For Kokomi at this moment, she could clearly sense that this White Heron Princess was deliberately probing her, even carrying a faint trace of chill beneath that scrutiny. No matter how subtle the look, she would still notice it. She did not know why the other woman had come to Watatsumi Island, nor why she had sought her out alone. Was she really just here for a casual visit?
...No way, right?
Would the dignified White Heron Princess truly be so idle?
There had to be some purpose. Of that, she was certain.
Even so, she did not take the initiative to ask. She felt that the timing was not right. Since the other party wished to sit inside the Sangonomiya Shrine, she would simply indulge her and observe what she intended to do. After all, this was her territory. Even if the other was the White Heron Princess, she could not stir up much trouble here. Nor did Kokomi believe Ayaka would be foolish enough to cause a scene.
Tap tap~
The interior layout of the Sangonomiya Shrine was relatively simple, nothing like its extravagant exterior. It was perfectly suited for living, suffused everywhere with dreamlike hues reminiscent of the sea. Even the hanging lamps were shaped like marine creatures.
"..."
Ayaka followed behind Kokomi the entire time, her gaze occasionally drifting across the surroundings. Her folding fan rested lightly against the corner of her lips, and a faint look of appreciation appeared on her face.
How could she not understand what Kokomi was thinking? They both knew the other was intelligent. Some matters only needed to be hinted at.
This time, she had come for two reasons. First, to search for the Shogun. Second, to take the opportunity to meet Sangonomiya Kokomi in person. She wanted to see with her own eyes whether this woman harbored any ulterior motives. She would not allow anyone to scheme against the Shogun. If there were no such intentions, then all was well. But if there were—even if the Shogun herself held some affection for this woman—she would never agree to it.
As for whether she would stir up trouble here, the answer was, of course, no. Just as Kokomi believed, she was not that ignorant or reckless.
"Is this Miss Sangonomiya's residence?"
She casually brought up a topic.
"Mm. It is a humble abode. I wonder if it is worthy of Miss Kamisato's eyes?"
Kokomi glanced around the interior decorations of her shrine, her cherry lips curving into a soft smile. Tilting her head slightly, she looked back at the ice-colored beauty behind her and asked. As she spoke, she lifted a hand to gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"The air is fresh, the temperature moderate... The layout is simple yet dignified and elegant. And situated at the inland center of Watatsumi Island, it is an excellent place to reside. The one who chose this location... truly has good taste."
Her words were not flattery, but a sincere evaluation. She spoke comprehensively, her refined voice and articulate diction making even Kokomi reveal a faint trace of admiration.
As expected of the White Heron Princess.
"The Sangonomiya Shrine has always been the residence of the Divine Priestess. It is also a place where important matters are discussed..."
At this point, Kokomi glanced at Ayaka once more before continuing.
"...It was once the rear headquarters of the Resistance, the gathering place for deliberating war strategies. But now... it is merely the temporary government office of this small island of Watatsumi."
She said this calmly.
"...Miss Sangonomiya truly trusts me, to reveal such important matters so readily."
Ayaka lightly tapped her chin with her folding fan and teased.
"Now that Watatsumi Island and Narukami Island have already negotiated peace, Watatsumi belongs to Inazuma. We are all people of Inazuma. Why should we conceal such things from one another? Wouldn't you agree, Miss Kamisato?"
Kokomi turned back again and asked her.
"...Are those your true feelings?"
Ayaka asked seriously.
"Without a doubt."
After saying that, Kokomi turned her head and resumed walking.
"...Haa."
Seeing this, Ayaka asked no further questions and followed.
However, as she passed by a particular door, her eyes swept over it casually—and she stopped. She continued staring at it. The style of the door was clearly different from the others. It was easy to distinguish.
Could this be—
"What is it, Miss Kamisato?"
When Kokomi noticed that the footsteps behind her had ceased, she turned back in confusion, only to find Ayaka staring at her bedroom door, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
"...?"
She glanced at her own door, puzzled. Why was she staring at it? Was there something on it?
"...And this is?"
Noticing Kokomi's questioning gaze, Ayaka gestured subtly toward the room and asked with intention.
"Oh... this is my room. May I ask what you mean by that, Miss Kamisato?"
Understanding dawned on her, and she answered with a smile.
Her room?
Ayaka's eyes narrowed slightly...
"May I... take a look inside?"
She tested the waters with the question, fully prepared to be refused. After all, it was the other's private space. Refusal would be normal—
"...Of course. Come with me."
Yet Kokomi did not hesitate at all. She walked past Ayaka and directly reached out to press down the door handle.
Click!
The next second, the door opened, revealing the interior.
"...Excuse me."
Ayaka froze briefly before recovering and politely saying the customary words as she stepped inside. Naturally, upon reaching the step leading to the tatami area, she removed her shoes. She first saw the girl ahead of her skillfully slip off her footwear, placing her white silk-clad feet upon the warm-toned tatami. Ayaka followed suit. Unlike the other's long stockings, she wore white tabi.
She paced slowly around the room, looking everywhere. Behind the curtains. Behind the wardrobe. Even—
Rustle rustle~
She crouched down and bent over to peer beneath the bed.
"..."
Throughout all this, Kokomi watched her with a rather strange expression. The other's actions made it seem as though she were catching someone in adultery, as if Kokomi had hidden someone inside her room. It left her somewhat bewildered. To this moment, she still had not fully understood Ayaka's purpose in coming here.
Even so, she did not attempt to stop her. She merely followed Ayaka's movements with her gaze, feeling puzzled.
During the process, Ayaka stopped before the wardrobe. Turning her head toward Kokomi—who was still watching her oddly—she gestured lightly.
"May I?"
She asked in subtle implication.
"...You may."
Kokomi looked at her deeply, then averted her eyes and answered in a slightly lowered voice.
Click~
Ayaka opened the wardrobe without hesitation. What met her eyes was an array of casual clothes—dresses, shirts, kimono, and shoes. A fairly typical young woman's wardrobe.
"..."
Ayaka's eyes narrowed again before she closed it with faint puzzlement.
"..."
Kokomi had been watching her the entire time, her eyes filled with unspoken inquiry.
Could it be that the White Heron Princess had some strange hobby?
The thought flashed through her mind.
But she quickly dismissed it. Impossible. There was clearly some purpose behind this. She could feel it. But what was it?
And why did it concern her?
"...Haa."
Ayaka exhaled softly and returned to the center of the room, sweeping her ice-colored eyes around once more. By chance, her gaze landed upon a purple raincoat hanging by the wall, adorned with seaweed-like decorations. Its style matched Kokomi's usual attire. Beside it hung an umbrella of similar color.
"...?"
For some reason, the two items felt slightly out of place. She stepped closer to inspect them.
"...!"
Kokomi's expression changed noticeably when she saw Ayaka approach. In her normally serene eyes appeared a rare flicker of guilt—even tension. The hand folded across her chest tightened slightly against her arm before relaxing again without a trace.
"The material of this raincoat... seems to be fabric sold on Narukami Island. Does Miss Sangonomiya also shop there?"
Ayaka brushed her fingers along the sleeve and asked with a faint smile in her eyes.
"That is not the case. This item was... sent to me by a friend who lives far away on Narukami Island."
She was not lying. It was indeed a gift from the Shogun. She simply had not told the whole truth.
She bore no ill will. It was just that she had no keepsake of mutual devotion with the Shogun—except for this. Only this... she could not tell anyone. Absolutely not. Otherwise, she would have nothing left.
She knew she was humble. Easy to satisfy.
Yet she was also selfish.
This was Sangonomiya Kokomi's private feeling.
"...I see. It seems I overthought it. My apologies."
Hearing that, Ayaka did not press further. She had caught a subtle clue in the other woman's faint expression, but she did not expose it.
Afterward, she stepped away from the wall and let her gaze drift toward the desk where Kokomi usually handled official matters. A book lay there, its cover colorful, the title written in a playful style.
This is... a light novel?
She intended to walk over to take a closer look. Yet in the next instant, Kokomi moved first. She picked up the light novel from the desk, subtly avoiding Ayaka's reaching hand, then turned her back as she placed it neatly onto the bookshelf.
"...Could it be that Miss Sangonomiya also has the 'refined taste' for reading light novels?"
Ayaka asked lightly, unbothered.
"...It is merely a small daily pastime. After all..."
Kokomi paused in the act of putting the book away and glanced at her slightly before continuing,
"...I am, to begin with, a rather boring person."
After saying that, she finished arranging the book and turned back to face Ayaka, who was still watching her.
"I cannot see that at all. On the contrary, I find Miss Sangonomiya quite interesting."
Ayaka regarded her with faint amusement.
"Interesting? ...Miss Kamisato truly knows how to joke."
Kokomi's steps faltered briefly. Her eyes deliberately shifted away from Ayaka's gaze as she gave a subtle rebuttal. The next second, she passed by her silently, not sparing her another glance.
"I wonder whether my room meets Miss Kamisato's expectations?"
Standing at the step as she slipped her shoes back on, Kokomi turned to look at the ice-colored girl still standing in the center of the room.
"..."
Ayaka turned her head slowly at the question.
"...There is nothing here. No mechanisms. No secret passages. No hidden weapons. No one concealed. Only the everyday belongings of an ordinary girl. A bed. A wardrobe."
She spoke in one continuous breath.
"..."
Ayaka continued to watch her, a trace of doubt gradually surfacing in her eyes.
"Of course, if you are dissatisfied, I understand... After all, the Sangonomiya finances are not as abundant as the Kamisato Clan's. And I personally do not favor excessive extravagance. I hope you can understand."
It was as if Kokomi had already anticipated her response and preemptively struck back.
"Pfft... heh..."
Yet instead of anger, Ayaka covered her smile with her folding fan. Her refined voice dissolved into delicate laughter.
"...?"
Kokomi frowned slightly, not understanding why she was laughing.
Tap tap...
Still smiling, Ayaka slipped her white-stockinged feet back into her wooden sandals and glanced at her.
"As expected... you are not boring at all. In fact, you are quite interesting."
With that, she took the initiative and left the room first.
"...?"
Kokomi froze briefly, stealing a glance at the retreating figure before turning silently, her eyes filled with contemplation.
After exiting the room, the two returned to the corridor.
"Also... that bed is rather nice. Quite large."
After Kokomi closed the door, Ayaka suddenly added.
"...The bed?"
"It seems very suitable for two people to sleep in. Or rather... just right for two."
With that, Ayaka returned the earlier jab Kokomi had given her.
"..."
Kokomi's brows instinctively drew together. The remark caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. She understood exactly what Ayaka was implying.
Lifting her eyes toward the figure about to walk away, she pressed her lips together before finally speaking up.
"Miss Kamisato..."
She called out.
"...Yes?"
Ayaka turned to look at her.
"...Why did you come here today? You still haven't told me."
At last, Kokomi voiced the doubt that had lingered in her heart.
"...It was nothing. I simply had nothing to do and came to have a look. And while I was here, I wished to meet the Divine Priestess. During the previous peace negotiations... the Kamisato Clan did not send a representative. Today seemed like a good opportunity to see for myself."
Ayaka did not tell her the truth. She offered a reasonable excuse instead. In any case, her purpose for coming had already been achieved.
She had found no trace of the Shogun. From her conversation with Sangonomiya Kokomi, she could also sense that the other woman knew nothing of the matter. Which meant the Shogun had most likely never come here. That left her confused once more.
Where could she be?
She had nearly searched all of Inazuma.
At that thought, a trace of sadness unconsciously flickered in her eyes... but it vanished just as quickly.
"Nothing to do? And you came alone? Without even bringing subordinates?"
Kokomi frowned, skeptical.
"Indeed. Since it was a private visit, bringing subordinates would have been stranger, would it not?"
Ayaka replied matter-of-factly.
"...Then why did you show a sad expression just now?"
Kokomi asked.
Perhaps it was professional habit. As she spoke, she unconsciously folded her arms, her expression turning serious.
"...!"
This woman... her ability to read expressions is this sharp?
Even sharper than mine... She even noticed something I myself failed to catch...
Ayaka was genuinely startled inside, yet her expression did not change. She simply met Kokomi's gaze directly.
"You came alone, without subordinates, even using the identity of the 'White Heron Princess,' solely to see me? You asked me to bring you inside. You kept observing. And you searched my room just now. How do you explain that?"
Her voice, clear as a tranquil pool, now carried a hint of chill and gradually sank lower. With her arms crossed, her presence rose sharply—almost oppressive.
Tap!
Kokomi stepped forward, closing the distance between them. They stood nearly face-to-face. Their heights were similar, yet in terms of momentum, Kokomi did not yield in the slightest—if anything, she pressed forward.
"...!"
Instinctively, Ayaka nearly stepped back. But she steadied herself immediately and remained where she was, staring back without retreat.
"..."
Kokomi held her gaze, her eyes shining with unwavering resolve.
"You worry too much, Miss Sangonomiya... I truly had nothing to do today. Otherwise, I would not have come alone."
Ayaka once again raised her folding fan to conceal her lips as she answered.
"..."
Kokomi's brows remained slightly furrowed as she continued searching her eyes.
"...Tell me. What happened?"
She asked directly.
"..."
This woman... is troublesome.
At this moment, Ayaka finally grasped her temperament. In certain aspects, she was the stubborn type. Yet Ayaka still had no intention of explaining. After all, the other was an outsider...
"...It is getting late. Haa... I will not stay any longer. Farewell."
Her demeanor returned to normal as she glanced at the sky outside, now tinged with dusk. She spoke simply, then brushed past Kokomi, intending to leave.
"..."
Kokomi stood motionless as Ayaka passed by. Her eyes remained fixed forward. Just as the faint fragrance of the other's presence was about to fade, she pressed her lips together and turned—
Clack!
She grabbed Ayaka's wrist.
"!"
With slight force—almost forcibly—she pulled the ice-colored girl back toward her. Ayaka showed a flash of surprise. She looked momentarily flustered, but quickly regained her composure. Once steady, she met Kokomi's gaze with a trace of displeasure—about to glare—when—
"Did something... happen to her?"
"!!"
Hearing that careful question, Ayaka's eyes widened in shock. Even the irritation vanished instantly.
"Has something happened to the Shogun...?"
Kokomi asked again. This time, anxiety colored her voice. It trembled faintly.
"..."
"Please tell me, White Heron Princess."
Her tone shifted into a plea.
"..."
Ayaka could see the moisture shimmering in her eyes. Kokomi's rosy lips were pressed together, and the hand gripping her wrist was trembling slightly.
She could tell—this was not false.
It was genuine feeling.
The same as her own.
"...Yes... she—the Shogun... something has happened."
At last, Ayaka spoke.
Kokomi's body trembled. Her bangs fell, shadowing her eyes. Slowly, she said,
"...Tell me."