After an entire day, exhausted in both body and mind, Ei finally finished searching every corner of Inazuma. Dragging her heavy steps, she staggered back to the Grand Narukami Shrine, the place she had agreed with Ayaka to regroup.
Thump~
She dropped down onto the steps outside the shrine's main hall, lifting her weary eyes to gaze at the tranquil courtyard bathed in dusk. Perhaps Yae had not yet returned, for no one else was present. She had come back first. And the result required no guessing...
No progress at all.
A wave of fatigue welled up in her heart. It was not physical exhaustion, but something deeper. Her heart was tired—so tired it was unbearable. The golden light on the horizon felt blinding, as if it were mercilessly mocking her current state.
Her gaze slowly drifted downward from the sky—
Thump~
The next second, she leaned back on her own, letting her upper body fall flat while her lower half remained seated on the step, legs still touching the ground. The posture was utterly lax, devoid of her usual noble bearing. At a time like this, what dignity was there left to preserve? What pride? Everything felt like nothing more than an illusory bubble.
"Shogun... where are you?"
Overcome by mental exhaustion, she gradually closed her eyes, unconsciously murmuring her daughter's name.
Tap tap...
A series of light footsteps approached. A slender shadow slowly fell over her reclining upper body, casting her in faint darkness.
"...?"
Sensing the shift in presence, she slowly opened her hazy eyes and looked at the newcomer.
The blurred silhouette was slender—clearly a woman. She seemed to be dressed in red and white, likely shrine maiden attire. Was she a miko from here?
"..."
Ei did not speak first. Her gaze remained fixed on the indistinct figure, which appeared even more mysterious against the backdrop of dusk.
"It is our first meeting, my lady... Lady Ei."
The bob-haired girl in shrine maiden robes bowed respectfully. Her ruby-like eyes held a complex emotion as she looked at the woman whose face was identical to that person's.
"...You are...?"
Why would a shrine maiden know her name? Had Yae mentioned it?
Forget it... she no longer had the energy to ponder such trivial matters. Her heart was already too weary.
"This humble one is called Hanachirusato."
Hanachirusato bowed again. A few days ago, when the Shogun had come to the shrine, she had been overjoyed and even playfully greeted her. Who would have expected that in less than a few days, such a calamity would occur? Even now, she still felt dazed, at one point even believing it to be a joke. But clearly it was not. One glance at the rarely seen stern expression of the Guuji was enough to confirm that.
So even that Guuji, who loved teasing and slacking off, had such a side... That alone proved how important the Shogun was to her—or perhaps how important the Ei before her was. Or perhaps both. She leaned toward the latter.
"...Hanachirusato? You are..."
Even after learning her name, Ei still looked somewhat confused. She did not recognize Hanachirusato. Yet now that her vision had cleared, looking at the girl's face stirred a strange familiarity. It was as though she resembled someone...
"Your appearance... why do you resemble Kitsune Saiguu so closely?"
Yes—Kitsune Saiguu. Her old friend.
"Ah... to be honest, I was born from Lady Kitsune Saiguu's lingering obsession. I was once corroded by the filth within the Sacred Sakura's roots. During the last Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, I was fortunate enough to be saved by the Shogun. The impurity within me was removed by her, and thus I became who I am now."
Hanachirusato patiently explained her origins.
"The Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual... I see... The Shogun mentioned you to me before. Mm... my apologies. My mind is somewhat muddled right now. Please do not take offense."
Ei recalled it. The Shogun had indeed spoken of Hanachirusato. Realization dawned, and she looked apologetically at the girl, even rubbing her temple in self-reproach.
"It is all right. Hanachirusato understands your pain."
Hanachirusato shook her head. She would never take offense.
"Haa... sit down. Sit beside me... keep me company for a while, would you?"
She patted the space beside her.
"As you wish... my lady."
Hanachirusato bowed, then quietly smoothed her skirt and sat beside her, hands folded neatly in the formal posture of a shrine maiden.
"There is no need to answer me so formally... If you regard the Shogun as a friend, then regard me as one as well."
Still lying there, Ei turned her head to look at the upright girl beside her. That familiar face... stirred a faint sense of nostalgia within her.
"If that is what you desire, Hanachirusato will not refuse."
She nodded.
"You truly resemble her..."
What was this? Compensation from the heavens? Compensation for failing to protect Kitsune Saiguu in the past? Was it pity? Or sympathy? Thinking that way only made her feel even more useless.
"Lady Ei... the Shogun will surely be safe. She will return to your side. Hanachirusato promises."
Sensing her excessive negativity, Hanachirusato turned to her and made that solemn assurance.
"Mm... that would be good. I shall borrow your auspicious words."
Ei replied weakly, then slowly closed her eyes. She wished to rest for a moment.
After an unknown amount of time...
When she opened her hazy eyes again, the girl was gone. Instead—whether because of her or someone else—she found herself lying on bedding, a soft pillow beneath her head. Clearly, someone had moved her.
"You're awake? Ei."
Hearing that familiar voice by her ear, she froze for a moment before turning her head. Yae lay on her side beside her, propping her cheek on her hand, gazing at her with indulgent affection. Like a gentle wife accompanying her husband, her eyes were filled with barely restrained emotion, her tone extraordinarily soft.
"...Yae? How did you all—! Shogun!"
Swish~
As her mind gradually cleared, she reflexively called out her daughter's name and immediately sat upright. She looked around in a daze. She was in Yae's room.
"Sigh... how heartbreaking. The first thing you do upon waking is call for the Shogun~"
Yae complained, clearly wounded.
"...What kind of talk is that? At a time like this, who else would I call?"
Ei shot her a resentful glance.
"Haa... fine, fine~"
Yae shrugged.
"How long did I sleep? Has the Shogun been found? Why have you all returned?"
Three questions in rapid succession left even Yae momentarily breathless.
"Wait... one at a time. You slept for about an hour and a half. As for the Shogun... regrettably, Pandora and I searched everywhere, nearly turned Inazuma upside down, but found nothing. Seeing that it was getting late, we returned."
Getting late?
"...!"
She instinctively looked outside and discovered that night had already fallen. The shrine's lanterns were lit, and the stars flowed across the sky like a silver river.
Rustle~
Pandora entered at that moment carrying a tray of tea. She set it on the low table and handed a cup to each of them.
"You two, have some tea... Regarding the Shogun, I believe we cannot act so rashly. Otherwise, we may only make matters worse."
Indeed... at the beginning, the news had frightened them so much that they grew agitated and instinctively resorted to the most foolish method—searching blindly. In doing so, they had overlooked many subtle details.
If they calmed down and reconsidered, perhaps they would reach a conclusion...
"Pandora is right. Ei... you are too impatient."
Yae nodded.
"Should I not be impatient?! The Shogun is missing! I—"
"Ei!"
Yae slightly raised her voice, cutting her off.
"...!"
Startled into silence, Ei turned her head away. Her eyes were hidden beneath her bangs, unreadable. Her soft lips pressed together as her entire body seemed to tremble.
"Ei... this is something I have long wished to say to you. You are Inazuma's god. You are the one the people admire and rely upon. You should not lose your composure so easily."
Yae spoke earnestly.
"...Even after losing a loved one, I am not allowed to lose my composure? Is that what it means to be a god? If so... then I do not wish to be one—"
"Raiden Ei! Do not be willful!"
At last, Yae could endure no more and rebuked her sharply.
"..."
Ei said nothing. She lowered her head in silence, her clenched fists betraying her unwillingness.
"Haa... do you know what you resemble right now?"
Yae exhaled and crossed her arms as she asked.
"..."
Ei remained silent, her gaze fixed elsewhere.
"...You're like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum at us, shouting, 'I don't want to go to school anymore! Going to school means homework, teachers controlling me, losing my freedom, missing my parents but being unable to go home!' Crying and making a scene~"
"Yae!"
Ei glared at her angrily, her pride wounded by those words.
"I know... I know you're worried about the Shogun. But aren't we worried too? We are. We worry just as much. But could you calm down a little? Just a little... even the slightest bit, all right?"
Yae moved closer again, placing both hands on her shoulders as she spoke earnestly.
"..."
Seeing her like this, Ei finally fell silent once more.
"Mother... please do not give up on yourself like this. The Shogun would not wish to see you this way either, would she?"
Pandora gently wrapped her arms around Ei's neck from behind, softly stroking her head with hands, using her uniquely gentle voice to soothe her heart.
"See~? Pandora is much more sensible than you... and she even calls you 'Mother,' you know?"
Yae chuckled teasingly.
"Haa... honestly... you truly only know how to sweet-talk people."
At last, Ei's expression relaxed slightly. A complicated smile appeared on her face as she weakly complained.
"Hehe~ It's not as though you've only just met me~?"
Yae showed not the slightest remorse.
"I'm sorry... the things I said earlier were excessive now that I think about them."
Ei apologized guiltily.
"It's fine. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. Especially you."
Yae shrugged indifferently.
"Haa..."
Ei exhaled in agreement. She knew better than anyone that she was the one most prone to mistakes. After all, she had been making them ever since long ago.
This incident too was her fault. She had implanted that program within the Shogun's body, and now it had activated, bringing disaster.
"Do not blame yourself too much. The important thing now is finding a way to make up for it, Ei."
Yae advised gently.
"Mm... I know."
"..."
Watching Ei regain her composure, Pandora revealed a relieved smile. Yet the worry she felt for the Shogun still cast a shadow over it. Turning toward the moonlight outside, she could not help slightly furrowing her brows.
Meanwhile—
Two girls, one aligned with Cryo and the other Hydro, were quickly climbing the stone steps leading toward the summit of Mt. Yougou. Ayaka at the front appeared perfectly fine, her expression unchanged. But Kokomi behind her looked deathly pale. Sweat covered her forehead, and even the front of her clothes had become damp.
Tap tap~
The distance covered by the thong sandals beneath her white-stockinged feet grew shorter and shorter until she finally could not endure it any longer. Raising a hand, she leaned against a crimson torii gate and remained there, panting heavily.
"...?"
Hearing the lack of movement behind her, Ayaka frowned slightly and turned around. The girl looked utterly drained. Her body appeared as though drenched in water, completely soaked. Damp strands of hair clung to her forehead. Even the seams around the toes and soles of the white stockings covering her sandal-clad feet were wet enough to faintly reveal her toes underneath.
"Miss Sangonomiya, forgive my impertinence, but... are you made of water?"
For once, Ayaka looked at her with genuine sympathy. Even the corner of her lips twitched.
"Haa... haa..."
Kokomi lacked the energy to respond. Leaning against the torii gate, she continued gasping for breath. Her legs ached terribly. She felt that if someone massaged her calves tonight, she might let out embarrassing moans. Her ankles felt numb, not to mention the soles of her feet that had been constantly stepping on stone.
"I'm already... in this state... and you still have the heart to mock me, Miss Kamisato? Are you made of ice?"
Even now, she refused to lose verbally and weakly retorted.
"Pfft... come here."
Ayaka smiled, walked over, and lifted her arm around Kokomi to support her upright once more.
"N-no need. I don't require your help..."
Kokomi instinctively struggled, but her tiny strength was nowhere near enough to resist Ayaka.
"Miss Sangonomiya... sometimes refusing kindness from others while stubbornly forcing yourself onward only makes you look childish, you know~?"
Ignoring her resistance, Ayaka firmly supported her and continued climbing the steps.
"I'm not... If anyone is childish, it's... Miss Kamisato... haa..."
Realizing she could not overpower her, Kokomi simply gave up struggling and allowed herself to be supported step by step, all while continuing to argue back.
The moonlight illuminated the two girls, draping them in a mysterious silver veil that made their already fair skin appear even more radiant.
"Would you say... the two of us are now acquainted?"
Ayaka asked while supporting her.
"...I suppose so, as long as Miss Kamisato stops tormenting me."
Kokomi answered between breaths.
"That may be difficult."
Ayaka replied with a smile.
"Then we are not acquainted."
Kokomi sharply countered, her weak and drifting steps continuing upward.
"Do you like the Shogun?"
Ayaka asked.
"...I do. And you, Miss Kamisato?"
Kokomi asked in return.
"Need you ask? I am in love with her."
Ayaka smiled.
"Haa... me too... in love. No less than you are."
Once again, Kokomi refused to yield.
"In love? Heh... no offense, but someone like you... will eventually be completely devoured by the Shogun."
Ayaka teased.
"Even so... I would willingly accept it."
Kokomi replied.
"Pfft... I could 'devour' you myself, little fish~?"
Ayaka's eyes finally turned cold as she spoke.
"...Heh... who devours whom is still uncertain. Do not be too confident, little bird."
Kokomi sneered back.
"Hehe~ I'm only joking... actually, the Shogun is very passive. She probably does not even dare to 'devour' you. On the contrary... someone like you could probably pin her down instead, you know?"
Ayaka raised a brow mysteriously.
"...I can tell. The Shogun would not resist..."
The coldness in Kokomi's expression instantly melted away. Her eyes overflowed with gentle affection, even watery tenderness.
"I think, as romantic rivals, it would be better if we refrained from becoming too emotionally close. Otherwise, things will only become more troublesome in the future."
Ayaka proposed.
"...I disagree."
Kokomi refused.
"Why?"
Ayaka froze.
"Because if the Shogun sees the two of us unable to get along, she will be saddened."
Kokomi spoke softly. She still remembered how the Shogun had spoken when introducing Kamisato Ayaka to her. The emotions in her expression had clearly revealed a desire for the two of them to coexist harmoniously. Someone as observant as Kokomi would never misread that.
"To think you understand her this well... I underestimated you."
"...So what are your intentions, Miss Kamisato?"
Kokomi looked at the nearby profile beside her.
"What else can I do? We should coexist peacefully... Could you really bear to see the Shogun upset?"
"Then... perhaps it is better for us to become acquainted after all."
Kokomi smiled.
"Acquainted is acquainted... peaceful coexistence is also true. And the fact that we both love the Shogun is equally true. The Shogun is a god. She should not belong exclusively to either of us, nor should she belong exclusively to anyone else. I came to terms with that long ago."
Ayaka spoke with relief.
"Mm... what a coincidence. I think the same way."
Kokomi replied.
"But we are still rivals. That will never change, Miss Sangonomiya."
"...That is fine. After all, it makes things more interesting, does it not, Miss Kamisato?"
The two smiled at one another before once again exchanging cold looks in perfect unison. Yet despite that, they still supported each other shoulder to shoulder as they climbed the steps.
"By the way... you really are worthy of being a Hydro Vision bearer, Miss Sangonomiya..."
Looking at the way the girl's beautiful white-stockinged feet were damp with sweat, Ayaka could not help commenting again.
"Haa... the Shogun once said the same thing... though, Miss Kamisato, could you perhaps avert that rather impolite gaze of yours?"
Sensing Ayaka staring at her sweaty feet, Kokomi asked with slight dissatisfaction.
The Shogun had once stared at her feet in much the same way, but Kokomi had not minded then. She had even felt somewhat happy and shy. But being stared at by the person beside her only gave her goosebumps and irritation.
"Heh... as if I care to look. Miss Sangonomiya truly thinks too highly of herself."
Ayaka shot her a disdainful glance.
"Indeed... then who was the one staring at my toes just now? Surely the White Heron Princess is not some sort of pervert?"
Kokomi asked in a teasingly sarcastic tone.
"Should I let go of you?"
Ayaka warned unhappily.
"I could walk by myself to begin with."
Kokomi replied stubbornly along with her words, refusing to give even the slightest face.
"..."
This woman truly was... not honest at all!! She really was a formidable rival!
Ayaka rolled her eyes at her.