared blankly at her new clothes.
Then, before the Shogun's eyes, she slowly turned like a butterfly. The skirt at her thighs fluttered upward like a little umbrella before settling back down.
The fit was just right.